Expectations have skyrocketed for the New Orleans Saints after they upset the Baltimore Ravens. Most Week 3 NFL power rankings now see the black and gold as a top-15 team -- a lofty rise after too many outside observers wrote them off when the season started. Tyler Shough has proven he can stand up against MVP quarterbacks and Super Bowl-ready defenses. Brandon Staley has coached up a defense that greatly exceeds the sum of its parts.
With what looked like the toughest games on their schedule behind them, the Saints are now set to return home for a matchup with the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders, coached by their former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. It already looks like the most important matchup of the Kellen Moore era.
Here's a roundup of top
expert power rankings heading into Week 3.
USA Today Sports: 14 (+3)
You better put them away before the fourth quarter, when the Saints have outscored the opposition 25-3. However you also don't want to face them in the Big Easy, where the Saints will play all but two of their next seven games.
For The Win: 11 (+11)
I am a buffoon who loves shiny things, and thus I am enamored with Tyler Shough's second-half play even if the Saints seem entirely unsustainable. The defense has holes, the offense is light on non-Chris Olave playmakers, and New Orleans' slow starts have already proven fatal once this season. But hot damn are the Saints fun to watch, and a Shough playoff game would be appointment viewing.
ESPN: 19 (+6)
Shough has had two up-and-down games to start the season, but he has been at his best in the fourth quarter, which led to a comeback win against the Ravens. According to ESPN Research, Shough has a 14.3 Total QBR in the opening three quarters of games (29th among 30 qualifying passers this season). In fourth quarters and overtime, he ranks second with a 97.7 QBR. Shough is also 5-of-5 for 127 yards and a touchdown on passes of 15-plus air yards in fourth quarters.
Sports Illustrated: 14 (+6)
The Kelvin Banks news is awful, but I’ll say this: New Orleans is the toughest team I’ve watched on film this year. Everyone is Kevin Costner-movie style gritty, especially Devaughn Vele and Chris Olave. They made some clutch, chain-moving catches in traffic against a good Ravens defense on Sunday to keep the comeback alive. Imagine what this offense looks like with a third star in Jordyn Tyson.
CBS Sports: 18 (+5)
That was a nice comeback on the road in beating the Ravens. Tyler Shough is off to a really nice start.
Fox Sports: 15 (+4)
OK, I’m a believer. The Saints pushed the Lions to overtime, then beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road. That’s enough to declare them legitimate. I believe QB Tyler Shough is legit, too. I just wonder if this early success is sustainable over the course of the entire season.
The Athletic: 15 (+6)
Rookie spotlight: Jordyn Tyson
The first-round wide receiver is on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, which is a particular bummer because the Saints would likely be even spicier with him in the lineup. Fourth-round wide receiver Bryce Lance is taking up some of the slack and has four catches for 50 yards through two weeks. Second-round defensive tackle Christen Miller made his debut in Week 1 but was inactive in Week 2.
Yahoo Sports: 15 (+8)
The Saints are a 2-point conversion away from being 2-0 with road wins over the Lions and Ravens. Given the issues elsewhere in the NFC South, the Saints look like they're the best team in the division. They were the best team in the division over the second half of last season too. There was controversy over whether Tyler Shough scored on a fourth-and-goal quarterback sneak that gave the Saints the lead — it was ruled a touchdown on the field though it wasn't clear Shough broke the plane and was not reversed after a replay review — but the comeback in the fourth quarter on the road against a good Ravens team made it a well-earned win. The next step for New Orleans is not falling behind early and having to make a big comeback.
Bleacher Report: 13 (+9)
The New Orleans Saints have started slowly in both games, but they know how to rally late. In Week 1, the Saints came up short in overtime, but they completed a comeback on the road against a heavily favored Baltimore Ravens squad in Week 2.
Saints' head coach Kellen Moore's willingness to run a play on fourth down for the win or a lead shows how much he trusts his team. Despite a subpar ground game, quarterback Tyler Shough has led a solid passing attack that keeps his team in games.
If you haven't bought into the thought of the Saints being NFC South champions, maybe it's time to consider it.
Pro Football Talk: 15 (+6)
The Saints are the best team no one is paying attention to.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Week 3 power rankings: Saints surge after upsetting Ravens
