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NFL power rankings: Which playoff team is the best?

By Russell S. Baxter

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach John Harbaugh interacts with Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens prior to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 13: Head coach John Harbaugh interacts with Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens prior to playing against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Dan Kubus/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints during the first half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

2. New Orleans Saints

13-3 (NFC South champions)

No. 3 Seed in NFC

Overview: For the second straight year, Sean Payton’s squad came up with 13 regular-season victories and for the third consecutive season are NFC South champions. After finishing 7-9 three years in a row from 2014-16, the Saints are an impressive 37-11 in their last 48 regular-season games. The club was able to survive without Drew Brees for five games thanks to Teddy Bridgewater. The Saints’ skill position performers include running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray, tight end Jared Cook and wideout Michael Thomas, he of an NFL-record 149 receptions. An effective defense has struggled a bit as of late.

Postseason History: Under Payton and Brees, the Saints own a combined 8-6 postseason record dating back to 2006, including a Super Bowl win in ‘09. It’s the franchise’s eighth playoff appearance under this duo. It’s been quite a turnaround for a club that owned a dismal 1-5 postseason record from 1967-2005.

This Week’s Opponent: Payton’s club hosts the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in the first of the two NFC wild card games. The teams last met on a Sunday night a year ago in the Twin Cities (Week 8) and the Saints came up with a 30-20 win. It’s the fifth postseason between the clubs and second in three years.

Next: No. 1

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