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Despite everything that went on during a tumultuous offseason, no one — not even their worst enemy — could have envisioned that it would take the New Orleans Saints five games to earn their first win.

With one of the NFL’s best offenses returning most of its key components and a defense that was expected to be improved with a new coordinator and new scheme, not even the suspension of coach Sean Payton could keep the Saints from being a force again, right?

Wrong.

It’s still early in a 16-game season, but with the Saints enjoying their bye week it’s not a bad time to look at the good and bad from the offense, defense and special teams so far:

Offense
GOOD: While his completion percentage of 58.9 percent is way off the NFL single-season record of 72.1 percent he set last season, Drew Brees is starting to heat up after a slow start.

That’s a good sign for the offense as Brees has 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions in his last three games after having four TDs and four picks in the first two games.

It hasn’t hurt that wide receiver Marques Colston, who battled a foot injury early in the season, has had two monster games in a row.

BAD: This one is obvious, as the running game that was so productive in piling up 132.9 yards a game last season, is struggling with only 75.2 yards per game in the first five outings.

Take away long runs of 48 yards by Pierre Thomas and 47 yards by Darren Sproles and the Saints are averaging just 3.0 yards per carry, which isn’t going to cut it.

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halloween 65

I have a hard time finding words at this point, Goddell has really hurt us though!!

Utah_Saint

Couldn't agree more that this bye came at just the right time. Besides giving Colston, Moore, Graham, Hawthorne, and Greer an extra weeks rest, it also gives the team another chance to practice the basics. Each week they've gotten a little better (in some cases very little) on both sides of the ball. Maybe with an extra week they'll have time to focus on those things they still aren't getting right.