The NFC South isn't exactly the cream of the NFL's crop.
In 2025, and for the first time in a decade, the Carolina Panthers won the division . . . at 8-9 . . . and with a -69 point differential. And going into 2026, the outlook for the reigning champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints doesn't appear too bright.
All four of the NFC South's teams landed in the same Super Bowl tier in CBS Sports' new power rankings by Carter Bahns. Bahns writes:
The C Tier might be the most fluid. If everything clicks for these teams, they can clinch a spot in the playoffs. If it falls apart, they could bottom out and face tough questions about whether to keep their coaching staff and whether to blow up their rosters. Nothing
exemplifies that reality quite like the NFC South. All four teams landed in this tier for two reasons. One, they are all on equal footing, as evidenced by the three-way tie atop the division in 2025. Two, none of them are particularly great, which showed in all of them finishing last season under .500.
It's tough to argue that any of these four teams belong in a higher tier.
Atlanta has some of the most talented players in the division, but is also dealing with the worst quarterback situation of the bunch.
Tampa Bay has some great pieces like defensive lineman Vita Vea and second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka. But with quarterback Baker Mayfield and the organization at an impasse over his next contract, their run could soon be coming to an end.
New Orleans could have the most promising quarterback in the division after a very impressive rookie season from Tyler Shough. However, it's going to take a while for them to climb out of the hole they dug for themselves by keeping the Drew Brees-era roster together for far too long after he left.
The Panthers are a wild card based on what they get or don't get from their quarterback, Bryce Young. It's conceivable that they could finish anywhere between 10 wins and five wins, depending on how he does as well as the health of their key pieces.
Bottom line—nobody really knows what to expect from this division.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers in same Super Bowl tier as Buccaneers, Falcons, Saints
