NFC South Power Rankings heading into Week 4

1. New Orleans Saints (2-1)

Here's the logic of putting the Saints at number one. If you look at their defense, they are right on the heels of Atlanta as the league's no. 9 overall defense. Their offense is the highest-ranked of all four NFC South teams, but is still in the bottom half of the league.

This division is so close when it comes to Tampa Bay, Atlanta and New Orleans right now that it makes it extremely tough to rank those three teams. What makes it even more difficult is the recent injury to Derek Carr, who could be out multiple games with a shoulder.

In will come veteran Jameis Winston, though, who is unafraid to sling it if he has to. The Saints have some weapons in the passing game like Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and the resurging Michael Thomas. Winston could come in and surprise some folks having known the offense and many of his offensive teammates already.

New Orleans' defense will be the deciding factor of whether or not they stay atop the division, though, as they are the second real test for Baker Mayfield this coming week. The winner of that game very well might be no. 1 next week, so we'll have to see how it pans out.