Throughout the 2020 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: 4.0 (4th)
- Best ranking: 3rd (Multiple)
- Worst ranking: 5th (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 10 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.
The Athletic -- Rank: 5
Going into the season, I had their defense ranked fourth. Through eight weeks, the Saints looked nothing close to that, allowing more than 28 points per game. But Sunday night's win over the Buccaneers served as a reminder that this defense still has a high ceiling. They limited Tampa to 13 first downs and 194 yards in what was probably the most dominant performance by a team this season. The Saints produced three takeaways, three sacks and nine quarterback hits. The offense got Michael Thomas back and did whatever it wanted. The Saints won their previous four games by a total of 15 points, but this one was never in doubt. They're on the short list of Super Bowl contenders in the NFC.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 4
That beating of the Bucs shows what they are capable of when healthy. They are good on both lines - and that matters.
USA Today -- Rank: 3
Things can change so quickly in the NFL. Their complete dismantling of Tampa Bay launched New Orleans from NFC's wild-card mix up to the conference's projected top seed.
ESPN -- Rank: 5
Recalibrated expectation: Contend for NFC's No. 1 seed
The top seed and a third straight 13-3 season are realistic goals at this point. The Saints were far from perfect over the first seven weeks, so we shouldn't go overboard with our expectations following their dominant win at Tampa Bay on Sunday night. But New Orleans' offense and defense have both shown gradual improvement after a lackluster 1-2 start, and now receiver Michael Thomas is back healthy. Plus, seven of the Saints' final eight opponents have losing records. -- Mike Triplett
The top seed and a third straight 13-3 season are realistic goals at this point. The Saints were far from perfect over the first seven weeks, so we shouldn't go overboard with our expectations following their dominant win at Tampa Bay on Sunday night. But New Orleans' offense and defense have both shown gradual improvement after a lackluster 1-2 start, and now receiver Michael Thomas is back healthy. Plus, seven of the Saints' final eight opponents have losing records. -- Mike Triplett
NFL.com -- Rank: 3
The Saints dominated the Bucs on Sunday night in Tampa, outplaying their division rival in every conceivable way over the course of a 38-3 win. It was the worst beating Tom Brady has ever taken in his 21 seasons in the league, and it gave the Saints the tiebreaker over the Bucs in any head-to-head scenario. Drew Brees looked confident and comfortable playing with his full complement of playmakers for the first time all year, while Taysom Hill accounted for 123 yards of offense as a passer, receiver and rusher in what was, by far, his best game of 2020. It felt like Sean Payton finally figured out how to deploy his jack of all trades, and it made New Orleans almost impossible to stop.
Previous update: New Orleans Saints Week 9 NFL Power Rankings Roundup
More New Orleans Saints pages:
- New Orleans Saints Mock Draft Roundup
- New Orleans Saints Snap Counts
- New Orleans Saints Franchise Leaders
- New Orleans Saints Draft History
- New Orleans Saints Schedule
- New Orleans Saints Tickets
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