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METAIRIE, La. – The first thing Drew Brees does when he’s handed the post-game statistical booklet is turn to page three where he searches for third-down conversions.

Though a perfectionist, he likely has been pleased the past three weeks.

Against defenses that have statistically been near the top of the NFL, Brees and the Saints are passing with flying colors.

New Orleans leads the NFL on third-down, converting 58.7 percent of the time. The NFL average, by the way, is 39 percent.

Once again n Sunday, the Saints (4-1) will test their mettle against one of the NFL’s best units in getting off the field. New Orleans plays at Tampa Bay (3-2), the sixth-best team at getting off the field on third downs, allowing conversions just 32.7 percent of the time.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees says Tampa’s success on third down can be attributed to their style, playing man-to-man coverage with two safeties and a defensive line that creates pressure on the quarterback.

“When you look at what it takes to be good on third down, first of all you want to try to get teams in third and longs and second you want to have a good pass rush that’s making the quarterback uncomfortable, forcing him to get the ball out quicker than he wants in tight coverage, so that’s something that they’ve been pretty good at,” Brees said.

Full article below.
Saints owning third downs, leading the NFL | wwltv.com New Orleans

pumpkindriver

Thanks for posting that, this is the other important stat I couldn't remember the other day in another post.

homerj07

Am I the only one concerend baut this game?

I know they had thier buttocks handed to them last week, BUT...

they are at home & they will want to make up for last week.