Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

New Orleans Saints: The Saints have the most important ingredient of all -- an elite quarterback in Drew Brees, who was already a Super Bowl MVP six years ago.

They also have a proven, Super Bowl-winning coach in Sean Payton.

However, New Orleans has suffered through back-to-back 7-9 seasons because it has featured one of the NFL's worst defenses and the offensive line has regressed a bit since it was arguably the best in the league from 2009-2011.

The Saints do feel like their arrow is pointed back in the right direction after they overhauled the roster last year with nine rookies and five first-year players. But the defense will have to make major strides in coordinator Dennis Allen's first full year on the job to make any kind of run at the Super Bowl. -- Mike Triplett

Rating the contender status of the 30 NFL teams that didn't make the Super Bowl

Re: Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

Must hit a home run in the 2016 draft, and hope that most of the injuries from 2015 have healed. Throw in a couple mid priced free agents to contribute and avoid injuries. Yes, that is a lot to ask for but who knows. Teams can bounce back rather fast in the NFL.

Re: Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

I agree. I have playoff expectations next year but I think SB contention is hopefully coming the year after.

Re: Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

"I could have been a contender".

Re: Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

It's all a crap shoot.

Re: Rating which teams are closest to being Super Bowl contenders
 

I think we need to get there next year. I just believe the division pattern is real and next year it's either us or Green Bay. It's not gonna be Carolina again.