Wednesday, October 18, 2023

New Orleans Saints Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the New Orleans Saints in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 19

Lesson learned: The Saints didn't fix the offense in the offseason.

All of the things the Saints did in the offseason (signing Derek Carr, keeping Michael Thomas) have not solved any of the issues from last season. The Saints are averaging only 18.2 points per game, which ranks 24th in the league and is worse than last season's average of 19.4, and there doesn't seem to be a solution on the horizon. That means offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will continue to be scrutinized until the team improves. -- Katherine Terrell

NFL.com -- Rank: 18

The Saints appear incapable of having all three units play well, or evenly passably, in the same game. The offense was strong in Week 5 but highly inconsistent on Sunday. The defense was pushed around early by the Texans. NFC Special Teams Player of the Week Blake Grupe missed two big kicks in the loss. Whatever Saints fans might think of offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., there are only so many fancy play calls that can overcome an underachieving offensive line and an erratic Derek Carr. The Saints have scored 20 fourth-quarter points in six games. Ten of those were in a blowout of the Patriots. Zero came in two brutal losses on the road, at Green Bay and at Houston. This is a decidedly average team until further notice.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 17

That was not a good look in losing to the Texans on the road. The offense moved the ball, but just couldn't score enough.

USA Today -- Rank: 18

Here's a crazy factoid: Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, Walter Payton is the only player to have more games (25) with a pass attempt, carry and catch than New Orleans' Taysom Hill (20).

The Athletic -- Rank: 19

The Saints' wins have come against teams with a combined record of 3-13, and they only beat the Titans by one. New Orleans is averaging 4.6 yards per play, which ranks 26th in the league, and 15.8 offensive points per game, which ranks 28th. Alvin Kamara's return from suspension hasn't provided the offensive boost the Saints had hoped for. He is averaging 3.8 yards per play, which ranks 33rd in the league.

FOX -- Rank: 22

It's hard to ignore the fact that the Saints' only good offensive performance of the season came against a Patriots team that's sinking deeper into the abyss by the week. Whether you're most frustrated by offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, Derek Carr or the offensive line, you have a compelling point.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 19

The Saints have had multiple games this season in which they've put up a ton of yards and not many points. On Sunday they had 430 yards but scored just 13 points in a loss to Houston. You have to assume the scoring will catch up to the yards, but perhaps the inability to finish drives will be the Saints' downfall this season.

PFT -- Rank: 23

They need some consistency to have a chance to win the division.

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