Do the New Orleans Saints have enough defense to win a Super Bowl?
Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints are on the verge of winning the NFC South. But have the team’s recent performances raised questions about their defense?
It’s been said on more than one occasion: The New Orleans Saints may be the most complete football team in the NFL. While Sean Payton’s club doesn’t own a 10-1 record like the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, the team has proven throughout most of the year that they can beat you in several different ways.
They have won nine games with two different starting quarterbacks. Offensive standouts like running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook missed time and survived defensive battles and high-scoring affairs.
With a win on Thanksgiving night, the Saints will clinch their third consecutive NFC South title. In the 2017 NFC Divisional Playoff, they fell in Minnesota to the late heroics of Case Keenum and Stefon Diggs. A year at home in the conference title game, they squandered a 13-0 first-quarter lead on the way to a controversial loss to the Rams.
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After winning seven of their first eight games, coordinator Dennis Allen defensive unit has looked a bit shaky. After returning from their off week, New Orleans gave up 317 total yards (143 yards on the ground) in a 26-9 home loss to the 1-7 Falcons. The offense had to take its share of the blame as well as quarterback Drew Brees was sacked six times and Payton’s team was limited to three field goals.
The following Sunday, Buccaneers’ quarterback Jameis Winston served up four interceptions in New Orleans’ 34-17 win but also threw for 313 yards in two scores. And in last week’s 34-31 victory over the visiting Panthers, the Saints watched Carolina rally from a 31-18 deficit in the third quarter to tie the score late.
So Thursday night in Atlanta might present the Saints an opportunity to get some issues resolved when it comes to their defense. Their longtime division rival is coming off a rough outing against the Bucs but quarterback Matt Ryan always presents challenges.
The stretch run that includes back-to-back home games with the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts followed by road trips to Nashville and Charlotte. Those are all teams that can the football and put a little pressure on Allen’s defense.
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The New Orleans Saints could still very well wind up the top seed in the NFC playoffs if they take care of their own business. But is Payton’s team starting to show a few cracks on defense? It’s certainly a question worth asking.