The New Orleans Saints are one of the best teams in the NFL. You don’t have to tell them that though, they already know. When looking at the list of opponents New Orleans has put away, they have had the fourth-toughest strength of schedule through Week 7.

Since Drew Brees left their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans has gone on a five-game winning streak against some of the strongest teams and fiercest defenses in the league. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has done a great job in navigating the Saints through challenges such as great defenses fielded by the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears.

The New England Patriots have almost-unanimously been considered the best team in the NFL this year, despite having receiving corps deficiencies much like the Saints, but their success has been a product of the easiest schedule in all of the NFL.

NFL Strength of Schedule through 10-22 1. TB

2. OAK

3. PIT

4. NO

5. HOU

6. LAR

7. NYJ

8. DET

9. JAX

10. CLE

11. ATL

12. DEN

13. CIN

14. KC

15. IND

16. CAR

17. SEA

18. GB

19. TEN

20. MN

21. CHI

22. SF

23. PHI

24. NYG

25. WAS

26. MIA

27. BAL

28. LAC

29. AZ

30. BUF

31. DAL

32. NE — Dominique Clare (@DomClare) October 22, 2019

On the flip side of the same coin, New Orleans has secured a 6-1 record while enduring the fourth-hardest schedule to date in the NFL. To boot, the backup quarterback has led the team to a 5-0 record in Brees’ absence.

A bias towards the Patriots will always exist, especially with their status as reigning Super Bowl champions with quarterback Tom Brady at the helm. However, this season in particular has shown that New England is the NFL’s version of the Alabama Crimson Tide. It does not matter the competition faced, the Patriots will always be the favored team.

If we take a deeper dive into the strength of schedule argument, the other NFC teams that some outlets have ranked above the Saints are the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. Both of those teams have endured the 22nd- and 18th-toughest schedules this season, well below average. Furthermore, the 49ers had a tough time taking care of the lowly Washington Redskins this past Sunday. So, are they really better than the Saints or just a popular “hot pick” by pundits?

The Saints have proved time and time again that despite missing their Hall of Fame quarterback, they are the team to beat in the NFC. Just take a look at how tough their schedule has been, and how Coach Sean Payton, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and the defense have navigated the challenges thus far.