Atlanta Falcons: State of the NFC South in Week 6

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is pressured by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn (99) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints

Record: 2-4
Position: 4th
Week 6: W 31-21 vs. Atlanta

A wounded animal is a dangerous animal. After a crushing defeat at the hands of the Eagles last week, the New Orleans Saints bounced back in primetime to put away the Falcons.

Was it a sign of what’s to come? Can the Saints fight their way back into the playoff race? In a word—no. It was an excellent performance no doubt, one not many saw coming, but the team is still very much in a hole and it will be difficult to come out of this year.

To have any chance, they will need to get hot and keep winning games. The next five? At Indianapolis, home to New York Giants, home to Tennessee, at Washington, at Houston. How many can New Orleans win in that stretch? Five wins would put them at 7-4 for the season. That’s what it might take.

I’m not so sure they get that. After all, this was a team that lost at home to Tampa Bay.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers