Saints out of playoffs, still shaping the NFC South race

By Ross Jackson

While the NFC South may be out of reach for the New Orleans Saints, the team can still have an impact on how the division shakes out. In fact, it already has. 

The Saints were eliminated from playoff contention following their Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins, which dropped them to 2-10.  

But one week later, with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team changed the landscape of the NFC South. The Buccaneers needed three wins, including one over the Saints, to seal up the top of the division. Their loss to the Saints, followed up by a Thursday night disappointment against the Atlanta Falcons have now turned the tables in favor of the Saints’ next opponent, the Carolina Panthers. 

Two wins to a title: Carolina can clinch the NFC South title with a win Sunday at New Orleans, and vs. the Buccaneers in Week 16. pic.twitter.com/25zDcUbHpC

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 14, 2025

Carolina now needs a pair of wins, one Sunday against the Saints and another as the Panthers go head-to-head with the Buccaneers. 

A win by New Orleans, however, puts the Panthers behind the Bucs. 

The black and gold are in a strange position. Their win against the Panthers in Week 10 slowed Carolina’s progress. Then, the Saints’ win over Tampa helped them catch back up. Now, New Orleans can set the Panthers back again with another win. 

The Saints may not be in the playoff picture, but they sure are shaping it.