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NFL Power Rankings 2019: Raiders have helmet issues, Browns hype grows

By Randy Gurzi

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - AUGUST 05: A detail of a helmet during the Oakland Raiders Training Camp at the Napa Valley Marriott on August 5, 2009 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 09: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 09: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on August 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. New Orleans Saints (4)

The last two seasons ended in terrible fashion for the New Orleans Saints. In 2017, they dropped a Divisional Round game to the Minnesota Vikings as they gave up a 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs to close out the game. The “Minneapolis Miracle” was heartbreaking but they shook it off and won 13 games in 2019 and took the NFC South crown.

Unfortunately, they again had to deal with a late disappointment as they lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Los Angeles Rams. The overtime defeat hurt, but what was more devastating was the way it happened.

A blatant pass interference penalty wasn’t called and had it been, the Saints could have run the clock out and won the game. Yes, they threw it away with an overtime pick, but that should have never happened.

This led to an offseason rule change where pass interference is now reviewable. That won’t fix what happened in the past and all New Orleans can do is once again try and put their pain in the rearview and get back to work. They did that on Friday night against the first team that broke their hearts as they beat the Vikings 34-25, although they didn’t have their star quarterback on the field as Drew Brees will wait to make his debut.

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