New Orleans Saints: Versatility continues to be greatest strength

After a slow start on Sunday, Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints continued to prove that they can’t defeat an opponent so many different ways.

It’s safe to say that the New Orleans Saints are much different football team than that one that lost, 48-40, in Week 1 at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s also safe to say that Sean Payton’s club is far different than the edition that struggled to defeat the Cleveland Browns, 21-18, seven days later at the Superdome.

To be even more specific, this is a far different squad that knocked Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams from the ranks of the undefeated back in Week 9, 45-35, at New Orleans. And this club’s ability to win football games in a variety of ways arguably makes them the favorite to win it all come Super Bowl LIII.

Over the past few weeks, we have seen Payton’s club win in a variety of ways. Take a look at the Saints’ last three victories and it shows that this is a club that came prevail ugly, survive a shootout and also rally from an early double-digit deficit.

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There was a 12-9 Monday night win at Carolina in Week 16. That was followed by a 31-28 triumph over the explosive Pittsburgh Steelers six days later at the Superdome. And this past Sunday, the NFC South champions trailed the Philadelphia Eagles, 14-0, in the first quarter before scoring 20 unanswered points for a six-point win.

Including the playoff win over the Birds as well as the 33-14 home loss to the Carolina Panthers in which Payton rested many of his regulars, the Saints have allowed a combined 149 points in their last nine outings (16.6 points per game). This after the 10-point triumph over the eventual NFC West champions.

So now it’s the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams for the rights to go to Super Bowl LIII. McVay’s offense rolled up 273 yards on the ground last weekend in the win over the Cowboys. And now the Saints will be without defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, a big blow to the NFL’s second-ranked run defense.

But, as has been the case for the vast majority of the 2018, Payton’s squad has found the formula for success. The team’s ability to adapt to the situation is what has made them the league’s most reliable club to date this season.