TheOak

Penalties are bad period. But understanding which ones have the greatest effect on a game is important to a fan as it can help calm some frustration.

Offensive penalties can be recovered from in a single play. Loose 5 yards and you can get it back with one run or a pass. Even 3rd and 25 can be deleted with a completed pass generally.

Defensive penalties are another animal... Defensive penalties directly help our opponent in most situations. However some Defensive penalties hurt our opponent. While a pass interference in "some" cases prevents a TD. I would rather a pass interference that moves the opponent to the 15 yard line than no penalty that gives them a TD. Our Red Zone D is great, and often holds them to 3 points. 3 is better than 7 any day.

The killers are the Defensive penalties like late hits, out of bounds hits, unsportsmanlike conduct, off sides/encroachment..... These typically give our opponents free first downs. Often moving them 15-20 yards... putting them in FG range.

Week 13: If CIN does not fall for the oldest play in the book. We loose.

Week 15:
Against BAL:
1 QTR
Ed Reed: 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. Saints TD
Sharper: 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. Gives BAL great field position. Raven TD

4th QTR
Harper: 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. Gives BAL great field position. Results TD


Saints Penalties for this season to Date:

Defensive Penalties: 20th in League for Penalties, 23rd for Penalty Yards
80 for 637 yards.

Offensive Penalties: 23rd in League on penalties, and 15th for penalty yards.
77 for 747 yards