NFL Power Rankings, Week 12: Ravens pound Texans, Raiders stay in hunt

By Randy Gurzi | Nov 18, 2019

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Mark Andrews #89 of the Baltimore Ravens (not pictured) against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 17: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints runs back out to the field during the third quarter of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

6. New Orleans Saints (6)

Don’t worry, Drew Brees is good again. Last week, the New Orleans Saints didn’t even score a single touchdown as they were completely shocked at home by the Atlanta Falcons. With them dropping that game, some fans were calling for Brees to be benched for Teddy Bridgewater, who was 5-0 as a starter while Brees was recovering from thumb surgery.

Bridgewater did play well and there might need to be a conversation in the offseason given the fact that he’s just 27 and Brees is 40. But as long as Brees is on the roster, he should be starting. Thankfully, fans were reminded of that on Sunday as he threw three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That proves that the week before was nothing more than an example of a divisional rival finding a way to upset a team they know better than other opponents do. It seems to happen at least once a year to New Orleans, and it’s usually Tampa Bay and not Atlanta that comes in with the poor record and shocks them.

New Orleans is still the best team in the NFC South and their 8-2 record is proof of that. They’re not the No. 1 seed in the conference right now, but they’re still in the mix for that with just six games left for them to play.

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