The Saints finally broke through in Week 6, and the result showed up in the latest power rankings with a noticeable bump across the board.
At NFL.com, New Orleans jumped to No. 20, up seven spots after the 34-27 win over the Giants. The league site called it “the wackiest game of the week” and pointed to the swing from a 10-0 deficit late in the first half to five straight scoring drives, followed by a chaotic fourth quarter in which the Saints had the ball seven times and scored once to close it out. The takeaway there was simple: the defense “finally found a competitive streak” and gave Tyler Shough and the offense enough opportunities to claw back and build a lead, even if the finish still left room for cleanup.
Fox Sports had New Orleans at No. 24, up three places, and focused on how close this game came to becoming a defining moment for Kellen Moore for the wrong reasons. The outlet noted the Saints had dropped three straight before Sunday’s win and said the result may have eased some frustration from owner Gayle Benson.
Still, the warning was plain: the defense nearly gave the game away, and there’s no guarantee a trip to Paris against the Steelers will be any smoother. A win there would send New Orleans into the bye week on a better note.
Bleacher Report also slotted the Saints at No. 24, up one spot, but the tone was more about what still needs fixing than what got solved. The Giants turned what could have been a statement into a fourth-quarter nail-biter, and the site made clear the victory shouldn’t protect Moore from criticism. It also highlighted that Tyler Shough wasn’t sacked once, something that matters even more given the report that he’s playing with two broken bones in his non-throwing hand.
The overall message from the rankings was consistent: the Saints got the win they needed, but it came with plenty of baggage. Even after the escape in New York, the next test in Paris looms as the kind of game that could either build real momentum or drag the same questions right back to the surface.
In Other News...
Saints Face A Brutal Tyler Shough Test They Cant Ignore
Tyler Shough has given the Saints enough flashes as a passer to make the future look intriguing, but the bigger question has always been what happens once the pocket starts collapsing. The issue has followed him from college into the NFL, and it puts a clear spotlight on New Orleans protection up front, especially at tackle and with Asim Richards among the linemen expected to help stabilize that group.
Sundays matchup with the Steelers is a tough place to find answers. Pittsburgh brings a defense built to speed quarterbacks up and disrupt timing, which is why Kellen Moore is expected to lean on quicker throws to help Shough stay on schedule. Even so, this feels like the kind of game that will say a lot about how far the Saints have come in protecting their quarterback, and how much work still remains. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Running Game Just Drew An Ugly Giants Response
The Saints Week 6 win in New York did more than add another mark in the standings. It also sparked a blunt postgame assessment from Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who made clear he was unhappy with the way his defense handled the run. Wilson singled out effort as the biggest issue, saying players who do not get to the ball are letting the unit down, and he indicated the response to that kind of performance will not be gentle.
For New Orleans, the takeaway is simple enough: the ground game exposed a soft spot that has been a problem for the Giants all season. Their run defense has lingered near the bottom of the league in several categories, and Wilson is now trying to force a reset before the next stretch of games. Whether that message translates into cleaner tackling and better pursuit is the next question, but it is clear the Saints left behind a frustrated opponent as well as a win. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Paris Game Is Becoming Something Much Bigger For Louisiana
Jeff Landrys trip to Paris for the Saints game on Oct. 25 is turning into more than a football stop. The Louisiana governor is joining the New Orleans-based team overseas as part of a push to draw French business to the state, and he is doing it with the Louisiana Department of Economic Development in tow. The agenda includes meetings and seminars aimed at showcasing Louisianas economic openings, with particular attention on the power grid and healthcare sectors.
The state also is leaning on familiar branding to make its pitch, bringing back the Louisiana NOW pavilion that had been used during the New Orleans Super Bowl. It gives Louisiana a ready-made stage to connect with French business leaders during a week when plenty of eyes will already be on the Saints. For Landry, the game itself is only part of the opportunity, with the larger goal centered on turning an international sports trip into an economic one. [Read more 🡒]