WhoDat!656

The New Orleans Saints' offense is right about where you’d expect it to be, No. 5 in yards per game (394.9), second in passing offense (303.2) and 13th in scoring (24.8).

But this season the Saints have a defense to match, and that can be counted among the more pleasant surprises this season.

The Saints have the No. 2 pass defense in the league (192.7 yards per game), the No. 4 total defense (306.7 yards) and the No. 5 scoring defense (19.1). And that balance is a major reason that New Orleans (10-5) enters the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay (4-11) in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome a victory shy of guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs as a wild-card, and possibly vaulting to the NFC South Division title and No. 2 playoff seed.

Last season, when the Saints were allowing 440.1 yards, 292.6 passing yards and 28.4 points per game, the team held just three opponents to fewer than 20 points. This year, the number stands at 10.

John DeShazier: Saints have a defense to match their offense

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