Halo

The debate on whether the New Orleans Saints can go 16-0 is silly, but there’s no question the Saints have staying power.

Sure, they have committed too many turnovers and given up too many big plays in the past three weeks.

Obviously, they cannot count on coming back from double-digit deficits against the likes of New England Patriots or Dallas Cowboys if they start poorly in those games.

No team is perfect, but the Saints’ perfect record after eight games is not fluky. Here are the best first-half indicators they will continue to win in the second half of the season.

1) They are No. 1 in the NFL in pass efficiency defense.

That stat matters much more than New Orleans’ middle-of-the-pack ranking in passing yards allowed and should be mind-boggling to anyone who watched the Saints lose several games in the past few years because the secondary could not make a play at a crucial moment.

In 2007, the Saints were dead last in pass efficiency defense, with opposing quarterbacks compiling a rating of 96.9 while completing 62.4 percent of their throws.

Through eight games this season, the Saints are holding quarterbacks to a rating of 55.8. The New Orleans defense ranks first in completion percentage (.519), significantly ahead of second-place Green Bay Packers (.540). New Orleans ranks first in interceptions with 16, is tied for third in touchdowns allowed (six) and is tied for fifth in opponents’ yards per attempt (6.3).

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, lock-down cornerback Jabari Greer and ball-hawking free safety Darren Sharper all deserve tremendous credit for the turnaround in their first year. Williams’ pressure scheme has helped the Saints register 19 sacks, well above their pace in 2008 when they finished with 28 sacks.

Don’t discount second-year cornerback Tracy Porter, whose presence improved the pass defense last year before he suffered a season-ending injury.

2) Drew Brees averages 8.8 yards per pass, the highest number in the NFL.

Of the four components that make up a quarterback’s rating, yards per attempt is the most telling.

Dinkers and dunkers often throw few interceptions because they rarely take chances, while guys like Brees can live with mistakes if they make enough big plays.

Touchdown passes can be misleading. Teams with good running games throw for fewer touchdowns than teams with weak running games.

Completion percentages are skewed in favor of quarterbacks who throw to their check-down receivers all the time instead of looking downfield.

Yards per attempt is the real deal. Seven quarterbacks average eight yards or more, and the combined record of their teams is 42-15. None of them are below .500.

Brees is at the top of his game because he spreads the ball around. The Saints have no receivers among the top 25 in yards and only two in the top 50, but Brees is fourth in that category among quarterbacks.

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