NFL power rankings roundup: Where are the Saints after Week 2?

[ASFN Admin]

After a Week 2 loss to the San Francisco 49ers -- one that once again came down to the wire -- experts have given the New Orleans Saints some brownie points for their performance, at least on the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback Spencer Rattler delivered an impressive showing in his first multi-touchdown game, throwing for three scores and missing only nine passes on 34 attempts. Perhaps the most encouraging sign was Rattler’s resilience in the fourth quarter, rallying his team back from a two-score deficit to pull within five points and give them a chance late. He showed flashes in Week 1, but in Week 2 he truly put the league on notice. The big question now is: can he keep it up?

Due to Rattler's performance, the Saints as a team received a slight bump up in the rankings from some, as many have gained a bit of confidence in the second-year quarterback. However, most feel the same about the team as they did a week ago.

NFL.com: No. 30​

"Spencer Rattler is a fighter who has kept the Saints in both games, no doubt about that. He peeled himself off the turf several times in the first two outings of the season, continuing to battle like an undead warrior until the end. His late strip-sack fumble was the game-sealer, but Rattler really had little chance to get out of that one. The Saints can look at a missed field goal, a momentum-swinging fumble and some particularly painful penalties as reasons why they lost. They had two special teams penalties that hurt field position, and their other five flags either gave the Niners a first down or wiped out their own first down on offense. That's now two straight home losses to start the season. Up next: trips to Seattle and Buffalo. New Orleans might not win a game in September."

CBS Sports: No. 32​

"It's all about the draft for this team, but it is playing hard. That's a good sign for Kellen Moore. They just lack talent."

ESPN: No. 32​

"Rattler's 0-8 career record as a starter doesn't reflect it, but his first two games this season have already shown improvement after a difficult rookie season as a temporary starter. Coach Kellen Moore assessed Rattler's performance against the 49ers and noted it took him a bit to settle in. But when he did, he had a lot of good moments, throwing a career-high three TD passes. That doesn't mean things will be easy for Rattler or the Saints in the coming weeks, but it is a positive sign to see week-to-week growth."

PFF: No. 32​

"Like the Titans, the Saints are 0-2 but have been playing competitive football the entire way. Spencer Rattler’s 79.7 overall PFF grade is eighth among quarterbacks, and if his play continues to impress, there might be a chance we don’t see second-round pick Tyler Shough this season. Look, it’s still September, and the wheels could easily come off if the Saints keep losing games — and they will — but they’ve still impressed."

USA Today: No. 28​

"Give them credit for being awfully competitive despite their inexperience behind center and under the big headset."

Yahoo Sports: No. 32​

"Spencer Rattler wasn’t the problem for the Saints on Sunday. He had 207 yards, three touchdowns and played pretty well. And the Saints still lost, falling to 0-2 at home this season. There won’t be many wins this season for New Orleans, though the Saints have been competitive so far."

Bleacher Report: No. 32​

"If you're into moral victories, then the New Orleans Saints have actually been something of a pleasant surprise two weeks into the season—the Saints have been in position to win both of their games against teams who are a combined 4-0 this season.

Of course, moral victories don't mean a whole lot in the NFL. The Saints lost both games. And losses came to a flawed Arizona Cardinals team and the San Francisco 49ers JV squad.

Frankly, it may well be for the best. These Saints don't need meaningless wins. New Orleans needs to rebuild the roster from the ground-up in many areas. And while Spencer Rattler hasn't played badly, he's not the long-term answer under center in the Big Easy.

So, keep stacking those losses, New Orleans. Look to the future.

Because the present isn't going to be pleasant."

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL power rankings roundup: Where are the Saints after Week 2?

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