In the blink of an eye, we're almost halfway through the 2024-25 NFL season. There is only one undefeated team left, the Kansas City Chiefs at 6-0. While there are four teams with just one win, there are no more winless teams.

The NFC South was widely considered the league's worst division entering the season. After seven weeks, the South has the fewest combined wins of the four NFC divisions (11) and a winning percentage of .393. The AFC East has the fewest overall wins (10) in the other conference and the worst overall winning percentage (.370) of the eight NFL divisions.

Here are the current NFC South rankings as Week 8 begins.

1. Atlanta 4-3*
2. Tampa Bay 4-3*
3. New Orleans 2-5
4. Carolina 1-6

* The Falcons currently own the tiebreaker lead thanks to a Week 5 win over Tampa Bay

• 1-1 divisional record
• 4-1 NFC recording

Tampa Bay has won the last three NFC South titles. They are one step shy of the division record of four championships set by the New Orleans Saints between 2017 and 2020.

With a strong conference record to start this season, Tampa Bay is once again on top. However, the Buccaneers may also have to be without wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans for an extended period of time.

The Buccaneers have a big rematch against the Falcons at home next week. Atlanta won an overtime thriller against Tampa Bay on Oct. 3 to gain an early tiebreaker lead.

Tampa Bay also has a very favorable schedule starting in November after back-to-back games against the Chiefs and 49ers. After their bye in Week 11, the Buccaneers will no longer face an opponent that currently has a winning record in their last seven games.

Remaining division games
vs. Atlanta (Oct. 27)
in Carolina (Dec. 1)
vs. Carolina (Dec. 29)
vs. New Orleans (January 5)

• 3-0 divisional record
• 4-1 NFC recording

Atlanta has had a losing record for six straight seasons, including four straight with double-digit losses. After a coaching change and some offensive personnel additions, they appear poised to end this streak in 2024. Unless they “hawk” like they usually do.

The Falcons were well positioned at halftime with a strong record in the conference and against division opponents. If they manage to defeat the Buccaneers in their rematch this Sunday, they will be in a very commanding position from a tiebreaker perspective.

After the showdown against Tampa Bay, Atlanta will face two teams that have a current winning record in their last nine games. However, five of the next seven contests the Falcons play will be away from home.

Remaining division games
in Tampa Bay (Oct. 27)
in New Orleans (November 10)
in Carolina (January 5)

• 1-2 division record
• 2-3 NFC recording

After a resounding start, New Orleans literally gave away two wins against Philadelphia and Atlanta in the last minute. Since then, their abysmal performances have seen them trail by five games in the last three competitions.

Injuries have decimated New Orleans' offense. Defensively, a once-impressive unit is now one of the worst in the league and playing at a pathetic level. They'll get some of their injured players back in a must-win game at the Chargers this week. However, C Erik McCoy remains on injured reserve, QB Derek Carr will miss at least one more game, and WR Rashid Shaheed and CB Paulson Adebo are each out for the year.

Given the injuries and poor play, the Saints couldn't possibly have put themselves in a worse situation. Last-minute losses to the Falcons and Eagles cost them a key division win and two in the conference. After losing a playoff spot via tiebreakers in two of the last three years, New Orleans needed outside help by mid-year to get back into contention.

Coach Dennis Allen's Saints have an abysmal record of 4-17 against teams that are .500 or better when playing them since 2022. In the last 10 games, New Orleans will face an opponent that is currently .500 or better.

Remaining division games
in Carolina (November 3)
vs. Atlanta (November 10)
in Tampa Bay (January 5)

• 0-2 divisional record
• 0-4 NFC recording

The collapse of New Orleans' defense and the fact that Atlanta couldn't keep up (yet) were surprises. What's no surprise is that the Panthers are back at the bottom of the league.

Carolina ranks 28th in total offense and 31st in total defense (the Saints are last) and is among the NFL's worst at scoring points and preventing them. They also swapped out 2023 first-round draft choice Bryce Young at quarterback in favor of veteran journeyman Andy Dalton.

The Panthers have posted double-digit losses in five straight seasons. They haven't shown anything to suggest anything will change this year. Six of their seven opponents are currently .500 or better after their Week 11 bye.

Remaining division games
vs. New Orleans (November 3)
vs. Tampa Bay (Dec. 1)
in Tampa Bay (December 29)
in Atlanta (January 5)