Week 2 NFL Power Rankings: Saints Drop

by Dave Cariello on Sep 13, 2011 1:01 PM CDT

With one week of regular season play in the books, the good folks over at SB Nation have released their latest NFL power rankings, using actual game results to base their opinions instead of pure pre-season conjecture.

Which means the Saints have taken a bit of a dip. Last week, before the start of the season, they had the Saints ranked second right behind the Green Bay Packers. This week, the Packers still sit at the top but the Saints have a new position at sixth. Here's their explanation:

6. New Orleans Saints (LW: 2): QB Drew Brees looked terrific but it came at the hands of the Packers, who were better last Thursday night. The Saints will be fine if they play like they did last week. Unfortunately, the Packers are on another level right now.

Can't say I can really argue with them. The Ravens, Patriots, Eagles and Jets are all ahead of the Saints and all worthy at this point.

What do you think?

Poll

Where would you rank the Saints?

1

48 votes

2

52 votes

3

67 votes

4

120 votes

5

114 votes

6

71 votes

7

21 votes

8

20 votes

9

11 votes

10

54 votes

578 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 70 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

First goes to Green Bay

But I don’t think either the Eagles or Jets showed they deserve to be ahead of us. So call me a homer but I voted fourth.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 13, 2011 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

You just had to be first.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Ahh, but the game's so much more fun this way...

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 13, 2011 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

And infinitely less annoying and immature.

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Sep 13, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't mind growing older

But I refuse to Grow UP

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 13, 2011 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Preach it, brudda.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

da brudda, da brudda brudda, da brudda brudda
da brudda you love, da brudda you love, da brudda you love to hate

Shake that thang like a salt shaker, shake that thang like a salt shaker

____ betta have my money

I've got two words for ya.....Whit Bissell

by BewareofDog on Sep 13, 2011 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Good to see you made it out to play. I’ll take Jubilee for a 1,000, Alex.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree, imo the Rams could have easily beat the Eagles if Steven Jackson didn’t get injured

Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson

by lovingmma25 on Sep 13, 2011 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

They certainly looked like they might before he got hurt.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions

If the Packers really are the best, then I don’t think you can make the case for anybody but the Saints as 2nd best. I get that the Patriots and Eagles were impressive, but the Saints played the Packers to within a few feet of a tie game. Either these teams are actually better than the Packers, or they aren’t better than the Saints. The window to rank someone between the Packers and Saints is an awfully small one in my opinion.

"I want to hand this trophy to the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and the MVP of the entire league.''
-- Saints coach Sean Payton, handing the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Drew Brees after Super Bowl 44.

by VAsaintsfan on Sep 13, 2011 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

1. GB
2. Ravens
3. Pats
4. Saints

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 1:34 PM CDT reply actions

This would also be my order

Maybe the jets up but i believe we could beat them

by mississippisaintsfan on Sep 13, 2011 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

If the Jets had Romo playing for them for more than just 1 game this year, I would move them up too

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions

And I'm not too sure I wouldn't put Ravens number 1

Seeing what they did to the Steelers on offense and defense

by mississippisaintsfan on Sep 13, 2011 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I debated that as well. Ravens thrashed a quality opponent (no matter what some might think of the Steelers).

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I put the Saints at #5

I’d drop the Eagles a good bit. Vick completed less than 44% of his passes for only 187 yards. They were also playing the Rams – without Steven Jackson.

by HB-NOLA on Sep 13, 2011 1:42 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I put the Saints at #2

And we will be to number 1 very soon.

That's interesting. You know what makes me sad? YOU DO!!! Maybe we should chug on over to mambypandyland...or maybe we can find some self confidence for you YA JACKWAGON!!!!!!

(tears) Tissue?.....Crybaby.

by Jricky70 on Sep 13, 2011 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I might not move the Saints up from 6(if the defensive and/or offensive line doesn’t improve, I predict a drop), but I sure as hell wouldn’t put the Jets or the Eagles ahead of them. If the Jets are that good, shouldn’t the Cowboys be at 6? How many times during the regular season is Romo gonna spend all 4th quarter giving the game away? And the Eagles, that’s brand loyalty alone keeping them that high. They won big, but not in an impressive way. And against the Rams, who were without their top RB and WR and barely managing to field their QB1 by games end. Maybe the Bears should take their place. They manhandled a “good” team. Same could be said for the Vikings. The Eagles put up some good numbers in the second half against a decimated mediocre team. Kudos. And the Jets had a game they lost badly handed back to them, giftwrapped, in the last few minutes. And they were at home! Give me a break. Truth is, based on this weekend, they belong right next to Dallas in this absurd ranking, around 12 or 15.

