NFL power rankings: Saints rise after statement win over Cowboys

Are the New Orleans Saints legit?

Most fans and pundits brushed off last week’s 47-10 victory because it came against the lowly Carolina Panthers. But after the Saints destroyed the Dallas Cowboys 44-19 on the road in Week 2, perhaps we should be taking them seriously.

After ranking 12th last week, New Orleans has jumped all the way up to No. 3 in our NFL power rankings this week.

Note that these rankings are being published before the Monday Night Football showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) and Atlanta Falcons (0-1). The result of that game could obviously shake up the rankings, but here’s how things stand after Sunday’s action.

NFL power rankings after Week 2

1. Kansas City Chiefs (2-0)
2. Buffalo Bills (2-0)
3. New Orleans Saints (2-0)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
5. Minnesota Vikings (2-0)
6. San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
7. Arizona Cardinals (1-1)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)
9. Detroit Lions (1-1)
10. Green Bay Packers (1-1)
11. Houston Texans (2-0)
12. Los Angeles Chargers (2-0)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0)
14. Seattle Seahawks (2-0)
15. Miami Dolphins (1-1)
16. Las Vegas Raiders (1-1)
17. Baltimore Ravens (0-2)
18. Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
19. New York Jets (1-1)
20. Atlanta Falcons (0-1)
21. Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)
22. New England Patriots (1-1)
23. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
24. Cleveland Browns (1-1)
25. Los Angeles Rams (0-2)
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2)
27. Chicago Bears (1-1)
28. Washington Commanders (1-1)
29. New York Giants (0-2)
30. Tennessee Titans (0-2)
31. Denver Broncos (0-2)
32. Carolina Panthers (0-2)

Week 3 kicks off on Thursday when the Jets host the Patriots.