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2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Cowboys make statement, Cardinals take the top spot

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 03: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints reacts during the second quarter in the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome on October 03, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

17. team. 15. . . Previous: 12th. New Orleans Saints

“It was a homecoming for the New Orleans Saints who were in their home stadium for the first time since Aug. 29. Hurricane Ida was the reason they were displaced and they started this game on a high note. taking a commanding 21-10 lead in the fourth quarter.

Considering they were facing a team without a win in the New York Giants, they seemed to be on the way to a 3-1 start on the season. That wasn’t the case, however, as Saquon Barkley took a Daniel Jones pass in from 54-yards out, and then Jones ran in a two-point conversion to make it 21-18.

Graham Gano then hit a 48-yard field goal with 31 seconds left to play, which sent it to overtime. The Saints never got the ball in the extra frame as the defense surrendered a touchdown to Barkley after a nine-play 75-yard drive.

New Orleans is now 2-2 on the season which isn’t where they were expected to be. They’re not in bad shape since it’s still early but this is one they should have had — but they let it get away from them.

One issue is Sean Payton’s desire to focus too heavily on Taysom Hill. He’s a fine gadget player but he needs to stop trying the deep pass with him — and if he wasn’t trying that in Week 4, the Saints wouldn’t have had that late pick that really helped the Giants pull this one off.

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