5. Offensive line play - The Saints' front five probably hadn't seen lower times after Albert Haynesworth and the rest of the Tennessee Titans shredded Jammal Brown and Jamar Nesbit.

Now times haven't been better even with an injury to center Jeff Faine. Drew Brees may have the cleanest jersey the last three games as he hasn't been sacked at all. (See more below.)

The running game hasn't been extremely explosive, but Reggie Bush has improved to 3.8 yards per carry for the season.

"The key is that we have a group of guys that are sticking together, wanting to fight their way out of it, and really approach it with each game you're playing that week and not look any further past that," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "We're still in that position; we're still under .500, we're still looking up at teams in our division.

"We have a long way to go, but fortunately we have the type of guys in the locker room that understand that and put in a good day's work on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and prepare to play their best game possible. It doesn't always end up coming out that way, but you have to work on the corrections and you have to work hard during the week and we've been able to do that for the most part."