Aaron Williams and Josh Banderas making 11

This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!New Orleans SaintsOverall: 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: -7Six years after ranking No. 1 on this list, the Saints have drifted into the middle of the pack -- much like what theyve been doing on the football field. Thats 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.Whats goodNew Orleans still ranks high in the coaching category (No. 19 overall), despite Paytons 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..Whats badJust 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 havent fared much better in the draft. They havent drafted a Pro Bowler since 2011 (though it seems like just a matter of time for LT Terron Armstead and WR Brandin Cooks).Whats newThe Saints took a big dip in the bang for the buck rankings. Prices havent really increased, but the teams 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 Custom Football Jerseys Throwback . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Wholesale Football Jerseys Throwback . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Discount Football Jerseys Throwback . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Football Jerseys Throwback Outlet . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tommy Armstrong Jr. led a 91-yard tiebreaking touchdown drive after being helped off the field with an ankle injury the previous series, and Kieron Williams interception with 1:29 left secured No. 21 Nebraskas 24-17 victory over Minnesota on Saturday night.Armstrong, knocked unconscious in last weeks loss at Ohio State, was cleared to start against the Gophers and was playing one of his best games in weeks when he injured his left ankle on a quarterback sneak late in the third quarter.He came back to loud cheers on the Cornhuskers early in the fourth and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 13-yard run with 7:17 left. He stumbled into the end zone, came up hobbling with a hamstring injury and was carried to the sideline by two offensive linemen.You all know Tommy. Youve seen him for years, Nebraska coach Mike Riley said. He is very, very competitive and he doesnt ever like to come out of the game. He always thinks hes going to make the next play.Williams intercepted Mitch Leidners tipped pass after the Gophers had driven to the Nebraska 17, and backup quarterback Ryker Fyfe took the final snaps as the Huskers (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) won for the first time in three games and a week after getting humiliated 62-3 at Ohio State.Minnesota (7-3, 4-3) had its four-game win streak ended.Armstrong was 19 for 27 for 217 yards with two touchdowns, and he ran niine times for 61 yards.dddddddddddd Terrell Newby had 75 of his 85 yards in the second half.Leidner completed 18 of 27 passes for 180 yards.Nebraskas defense allowed a season-low 265 total yards, with Aaron Williams and Josh Banderas making 11 tackles apiece.The Huskers trailed at halftime for a fourth straight game. Newby tied it 17-all in the third quarter, taking a screen pass from Armstrong 31 yards to the end zone.You go the road and you have a chance, Gophers coach Tracy Claeys said. But we didnt play well enough in the second half to win the ball game; Nebraska played better than we did.THE TAKEAWAYMinnesota: The Gophers lost control of their destiny in the Big Ten West. They might regret some of their play-calling against the Huskers. Other than a few occasions Rodney Smith broke some good runs, it was mostly futile for them to try to run up the middle.Nebraska: If anyone doubted Armstrongs toughness, he proved his mettle. He also showed he is the most important player on this team. If he goes down, the Huskers are in deep trouble.UP NEXTMinnesota hosts Northwestern, which shut out the Gophers 27-0 last year.Nebraska hosts Maryland in the first meeting of the teams.---More AP college football at http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '