A 23-22 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday improved the New Orleans Saints record to 3-5 on the year. It was the first victory this year for the Saints in the Superdome after three losses at home. Unbelievably, the win also elevated the Saints into a first place tie in the NFC South.

New Orleans is tied with the 3-5 Carolina Panthers. The Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit right behind both with 3-6 records. Technically, the Panthers hold the current tie-breaker advantage with a better division record, going 1-1 in NFC South games so far while the Saints are 0-1. Obviously, a lot of football remains to be played.

• Tied-1. Carolina Panthers (3-5)

• Tied-1. New Orleans Saints (3-5)

• Tied-3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6)

• Tied-3. Atlanta Falcons (3-6)

New Orleans was the only NFC South team to win on Sunday. The Panthers lost at home to the Denver Broncos, Atlanta lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in Spain, and the Buccaneers were defeated by the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Carolina has lost three straight games, while the Falcons have dropped back-to-back losses and four of their last five. Tampa Bay's loss snapped a two-game winning streak, both divisional victories, after they lost four straight to begin the season.

As badly as the Saints have played through their first eight games, they have a golden opportunity to take control of this division. This coming Sunday, New Orleans takes on Carolina in the Caesars Superdome. The winner will hold sole possession of first place. Over their last nine games, the Saints will play an NFC South team five times. Winning those division games is obviously critical. Especially for the Saints, who also have tough matchups at Chicago, at Cincinnati, and at home against Green Bay over the last half. A poor start has all but doomed any realistic New Orleans hope to stay in the wild-card chase. However, an opportunity to seize control of the NFC South sits directly in front of them.