Saturday, January 1, 2022

New Orleans Saints Week 17 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: 20.4 (21st)
  • Best ranking: 18 (ESPN)
  • Worst ranking: 22 (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 17 roundup for the Saints in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 18

Non-QB MVP: RB Alvin Kamara

It was hard not to pick a defensive player such as LB Demario Davis or CB Marshon Lattimore, since the defense has been New Orleans' driving force this season. But Kamara has practically been the entire offense because of injuries to WR Michael Thomas, QB Jameis Winston and the offensive line. Kamara is averaging nearly 100 yards per game from scrimmage (97.7) and has eight touchdowns in the 11 games he has played this season. And the offense fell even flatter when he wasn't on the field from Weeks 10 to 13 because of injuries, with the Saints going 0-4 in that stretch. -- Mike Triplett

NFL.com -- Rank: 21

Ian Book realized a dream on Monday by starting his first game in the NFL. By his second snap, it felt more like a nightmare. The rookie -- pressed into action with both Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian on the reserve/COVID-19 list -- threw a pick-six on the second pass of the night, and things didn't get much better in a punishing loss to the Dolphins. Book was a pinata behind a makeshift offensive line, sacked eight times, and the toothless New Orleans attack failed to manage a single third-down conversion in 12 attempts. Like the Ravens in the AFC, the Saints feel like a once-promising team that's simply endured too much. The roof has fallen in.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 22

They just had way too many injuries and COVID losses to beat Miami. Their season looks to be coming to an end.

USA Today -- Rank: 19

Would they have started (or even drafted) Ian Book had they known he'd contribute to a 24-game losing streak by Notre Dame quarterbacks that dates to 2012?

The Athletic -- Rank: 22

Is he The Guy? Maybe, no, no, no. The Saints have started four quarterbacks this year: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, Trevor Siemian and, on Monday night, Ian Book. Winston's the only one we'd legitimately consider as the 2022 starter -- though Sean Payton surely has other ideas about Hill. It's a shame the Saints' offense and particularly the quarterback play has been so bad this year because they've wasted a season with a very good defense.

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