WHO_DAT_CAT

D-Sucks-itis seems to be contagious among the top teams in the NFC this year.

xan

Any drive that ends with a punt, fumble, interception or 4th down short is a turnover.

I would agree that any drive that ends in a FG is also a turnover, unless it's an end of half or end of game scenario.

Opponents have scored 37 td's and made 27 of 32 FGs.

Opponents have also punted 71 times and allowed only 6 of 22 4th down conversions. 9 interceptions, 7 fumble recoveries. Saints are 5th best in 3rd down situations, allowing only 33.2% conversions.

One might say that the Saints' defense has forced 103 turnovers in 172 meaningful drives. As the Packers are the "gold standard" this season, they forced 108 turnovers in 170 meaningful drives. Not much difference.

SF had 135 turnovers in 183 meaningful drives. I would argue that SF played the collectively worst set of offenses (StL, AZ, Sea, Cle, Ravens, Wash, TB -- 10 bottom feeder offenses.) of any NFC playoff team.

Saints played GB(3), Lions (5), Panthers (7)twice, ATL(10) twice, Giants (8), Houston pre injury(1 at the time). 8 top ten offenses. Beat all but 1.

I know I am MONUMENTALLY tough on our defense, but even I have to recognize.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

Boutte

The thing is though, that even in the offense crazy game that the NFL plays today the field position battle is still important. How do you think Rodgers put up so many TDs while lagging so far behind in yards passing. His D gave him short fields all year. How more games could we have won if the D gave Brees 10 more possessions?

Another stat that seems get overlooked these days is time of possesion. The Saints had a little over 31 mins a game this year. Not bad but nothing special. These are all things that add up real quick. I know i know we won 13 games this year. I'm happy as can be about that. 15 would be better.

homerj07

I agree with danno - they are a little schitzo!!