The New Orleans Saints are 4-0 for the first time since 1993 and only the third time in their 43-year history. In 1993, New Orleans started 5-0 before losing eight of their last 11 games on their way to an 8-8 record, leaving them out of the playoffs. They are one of only five teams in the NFL to remain unbeaten this season.

In recent seasons, the Saints defense has been their Achilles’ heel. For example, in 2008 the New Orleans Saints lost six games by five points-or-fewer and in all six of those games the Saints offense posted 20-or-more points.

Last season, the Saints had the number one offense but the 23^rd ranked defense. Their defense lacked leadership and direction, as they allowed opponents an average of 24 points per game.

This season, under the leadership of new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the Saints defense could not be any more unlike their previous counterpart. Veteran free agent signee Darren Sharper has taken the reins of the defense on the field for the Saints, as his five interceptions leads the NFL.

Twice already this season the Saints have had to rely on their defense to win games and twice their defense has responded emphatically.

In Week 3, they held the Buffalo Bills to only seven points and snapped Terrell Owens’ 185-game streak of having at least one catch. This past weekend they held Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets offense to only 10 points, while scoring two touchdowns as the Saints cruised past the Jets 24-10.

Although the Saints offense has struggled over the last two weeks, they’re still a force to be reckoned with. New Orleans has outscored their opponents an unbelievable 144-66, giving them an average margin of victory of almost 20 points. Their plus-78 scoring differential leads the Denver Broncos, who hold the second best scoring differential, by 25 points.
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Chad OchoCinco said on his twitter:
“@OGOchocCinco: I’ll be wearing all pink gloves, shoes and wrist bands in support of breast cancer awareness throughout the Month of October”
“@OGOchoCinco: Oh and as for getting fined I probably will because my entire shoe is pink, gloves are all pink and wrist bands I’ll match the fine n donate”
“@OGOchoCinco: NFL is supporting the pink<_ I went a step further by having everything pink I’m wearing, mouth piece and chin strap to.”

OchoCinco is finally using his antics for a good cause, so should Roger Goodell fine him? How much?

Follow up to yesterdays “NFC Division Leaders: Contender or Pretender?“

AFC East – New York Jets (3-0)
Rex Ryan has really given this team a new look. The Jets defense has held opponents to only 33 points this year, most notably holding Tom Brady and the Patriots offense to only nine points. Linebacker David Harris has come up big, leading the team in sacks (2) and total tackles (21).

Mark Sanchez is winning games by working within the scheme of the offense and with ball security, the Jets are plus-3 in turnover margin through three games. His touchdown scramble against Tennessee showed his dedication to winning, but also a reckless abandon of concern for his health. Leon Washington and Thomas Jones are giving the Jets a good ground game to keep pressure off Sanchez.

If the Jets continue receiving the kind of defensive contribution that they have thus far then they’re looking at a division title. However, you can never count out the Patriots, who have seemingly struggled but managed to start 2-1, if they can fix their offensive issues. Contender

AFC North – Baltimore Ravens (3-0)
The Baltimore Ravens are arguably the hottest team in the AFC right now, and possibly the NFL. Joe Flacco is already having a great second season, completing 65.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns. Flacco’s 101.4 qb rating ranks fifth in the league. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee are each averaging over five yards-per-carry, with McGahee contributing five rushing touchdowns.

The Ravens defense has been stellar, as has come to be expected. Ray Lewis led by example in Week 2 with his big stop against San Diego’s Darren Sproles. Baltimore is two games ahead of Pittsburgh for the AFC North division lead, if they can hold on and win the division then they’re favorites to win the AFC Championship. Contender

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Sure it’s only Week 3 and there is a lot of football left to be played, but who among division leaders are serious contenders and who are pretenders?

NFC East – New York Giants (3-0)
The Giants are the defending NFC East champions and are only two years off a Super Bowl championship. Eli Manning hasn’t missed a beat despite of the loss of Plaxico Burress, and proved it with a last-minute game-winning drive against the Dallas Cowboys.

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham have stepped up, combining for 66 percent of the Giants total catches. If the Giants continue getting this level of production from their offense and defense then the Giants have a serious shot at the NFC championship this season. Contender

NFC North – Minnesota Vikings (3-0)
Brett Favre answered a lot of questions with his 32-yard touchdown to Greg Lewis with :02 left to put Minnesota on top of San Francisco 27-24. The Vikings now have a passing game to compliment their rushing game, something they haven’t had for several seasons. However, two of Minnesota’s three wins have come against Detroit and Cleveland who have a combined 1-5 record. Favres longevity is a question, though, and without him the Vikings are lost. For right now.

Chicago and Green Bay aren’t both 2-1 and will be tough competition for the Vikings if Favre wears out.Pretender

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Nine teams have started the 2009 season with an 0-2 record. History is against them, as only about 14 percent of teams since 1990 to start the season 0-2 have made the playoffs. The good news is that the 2007 Super Bowl champion New York Giants started that season winless through two weeks.

Of the nine teams to start the season 0-2 who has the best chance of making the playoffs?

St. Louis, Detroit and Kansas City all have far too much work to do before playoffs can even be considered.

The Chiefs last made the playoffs in 2006, losing to the Colts in the first round. Since then, they’ve had consecutive season with 12-or-more losses. They don’t have the pieces in place to take this team anywhere. I’m not convinced Matt Cassel is the real deal. Head coach Todd Haley has a long road ahead of him to take this team to the playoffs.
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Tony Romo and Wade Phillips both took responsibility for the 33-31 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. So whose fault is it really?

The short answer is both.

You can also throw Jason Garrett into the blame game for his poor playcalling.

Romo threw three interceptions against the Giants, and recorded his lowest total yards passing since he became a full-time starter. All of the interceptions were a direct result of Romo’s lack of accuracy as the ball was thrown in every direction except the receivers.

However, the onus is always on the coach. The Cowboys looked absolutely lost not only on offense but on defense, as well, as the Giants rang up 427 yards of offense. If Phillips had competently and properly coached his team they would’ve come away with a victory in a game that they should have won.
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