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Teams in desperate situations often do desperate things. And as the New Orleans Saints recently found out, on a football field, desperation often leads to further despair.

If that principle wasn’t already clear to this team, it became apparent with 2:34 remaining in Sunday’s 38-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees had just thrown an interception that led to a Dallas touchdown. The New Orleans defense watched as the offense went three-and-out on the next series.

Something had to give. The defense needed to get the ball back for the offense, but instead of being patient and displaying solid fundamentals, it appeared everyone collectively decided that a turnover was the only acceptable result. So, when the Cowboys handed off to DeMarco Murray on their next snap, everyone was thinking the same thing: cause a fumble.

Linebackers Ramon Humber and Curtis Lofton and safety Rafael Bush got their hands on Murray just shy of the first-down marker and immediately began swatting at the ball instead of making the easy tackle. Murray managed to slip free of all three men and picked up 22 yards on what initially looked like a 7-yard gain.

The defense was pressing.

Saints defense needs to avoid pressing for results | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

foreverfan

They definably need to do something.

hagan714

gap assignments!!!!!! stop chasing the glory stats. gets you burned every time.

Utah_Saint

Good fundamental football, block, tackle, eye on the ball, etc...

The other stuff will come.

SmashMouth

That and a good not overweight healthy NT.