Sunday begins with the Panthers and Saints at 3-5, and the Falcons and Buccaneers at 3-6. This means that the winner of Sunday’s game between Carolina and New Orleans in the Superdome will be in first place in the NFC South.
It’s only the second time since the NFL realigned the divisions in 2002 that all teams in a division have three or fewer wins through the first nine weeks of the season. (It also happened in 2020, with the NFC East.)
Although the Falcons are the official Jekyll-and-Hyde team in the NFC South, the Panthers and Saints have a bit of the gene, too.
Via NBC Sports research, the Saints average 7.0 points in the first half of games (third worst in the league) and 16.1 points in the second half and overtime (third most).
The Panthers, who have lost three in a row after starting 3-2, have had their fates turn largely on turnovers. In their three wins, they have none. In their five losses, they have 12.
Regardless, whoever wins will capture first place in the division, for now.