Saints Chances To Win NFC South
The NFC South again has a three-way tie atop its leader board, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints all at 6-7. Because of tiebreakers, in this case record against common opponents, New Orleans currently sits third out of the group.
This division has the worst record of all NFL division leaders, with the AFC West and South the next worst at 8-5. To put this into perspective, the Saints, Falcons, and Buccaneers would be one game from being eliminated from winning five of the other seven divisions. No matter, whichever team emerges from this battle of attrition will still get to host a first-round playoff game.
Here is the remaining schedule for the top NFC South teams, along with their current division and conference record.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
• vs. NFC South = 3-1
• vs. NFC = 5-4
Week 15 - at Packers (6-7)
Week 16 - vs. Jaguars (8-5)
Week 17 - vs. Saints (6-7)
Week 18 - at Panthers (1-12)
The Buccaneers have come to life a bit, winning their last two after losing six of their previous seven. They also defeated the Saints in New Orleans back in Week 4, giving them a current tiebreaker advantage.
Given that the Saints have already lost to both Green Bay and Jacksonville, a loss by the Bucs in either of the next two weeks would be greatly beneficial. It's hard to imagine the woeful Panthers putting up much fight in the season finale.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
New Orleans Saints receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass over Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah (1). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY
• vs. NFC South = 3-1)
• vs. NFC = 4-5
Week 15 - at Panthers (1-12)
Week 16 - vs. Colts (7-6)
Week 17 - at Bears (5-8)
Week 18 - at Saints (6-7)
Atlanta might be the most physical team on both sides of the ball in the division. However, the Falcons have shown a consistent inability to close games out in the fourth quarter.
The Falcons have a big advantage in facing an awful Carolina team this weekend. After that, they have contests against an Indianapolis team fighting for their own playoff spot and a Chicago team that's shown a lot of fight recently. It's not hard to picture this division being decided in a season finale showdown between bitter rivals New Orleans and Atlanta.
New Orleans Saints (6-7)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) takes a hit from New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96). Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
• vs. NFC South = 2-2
• vs. NFC = 3-5
Week 15 - vs. Giants (5-8)
Week 16 - at Rams (6-7)
Week 17 - at Buccaneers (6-7)
Week 18 - vs. Falcons (6-7)
The Saints have lost to both Tampa Bay and Atlanta already this year, so getting swept by either team would essentially eliminate them. Losses to the Packers and Vikings also cripples New Orleans when it comes to conference and common opponent tiebreakers.
So simply put, the Saints cannot afford a loss combined with either an Atlanta or Tampa Bay win. Such a scenario would all but finish them. New Orleans has won back-to-back games just three times under coach Dennis Allen, including once to open this season. Their longest winning streak under Allen is just three games, occurring down the stretch of last year.
Allen's Saints are just 4-6 against NFC South opponents and 7-7 overall at home in the last two seasons. New Orleans still has an outside chance at a wild-card spot if they don't win the division. Because of their conference record, however, their only realistic chance at the postseason is by winning the NFC South.
