Power Rankings Roundup: Saints mostly a consensus Top 5 team

We’re a month down across the NFL, and the New Orleans Saints are winners of three straight after dropping their season home opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It hasn’t exactly been pretty, but it has been entertaining. After sampling several outlets, here are the results for the black and gold power rankings, which mostly see them a Top 5 team in the league (unless you’re Yahoo). Do you agree or disagree?

ESPN — 4th (Previous Week: 5th)

Rookie snaps leader: DE Marcus Davenport, 103 snaps out of 241 (42.7 percent). The Saints gave up a 2019 first-round pick to move up and take Davenport, and he has been a big part of their pass rush, as 61 percent of his snaps (a team high) have come with him getting after the QB. -- Shah

NFL.com — 4th (Previous Week: 6th)

Statement win for the Saints on Sunday. They proved they could prevail outside of the dome -- any dome -- while also getting a quality day from the defense. You saw the intensity from Sean Payton when Ted Ginn Jr. pulled the knucklehead move of fielding a kickoff mere steps in front of the goal line, dropping it and scrambling to pick it up before getting smothered by the Giants’ coverage unit. Payton was furious at Ginn and special teams coach Mike Westhoff for backing his offense up to New Orleans’ end zone. Then the offense delivered its own statement, with Drew Brees moving in the pocket and hitting his tight end to pick up a first down and push the Saints out of a hole. That set the table for a 97-yard drive and a 33-18 lead. Ball game.

SB Nation — 4th (Previous Week: 7th)

The Saints tallied another win, this time against the lowly Giants. With a lot of the teams in last week’s top 10 losing, the Saints were able to climb the rankings. The same goes for the Patriots after a dominant win over the previously undefeated Dolphins. And without even playing, the Panthers jumped up a few spots, too.

Sporting News — 3rd (Previous Week: 3rd)

Drew Brees and the passing game had a tough game against the Giants, but then came the running game and the defense to the rescue, just like last season. That’s a great sign going forward.

Yahoo — 10th (Previous Week: 12th)

It hasn’t been pretty but after four games the Saints are in good shape. And Mark Ingram returns after a four-game suspension. Alvin Kamara is a great player but Ingram provides the depth that was lacking. Unlike other teams, the Saints got through their rough patch early this season without much damage in the standings.

USA Today — 3rd (Previous Week: 3rd)

Their 3-1 start is best in five years, and things are only looking up with RB Mark Ingram set to rejoin buddy Alvin Kamara in backfield.