"The Colts were punching at it and grabbing for it, trying to get it out. But I didn't care if they broke all my fingers. There was absolutely no way in the world I was going to let go of that ball. That was our ball.''-Chris Reis

by FuSoYa on Sep 13, 2011 1:48 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 4 recs

All excellent points.
Only two teams other than GB looked better in victory than the Saints did in defeat: Ravens and Pats. So Saints fourth at worst.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Right now, I think we are the second-best team in the NFC.

Plenty of time to move up, but Green Bay played like a champion on Thursday, and I give them their due. But the Saints clawed back and hung in there to the very end. I don’t know of any other team in the conference that would have done that.

by Nabb1 on Sep 13, 2011 1:51 PM CDT reply actions 4 recs

BOOM!! Rec'd it

But the Saints clawed back and hung in there to the very end. I don’t know of any other team in the conference that would have done that.

That's interesting. You know what makes me sad? YOU DO!!! Maybe we should chug on over to mambypandyland...or maybe we can find some self confidence for you YA JACKWAGON!!!!!!

(tears) Tissue?.....Crybaby.

by Jricky70 on Sep 13, 2011 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

The way our defense played I have a hard time giving them any type of ranking.

I think the offense is very good to great, but the defense will give us trouble all year if they don’t get their stuff together. I just wish we had a high motor guy get to the QB on a regular basis. Who do we have that does that? After the way the Saints defense played during the preseason and now in the first game, I’m going reserve ranking judgements until we get two to three games underneath us. I watched a lot of football this weekend and our defensive line must be one of the weakest units out there. I would rank the defense in bottom part of the 2nd tier to the top of the third tier of teams.

by rustdog74 on Sep 13, 2011 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

Nobody shuts down GB’s offense. As bad as our defense got scorched, they made enough stops to win the game.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

they made enough stops to win the game.

Obviously not.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah it probably had nothing to do with coming away with zero points twice inside the ten yard line, nor fumbling the ball on our own 25 yard line.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Or with special teams giving up a kick-off return for a TD. There were failures in all three major aspects of the game. The defense stands out because of the hole they got into in the first half. It was bad, but not Seattle-in-the-playoffs bad.

by Nabb1 on Sep 13, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

they had a kick return and so did we. it was a wash.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

All things considered, Green Bay’s defense didn’t look much better than the Saints.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

i have to agree with dog, here..

GB’s defense did some bend but no break.. but they got their stops.. the fact that they forced 2 fieldgoals on defended passes.. forced a turnover on downs & got the crucial stop at the end.. that alone is 4 stops in the redzone.. the saints D.. zero of those..
saints D did tighten up a little, late in the 2nd half.. but GB was playing a little with the lead, too..

by the 9th plague on Sep 13, 2011 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions

No question their red zone defense was better and was the difference in the game. That and the fumble.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I think if the saints had a better defense the saints would have more chances to win the game.

I hope next week we are lights against Chicago, but I just don’t have a good feeling about our defense. The year we won the Superbowl, you could tell the defense would be better. This reminds me too much of 2007 and 2008 seasons. I know it is early and our first test was against the best team in the league, but I saw no push from the Saint’s defensive line.

by rustdog74 on Sep 13, 2011 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I think if we had Sharper out there – we would have won the game

Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson

by lovingmma25 on Sep 13, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Let's just hope...

…we play them in the Dome next time!

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Dan, I need some help.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Doing what?

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

My computer crashed yesterday, and I lost all my Pickem info. I remember my password, but I have no clue what my email was.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

HA! I saw your review of Daves shop, brown noser. I hope he gave you something for that.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe I should have posted that after you help me out.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

ha ha

it’s like crack…. you got a little, now you gotta have it.

let me see..

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

email me again

and i’ll send you the info

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Will do

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Should be on its way.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I found it before I got your message.

Check your email.

"We got 99 problems, but a Brees ain't one!" by ShadowFlash

by Dan Kelly on Sep 13, 2011 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Have faith guys

I’m confident the defense will step it up in week 2. However if they don’t? Then we’ll have the right to be very concerned

That's interesting. You know what makes me sad? YOU DO!!! Maybe we should chug on over to mambypandyland...or maybe we can find some self confidence for you YA JACKWAGON!!!!!!

(tears) Tissue?.....Crybaby.

by Jricky70 on Sep 13, 2011 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Just a suggestion:

How about in addition to listing where you think the Saints are, also list, in order, the teams (and their rank) that you have ahead of them. BTW, “you” = any CSC members who would be interested in doing this.

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

"you" = any CSC members

Since you felt the need to call me out, I will give you an answer. My ranking for the Saints and teams above them look like this.
1. Saints

Yeah, I didn’t feel like putting too much time into it.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

good idea

I had the Saints at #5… so here’s the top 4:

Packers
Patriots
Ravens
Texans

Yes, the Texans. They might have been playing the Colts without Manning, but I don’t remember Peyton ever playing defense. They looked scary good. And the new defense under Wade is immensely better.

by HB-NOLA on Sep 13, 2011 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Thank you!

