SportsNation Blog Archives
New Orleans Saints
How big a threat are the Saints?
From 0-4 to 4-0, the New Orleans Saints -- and back-from-the-cold coach Sean Payton -- have returned to elite status. Or have they? It certainly seemed that way when they dispatched the also-previously-undefeated Miami Dolphins 38-17 on "Monday Night Football." Can Drew Brees and Co. continue the success and crash the Broncos' party at the top?
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AP Photo/Charlie NeibergallNFL Week 4: Dolphins at Saints
The Dolphins haven't started a season 4-0 since 1995, a season in which they finished 9-7 and lost in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Saints haven't reached that mark since their 2009 Super Bowl season. Which team will walk away from their Week 4 matchup still boasting an undefeated record? Will the Dolphins make their first playoff appearance in five seasons?
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Who's the best in the NFC?
With apologies to the NFC East, whose season did not start until Sunday night, the NFC's major powers -- at least according to the Super Bowl odds -- all played Sunday afternoon. Early on, the Saints held off a late Falcons goal-to-go to open the season 1-0, a nice development, considering New Orleans' 0-4 start a year ago. Seattle, meanwhile, slogged through a 12-7 win over the improved Panthers. In the late game, the Seahawks' NFC West nemesis, San Francisco, outlasted the Packers 34-28, thanks in large part to Colin Kaepernick's 412 passing yards and three TDs. What does all this mean for the National Football Conference?
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The Saints ceded control of the NFC South last season to the Falcons, but in fairness, they had a good excuse: coach Sean Payton was in the middle of a season-long suspension. Saints linebacker Junior Galette believes it'll be different this season -- he said the Saints "'want to dominate the division." That's a pretty bold statement, considering just how bad New Orleans' defense was last season, but he does have history on his side: Since 2006, the Saints are 11-3 against the Falcons.
Here's a sampling of what readers had to say in our Facebook conversation on the story:
- Paul Bunkowske: "Saints may split with Atlanta this year but Falcons will roll to another division title."
- James Betson: "Tampa has this division as long as Freeman can manage the game. Too many offensive weapons and best defense on paper compared to the rest of the division. "
- Shane Jones: "Not happening kid, Falcons NFC South champs again this year and going to win the SB."
- Luc Whissell: "Dominate their division? How about making the playoffs...they were 7-9 last year!"
- Kevin Nett: "Saints will be 8-8 or 9-7 and finish 3rd in the divison this year."
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
Wesley Hitt/Getty ImagesNFC South Preview -- 2013
For several years in the NFC South, it's been a back-and-forth battle between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, with last season's bout firmly landing in the Falcons' corner (those bounty scandal suspensions certainly didn't help the Saints). Now New Orleans is looking to rebound, Atlanta aims to take that next step (read: the Super Bowl) and those "other" two teams -- the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- hope to break into the postseason.
More: NFC East | NFC North | NFC West | AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West
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Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel: offensive linemen, and the first two picks in the 2013 NFL draft. (In case we needed more evidence that the men up front are of paramount importance to football teams.) Now, neither finds himself on the list of top trenchmen -- yet. So until one or both make it, let's sort out the league's best. Click on the images to set your rankings!

NFL offensive linemen
Duane Brown
T, Texans

Ryan Clady
T, Broncos

Anthony Davis
T, 49ers

Jahri Evans
G, Saints

Mike Iupati
G, 49ers

Matt Kalil
T, Vikings

Ryan Kalil
C, Panthers

Jake Long
T, Rams

Nick Mangold
C, Jets

Logan Mankins
G, Patriots

Carl Nicks
G, Buccaneers

Russell Okung
T, Seahawks

Maurkice Pouncey
C, Steelers

Mike Pouncey
C, Dolphins

Joe Staley
T, 49ers

John Sullivan
C, Vikings

Joe Thomas
T, Browns

Max Unger
C, Seahawks

Trent Williams
T, Redskins

Marshal Yanda
G, Ravens
Defense might not be winning championships these days -- the Baltimore Ravens, after all, were fairly middle-of-the-road -- but it certainly doesn't hurt; the Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers had one of the league's best defenses a season ago, as did many of the league's playoff teams. How do the contenders stack up on that side of the ball in 2013? Click on the logos below to set your rankings!

