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Week 12 of the NFL regular season is almost upon us. Here are all of the major outlets’ power rankings. So how do the New Orleans Saints rank? (change from last week’s ranking is in parentheses)
ESPN - #6 (+/-)
Most underrated player: Demario Davis, LB
The eighth-year veteran has never made a Pro Bowl. But he is working on his third straight season of at least 110 tackles. Since he arrived as a free agent last year, the Saints have had the NFL’s No. 1 run defense (allowing just 82.2 rushing yards per game over the past two seasons). Throw in everything Davis does as a captain, emotional leader and signal-caller wearing the defensive headset and he might be the Saints’ best free-agent signing in a decade. -- Mike Triplett
USA Today - #3 (+1)
Encouraging to see signs of life from Alvin Kamara, who scored 31 TDs over his first two seasons but has reached end zone just twice in 2019.
CBS - #5 (+/-)
They got the offense back on track against Tampa Bay. What happened against the Falcons? I still can’t figure that out.
NFL - #5 (+1)
As you could tell from his 23 touches and 122 scrimmage yards in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers, Alvin Kamara is back to being a focal point. That’s important for the Saints, who have several stars on offense but need their dynamic running back at full strength to reach their full potential. Kamara had more touches by the midway point of the second quarter than he had during the entirety of Week 10’s loss to Atlanta, and while his production doesn’t jump off the page, he was moving like he did before a high ankle sprain brought his season to a halt last month. Kamara was just one bright spot in a nice get-right game for the Saints, who washed out the bad taste of that Falcons loss by making life miserable for Jameis Winston. While Winston piled up interceptions, Drew Brees moved the offense with his usual efficiency in a routine win. Yes, life is back to normal in New Orleans.
Bleacher Report - #4 (+/-)
Week 11 Result: Won at Tampa Bay 34-17
After the Falcons stunned them at home in Week 10, the New Orleans Saints needed a rebound game to get back to establishing themselves as one of the NFC’s best teams.
For the most part, the Saints accomplished that goal Sunday in Tampa Bay.
It wasn’t a flawless effort—they averaged 3.9 yards per carry and were outgained slightly overall.
But New Orleans converted over half its third-down attempts, and the defense was opportunistic, notching a pair of sacks and forcing four turnovers (including a late pick-six by Marcus Williams that sealed the deal).
”The Saints don’t have Seattle’s momentum or San Francisco’s record,” Davenport said. “But New Orleans has more balance than any other team in the NFC. Run game, passing game, defense…the Saints don’t really have a weakness. I also hear that their quarterback is supposed to be pretty good.”
Yahoo - #4 (+/-)
OK, one more observation in the MVP conversation: Doesn’t Michael Thomas deserve some respect? A receiver has never won and that’s a shame, and Thomas likely won’t be the first. But he is on pace for a staggering 150 receptions. The Saints were undefeated in games that Drew Brees missed. Alvin Kamara missed time when Brees was out too. What has been the constant? The guy known as “Can’t Guard Mike” on Twitter being absolutely unstoppable. This appreciation by Yahoo Sports’ Shalise Manza Young can double as Thomas’ MVP resume.
Sports Illustrated - #8 (+/-)
Back to form for Drew Brees and the Saints after the Atlanta abnormality, with the 40-year-old signal caller spinning a 28-of-35, 228-yard, three-touchdown gem. Michael Thomas continued another elite season with eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.