re: Andrew 'McLovin' Perloff: "Saints still 2nd Best Team in NFC"

I disagree, and though in the NFC Top 5, think their D too weak, from last year & it's playoff loss at Sea, opening L at GB(no sin there..GB NFL's best by far), close calls vs any teams with a pulse in 2011..

Based upon merit, regardless of schedule vs schedule..GB, SF, and Det, must be above NO in NFC rankings.

The only real 'buy sign' and season highlight to date for me, is NO's spurt to overtake a stout yet hurting Houston in the Dome, where the Saints were hitting on all cylinders down the stretch..Chi came in weak on OL and not protecting Cutler..thus not as impressive a W.

As ESPN's Dilfer points out, just look at NO's results this year, when opponents can rush 5 vs the Saint's OL, getting pressure, and leaving Brees to carry the whole team anvil on his back.

They may well be a 10 or 11 win team, but lack a sufficient D to beat GB on the road in December, lack "it factor" that has been with them in some recent former years.

Not-So-Fun-Tidbit: The Rams are only the 14th team in the last 20 NFL seasons to be an underdog of 13 points or more and win by double digits.