2017 NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Rams climb after shutting out Cardinals in London

7. New Orleans Saints (14)

Let the record show this game would have been much more difficult for the New Orleans Saints if Aaron Rodgers was healthy enough to play for the Green Bay Packers, but with the quarterback suffering a broken collarbone last weekend, Sean Payton’s team had a much easier matchup. Normally, Lambeau Field can be a difficult place for any opponent to play, which means watching the Saints go in, and earn the tough win on the road shows just how far this team is coming along this season.

In a game that ended up going back and fourth between both teams, it was New Orleans that stepped it up the most in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay to hang on for the 26-17 win. Defense has been one of the main reasons why the Saints have been able to turn their season around following a 0-2 start, and it’s been amazing to see them slowly work their way up to being one of the teams to beat in the NFC.

On a day where Drew Brees didn’t display his best performance, it was good to see other members of New Orleans step it up for their beloved quarterback, such as Ted Ginn Jr. by catching seven passes for 141 yards against Green Bay. And to think, it was the Saints who were expected to finish at the bottom of the NFC South heading into the regular season, which doesn’t look like is going to be the case anymore.