NFL Defenses
49ers
2012 YPG Rank: 3rd
2012 PPG Rank: 2nd
Bears
2012 YPG Rank: 5th
2012 PPG Rank: 3rd
Bengals
2012 YPG Rank: 6th
2012 PPG Rank: 8th
Bills
2012 YPG Rank: 22nd
2012 PPG Rank: 26th
Broncos
2012 YPG Rank: 2nd
2012 PPG Rank: 4th
Browns
2012 YPG Rank: 23rd
2012 PPG Rank: 19th
Buccaneers
2012 YPG Rank: 29th
2012 PPG Rank: 23rd
Cardinals
2012 YPG Rank: 12th
2012 PPG Rank: 17th
Chargers
2012 YPG Rank: 9th
2012 PPG Rank: 16th
Chiefs
2012 YPG Rank: 20th
2012 PPG Rank: 25th
Colts
2012 YPG Rank: 26th
2012 PPG Rank: 21st
Cowboys
2012 YPG Rank: 19th
2012 PPG Rank: 24th
Dolphins
2012 YPG Rank: 21st
2012 PPG Rank: 7th
Eagles
2012 YPG Rank: 15th
2012 PPG Rank: 29th
Falcons
2012 YPG Rank: 24th
2012 PPG Rank: 5th
Giants
2012 YPG Rank: 31st
2012 PPG Rank: 12th
Jaguars
2012 YPG Rank: 30th
2012 PPG Rank: 29th
Jets
2012 YPG Rank: 8th
2012 PPG Rank: 20th
Lions
2012 YPG Rank: 13th
2012 PPG Rank: 27th
Packers
2012 YPG Rank: 11th
2012 PPG Rank: 11th
Panthers
2012 YPG Rank: 10th
2012 PPG Rank: 18th
Patriots
2012 YPG Rank: 25th
2012 PPG Rank: 9th
Raiders
2012 YPG Rank: 18th
2012 PPG Rank: 8th
Rams
2012 YPG Rank: 14th
2012 PPG Rank: 14th
Ravens
2012 YPG Rank: 17th
2012 PPG Rank: 12th
Redskins
2012 YPG Rank: 28th
2012 PPG Rank: 22nd
Saints
2012 YPG Rank: 32nd
2012 PPG Rank: 31st
Seahawks
2012 YPG Rank: 4th
2012 PPG Rank: 1st
Steelers
2012 YPG Rank: 1st
2012 PPG Rank: 6th
Texans
2012 YPG Rank: 7th
2012 PPG Rank: 9th
Titans
2012 YPG Rank: 27th
2012 PPG Rank: 32nd
Vikings
2012 YPG Rank: 16th
2012 PPG Rank: 14thYour Rankings
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Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning still are going strong. Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford have emerged as prolific passers. And Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson all are on the doorstep of elite (or very good) status. And we didn't even mention two-time Super Bowl champions Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Nor did we acknowledge the whole running-game thing. Our point: Offenses are pretty hot these days in the NFL. Whose is best? Click on the logos below to set your rankings!

NFL Offenses
49ers
2012 YPG Rank: 11th
2012 PPG Rank: 11th
Bears
2012 YPG Rank: 28th
2012 PPG Rank: 16th
Bengals
2012 YPG Rank: 22nd
2012 PPG Rank: 12th
Bills
2012 YPG Rank: 19th
2012 PPG Rank: 21st
Broncos
2012 YPG Rank: 4th
2012 PPG Rank: 2nd
Browns
2012 YPG Rank: 25th
2012 PPG Rank: 24th
Buccaneers
2012 YPG Rank: 9th
2012 PPG Rank: 13th
Cardinals
2012 YPG Rank: 32nd
2012 PPG Rank: 31st
Chargers
2012 YPG Rank: 31st
2012 PPG Rank: 20th
Chiefs
2012 YPG Rank: 24th
2012 PPG Rank: 32nd
Colts
2012 YPG Rank: 10th
2012 PPG Rank: 18th
Cowboys
2012 YPG Rank: 6th
2012 PPG Rank: 15th
Dolphins
2012 YPG Rank: 27th
2012 PPG Rank: 27th
Eagles
2012 YPG Rank: 15th
2012 PPG Rank: 29th
Falcons
2012 YPG Rank: 8th
2012 PPG Rank: 7th
Giants
2012 YPG Rank: 14th
2012 PPG Rank: 6th
Jaguars
2012 YPG Rank: 29th
2012 PPG Rank: 30th
Jets
2012 YPG Rank: 30th
2012 PPG Rank: 28th
Lions
2012 YPG Rank: 3rd
2012 PPG Rank: 17th
Packers
2012 YPG Rank: 13th
2012 PPG Rank: 5th
Panthers
2012 YPG Rank: 12th
2012 PPG Rank: 18th
Patriots
2012 YPG Rank: 1st
2012 PPG Rank: 1st
Raiders
2012 YPG Rank: 18th
2012 PPG Rank: 26th
Rams
2012 YPG Rank: 23rd
2012 PPG Rank: 25th
Ravens
2012 YPG Rank: 16th
2012 PPG Rank: 10th
Redskins
2012 YPG Rank: 5th
2012 PPG Rank: 4th
Saints
2012 YPG Rank: 2nd
2012 PPG Rank: 3rd
Seahawks
2012 YPG Rank: 17th
2012 PPG Rank: 9th
Steelers
2012 YPG Rank: 21st
2012 PPG Rank: 22nd
Texans
2012 YPG Rank: 7th
2012 PPG Rank: 8th
Titans
2012 YPG Rank: 26th
2012 PPG Rank: 23rd
Vikings
2012 YPG Rank: 20th
2012 PPG Rank: 14thYour Rankings
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With the Baltimore Ravens' triumph last season, John Harbaugh joined the now-seven-strong list of current Super Bowl-winning coaches -- and denied his brother that honor in the process. Where do the Harbaughs rank on the list of active coaches? And what about those seven men in charge of new teams? Click on the images below to set your rankings!

