NFC South Standings | Week 10

Despite mediocre (or worse) play, the Saints still sit atop the NFC South. Here's an updated look at the division standings and the remaining schedule for each team.

The New Orleans Saints voluntarily took an extra bye week by putting up little fight in a pathetic 27-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Now at 5-5, the Saints have an actual bye coming in Week 11. Thanks to the ineptitude of the rest of the division, New Orleans still leads the NFC South by a game.

NFC South Standings (after Week 10)

1. New Orleans Saints (5-5)

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

3. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

4. Carolina Panthers (1-8)

Saints Remaining Schedule (w/ current records)

• Week 11 - BYE

• Week 12 - at Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

• Week 13 - vs. Detroit Lions (7-2)

• Week 14 - vs. Carolina Panthers (1-8)

• Week 15 - vs. New York Giants (2-8)

• Week 16 - at Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

• Week 17 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

• Week 18 - vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

New Orleans has a 1-1 record within their division and is 2-3 against NFC opponents. The cumulative record of their remaining opponents is 25-41, a .379 winning percentage. It's important to note that the Saints are a pathetic 1-11 when facing a team that is .500 or better under coach Dennis Allen. 

Buccaneers Remaining Schedule 

• Week 11 - at San Francisco 49ers (6-3)

• Week 12 - at Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

• Week 13 - vs. Carolina Panthers (1-8)

• Week 14 - at Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

• Week 15 - at Green Bay Packers (3-6)

• Week 16 - vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)

• Week 17 - vs. Saints (5-5)

• Week 18 - at Carolina Panthers (1-8)

Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24). Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY

Tampa Bay is 1-1 against NFC South foes. However, they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against New Orleans after beating them in Week 4. The Bucs are also 3-3 against the NFC. Their remaining opponents have a record of 31-44, a .413 winning percentage. 

The Saints have a 39-25 all-time record against the Buccaneers, with a 26-18 record against them since the formation of the NFC South in 2002. However, Tampa Bay has won the last three meetings between the two teams. 

Falcons Remaining Schedule 

• Week 11 - BYE

• Week 12 - vs. Saints (5-5)

• Week 13 - at New York Jets (4-5)

• Week 14 - vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

• Week 15 - at Carolina Panthers (1-8)

• Week 16 - vs. Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

• Week 17 - at Chicago Bears (3-7)

• Week 18 - at Saints (5-5)

Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) sacks Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta has a 2-0 record in the division and is 3-4 in the conference. They've lost six of their last seven against the Saints, including the last five between these teams in Atlanta. The combined record of Atlanta's remaining opponents is 27-40, a winning percentage of .403.

The Saints and Falcons have one of the NFL's most underrated rivalries. Their all-time series is tied up at 54 victories apiece, but New Orleans is 24-9 against their bitter rivals since 2006.

Panthers Remaining Schedule 

• Week 11 - vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

• Week 12 - at Tennessee Titans (3-6)

• Week 13 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

• Week 14 - at Saints (5-5)

• Week 15 - vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-6)

• Week 16 - vs. Green Bay Packers (3-6)

• Week 17 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)

• Week 18 - vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5)

Sep 18, 2023; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye (6). Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina is all but mathematically eliminated, but who knows what could happen in this division. They could definitely play a spoiler role in the division or conference. The Panthers are 0-2 against the NFC South and 0-6 in the conference. Their remaining opponents have a record of 35-39, a .473 winning percentage. 

New Orleans holds a 30-28 all-time advantage against the Panthers, but the teams have split their last six meetings. The Saints are 15-14 when facing Carolina at home.

In 27 games under Dennis Allen, the Saints are only 6-6 at home, where they play four of their remaining seven contests. They've won back-to-back games only three times in those 27 outings, including one three-game winning streak. New Orleans is only 3-5 against NFC South foes under Allen and are just 2-2 against divisional rivals at home.

The Saints have had every opportunity to take firm control over a bad division, just as they did last year. However, just like last year, they've bumbled away each chance. Fortunately for New Orleans, the rest of the NFC South has been just as inept. We'll see if the Saints can finally take advantage over their last seven games this year.