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Commendations more frequently have begun to trickle in lately, and compliments more routinely extended toward an offensive line that has been the foundation of one of the NFL’s most productive offenses.

Remember when the concern was that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was going to be sacked until he was physically unrecognizable? Well, the line that surrendered 20 sacks in the first eight games (2.5 per game) has helped cut that number to six in the last five games (1.2).

The lane-creators who saw the Saints produce two 100-yard rushing games and two games with an average carry of above four yards in the first eight games? They’re the same guys who have seen the Saints produce two 100-yard rushing games, and four games with a per-carry average of at least four yards, in the last five games.

The crowning achievement was against Dallas – 625 yards, 242 rushing yards and an NFL-record 40 first downs.

The Saints are 10-3 entering Sunday’s road game in St. Louis against the Rams (5-8) in the Edward Jones Dome due to a great many standout performers. Count the offensive linemen among them, for a team that averages 394.3 yards per game (sixth in the league), six yards on 856 plays, has converted 45.7 percent of its third-down attempts and averages 26.4 points per game (tied for seventh).

“I think they’ve done a great job collectively the whole season, but I don’t know if want to start singling out games,” Brees said. “They’ve had many great games this year.

“The Dallas game with over 250 yards rushing, 625 yards of total offense and 40 first downs – that was all those guys. There have been a lot of ones like that. But last week (against Carolina), taking into consideration the short week and all they did, I thought they did a great job.”

They’ll have to carry it over to Sunday.

Read more: John DeShazier: Saints offensive line getting the job done

WHODATINCA

Their performance has recently been improving -- but -- this O-Line ( and as a separate issue our WRs ) are suspect. Where was this O-Line in Seattle? Where were they against the Jets? In that game, we had 41 yds rushing and 2 sacks. Pass vs Rush Att. were 51:13. That is outrageous.

In Seattle, we had 188 TY, 44 yds on the ground. In the last 5 games, we have 127 PF vs. 97 FA. Without the Dallas blowout, those numbers would look way way worse.

Except for Carolina, our defense has kept us in the last 5 games we won. I say that because, I give the nod to Dallas' defense, for the blowout against them.

And, the 20 sacks in the first 8 games was, of course, unsustainable.

The point here is, this season our O-Line and our WRs have not played as well as one might expect given the play of this offense historically.

Shutdown defense in 2017 = Championship!

The Dude

They played amazingly during the Panthers game. If they can hold that through the playoffs we may actually win.

Choupique

they've been getting it done since drew put on a saints uniform.

he doesn't get sack all that much.

hagan714

still not good enough. must get better. the stats are slanted. he is getting knocked down and rushed still way to my in my book.