Where do Week 3 NFL power rankings have the New Orleans Saints after their uneven start? A 1-1 record through the first two weeks is hardly unusual (it’s actually been pretty common for them over the last decade; New Orleans hasn’t started 2-0 since the 2013 season) but context matters, and it’s reflected in various power rankings lists from around the NFL media landscape. Whether it’s national outlets or fan blogs, everyone has their own take on the Saints and where the black and gold rank among their peers:
Touchdown Wire
Ranking: 22 (18)
Author: Mark Lane
Author’s take:
“Jameis Winston looked like his old Tampa Bay Buccaneers self with three interceptions. It can be argued the Saints shouldn’t have won their Opening Day encounter and ought to be an 0-2 team. New Orleans is still figuring things out in the post-Sean Payton era.”
USA Today Sports
Ranking: 12 (12)
Author: Nate Davis
Author’s take:
“Before we kill QB Jameis Winston for his first three-INT game since he was a member of the Bucs in 2019, let’s not forget he had four fractures in his back, didn’t have RB Alvin Kamara at his disposal and was facing one of the league’s most unforgiving defenses.”
CBS Sports
Ranking: 15 (6)
Author: Pete Prisco
Author’s take:
“They are 1-1 and need so much more from Jameis Winston. His turnovers wasted a good showing by the Saints defense against Tampa Bay.”
Bleacher Report
Ranking: 14 (10)
Author: NFL Staff
Author’s take:
“Sunday’s meeting with the rival Buccaneers was something of a measuring stick for the New Orleans Saints—an opportunity to gauge if the team was truly ready to challenge Tampa in the NFC South.
Apparently, not quite yet.
To be fair, this game was closer than the final score indicates. For most of the afternoon, the Saints held Tom Brady and the Buccaneers offense in check before a late pick-six blew things open. But New Orleans also had all kinds of trouble moving the ball, turned it over a back-breaking five times, converted just four of 13 third downs and surrendered six sacks.
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston, who was nursing a back injury entering the game, allowed to reporters that he has to do a better job taking care of the ball.
‘Everyone in that locker room is playing with a…
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