Each week, the NFL sends out stats packages on the Monday following games, with that night’s game excluded.
Here’s where your New Orleans Saints stack up in some categories midway through the 2009 season:
Offense / Defense Overall
Total offense: No. 1
Rushing offense: No. 5
Passing offense: No. 4
Scoring offense: No. 1
Total defense: No. 16
Rushing defense: No. 19
Passing defense: No. 16
Scoring defense: No. 17
Our take:
Don’t be fooled by the defensive numbers. Yes, the Saints are giving up yards. But the important thing is that the defense is in the middle of the pack. For the past few years, everyone has been saying if the Saints defense were even in the middle of the NFL statistically, the team would be unbeatable. Guess what – we were all right. The Saints are 8-0, one of two unbeaten teams left.
Offensively, the most important number is 5 – that’s where the Saints rank in rushing offense. That means the time of possession in most games will be tilted towards New Orleans. And sure enough, the Saints are No. 3 in the NFL in time of possession at 32 minutes, 53 seconds. The Giants lead that category at 34:23.
Defensive Numbers
Passes, percent intercepted on defense: No. 1
Third down efficiency: tied No. 3
Our take:
Look back at those total defense rankings. What you don’t see in being No. 16 in total defense is this – because the offense is so prolific and can score quickly, the defense is on the field a lot more. Despite the number of yards given up per game, New Orleans is still tied for third in third down efficiency. This means more times than not, the defense is getting off the field after third down.
The other thing that stands out is that the Saints are No. 1 in passes intercepted as a percent of passes thrown. This means opponents are having a tough time throwing the ball. More than any other team in the NFL, the Saints have picked off passes. That means opponents can move the ball all they want. At some point, though, the Saints will come up with an interception. New Orleans leads this category, by the way, despite having zero interceptions on Sunday against Carolina.
Red Zone
TD’s scored once in the red zone: No. 7 (61 percent)
TD’s allowed once in the red zone: No. 3 (39.3 percent)
Our take:
The past three games wouldn’t have been so close if the Saints could have put the ball in the end zone instead of going for field goals or worse, turned the ball over. Three times the Saints entered the Panthers’ 20 on Sunday in the first half and once, Drew Brees tossed an interception and the other two times New Orleans went for field goals.
That said, the Saints are the epitome of a bend but don’t break defense. They’re allowing teams to move in the open, but once the field shrinks, the defense is stepping up and forcing field goals. Or turnovers.
Turnovers
Turnover differential: tied No. 3 (plus-8)
Takeaways: No. 1 (24)
Giveaways: tied No. 21 (16)
Our take:
This is where the real difference comes in for New Orleans this season. Yes, New Orleans is turning the ball over at alarming rates, especially the past three weeks. Brees alone has eight turnovers (three fumbles and five interceptions). The Saints overall have 10 turnovers the past three weeks.
But the defense has come up big in every one of those games: Against Miami, two pick-6s; against Atlanta, an interception that ended the game; against Carolina, three fumble recoveries, including one returned for a game-clinching touchdown. This defense is what one would call opportunistic. And that opportunity is changing the fortune of the Saints.
Other Numbers of Interest
Passer rating: Brees is No. 1 (106.1)
4th down passer rating: Brees is No. 2 (121.6)
Marques Colston has 37 overall catches. Of those, 31 have gone for a first down.
Reggie Bush is No. 27 in punt return average (3.9 yards per return)
Will Smith is tied for 8th in sacks with 6.5.
