2023 NFL Power Rankings: New Orleans Saints

Young riser: S Jordan Howden

The rookie safety started two of the three games that Marcus Maye was suspended for, missing one game to have finger surgery. He already has become part of the rotation in a deep backfield and has shown a lot of promise for the future. In a 34-0 shutout of the Patriots, he had two pass deflections in his second start even though his hand was still healing. -- Katherine Terrell

The Saints' fourth-quarter flourish shouldn't make anyone assume their offensive issues are fixed. It took too long for New Orleans to find any consistent rhythm against the Jaguars, and the story for most of Thursday's game -- just as it was four days earlier, in Week 6 -- was that Derek Carr and his pass catchers seemingly operate on different wavelengths too often. New Orleans went 0-for-3 in the red zone against the Texans and 3-for-18 on third down against the Jaguars. Carr and Chris Olave especially can't seem to get in a groove. Olave is roughly on the same production pace as he was in his rookie year, but he's only caught 17 of his past 36 targets. That can't continue. To make matters worse, Olave was arrested for reckless operation of a motor vehicle on Monday.

The offense is so limited right now with Derek Carr not playing well. He points a lot of fingers at others, but he's a big part of the problem.

Derek Carr can air out his teammates all he wants, but it's worth noting his TD pass rate (2.4%), yards per pass attempt (6.3) and QB rating (82.8) are all at their lowest levels since his rookie season in 2014.

One question: When is the reboot coming?

New Orleans is a projected $83.7 million over the 2024 salary cap (that's twice as much as any other team), according to Over the Cap, and for what? The Saints' only wins this year have come against the Titans, Panthers and Patriots, and the $60 million they guaranteed to quarterback Derek Carr in the offseason is looking like a bad investment. Carr is 27th in the league in yards per attempt (6.3) and 20th in passer rating (82.8) and seems to be blaming everyone but himself on the sideline. The Saints might be stuck with him through next season because it would be $52 million in dead money to cut him before June 1, 2024, and $35.7 million after June 1.

The Saints offense is an absolute mess. Yes, they rallied at the end. But a couple late touchdowns don't negate how hard they struggled to even get on the same page, let alone move the ball. And if that wasn't bad enough, the Jaguars' game-winning touchdown was a shocking breakdown by a proud defense.

The Saints have an easy schedule upcoming, but it's not as easy as the Falcons' remaining slate (which is miles easier than any other team). The Falcons went on the road Sunday after the Saints dropped a winnable home game against Jacksonville. It's starting to look like it's Atlanta's division to lose, and the Saints have only themselves to blame for that.

It's not Derek Carr's fault. (Just ask him.)

Tweets by @EDSFootball