ClintSaints

Any reasonable person would agree that four complete games is a decent sample size by which to judge a football team's overall effectiveness. Well, obviously 16 games is a much better sample size, but as the first quarter of the NFL season came to a close last night in the Crescent City, the New Orleans Saints defense established itself as one of the most menacing units in the league.

Currently, we rank 6th in total defense and 5th in scoring defense. This represents a slight dip from the previous week's rank of 4th in total defense. Our rank in scoring defense remains unchanged.

Here are some other rankings to consider:

Sacks per game: tied for 12th with 3 sacks per game (In 2012 we were very near the bottom with an anemic 1.9 sacks per game)

Opponents third down conversion percentage: 10th place with 34.78% (an improvement over the 38.46% from 2012)

Takeaways per game: 7th with 2.5 per game (in 2012 we were tied for 13th with 1.6 per game)

Total offense: 4th (up from 6th last week)

Scoring offense: 8th (a big jump from 16th just last week)

I sure hope we can continue the momentum against the Chicago Bears next week. Chicago is tied for third in allowing the fewest sacks per game (1.5). The Saints have allowed twice as many sacks per game. Hopefully, we will be able to rattle Cutler and protect Brees on Sunday.

WhoDat!656

Considering the way the Saints have played recently in Chicago, I consider this game to be the first true acid test for our team.

If the Saints beat Chicago like we did Arizona and Miami, IMO the rest of the teams on our schedule, and the teams we are likely to face in the playoffs, will have to pay attention to us!

Jack Vegas

The Bears are probably watering that field right now, running over it with tractors and backhoes and god knows what else to try and slow our offense down and turn this thing into a slugfest.

I still think we win by 10 points. Cutler is good for at least 4 sacks and a couple of poorly timed interceptions anytime he faces a good defense.

blackangold

The bears offense is highly overrated. They are often assisted by a short field and their scoring numbers are inflated due to the defense scoring so much.

All that being said the Bears will be the toughest test yet, and then New England after that... Imagine being 6-0 at the bye with those tough wins. However I would be happy with 5-1.

OldMaid

I am happy. no complaints with the the way the Saints are playing this year. 4 games is a smal sample size and one-fourth of the season.
Still, Saints Defense is ranked this high after , well, nevermind the ranking last year.
BIG difference.

CBears will be one game to really see everything , but then, whatever game is next on the list is the game, the real game to measure the team by.

WhoDat!656

I will trade a loss to New England if we keep Brady from throwing a TD!

The Dude

I am absolutely stunned. If you had bet me that we would have a top 6 defense before the season I would have put down 5k and start writing checks.
I am extremely proud of the young guys. Just goes to show you how much effect coaching really has. Hell most of the players that were brought in during the offseason to beef up our D got injured before week 1. Imaging if Butler and others were in.

ClintSaints

I think one of the big differences is that the players loooooooove Rob Ryan. Steve Spagnuolo? Not so much.

Saintaintso

Galette or Jordan can make themselves a household name nationally with a slaughterfest of Cutler ... That's how you beat the Bears , hit Cutler repeatedly then the Media gabs on about his body language and so on ...

|Mitch|

Only problem with that is the Bears O-Line is playing pretty well...