Many expected the NFC South to be the NFL's worst division as we entered the 2026 season. Entering Week 8, it's hard to argue with that preseason assessment. Despite offseason improvements from the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, each team is underperforming their individual expectations. The NFC South is the only division that doesn't have a team with a winning record.
Carolina got Week 8 started with a 27-19 loss at the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. The teams in the NFC South have a combined 10-18 record so far, a .357 winning percentage. Here's a quick look through the entire division.
1. Carolina Panthers (3-4)
▪︎ Points scored: 178▪︎ Points against: 193▪︎ Offensive rank: 9th▪︎ Defensive rank: 23rd
2. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)
▪︎ Points scored: 171▪︎ Points against: 173▪︎
Offensive rank: 17th▪︎ Defensive rank: 19th
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5)
▪︎ Points scored: 162▪︎ Points against: 151▪︎ Offensive rank: 26th▪︎ Defensive rank: 3rd
4. New Orleans Saints (2-5)
▪︎ Points scored: 162▪︎ Points against: 194▪︎ Offensive rank: 21st▪︎ Defensive rank: 28th
New Orleans possesses the best quarterback and wide receiver in the division with Tyler Shough and Chris Olave. Unfortunately, the Saints also own the division's most inept defense and arguably the worst offensive line. Tampa Bay, with two wins in their last three outings, might be waking up offensively and are dangerous with their swarming defense. Atlanta owns perhaps the league's best running back in Bijan Robinson along with some good offensive weapons, but remain extremely schizophrenic and erratic. Carolina has the division's best overall offense statistically, but doubts remain about their consistency on that side of the ball and have been a disappointment defensively.
The Saints have a great opportunity to make some noise in the NFC South after their bye. Aside from an embarrassing performance against bitter rival Atlanta at home, New Orleans has five games remaining against division opponents. The Saints will also get first round pick Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne back from injured reserve soon, with left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. perhaps coming back for the stretch run. The reinforcements are needed, but a bigger must is better execution from the New Orleans players on the field and better game plans and preparation from coaching. As bad as the Saints have played, they're only a game out of a first-place tie. It's becoming clear that the NFC South isn't good enough to qualify a wild-card playoff team, so winning this division will be the only ticket to the NFL postseason.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL Week 8: NFC South standings and overview with Saints on bye
