Fansided

NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Carson Wentz lights up the world

By George Stockburger

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws his first touchdown pass of his career against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws his first touchdown pass of his career against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 32
Next
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks on from the sidelines in the second half during their game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks on from the sidelines in the second half during their game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

25. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees can only carry the New Orleans Saints so far for so long. The future Hall of Fame quarterback had a league-leading 423 passing yards, but the defense continued to struggle. It’s the same story with the same characters.

New Orleans allowed a last minute touchdown to the Oakland Raiders, who subsequently went for a two point conversion to take the lead. Derek Carr hit Michael Crabtree on a fade route, sending Saints fans home disappointed once again.

The defense allowed 486 total yards, which would have been the third most they allowed all of last season. Oakland finished 3-4 in the red zone, and had eight rushing first downs.

New Orleans has been holding off the inevitable for too long. This team is in desperate need for a rebuild, and they’ve been oblivious to that fact for years. This franchise needs to start from scratch and develop young talent on both sides of the ball.

The team is trying to do two things at once: develop talent for the long haul and contend this season. They already have a couple of the pieces with Brandin Cooks, Stephone Anthony, and Vonn Bell. But picking up players off the scrapheap like Jahri Evans, Paul Kruger, and Coby Fleener won’t make this any easier. You can’t fix a broken arm with a band-aid, and that is exactly what Mickey Loomis has been doing for the past couple of years.

Since winning the Super Bowl in 2009, the Saints have a 56-41 record. They’ve had three 7-9 seasons in the past four years. Mediocrity should not be accepted by a fan base, and the Saints brass will begin to feel the pressure if the play on the field continues down this “Groundhogs Day” path.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Home/Arizona Cardinals