2009 Saints considered an average Super Bowl team in comparison to other champions

The 2009 season was a special one for the New Orleans Saints. That was the year that the Saints won their only Super Bowl in franchise history, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl 44. New Orleans went 13-3 in the regular season and made sure to finish the year strong, dominating in the postseason.

While the Saints proved they were the best team that season, consumers of sports often like to engage in exercises that determine the best team across multiple years. Aaron Schatz, in a recent piece for ESPN, did just that, ranking all 57 Super Bowl champions. Ranking each Super Bowl winner from 57 to 1, Schatz looked at the regular season and playoffs, using DVOA to rank the teams. The 2009 New Orleans team was ranked as the 32nd-best Super Bowl winner.

2009 Saints ranked No. 32 among Super Bowl Champs

Schatz noted that New Orleans led the league in DVOA after their 13-0 start that season, however, the three-game losing streak to end the regular season hurt the team in the data. It was also highlighted that the offense was elite, the defense was just outside the top 10, and the special teams were near the bottom of the league.

Regardless, the Saints were able to put it all together in the playoffs, defeating the Arizona Cardinals 45-14, the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 in overtime, and the Colts 31-17 in the Super Bowl. All things considered, New Orleans is remembered by DVOA as an average Super Bowl winner. There are 31 teams ranked ahead of the Saints and 25 ranked behind them.

While there are a ton of angles to judge Super Bowl champions, comparing them to see which one is the best, one of the few facts in the equation is that the New Orleans Saints were the best team during the 2009 season. That’s all that matters.

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