2020 NFL Power Rankings: New Orleans Saints
Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Here is where the New Orleans Saints rank in terms of average, best and worst:
- Average ranking: 10.4 (11th)
- Best ranking: 9th (Multiple)
- Worst ranking: 12th (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 6 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 9
It's impossible to know what to make of this team. Alvin Kamara helped save them Monday night with a great 28-yard grab down the right sideline on the game-tying drive. And Emmanuel Sanders (12 catches for 122 yards on 14 targets against the Chargers) finding his way in the Saints' offense is a great sign. But New Orleans was down 17 at one point, and its defense has breakdowns every week, ranking 26th in EPA per snap. The Saints are 3-2 going into their bye week. There's a scenario where they get Michael Thomas back, he masks a lot of their issues, and they run away with the NFC South. But I still need to see a lot more to be convinced that they are legit Super Bowl contenders.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 12
They were able to rally against the Chargers, but this team hasn't looked like a Super Bowl team yet. The defense has too many issues for that.
USA Today -- Rank: 12
It hasn't been pretty, but they're technically back in control of NFC South. So why mull moving home games to Baton Rouge? Is such a disruption really worth it to pro players? And it's not like Tiger Stadium has been working for LSU this year …
ESPN -- Rank: 9
Biggest weakness: Penalties
The Saints lead the NFL in total penalty yards and defensive penalties -- including a whopping 11 pass interference flags for a total of 244 yards heading into Monday night's game. You would think that's an area they could clean up. But it consistently plagued them throughout the first month of the season, with at least two penalties each by starters Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins and Marcus Williams. And it has helped to turn their talented secondary into a question mark instead of a strength early this season. -- Mike Triplett
The Saints lead the NFL in total penalty yards and defensive penalties -- including a whopping 11 pass interference flags for a total of 244 yards heading into Monday night's game. You would think that's an area they could clean up. But it consistently plagued them throughout the first month of the season, with at least two penalties each by starters Marshon Lattimore, Janoris Jenkins and Marcus Williams. And it has helped to turn their talented secondary into a question mark instead of a strength early this season. -- Mike Triplett
NFL.com -- Rank: 10
Can we officially pause the funeral procession on the career of Drew Brees now? The early portion of this season has featured endless hand-wringing over the veteran QB and his inability to attack defenses with deep throws (as if that was ever the heartbeat of his game), but on Monday night, we saw how Brees can still move an offense when it matters. Brees went over 300 yards passing and accounted for two touchdowns as New Orleans wiped out a 17-point second-quarter deficit en route to a 30-27 overtime win over the Chargers. Brees has found his rhythm with Emmanuel Sanders, and the eventual return of Michael Thomas (assuming he can cease punching teammates in the face) will make the Saints' attack that much stronger.
Previous update: New Orleans Saints Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More New Orleans Saints pages:
- New Orleans Saints Mock Draft Roundup
- New Orleans Saints Snap Counts
- New Orleans Saints Franchise Leaders
- New Orleans Saints Draft History
- New Orleans Saints Schedule
- New Orleans Saints Tickets
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