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The longest ongoing rivalry in Saints history’s next match up might be determined by the team’s newest personnel and tactics on defense. While both the Saints (against the Bears) and the Steelers (against the Falcons) faced weakened receiver corps their strategy to negate their opponents effectiveness came from the ability to pressure the quarterback and force errant throws.

For the Saints, there has been a lack of identity all season. Last year the Saints were applauded for their use of the 3-safety set known as the 4-2-5 (Heavy Nickel). This year due to injuries, poor play and even supposed issues in defensive leadership the team has bounced around from scheme to scheme trying to find something that worked. We’ve seen instances where the Saints would open up in a 4-3 Under, and then immediately switch to a 3-4 with a full personnel change because Rob Ryan was having a difficult time fitting together pieces that simply didn’t mesh.

With the exception of the Carolina game in which the offense turned the ball over twice in the first three offensive plays, which in turn helped the Panthers go up 17-0 in the first quarter, the defensive has improved in recent weeks compared to earlier outings.

While the Chicago Bears are out of the playoff hunt they still presented the Saints with a challenge by having talent in both the backfield and the receiving unit. Two weeks before the Saints defense held strong against the Ben Roethlisberger led Steelers to help the Saints get a much needed road win.

How is all of this relevant for the Falcons? Recent additions and adjustments in the defensive secondary, as well as alterations in playcalling, might have finally found the winning formula the team has been looking for all season. For the first time in a long time last Monday the Saints stayed predominately in a 3-4 alignment. Kenny Vaccaro spent a majority of his time in the slot seeing 44 of the defenses 63 snaps. Pierre Warren (Free Safety) and Terrence Frederick (Cornerback) were the only Saints players to see every snap.

Saints vs Falcons film study: Saints new look key in stopping Falcons

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