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.

Drew Brees is tied for first in the NFL with nine touchdown passes, second in the league with a 104.1 quarterback rating and eight in passing yards with 1,031. He has been an effective and efficient leader for the Saints offense since he was signed in 2006.

Mike Bell stepped up big in the Saints opening two games, in place of injured Pierre Thomas, rushing for 229 yards before suffering a knee injury late against Philadelphia. In Bell’s absence, Thomas has rushed for 212 yards in the Saints’ last two games.

Bell and Thomas will both be healthy, for the first time this season, when the Saints come off their bye week and take on the likely-undefeated New York Giants.

Following their game with the Giants, only three of the remaining 11 games for the Saints are against teams who currently have a winning record (Week 8 vs ATL, Week 12 vs NE, Week 14@ ATL). Five of those 11 games will be against opponents who are currently winless (Week 9 vs CAR, Week 10 @ STL, Week 11 @ TB,  Week 16 vs TB, Week 17 @ CAR).

They currently hold a two game lead over the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South lead. If the Saints can avoid losing the games that they should win, which has been a problem in past years, they should be comfortably watching the first round of the playoffs from their living rooms as one of the NFC’s top two teams.

Share