NFL power rankings, NFC edition: Saints, Seahawks among the best
2. Seattle Seahawks
They say that once you have your head coach and franchise quarterback, you’ll be a contender every year. That has certainly been the case for Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. The team has be in contention every season since Wilson took over as the starting quarterback, and now (again) sit atop the best division in football.
The Seahawks made significant investments in their offensive line this offseason, adding free agents B.J. Finney, Cedric Ogbuehi, Chance Warmack and Khalil McKenzie. The team also added more firepower for Wilson by adding wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and tight end Greg Olson.
On the defensive side, the team adds edge rusher Bruce Irvin and cornerback Quinton Dunbar, among others, who add to an already excellent defensive unit. The team also used its top two draft picks on defense, adding athletic linebacker Jordyn Brooks and edge rusher Darrell Taylor.
The team also loses no significant pieces, save for offensive linemen D.J. Fluker and Justin Britt, both of whom they released to save money, after finding replacements.
The Seahawks should be better than the 11-5 team of 2019, and as a result, should be one of the top teams in the NFC.
1. New Orleans Saints
Despite not making a Super Bowl, the Saints have been the best team in the NFC for three years running. Drew Brees and Sean Payton continue to be one of the top quarterback-head coach tandems in the league, and have shown no signs of slowing down.
Of course, having a great offense helps. Michael Thomas is the best wide receiver in football, running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray may be the best duo in the NFC, and Jared Cook is the most underrated tight end in the league.
The defense, too, is improved. Linebacker Zach Baun was a steal in the third round, and could start at some point in 2020. In the secondary, the additions of free agents Malcolm Jenkins and D.J. Swearinger.
The Saints are once again at the top of the pack. The question will, as always, be whether they can get it done in January. If they play up to potential in crunch time, they’ll punch their ticket to Tampa for Super Bowl LV.