NFL Power Rankings, Week 14: Ravens perched atop AFC, Packers bounce back

4. New Orleans Saints (5)

Imagine a game in which neither Alvin Kamara or Michael Thomas managed to find the end zone, and the New Orleans Saints were still able to defeat the Atlanta Falcons on the road to clinch the NFC South.

A few weeks ago, the Saints suffered one of the most shocking losses of Week 10 by coming up short at home to the Falcons, leaving plenty of fans wondering if New Orleans was, in fact, the real deal in the NFC.

For a team that was considered one of the hottest in the NFL at the time, a game at home against a Falcons team that previously hadn’t won since Week 2 seemed like a gift for the Saints.

So even though their 26-18 win over the Falcons on Thanksgiving Day could arguably be viewed as expected, the Saints must be relieved to avoid the season sweep, and officially clinch the NFC South title for a third year in a row.

Now, the fun part comes of competing for the top seed in the NFC to help give the Saints an extra advantage come January since playing in that hostile environment can be tough for most opponents.

The NFC is loaded with talented teams that will give New Orleans a run for their money, but at least with the talent Sean Payton has to work with, the Saints should love their chances.