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NFL Power Rankings, Week 8: Cowboys find spark, Raiders look like pretenders

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 20: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a first quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 20: Latavius Murray #28 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 20: Latavius Murray #28 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

3. New Orleans Saints (3)

In Week 2, the New Orleans Saints thought their season was going on life support. A Drew Brees thumb injury that required surgery felt like a death blow, even though they had Teddy Bridgewater, the highest-paid back up in the league, ready to step up.

Yes, Bridgewater is a respected player but he’s no Brees and the Saints weren’t expected to remain as strong of a team as they are with the future Hall of Famer under center.

Now after yet another win in Week 7, we all see how little faith we had in the brilliance of Sean Payton. Already known as one of the best offensive minds in the game, Payton has been drawing up some great game plans and had to do it again on the road against Chicago — with Alvin Kamara out of the game as well.

That’s not an ideal situation at any time, but it’s even more daunting when facing a defense as good as the Bears. For Payton, it seemed to be no problem at all as he had 281 yards and two touchdowns out of Bridgewater and 119 yards and two scores from Latavius Murray.

The win puts New Orleans at 6-1 and continues to show the NFL that they’re legit. They were a play away from the Super Bowl last year and they look more dangerous than ever this season.

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