Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Breaking down all 32 teams’ standings in Week 14

By Peter Panacy

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 03: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts with Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 03: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts with Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a NFL game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

15. . W, 31-21 vs. Panthers. Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 7. team

It’s weird to think the Saints are looking more like a run-first team than the pass-happy offense we’ve grown so used to over the years.

But heck, that’s great news for veteran quarterback Drew Brees. He has a myriad of weapons surrounding him, and that’s never a bad thing.

Those weapons include running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, both of whom were on fire in Week 13 versus the visiting Panthers. Ingram had 85 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the rookie Kamara had 60 yards of his own plus two end-zone scores.

Not a bad day for New Orleans’ offense at all.

And despite being down a few players in the secondary, the Saints defense still managed to hold the Panthers to just 279 all-purpose yards.

That’s impressive. Especially when it comes in a crucial divisional game that could end up deciding the NFC South.