The New Orleans Saints may be sitting at 2-5 and last in the NFC South after the bye week, but the division’s messy state gives them a real opening. A win on Sunday could put them right back in the thick of it - and, if everything else breaks their way, into a tie for first place.
That’s how tight things are in a division where nobody has managed to separate from the pack. Carolina currently holds the top spot at 3-4, but the Panthers would be the Saints’ company at the top if New Orleans beats Cleveland and the rest of the NFC South stumbles. In that setup, the Saints and Panthers would both be 3-5, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta would slide to 3-6.
Of course, the Saints have to handle their own business first, and that’s no small ask. Cleveland comes in at 5-3 and was sitting atop the AFC North before last week’s loss. So New Orleans’ path starts with beating a team that has already proven it can win.
Then comes the waiting game. Carolina would need to lose at home to the Denver Broncos, a 6-2 team that would be favored in that matchup.
Atlanta would also have to fall to the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL’s first-ever game in Madrid, Spain. And Tampa Bay would need to lose in a tough spot of its own, heading into Soldier Field in primetime with the Chicago Bears rolling.
Even if all of that happens, it still only gets New Orleans a share of the lead. The real chance to take control comes later, because the Saints still have five division games left, including two against the current first-place team.
The schedule gives them an immediate shot to start climbing. Cleveland visits this weekend, and then the Saints turn right around and face Carolina on Nov.
- That’s their first chance to turn a shared lead into one that belongs to them alone.
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Saints Suddenly Have A New Offensive Wild Card In Week 9
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Tyson is in line to make his NFL debut against the Browns, and his status adds a little intrigue to a Saints attack that could use a spark. Even with the question mark still hanging over his availability, the possibility of getting a rookie receiver on the field gives New Orleans something new to monitor as it looks for answers and consistency on offense. [Read more 🡒]