SmashMouth

For most of training camp, the New Orleans Saints' defense has looked better than the offense.

Some of the surprising imbalance is clearly a result of the defense performing better than the past two years, thanks largely to some new players and an improved comfort level under coordinator Dennis Allen.

But, as the team prepares for its third preseason game Friday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7 p.m. at the Superdome), coach Sean Payton thinks it's time for the offense to show it can perform how the Saints expect.



"I want to see our first offense be better," he said Wednesday. "I want to see us play better in the front, and I want to see us run the ball better. The third down numbers have been solid, but I would say that's important."

Payton said the Saints' starters will play "a good half," and while the high-octane Steelers offense will provide a good test for the defense, the offense is the unit that needs to display some consistency.

The third-down numbers — converting 45.2 percent — have been the clear bright spot for an otherwise sloppy offensive performance in the first two preseason games. The Saints offense has six turnovers, plus another on special teams, and the group is averaging just 4.3 yards per play, surely dragged down by the team having just one 20-plus-yard play against the Houston Texans last week — a 9-yard reception by Tommylee Lewis aided by a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty.

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