NFC South Power Rankings: Week 3 standings

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) intercepts a hail mary over New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) to end the game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

We saw the first divisional contest from the NFC South in Week 2, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stunned the Saints on the road. The Buccaneers move to 1-1 while the struggling Saints drop to 0-2 with their playoff ambitions in tatters.

A step above has been the Panthers and Falcons, both sitting at 2-0. These two teams don’t meet until December, so the battle will continue without a head-to-head confrontation for some time. Carolina has had to dig deep without many playmakers to help Cam Newton on offense, and the defense has been leaned on to get the job done.

Atlanta is a team on the rise, but a consequence of the coaching changes is early-season problems. So far, they’ve been overcome with two tight victories to make the team’s best start to a season since 2012. Where does each team stand heading into Week 3?

Next: No. 4