Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Darrion Gray

Saints lose their lead in the NFC South standings to the Falcons

The New Orleans Saints lost to the Atlanta Falcons and in turn lost their lead on the NFC South. The Falcons remain undefeated in division play.

That becomes a big deal when evaluating tiebreakers. The Falcons have the head to head tiebreaker over New Orleans, which puts Atlanta at first place. The Saints have no chance to sweep the season series, and likely won’t have a better divisional record. It’s on the Saints to have a better record than Atlanta. A tie doesn’t favor the Saints.

The Falcons were the only team in the NFC South to win a game in Week 12. Their victory was the most impactful at the top of the division. New Orleans’ loss gives Atlanta the head to head tie breaker, at the moment. Tampa Bay and Carolina lost in out of conference games.

1
Atlanta Falcons (5-6)

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Points differential: -19

Divisional record: 3-0

Conference record: 4-4

Upcoming games: Week 13 vs. New York Jets, Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2
New Orleans Saints (5-6)

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Points differential: +7

Divisional record: 1-2

Conference record: 2-4

Upcoming games:  Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions, Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers

3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Points differential: -15

Divisional record: 1-1

Conference record: 4-3

Upcoming games: Week 13 vs. Carolina Panthers, Week 14 at Atlanta Falcons

4
Carolina Panthers (1-10)

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Points differential: -129

Divisional record: 0-2

Conference record: 0-7

Upcoming games: Week 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Week 14 at New Orleans

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.