Despite close games that could be classified as unexpected, the Saints are 9-0 for the first time in franchise history. Against Tampa Bay, New Orleans will be going for the franchises first-ever 10-game win streak.

New Orleans’ five-point win over St. Louis was the closest of the season. Prior to this past Sunday, the Saints had won by 18, 26, 20, 14, 21, 12 and 9 points.
 

It’s All History

New Orleans has lost three of the past four games against the Buccaneers and is 3-5 since 2005 against Tampa Bay.

The Saints are 20-14 all-time against Tampa Bay, but the series is best known for close games. In 15 of the past 18, the difference has been seven points or fewer. And in six of those games, a field goal has been the decider.

Additionally, the Saints are 4-4 in Raymond James Stadium and 8-7 all-time in Tampa.

New Orleans’ highest point total came in 1987 when the Saints scored a 44-34 win. While the Saints haven’t been shut out, they’ve come close, scoring only a field goal in a 10-3 loss in 2005.

Tampa’s fewest points came in a 9-3 Saints win in 1998 while the Bucs most points came in a 48-21 win over New Orleans in 2001.

The longest win streak for either team is six games, held by the Saints from Oct. 23, 1983 through Sept. 25, 1988. Tampa has never won more than two in a row, done five times.
 

Playing with Numbers

A cornucopia of numbers for your pleasure:

New Orleans has given up only 13 sacks this season, good for fifth-best in the NFL. Dating back to 2006, New Orleans is second in the NFL giving up only 65 sacks. Indianapolis leads with 60 sacks given up and Tennessee is second at 78.

Right guard Jahri Evans doesn’t get talked about a lot, but maybe the fourth-round pick form Bloomsburg University should get more air time. With a start Sunday, he’ll break Willie Roaf’s record for consecutive starts by a Saints lineman to begin a career. Both currently are at 57 straight.

The Saints were 26th in the NFL a year ago in points allowed at 24.5 per game. This year with a new defensive coordinator, New Orleans is 17th while giving up 21.9 per game.
 

NO Under Sean

We updated this several weeks ago. Let’s update it again.

• The Saints are 17-2 when leading after the first quarter, 29-4 when leading at halftime and 30-3 when leading after 3;
• New Orleans is 20-5 when scoring first;
• It is 26-6 when rushing for at least 100 yards;
• The Saints are 13-2 when forcing 3-plus turnovers;
• They are 13-9 in outdoor venues;
• And New Orleans is 16-12 on the road. 

3's Company (third-down analysis)
116 plays overall of which 27 were runs and 89 were passes. They have averaged 4.44 yards per run and 8.25 yards per pass play.
 

• Third-and-short (1-2 yards) - 14 runs, 13 first downs; 12 passes, 4 first downs
• Third-and-(3-5) - 4 run, 2 first down; 32 passes, 21 first downs
• Third-and-(6-10) - 4 runs, 0 first downs; 28 passes, 12 first downs
• Third-and-(11-15) - 5 run, 0 first downs; 10 passes, 3 first downs
• Third-and-(16-plus) - 0 runs, 0 first downs; 7 passes, 1 first downs