NFC South preseason power rankings: Saints finally get offense rolling

Another week of the 2024 preseason is complete, so that leaves just one week of preseason games left. After next weekend’s slate of games, teams will have to cut their rosters from 90 players all the way down to 53. Then, they’ll turn their attention to the regular season.

The New Orleans Saints are entering a big week of camp, as they are set to return home to New Orleans. The team has held camp in Southern California this year, and both preseason games have been on the road, in Arizona and California. Now, they’ll come back to New Orleans for a couple of open practices and a home preseason game against the Tennessee Titans.

The Saints will be hoping to build enough momentum to start the regular season strong so they can separate themselves in a competitive NFC South. However, it won’t be an easy task, as the teams in the division are working to be better.

NFC South power rankings entering preseason Week 3

4. Carolina Panthers

Previous ranking: 4

It’s safe to assume the Carolina Panthers will remain in this spot until they do something drastic to shake things up. Two weeks into the preseason, Carolina remains winless and we haven’t seen second-year quarterback Bryce Young yet. Everything about the rebuilding Panthers remains a mystery.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous ranking: 1

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were first on the previous ranking, but they drop two spots down to No. 3 this week. However, that has more to do with what other teams did. The Bucs did lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-7, but they also didn’t play their starters.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Previous ranking: 3

As far as preseason football goes, it was a strange week for the Atlanta Falcons. They lost 13-12 to the Baltimore Ravens, but they decided not to play rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The move confused everyone, especially since Penix isn’t expected to start this season or the next.

Where the Falcons did make strides was their overall roster construction. Atlanta traded for edge defender Matthew Judon and signed safety Justin Simmons. With all of their offseason moves, it’s clear they’re going all in to be a contender.

1. New Orleans Saints

Previous ranking: 2

New Orleans didn’t win, falling 16-10 against the San Francisco 49ers, but this game was more promising than the first preseason game, a contest the Saints actually won. The starting offense put together a dominant, identity-establishing drive, and the defense was flying around making a ton of plays.

The backup quarterback competition underwhelmed, but it’s fair to say Saints fans are entering the final week of the preseason a bit more optimistic about the offensive line and starting offense.

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