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.
NFL.com
Ranking: 13 (12)
Author: Dan Hanzus
Author’s take:
“Here’s what we’ve liked about the Saints’ offense through two weeks: Michael Thomas. Here’s what concerns us: Everything else. Jameis Winston threw interceptions on three consecutive second-half possessions that led to 17 Bucs points in a 20-10 loss at Caesars Superdome. Winston, reportedly dealing with four fractures in his back, struggled with his accuracy and looked tentative in a performance that should cause Dennis Allen to think about whether it’s wise for his quarterback to play hurt. The news was better for the defense, which shut down the Bucs’ attack for most of the afternoon. Would Tom Brady have completed the go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter if New Orleans corner Marshon Lattimore hadn’t been ejected for fighting with Mike Evans? We’ll never know.”
Sports Illustrated
NBC Sports
Ranking: 13 (14)
Author: Josh Shrock
Author’s take:
“Bucs linebacker Devin White perfectly summed up Jameis Winston after Tampa Bay’s 20-10 win in New Orleans: ‘We just knew he was going to give us the ball.'”
Pro Football Talk
Ranking: 13 (19)
Author: Mike Florio
Author’s take:
“One team woke up after the brawl, and the other did not.”
The Ringer
The Athletic
Ranking: 15 (19)
Author: Bo Wulf
Author’s take:
“Here’s the exhaustive list of current NFL quarterbacks with more interceptions than games started (minimum 10 starts):
Jameis Winston — 94 interceptions in 79 starts
Chad Henne — 63 interceptions in 54 starts
Sam Darnold — 52 interceptions in 49 starts
Geno Smith — 38 interceptions in 36 starts
Nick Mullens — 22 interceptions in 17 starts
Josh Rosen — 21 interceptions in 16 starts
Taylor Heinicke — 18 interceptions in 16 starts
C.J. Beathard — 13 interceptions in 12 starts
Mason Rudolph — 11 interceptions in 10 starts
Up next: at Carolina, Sunday 1 p.m. ET.”
Yahoo! Sports
Ranking: 16 (17)
Author: Frank Schwab
Author’s take:
“The Saints offense has been bad aside from the fourth quarter against the Falcons and some garbage time against the Buccaneers. They have a combined 13 points prior to the fourth quarter this season. That’s not a great trend, and neither was seeing Jameis Winston revert back to forcing interceptions against the Bucs.”
Bleeding Green Nation
Ranking: 16 (16)
Author: Brandon Lee Gowton
Author’s take:
“Jameis Winston is still capable of being a turnover machine.”
ESPN
Ranking: 12 (13)
Author: Katherine Terrell
Author’s take:
“Biggest early adjustment: Protect the quarterback better
The Saints have given up 10 sacks, the second most in the league. While not every sack can be blamed on the O-line, it’s critical the protection is solid considering quarterback Jameis Winston is already hurt. Assessing whether an injured Winston should start moving forward is one point the Saints will have to consider, but whether it’s Winston or Andy Dalton, the point still remains: The protection needs to be better if the offense is ever going to play at its best.”
Sporting News
Ranking: 20 (15)
Author: Vinnie Iyer
Author’s take:
“The Saints’ offense didn’t have Alvin Kamara for a sputtering rushing attack and Jameis Winston came crashing down to earth against a tough pass defense from his former team, the Buccaneers. They need more consistency there to support Dennis Allen’s defense.”
Pro Football Focus
Ranking: 19 (17)
Locked On Sports
Ranking: 11 (11)
