Are the Saints the Most Dangerous Team in the NFC?

The Saints resiliency after losing Drew Brees to a thumb injury, has most NFL Analysts considering New Orleans as the most dangerous team in the NFC.

Sep 29, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, center, talks to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett before their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

They said it couldn't be done. "They" are the many so-called experts and analysts that cover the NFL on a daily basis, some of whom had predicted "doom and gloom" for a Saints team that lost starting QB Drew Brees to injury nearly a month ago. with a torn thumb ligament.

However since that time, the Black and Gold have reeled off three straight wins without Brees in the line-up, in a collective effort that's clearly illustrated just how good the Saints roster is from top to bottom. 

And now as the Saints head to Florida later on today for their next scheduled contest this Sunday on the road at TIAA Bank Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars. the general consensus is that New Orleans has demonstrated resiliency and "never-say-die attitude" that likely will make them even more dangerous once Brees returns.

That said, however, the Saints will still have to eventually deal with a few other teams within the conference that also will be looking to earn only one of the six playoff spots. Up to this point in time, the Saints have lost a game to one of those teams (the Los Angeles Rams) but have defeated two of those teams — the Seattle Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. 

September 15, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) leaves the field following the 27-9 loss against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

But NFL Playoff spots aren't determined after only 5 games into the season, and with most of the League's 32 teams (except for those that have already had their Bye Week) still having another 11 games still left to play, it's probably a bit too early to even think that far ahead.

Nevertheless, the Saints are currently ranked #2 in the latest NFL Power Rankings. which serves as a testament to how the national media views them now; which is a team that everyone knows can beat ANY opponent, ANYWHERE, and at any time.

Unfortunately for the Black and Gold, it appears that they will still end up being in a proverbial "dog fight" once Brees returns to the line-up; since a whopping 11 of the 16 NFC teams currently have winning records. 

If the 2019 NFL Season was to end today, the Saints would be the #2 overall NFC Playoff seed.

With that in mind, here's a quick look at how the rest of the NFC Playoff spots stack up behind the Saints and San Francisco, who as of now would be the conference's top team and #1 Playoff seed.

October 7, 2019; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back K'Waun Williams (24) celebrates after intercepting the football against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Levi s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

#1. San Francisco 49ers

Older Saints fans won't be thrilled to see the 49ers now back up near the top of the NFC; considering how much torture they endured throughout the years and especially during the 1980's and early 1990's, when the Niners (mostly behind the exploits of Hall of Fame QB Joe Montana) routinely beat the Saints twice a year on their way to winning 5 Super Bowls.

But thus far in 2019, the 49ers have gotten off to an undefeated start (4-0), thanks mostly in part to their dramatically-improved defensive unit and a top-notch running game (they lead the league in rushing yardage at an even 800 yards) , both of which have served at the impetus for San Francisco's rise back to Playoff relevance. The 49ers will face the Rams at Los Angeles this weekend, so we'll see very quickly if they're "for real" or merely playoff 'pretenders' instead of 'contenders'.

Oct 6, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates with strong safety Vonn Bell (24) after sacking Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

#2. New Orleans Saints

After Brees was injured; the belief among many observers was that the Saints had to at least earn a split (3-3) in the six games that Brees is expected to miss (he's set to return to action in Week #10 at home against the Atlanta Falcons). But New Orleans somewhat surprisingly has gone (3-0) with back-up #2 QB Teddy Bridgewater running the offense in Brees' absence.

Bridgewater has clearly demonstrated the capability to be a starting #1 NFL quarterback. and additionally, along with the phenomenal efforts in recent weeks by the Saints defense, special teams, as well as the fabulous job done by Saints head coach Sean Payton and his coaching staff, New Orleans finds itself in a much better position than they were a few weeks back at Los Angeles.

With games against Jacksonville this Sunday, at Chicago next week. and then at home vs. Arizona in the game prior to their Bye Week, the Saints very well could be (6-2) overall in the win-loss column once Brees is back and could emerge as the favorite to earn the #1 Playoff seed in the conference.

Oct 6, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Green Bay Packers

Speaking of defense, the Packers currently are (4-1) and lead the NFC North Division, thanks to the emphasis that they placed on building that side of the football to complement their high-powered offense led by QB Aaron Rodgers. It was one reason why they were able to dominate Dallas in their win over the Cowboys last Sunday, in a very impressive fashion.

Green Bay committed themselves to get as many top-caliber defenders to come there via Free Agency back in March, and linebackers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith are just two among a handful of players that they brought in. They've combined for 9½ sacks, and that improved pass rush along with an improved secondary led by former Bears safety Adrian Amos has the Packers and 1st-year head coach Matt LaFleur eyeing a top Playoff seed at season's end.

Oct 3, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the second half against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles 30-29. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Seattle Seahawks

The Saints currently have the tie-breaker advantage over Seattle thanks to their win over the Seahawks 3 weeks ago. But other than their loss to the Saints, Seattle remains a force that the Black and Gold and the rest of the NFC will have to deal with, come Playoff time. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is in the thick of the race to be the League's MVP this season; thanks to his outstanding overall performance in Seattle's first 5 games in which he is completing 73.1% of his passes and has 12 TD's and no interceptions.

Seattle's defense isn't nearly as feared as they once were, but they still have an abundance of talent on that side of the football with well-known names such as Jadeveon Clowney and Ziggy Ansah; and once starting defensive tackle Jarran Reed (10½ sacks last year) returns from his 10-game suspension, Seattle has a better than average chance to be one of the teams that the Saints will have to deal with, at the end of the year. 

Oct 6, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

#5. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia has rebounded from a rough start and has put themselves back into the Playoff mix, thanks in part to the stellar play of QB Carson Wentz, who this season appears to be showing the potential that made him the 2nd overall pick by the Eagles back in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Combined with the top-caliber play-calling by Eagles head coach and former Andy Reid assistant Doug Pederson, the Philly offense is putting up an average of 28 points per game. If the Eagles can survive a rash of injuries to their defensive secondary with the phenomenal effort thus far of the Eagles defensive line, Philadelphia will certainly be another team that the Saints might have to reckon with, when the 2019 season comes to a close.

Sep 29, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

#6. Detroit Lions

Who Dat fans might be doing a "double-take" this morning to see the Lions here in this spot, especially over other NFC Playoff contending teams such as the Los Angles Rams, the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Carolina Panthers. But since they were on their Bye Week last Sunday, Detroit has a (2-1-1) win-loss record, which would make them the 6th and final seed in the NFC.

Like a few other of the teams on this morning's list, the Lions have shown dramatic improvement, which many credit to the hire of 1st-year offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell; who has become an influence upon Detroit QB Matthew Stafford. Under Bevell's guidance, Stafford has blossomed into one of the League's most efficient passers — and with a tough defense overseen by head coach and former long-time Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Detroit will be a team that could shock a lot of folks once the playoffs arrive...