Saints defense is better than you think

WhoDat!656 · 01-06-2012, 11:44 AM

Over the last eight games the Saints defense has allowed an impressive average of only 18.75 points per game. Again, if that was their season average, it would be good enough to rank them 6th best among all teams.

Hmmm...that's weird. How the hell is a defense giving up so much yardage but holding opponents to so few points? How does such a huge statistical discrepancy exist? It's not turnovers. Nope, they're -3 overall for the season, which ranks them 19th overall. So what could it be?

It's because they're shutting that ish down when it matters most: on third down. The Saints defense finished the regular season ranked 5th in third down defense, allowing just 33.17% of opponent third downs to be converted. But they've only gotten better because over the last eight games, the defense has allowed a paltry 24.65% of third downs to be converted. That would be best in the league by a mile if it was their season average.

Why This Saints Defense is Better Than You Think - Canal Street Chronicles

SloMotion · 01-06-2012, 12:16 PM

IDK, I thought it was plenty good . . . held us to one passing TD and stuffed us 2-11 on third down conversions . . . IDK who's saying ya'll can't play 'D' . . . and the "giving up yardage/holding opponents to so few points" question . . . it's gotta' be you guys tightening up in the redzone . . . I mean, Stafford threw for 400+ on you guys, where's our TDs? You let people move the ball between the 20s and clamp down when they get near the goal line . . . SFran does a good job of it also . . .

go Lions.

foreverfan · 01-07-2012, 12:44 PM

3 and out is almost as good as a turnover with Brees an company.

Danno · 01-07-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by foreverfan

3 and out is almost as good as a turnover with Brees an company.

Yep, an interception 15 yards downfileld is about the same as a 3-&-out and two plays from scrimmage.

The only difference is about 30 seconds of game clock.

Rugby Saint II · 01-07-2012, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Danno

Yep, an interception 15 yards downfileld is about the same as a 3-&-out and two plays from scrimmage.

The only difference is about 30 seconds of game clock.

True Dat!

Seer1 · 01-07-2012, 02:29 PM

Now if we can just get it together on first and second down.....

SaintPauly · 01-07-2012, 07:13 PM

Well this is good news.... Right? lol

homerj07 · 01-07-2012, 08:37 PM

foreverfan - WHO IS YOUR AVATAR?? Smoking hot

Sinner · 01-08-2012, 12:42 AM

656... You stole my exact thoughts.

I think it is actually a really good defense. We play lazy and sloppy until a point comes... usually after I've gone through almost a whole pack of cigarettes - then BOOM!

If we could just keep the BOOM switch on for the whole game, the score would be 45 - 7 instead of how close and scary these games get.

01-06-2012, 11:44 AM	#1
WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,062	Saints defense is better than you think Over the last eight games the Saints defense has allowed an impressive average of only 18.75 points per game. Again, if that was their season average, it would be good enough to rank them 6th best among all teams. Hmmm...that's weird. How the hell is a defense giving up so much yardage but holding opponents to so few points? How does such a huge statistical discrepancy exist? It's not turnovers. Nope, they're -3 overall for the season, which ranks them 19th overall. So what could it be? It's because they're shutting that ish down when it matters most: on third down. The Saints defense finished the regular season ranked 5th in third down defense, allowing just 33.17% of opponent third downs to be converted. But they've only gotten better because over the last eight games, the defense has allowed a paltry 24.65% of third downs to be converted. That would be best in the league by a mile if it was their season average. Why This Saints Defense is Better Than You Think - Canal Street Chronicles

01-07-2012, 12:44 PM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	3 and out is almost as good as a turnover with Brees an company. homerj07 likes this.

01-07-2012, 12:57 PM	#4
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Originally Posted by foreverfan 3 and out is almost as good as a turnover with Brees an company. Yep, an interception 15 yards downfileld is about the same as a 3-&-out and two plays from scrimmage. The only difference is about 30 seconds of game clock. Rugby Saint II likes this.

01-07-2012, 01:52 PM	#5
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,073	Originally Posted by Danno Yep, an interception 15 yards downfileld is about the same as a 3-&-out and two plays from scrimmage. The only difference is about 30 seconds of game clock. True Dat!

01-08-2012, 12:42 AM	#9
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,952	656... You stole my exact thoughts. I think it is actually a really good defense. We play lazy and sloppy until a point comes... usually after I've gone through almost a whole pack of cigarettes - then BOOM! If we could just keep the BOOM switch on for the whole game, the score would be 45 - 7 instead of how close and scary these games get.
Sinner 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,952

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01-06-2012, 12:16 PM	#2
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	IDK, I thought it was plenty good . . . held us to one passing TD and stuffed us 2-11 on third down conversions . . . IDK who's saying ya'll can't play 'D' . . . and the "giving up yardage/holding opponents to so few points" question . . . it's gotta' be you guys tightening up in the redzone . . . I mean, Stafford threw for 400+ on you guys, where's our TDs? You let people move the ball between the 20s and clamp down when they get near the goal line . . . SFran does a good job of it also . . . go Lions.

01-07-2012, 02:29 PM	#6
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Now if we can just get it together on first and second down.....

01-07-2012, 07:13 PM	#7
SaintPauly Senior Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Gulfport, MS Posts: 3,180 Blog Entries: 1	Well this is good news.... Right? lol

01-07-2012, 08:37 PM	#8
homerj07 In Doh We Trust Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 7,027 Blog Entries: 16	foreverfan - WHO IS YOUR AVATAR?? Smoking hot