NFC South update: How the New Orleans Saints fared in Week 6

The NFC South is on a mini vacation in Week 7. The New Orleans Saints played against the Chicago Bears. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the day off. The Carolina Panthers also had the day off. And the Atlanta Falcons just took the day off because no one felt like playing.

Here are the current NFC South standings:

1. New Orleans Saints (6-1)
2. Carolina Panthers (4-2)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4)
4. Atlanta Falcons (1-6)

With the Panthers and Bucs off, Atlanta did not have a shot at getting out of 4th place. Sunday was mostly a game to save some face and maybe gain a little respect and confidence. It was the opposite for the Falcons.

Enough of the Falcons. Let’s check in on a well-coached team.

When Drew Brees and Cam Newton went down, we expected the Falcons to have their easiest path to the top of the NFC South. That was wrong. Even today, the Saints were down Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook, and despite going up against a tough Chicago Bears defense, it didn’t matter.

The Saints defense manhandled Mitchell Trubisky while the backup offense piled up 36 points. You really have to give Sean Payton credit for putting together a creative offense missing so many players. Sure, I made fun of the Latavius Murray signing, but he piled up 144 total offensive yards and 2 touchdowns.

The defense is good. The Bears piled on 15 garbage time points. Cameron Jordan plopped on two sacks but the defensive line was harassing him all game. They look legit.

Payton also did this ultra embarrassing trash talk of a football player over 30 years younger than himself. What is wrong with him?

The Saints are hitting on all cylinders right now and have a very strong hold on the NFC South. Whether or not they cool down, it’s unclear, but the Saints are playing some very good football right now.