Top NFL head coaches
Dennis Allen
Oakland Raiders

Bruce Arians
Arizona Cardinals

Bill Belichick
New England Patriots

Gus Bradley
Jacksonville Jaguars

Pete Carroll
Seattle Seahawks

Rob Chudzinski
Cleveland Browns

Tom Coughlin
New York Giants

Jeff Fisher
St. Louis Rams

John Fox
Denver Broncos

Leslie Frazier
Minnesota Vikings

Jason Garrett
Dallas Cowboys

Jim Harbaugh
San Francisco 49ers

John Harbaugh
Baltimore Ravens

Chip Kelly
Philadelphia Eagles

Gary Kubiak
Houston Texans

Marvin Lewis
Cincinnati Bengals

Doug Marrone
Buffalo Bills

Mike McCarthy
Green Bay Packers

Mike McCoy
San Diego Chargers

Mike Munchak
Tennessee Titans

Chuck Pagano
Indianapolis Colts

Sean Payton
Sean Payton

Joe Philbin
Miami Dolphins

Andy Reid
Kansas City Chiefs

Ron Rivera
Carolina Panthers

Rex Ryan
New York Jets

Greg Schiano
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jim Schwartz
Detroit Lions

Mike Shanahan
Washington Redskins

Mike Smith
Atlanta Falcons

Mike Tomlin
Pittsburgh Steelers

Marc Trestman
Chicago Bears
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Last year, Luke Kuechly was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The season before? Von Miller. In all, nine of the past 10 winners have been linebackers, meaning the likes of Arthur Brown, Jarvis Jones and Manti Te'o must be favorites, right? Or will someone else -- maybe a certain safety in Arizona -- emerge? Rank the candidates!
Rank 'Em: MVP | QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | DLs | LBs | DBs | Offensive ROY

Rank: NFL Defensive ROY Candidates
Ezekiel Ansah
DE, Lions

Arthur Brown
LB, Ravens

Matt Elam
S, Ravens

Jarvis Jones
LB, Steelers

Dion Jordan
DE, Dolphins

Star Lotulelei
DT, Panthers

Tyrann Mathieu
S, Cardinals

Dee Milliner
CB, Jets

Barkevious Mingo
LB, Browns

Alec Ogletree
LB, Rams

Manti Te'o
LB, Chargers

Kenny Vaccaro
S, Saints

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.@FloydMayweather & @ChuckLiddell had a man-to-man talk about some words said in the press - http://t.co/3vQLDKia7o
about 2 hours ago
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.@ChuckLiddell on @GeorgesStPierre: "Excellent fighter. From a fan standpoint I don't want to see him play it safe in his fights"
about 3 hours ago
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We're talking football and more with @ChuckLiddell. SN now! ESPN2. http://t.co/uHEgN7Mpvb
about 3 hours ago
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.@FloydMayweather made a year's salary off Brees and Sproles last night. He will use the money to make origamis. http://t.co/YwlFNOhtdO
about 6 hours ago
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- kevinwildes Kevin Wildes
RT @sethmeyers: Important to note that I am equally excited for Soxtober. Though most excited about adding prefixes to "tober."
about 6 hours ago
- kevinwildes Kevin Wildes

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Drew Brees looks like Neo from the Matrix right now.
about 20 hours ago
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Jimmy Graham laughs when DBs try to cover him...
about 21 hours ago
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Darren Sproles has infinite turbo.
about 22 hours ago
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- marcelluswiley Marcellus Wiley
Had fun doing my first request off Thuzio. Check your boy out! http://t.co/j3KIjAyG8r
1 day ago
- marcelluswiley Marcellus Wiley

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We're recapping the football weekend and talking about Lane Kiffin getting fired in an airport parking lot. ESPN2 now.
1 day ago
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.@Drake and the Raptors have announced a partnership. Here is the new team logo (via Blue the Great). http://t.co/saJyfPMHS9
1 day ago
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Despite roster issues, the Patriots are 4-0. No big deal...just Tom being Tom. http://t.co/Lmo1OcLoxb
1 day ago
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Aqib Talib just Dikembed that comeback.
1 day ago
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Floyd Mayweather probably taught Bob Kraft how to make it rain.
1 day ago
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Tony Gonzalez has the fountain of youth cheat code in life.
1 day ago
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Kenbrell Thompkins must have been a beast at 3 flies up growing up.
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Chip Kelly...wanna get away?
2 days ago
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In case you thought you knew anything about the NFL - Matt Cassel, Mike Glennon, and Brian Hoyer are currently winning football games.
2 days ago
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2013 Reggie Bush just had a 2004 Reggie Bush type TD run.
2 days ago
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London just caught a glimpse of the awesomeness that is Adrian Peterson. 60 yard TD run!
2 days ago
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