Wednesday, December 1, 2021

New Orleans Saints Week 13 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the New Orleans Saints rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 22.2 (23rd)
  • Best ranking: 20 (ESPN)
  • Worst ranking: 25 (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 13 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 20

Silly me, I thought the Saints had survived the toughest stretch of their season at this point. And they did climb to 5-2 with a win over the Buccaneers. But then New Orleans lost Jameis Winston to a season-ending ACL tear, found out Michael Thomas wouldn't be coming back all year from an ankle injury, lost Alvin Kamara for three games and suffered several other key injuries that led to their current four-game losing streak. The one constant all season has been a lackluster passing attack (27th in the NFL). However, the roster is getting healthier, and the schedule isn't too daunting down the stretch -- so there is still a glimmer of hope. -- Mike Triplett

NFL.com -- Rank: 25

The bottom has fallen out for the Saints. Playing without Alvin Kamara for a third consecutive week, New Orleans managed just 44 rushing yards (1.8 yards per carry) and 190 total yards in a ghastly 31-6 setback to the Bills at the Superdome. That's four straight losses for the Saints, who have simply sustained too many personnel losses to operate as an efficient offense. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Sean Payton appears ready to change quarterbacks, and it makes sense: Trevor Siemian is a born journeyman, and logic dictates the team take an extended look at Taysom Hill before making some very important decisions in the offseason. At the very least, Hill provides some juice to an attack that could use it.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

Their season has gone bad in a big way. They just can't do enough on offense to compete. It looks like it could be Taysom Hill at quarterback this week.

USA Today -- Rank: 23

Winless in QB Trevor Siemian's four starts and now outside the playoff field, time to see if Taysom Hill can ride to the rescue against depleted Dallas.

The Athletic -- Rank: 21

Problem area: Injuries. Every team is banged up this time of year, but the Saints are dealing with too many injuries to key players to be competitive right now. On Thanksgiving, they played without their top two quarterbacks (Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill), their top two running backs (Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram) and multiple starters on the offensive line. They've also been without wide receiver Michael Thomas all season. It's tough to know how competitive this team could have been this season, because we haven't seen the key players on the field healthy at the same time.

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