My sugesstion was to generate food for thought (rather than to start arguements). I forgot about Houston.

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Mine

Green Bay
New England
Ravens
Saints
Texans

Eagles and Jets are going to have to play someone real before they get on my list.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 13, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

The Texans have looked good but I think they have to do more than beat up on a retired QB before they get that high in the rankings. While their defense has gotten better, don’t forget the Colt’s offense without Manning was worse than pathetic.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I forgot about them(like everybody will do until they claw their way out of the middle of the pack), but I agree on the Texans. They keep getting better, despite ever winning any more games. I know it doesn’t count, but the beating they put on the Saints was exactly like the one the Saints put on them in the ‘09 preseason. And with Indy essentially “out of the way”, they have little excuse for failing this year. That offense is lethal, and they have exactly what New Orleans doesn’t: solid play at the LOS, on both sides.

by FuSoYa on Sep 13, 2011 2:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

just checked the "experts" at nfl.com

They are all over the place with the Saints. Gil Brandt has them 9th… right behind the Lions!

by HB-NOLA on Sep 13, 2011 2:14 PM CDT reply actions

Mr. Coffee has them at #12. He’s got his Super Bowl winning pick, the Falcons, at #10.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Dimaggio?…thought he was dead.

"Winter is coming"

by jeff.l.b on Sep 13, 2011 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions

He’s freeze dried. He’s comiing back.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought that was Mantle.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it was Ted Williams who was frozen for future use.

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

On further reflection, you are correct.

by Drew-Dat on Sep 13, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Yep! Thanks, Dang. That was going to hurt my head trying to figure that out.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 13, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Dang impressed by

That was going to hurt my head

wnen speaking about the late Ted Williams. See:

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-10-02/news/17936247_1_john-henry-williams-ted-williams-museum-alcor-life-extension-foundation

"Dang! The Saints won the Super Bowl!" - my wife, Meso "Happy" Hu Dat.

by Dang Hu Dat on Sep 13, 2011 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Can't rate until after the Bears' game....

As good/great as our offense is, it won’t be fair to rate team until after we play the Bears. Eventhough Will Smith won’t be in there, if Greg WIlliams don’t have the CBs playing tighter coverage on WRs then the outcome may be the same. The Bears with Forte have a better running game than GB so Smith might me missed there, but if we/CBs play 5-7-10 yards off the recievers like we did against GB, the outcome may be the same. I stated the day after our loss to GB that if our CBs play that way all season, Cam Newton would have almost the same outcome and after watching the game highlights Sunday & Mon, that goes for every QB we play against. Great teams put the opponent away with great offense AND defense. Greg Williams need to wake the heck up and do what ever he has to do for our defense to play their part. We got the personnel but if he’s(GW) not blitzing, the defense looks avg sometimes subpar. A Rodger didn’t do anything spectacular. He just threw to the open man and the way GW has our CBs playing so far back, that wasn’t hard.

by fshabazz on Sep 13, 2011 3:22 PM CDT reply actions

#1

Saints are #1 on my field and in my heart. You ask a subjective question and you will get my bias answer.

New Orleans will bounce back!

by BASAINT on Sep 13, 2011 4:06 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

5th

I can’t rank the Saints higher because they still lost. They are better than Jets however.

Pack
Ravens
Pats
Eagles
Saints

Eagles and Saints neck and neck

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Sep 13, 2011 8:33 PM CDT reply actions

4th

Packers
Ravens
Patriots
Saints

Wow, I greened two comments on the same thread!

by RobertM320 on Sep 13, 2011 8:35 PM CDT reply actions

I said 5th.

I would NEVER rank the Jets above the Saints. Most overrated team if there ever was one.

After reading the comments though, a lot of guys made really good points as to why the Saints should be 4th. However, power rankings don’t mean jack-doo. So I won’t stress over it.

Canal Street Chronicles-A place of great Saints news and information. Oh and the stuff I write!
Bring back Aaron Brooks! He's the only one who can save us from the evil that is Drew Brees!!

by Jon Banks on Sep 13, 2011 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

jack-doo

better than diddlysquat?

worse than diddlypoo?

WIN NOW
WINGRAMANIA!!!!

by Hans Petersen on Sep 13, 2011 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

JB,
With the NFC South all 0-1, it’s a perfect week for your ‘around the NFC South’ post. I bet the dirty birds are in hysterics.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Sep 13, 2011 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

The Roundup is on hiatus in favor of the week preview.

I only have enough time for one, and since I’m spearheading the Pick ‘em league, I figured I’d rather give love to that. (Which I’ll be working on tomorrow afternoon/night).

Canal Street Chronicles-A place of great Saints news and information. Oh and the stuff I write!
Bring back Aaron Brooks! He's the only one who can save us from the evil that is Drew Brees!!

by Jon Banks on Sep 13, 2011 11:30 PM CDT up reply actions