NFL Power Rankings 2020 preseason: Where do LA Rams fall?

Team 3 – New Orleans Saints (13-3)

I believe that the New Orleans Saints remains the team to beat in the NFC this season. That being said, I also believe that they are on a fast-track to win it all for Drew Brees this year, or face his potential retirement in 2021.

2019 summary

The New Orleans Saints continue their dominance of NFL teams in the regular season, but failing to win in the postseason. The Saints remained successful, even as the star quarterback Drew Brees fell to injury and missed five games. Despite 19 seasons in the NFL, Brees had one of his best years in 2019.

Players lost

The New Orleans Saints lost backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, SS Vonn Bell, OLB A.J. Klein, CB Eli Apple, and seven unclaimed free agents.  If Brees remains upright, the Saint will remain in the playoff hunt. But if he goes down in 2020, the Saints could struggle if newly arrived Jameis Winston throws too many picks.

Players added

The Saints paid heavily for WR Emmanuel Sanders, S Malcolm Jenkins, and then landed veteran QB Jameis Winston for dirt cheap. The Saints had just four 2020 NFL Draft picks, but two were highly touted as center Cesar Ruiz and linebacker Zack Braun.

2020 outlook

If the Saints defense does not deteriorate too much, the team is certainly positioned for another NFL playoff run.  The matchups between Tom Brady and Drew Brees will be worth the price of admission, as long as both players remain healthy. I’m withholding the right to move the Saints down further into the season. But for now, they’re the cream of the NFC.