Fansided

How did each NFL team grade out now that the Super Bowl is over?

By Rucker Haringey

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls out on a pass play in the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs rolls out on a pass play in the AFC Divisional Playoff against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Divisional Playoff at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints-A

Let’s be real here. The Saints should have made it to the Super Bowl. The referees absolutely cost them a chance at history. As such, we’re going to grade them as if they made it to Atlanta.

Everyone knows Sean Payton’s offense was electric. Drew Brees played at an MVP level despite being 40 years old. Alvin Kamara continues to be one of the most diverse weapons in the NFL. The ascendancy of Michael Thomas to arguably the league’s top wide receiver makes trying to stop New Orleans downright unfair. This unit put up 31.5 points per game and made it look relatively easy most weeks.

The defense was a different story. The group wasn’t necessarily bad, but they definitely regressed from their performance level during the 2017 season. Strangely, the Saints were great against the run (2nd in the NFL) but horrible against the pass (29th). The end result was a league average defense. Expect the organization to focus their limited draft assets on that side of the ball in April.

The simple truth for the Saints is they did exactly what a roster with this kind of talent should do. At some point age will rob Brees of his ability to play like a Pro Bowler, but it hasn’t happened yet. It was an excellent year for the Saints despite the unjust end to their season.

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