NFL Power Rankings Week 7: New Orleans Saints Marching into Top Spot

If New Orleans isn't at the top of everyone's NFL Power Rankings list for Week 7, those who relegate them to an inferior ranking are in denial, especially after the way they rolled over the previously undefeated New York Giants Sunday. If one is a New York Giants fan, Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints had to have been something painful to watch, given the Giants dominance in the NFL power rankings this year. Even those who were cautious still had Drew Brees and his crew at #2 or #3. Eli Manning and his brother, Peyton Manning of the Colts, had most of the NFL power rankings locked between them through Week 7. But no one gave the New Orleans Saints anything but experimental or grudging slots in their NFL power rankings going into Week 7, even though they were just as undefeated as the New York Giants and averaging more points per game in their victories over others (36, as opposed to the Giants 26.8 in the first four games). But when the Saints went marching into the Superdome Sunday, they were out to prove they should be at the top of every NFL power rankings list in Week 7.

And what a difference a game will make. Drew Brees and New Orleans came out of the tunnel rolling and never looked back. All the Giants could do was attempt to play catch-up all day. But after a couple quarters, the high powered Saints offense just wore down the Giants resistance. And when the Saints defense rose to the occasion, the combination ended in a lop-sided victory for the New Orleans Saints. Final score: 48-27.

To say that the New York Giants were a bit overrated may be an understatement. The only close game they had was against the inconsistent Dallas Cowboys, and they barely walked away with a victory there. Their opponents going into the game against New Orleans had won a combined 8 games out of 29, Dallas having won three of those. That the last opponent they played, Oakland, defeated the highly touted Philadelphia Eagles Sunday makes the Giants look somewhat better. Still, Oakland's only other win came against Kansas City, which the Giants played during Week 4. But Kansas City's lone win has come over Washington (Giants played the Redskins Week 1). To make this look even worse, Washington's two wins were against Tampa Bay (Giants played Week 3) and St. Louis, both of which have yet to win a game. The relative weakness of their schedule was showing, but the NFL power rankings list-makers were simply ignoring it going into Week 7.

New Orleans played the aforementioned highly regarded Eagles in Week 2 and crushed them by 26 points. They also defeated the then undefeated New York Jets in Week 4, defeating them by two touchdowns. They played a tough Buffalo Bills team in Week 3 (the Bills defeated the Jets Sunday as well). New Orleans had a bye week going into the Giants game, but their schedule was somewhat stronger. Their opponents have won 9 games (and it must be noted that the Saints played only four teams as opposed to the Giants' five) out of the 23 games played.

If the game had been a running game, the Giants may have stood a better chance. Both defenses shut down the other teams' rushing game. The Giants backfield accounted for only 30 total yards. The Saints fared little better against the Giants stingy defense, gaining only 50 yards on the ground.

But the game was won in the air. Drew Brees had only 7 incomplete passes, throwing 23 completions for 369 yards and 4 touchdowns. Eli Manning threw one more pass than Brees but had 17 incompletions and an interception. He finished the day at 14/31 and 178 yards with one touchdown. His back-up, David Carr, threw for 72 yards and a touchdown (4/5 completions).

So, were the New York Giants overrated? Or were the New Orleans Saints underrated? Could it be that the Giants just had an off day or that they had simply been untested, cruising along, defeating the worst teams in the league? That remains to be seen throughout the course of the rest of the season.

But the New Orleans Saints are definitely for real. They have never trailed in their five games this season. On their opening drives, they have scored four touchdowns and a field goal. They have completely dominated every game they've been in thus far and look well on their way to a Super Bowl berth. Regardless of whether or not they make it to this year's Super Bowl, with the Saints utilizing both a stifling defense and a crushing offense, they are the best team in the NFL and have been for several weeks. But only a few noticed. However, not one noticed without reservation, but that's as it should be when ranking teams in the NFL. Dominance has become relative.

Still, everyone is noticing now. New Orleans knocked out the Giants.

Who dares not place the New Orleans Saints at the top of their NFL power rankings list for Week 7?

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NFL Power Rankings for Week 6.

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Sources:

"Brees Sharp As Saints Clobber Giants...," CBSSports.com