New leader in the clubhouse after Week 14

A close win against the New York Giants keeps the New Orleans Saints two games behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but New Orleans is closing in on the Atlanta Falcons. Rivalry aside, passing Atlanta isn’t actually something valuable to New Orleans.

If the Saints don’t win the division, there is no postseason for them. They are on a one way road, and the journey is about to get more challenging with games against the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.

However, with the Saints’ performance on Sunday and Derek Carr’s injury, the playoffs feel like an even less likely outcome than they already did.

Here’s where every team in the NFC South stands after 14 games:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Point differential: +54

Turnover differential: -2

Next opponent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

2. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Point differential: -55

Turnover differential: -9

Next opponent: @ Las Vegas Raiders

3. New Orleans Saints (5-8)

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Point differential: -2

Turnover differential: 2

Next opponent: vs. Washington Commanders

4. Carolina Panthers (3-10)

Matt Kelley/Getty Images

Point differential: -155

Turnover differential: -5

Next opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys