Saints power rankings: NFL Week 7

With a return to losing, the New Orleans Saints' power rankings in the NFL could take a hit.

"The Saints have become a team that gives its best effort but just doesn't seem to have enough collectively to beat most opponents. Sunday's Paris game was certainly winnable, but when operating with a smaller margin for error, the small misses — a Daniel Carlson field goal attempt that missed wide right , a four -and-out on their final possession in a one-score game — become magnified. A complete lack of a running game (18 net yards vs. Pittsburgh) doesn't help, either."

"For a second-year coach, Kellen Moore sure feels like he's barely clinging to his job as his team tumbles into its bye week after losing to the Steelers in Paris. The Saints have just been such a disappointment, especially offensively, which was supposed to be Moore's specialty. And injuries (to RB Travis Etienne and rookie WR Jordyn Tyson ) are only a part of it. The Saints have now lost four of five, and their lone win was a hold-on-for-dear-life nailbiter against the Giants. And when they come out of the bye week, there are no breaks in the schedule until nearly Christmas. Things could get ugly, fast. "

"Heading into 2026, the New Orleans Saints felt like a team that was poised to make a big jump. After seven weeks, it's clear that New Orleans is still at least a year away from being a legitimate contender. Tyler Shough showed franchise-quarterback potential late in his rookie campaign, and he's largely built on last year's success this season. However, he hasn't been perfect enough to consistently carry an offense that has struggled to move the ball on the ground. On Sunday, he made a couple of big red-zone mistakes that cost the Saints in a very tight contest. Defensively, New Orleans has been a total disappointment. The Saints entered Week 7 ranked 29th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed. While they did hold the Pittsburgh Steelers to 16 points, they coughed up 343 total yards and allowed Pittsburgh to convert 10 of 16 third-down attempts. Franchise owner Gayle Benson told reporters earlier in the season that the Saints "must do better." If things don't start to change on the field before the end of the season, changes to the front office could come after it. — Knox "

"Heading into 2026, the New Orleans Saints felt like a team that was poised to make a big jump. After seven weeks, it's clear that New Orleans is still at least a year away from being a legitimate contender.

Tyler Shough showed franchise-quarterback potential late in his rookie campaign, and he's largely built on last year's success this season. However, he hasn't been perfect enough to consistently carry an offense that has struggled to move the ball on the ground. On Sunday, he made a couple of big red-zone mistakes that cost the Saints in a very tight contest.

Defensively, New Orleans has been a total disappointment. The Saints entered Week 7 ranked 29th in yards allowed and 31st in points allowed. While they did hold the Pittsburgh Steelers to 16 points, they coughed up 343 total yards and allowed Pittsburgh to convert 10 of 16 third-down attempts.

Franchise owner Gayle Benson told reporters earlier in the season that the Saints "must do better."

If things don't start to change on the field before the end of the season, changes to the front office could come after it. — Knox "

"Their lack of a running game is killing this team. They are way too one-dimensional to consistently win games."

"Jordyn Tyson is still not in a place where we're talking seriously about him being a part of the game plan. With a handful of immediate impact players having been taken immediately after Tyson, and the Saints in freefall, a broader look at the Saints' draft strategy may soon be in order.