It’s common knowledge in sports that if you take care of your own business, you don’t have to worry about anybody else as far as the standings are concerned.

While this is entirely true, getting some help along the way is never a bad thing. This column will be completely dedicated to the results of the other three NFC South teams throughout the season; hopefully we’ll be able to bask in their failures together.

New Orleans Saints 42, Carolina Panthers 10

Despite the fact that the Saints already had the NFC South locked up, they still had something to play for — a win coupled with a Green Bay loss in Detroit or a San Francisco loss in Seattle would have given New Orleans a top two seed and first round bye.

As a result, the Saints played their starters and annihilated a Panthers team that’s just happy to be done with this season.

Carolina didn’t score on a single one of their first seven drives. In that timespan, New Orleans scored five touchdowns to end this game before halftime. The Saints gashed a tired Panthers defense while Will Grier went an astounding 1-8 with four yards, a pic 6, and a lost fumble before getting benched.

Drew Brees had 253 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. Latavius Murray was the leading rusher with 61 yards. Tre’Quan Smith paced New Orleans’ receiving corps with 56 yards and a touchdown.

In relief of Grier, Kyle Allen had 295 passing yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Christian McCaffrey had just 26 rushing yards and his team’s lone score in the game. Brandon Zylstra was the leading receiver with a game-high 96 yards.

2019 NFC South Standings

1. New Orleans Saints (13-3 overall record; 5-1 division record)

2. Atlanta Falcons (7-9 overall record; 4-2 division record)

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9 overall record; 2-4 division record)

4. Carolina Panthers (5-11 overall record; 1-5 division record)