Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Final post-Super Bowl LII standings around the league

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints on the field after the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 24-29. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints on the field after the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 24-29. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

. . Previous: . New Orleans Saints. 6. team. 15

What to do about soon-to-be free-agent quarterback Drew Brees? Is he coming back?

Honestly, it’s impossible to envision a New Orleans Saints team without Brees at the helm. He’ll be back next year, barring something crazy odd. But at 39 years old, it’s certainly time for the Saints to start thinking about their future without him.

That’s reason enough to drop New Orleans a spot in our NFL power rankings. But there’s plenty to like for this team heading forward.

Running back Alvin Kamara turned plenty of heads this year, and he’ll only get stronger in year two of his pro career. Same goes with a young and upcoming defense, particularly in the secondary. And forget about that one play in Minnesota at the end of the NFC Divisional Round.

You know the one. It’s not an indication of what’s ahead.

The Saints might have slipped a spot, but they’re right in the mix for divisional contention a little less than a year from now.

Not a bad spot to be in at all.