The New Orleans Saints are staring down a massive Week 10 game, with a real shot to grab sole possession of first place in the NFC South. They just need to handle business against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Both squads are sitting at 3-5 right now, which tells you everything you need to know about that division this season. With Tampa Bay on a bye this week, the path is clear for the Saints to make a move.
Chasing the Division Crown
If the Saints want that top spot, beating the Panthers is priority number one. But they’re not just playing their own game. They’ll also be glued to the Chiefs-Falcons matchup. A win for Kansas City would drop Atlanta to 3-7, which is huge because the Falcons are currently only one-and-a-half games back. Remember, Atlanta already got the best of New Orleans back in Week 4, so widening that gap would be sweet relief for the Saints.
The “What If” Scenario: Draft Position
Now, let’s talk about the nightmare scenario, because as fans, we always gotta prepare for it, right? If the Saints *don’t* beat Carolina, they’re not totally out of luck for the future. They’re currently projected at No. 12 in the 2027 draft order, and a loss could actually move them up. How? Well, they’d be rooting for some chaos. Wins by teams picking ahead of them, or losses by teams already on their schedule, would actually push them higher in the draft order.
This is where things get interesting, even for us here in the Emerald City. The Saints will be watching a few key games. They’ll want the Texans, who also sit at 3-5, to beat the Browns. That gives Houston a fourth win and helps lower New Orleans’ strength of schedule. Same goes for the Cardinals (3-6) beating the Rams; a fourth win there would put Arizona behind the Saints in the draft order if the Saints stumble. And don’t forget the Jets (2-7) against the Bills, or the Colts (2-7) against the Dolphins, because wins there would bring them to three victories.
But here’s the kicker for us: the Saints are actually hoping for a **Seahawks win over the Raiders**. Yeah, you read that right. New Orleans played Las Vegas way back in September. If the Raiders lose, it helps the Saints’ strength-of-schedule tiebreaker. Same deal with the Chargers over the Ravens, as the Saints also faced Baltimore early in the season. It’s a weird world when another team is actively rooting for our Hawks, but that’s the NFL for you!
The Saints’ easiest path to the playoffs is still by winning their division, plain and simple. So while they’ve got their eyes on those draft scenarios, you know they’ll be focused on taking down the Panthers. Keep an eye on that Chiefs-Falcons game, too, because it could really open up some breathing room for them against Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just chilling on their bye week, though word is quarterback Baker Mayfield is battling another injury in what’s turned into a brutal season for them. The Saints and Panthers will face off again on December 13 in Charlotte, so this Sunday is just the first round of a crucial NFC South battle!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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