NFL midseason grades: Saints’ slide earns them an F in NFC South, and their bitter rivals score best

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Record: 6-3 (first in NFC South)

Top fantasy performer: QB Kirk Cousins, 149.82 points

MVP: Cousins

Key second-half game: Dec. 29 at Commanders

The Falcons are close to being the team that they set out to be this season. Kirk Cousins, despite his physical limitations post-Achilles injury, has been good enough for the Falcons to carry a top-10 offense. Their defense, however, has largely been one of the worst units in the league, which may hurt them in the postseason. For now, Atlanta’s first year under head coach Raheem Morris, who has a strong defensive coaching résumé, has been a success and the Falcons are starting to play a more sustainable brand of football.

Record: 4-5 (second in NFC South)

Top fantasy performer: QB Baker Mayfield, 211.46 points

MVP: WR Chris Godwin

Key second-half game: Nov. 10 vs. 49ers

Tampa Bay lost the war of attrition this year. The Bucs had one of the best offenses in the league prior to losing Chris Godwin for the season and Mike Evans for a few weeks. They’ll have to navigate the second half of the season with a new approach. Their season certainly isn’t over and they might have enough offense without those guys to get something going, but it will certainly be tough.

Record: 2-7 (third in NFC South)

Top fantasy performer: RB Chuba Hubbard, 124.30 points

MVP: Hubbard

Key second-half game: Dec. 1 vs. Buccaneers

This year has been a disaster for the Panthers, showing very few signs of life in the midst of benching their former No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young. The defense has been bad, the offense has been bad and rookie head coach Dave Canales’ squad has been routinely dominated this season. One of the few saving graces has been the performance of running back Chuba Hubbard, who has been a breakout star in difficult circumstances. Getting a win over the Saints with Young looking serviceable is the only reason this isn’t an F.

Record: 2-7 (fourth in NFC South)

Top fantasy performer: RB Alvin Kamara, 167.70 points

MVP: Kamara

Key second-half game: Nov. 10 vs. Falcons

The Saints looked like they were going to take the league by storm over the first two weeks of the season. Since that sizzling start they have lost seven straight games en route to being one of the worst teams in the NFL. They’re injured, don’t have a consistent passing game and fired head coach Dennis Allen this week. If they want to have any chance of saving their season, they’ll need to win the next game against the Falcons — and then several more after that. With its bleak salary-cap outlook, how good is this job in attracting high-profile head coaching candidates?