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New Orleans Saints
Overall: 40
Title track: 14
Ownership: 43
Coaching: 19
Players: 55
Fan relations: 30
Affordability: 42
Stadium experience: 48
Bang for the buck: 83
Change from last year: -7
Six years after ranking No. 1 on this list, the Saints have drifted into the middle of the pack -- much like what they've been doing on the football field. That's what happens after back-to-back 7-9 seasons, the first consecutive losing seasons in a decade under coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.
What's good
New Orleans still ranks high in the coaching category (No. 19 overall), despite Payton's struggles to resurrect the team in recent years. The Saints' front office clearly agrees with the fans: The team signed Payton to a five-year extension worth more than $9 million per year this offseason. The Saints also remain strong at quarterback -- which should really be its own category in the NFL rankings. Although Drew Brees is 37, he signed a one-year extension in September, then kicked off the year by averaging 347 yards per game (tops in NFL) and 2.8 TDs per game in the first six weeks..
What's bad
Just imagine how low the Saints' player rating -- already at just 55th, down four from last year -- would be without Brees. The Saints have been missing badly with big contracts in recent years (Junior Galette, Brandon Browner, C.J. Spiller, among others) and lead the NFL with more than $40 million in "dead money" from players they have released before their contracts are up. And they haven't fared much better in the draft. They haven't drafted a Pro Bowler since 2011 (though it seems like just a matter of time for LT Terron Armstead and WR Brandin Cooks).
What's new
The Saints took a big dip in the bang for the buck rankings. Prices haven't really increased, but the team's results have taken a surprising nose dive in home games. After going 8-0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in both 2011 and 2013, the Saints are 5-11 in their past 16 home games. The Dome is still known as one of the loudest venues in the league. But struggles on the field can sap the energy of any building.
Next: Indianapolis Colts | Full rankings