Friday open thread: Who is the best team in the NFC?

Week 13 got off to a very interesting start on Thursday, as the presumed best team in the NFL—the New Orleans Saints—dropped a nationally-televised game to the Dallas Cowboys. Week after week, we saw this Saints offense carve through opposing defenses, as Drew Brees looked absolutely unstoppable.

However, the Cowboys defense showed up big on Thursday and held New Orleans to just 176 yards of total offense. It was an absolutely dominant performance from Dallas’ defense, and it really makes you wonder if these prolific high-flying offenses can continue to thrive against teams that can actually challenge them defensively.

With New Orleans dropping to 10-2 on the season and Dallas jumping up to 7-5, the Rams now hold the top spot in the NFC. But the Saints beat the Rams earlier in the year, so who’s the best team in the conference now? That’s today’s Question of the Day.

Who is the best team in the NFC right now?

My answer: I’m going to stick with the Saints, despite their most recent loss. “Thursday Night Football” can create some wacky results, with teams working on a short week and gameplans cut short to accommodate quick learning. It’s also never easy to win on the road, and this Dallas team is only getting better and better.

The Rams still have the best resume in the conference. Prior to Week 13, not only had they won 10 straight, but they had won the previous five games by an average margin of 22.4—with each game being at least a two-score win. They’ve taken down the Rams, Vikings Eagles, Ravens and Washington in fairly convincing fashion.

Sure, Thursday’s loss may prove to be a blueprint for how to stop this Saints offense, but that’s a lot easier said than done. The Saints are still the team to beat in the conference.

Your turn.