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METAIRIE, La. — When the Saints’ defense needs to make a stop, it has — all season.

The last five minutes of the New Orleans-Tennessee game Sunday were a microcosm of the season for the Saints’ defense.

Titans rookie quarterback Jake Locker shredded the NFL’s 27th-ranked defense for 113 yards and two big plays, but no points. When they had to make a stop, the Saints did. Again.

The defense preserved New Orleans’ 22-17 victory.

“That’s what we really hang our hat on,” said New Orleans safety Malcolm Jenkins, who helped blanket Tennessee’s receivers on the last snap. “The pressure of the game will never be too much for us to handle. When plays need to be made, we will rise up.”

They certainly have in the last month.

Saints

homerj07

Yes all that is true. BUT I am getting too old for the dramatics!!

halloween 65

The less Jenkins opens his pie hole the better. I also remember a DC right before Gregg Williams that had a bend but don't break defense and look where it got him. I will give credit to our D for getting plays when they absolutely have to, but damn them for putting their selves in that position to begin with. I truly looked forward to this years D being better than they were last year and I really, really thought we would be, but the joke was on me.

Mardigras9

This philosophy wont work against the Packers.

crawgator

Well yes the Defense has come up big when needed... But In a close game do we really want to go by this theory... I think not... As we look forward to the playoffs.. Now is the time to focus on the defense.. Remember we haven't even secured the 2nd home slot yet.. So if there is a time for the defense to shine it should be these last three games... Thinking back to the Rams game, which our defense got torched.. The same could happen this week against the Vi-Queens... It always seems that in these type of games our Defense goes on Vacation... We have 3 weeks to prepare for the playoffs.. and hopefully have a week bye... And we have a tough 2 tough games coming up against division Rivals.... We need to play hard go into the playoffs with momentum...

"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal"
Vince Lombardi

Don't let The Vi-Queens be an Obstacle this week stay focused, take another step in achieving the goal.. To win the Super Bowl...

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!

Kryptonite

I think what most people tend to forget is that in those/these types of games it is our offense that goes on vacation. They are the ones putting the Defense in those make or break type of situations. In those games the offense doesn't start jelling until midway through the 4th Qtr. Grant it, the D gives up big plays, but the game is still close because of them. If it wasn't for the D holding the opposing team to FGs then we would find ourselves down 21/24 pts before you know it. Even in the Rams game (I was there), the defense keep the game close...but when you are constantly on the field now your weaknesses show up as total failures.

If the damn offense can get its @ss in gear, everything will work itself out. You may not want to admit it but they have won a few games for us already. I'm not saying that they don't suck most of the time, but even when they do we are still within striking distance.

ScottF

I am not sure "rarely" is the best the best descriptor. Maybe 'not recently', or 'sometimes'.
I think a D that gives up huge Fred Thomas-style completions to put themselves in the bend or break situations might still need some work

SaintsBro

Exactly! If they can just stop the "garbage" like the "Harry Douglas show," Marshawn Lynch run, or the ridiculous big long plays the Titans and Giants had, if they can just get an offense off the field on a 3rd and 15, they don't need to come up with all the big game-saving heroic plays at the last possible second of the game!

UK_WhoDat

That is some list.

We have an offense that is better than 29 teams - no argument. Possibly as good or better than the 2 other teams; Patriots and Packers.

However there is some argument that we have a defense that might not be as good as 20 or so teams. And critically, a defense that is not as good as the Packers.

iceshack149

Give me the Saints offense over any other offense in the league. The Patriots and Packers struggle to get one good RB on the field. The Saints have four.

One of the most maddening things about this defense is the gimme interception that hits the defender in the hands and falls to the ground.