New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NewOrleansSaints.com John DeShazier: New Orleans Saints defense making the most of its opportunities

pportunism isn’t exclusive to Chicago’s defense.

True, that heralded unit leads the NFL with 14 takeaways entering Sunday’s game against New Orleans at Soldier Field. And forcing turnovers has been a consistent characteristic of the Bears’ defense over the years.

Since 2008, the Bears only once have forced fewer than 31 turnovers (28, in 2009), and that’s the only season of the five that Chicago had a losing record (7-9).

But the Saints this season haven’t been far off Chicago’s pace.

New Orleans has forced 10 turnovers and, like the Bears, owns a plus-5 turnover ratio. The Saints (4-0) also have this going for them – they’ve allowed just 55 points this season, less than half of the 114 that the Bears have surrendered. And New Orleans has allowed almost 80 yards per game less (304.5, to Chicago’s 384).

So the Saints aren’t the only team that will be emphasizing ball security Sunday.

“It’s something that’s emphasized at practice and guys are taking it to the game, attacking the ball, over-population to the ball,” said linebacker Curtis Lofton, who forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Rafael Bush against Miami. “Our secondary has great ball skills so they’ve been able to track it and go up and get it and outfight receivers for it.

“It’s something we emphasize and something we’re doing. We’ve just got to continue to do it.
“They say turnovers happen in bunches. We just continue to play how we’ve been (playing), everybody flying to the ball and it’s been leading to a lot of success for us.”

Especially, the Saints have been strong in pass defense. Seven of the 10 turnovers have been interceptions; the team had two interceptions through the first four games last season, and intercepted 15 passes for the season.

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