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After more than a year of searching to strike a balance, the Saints finally appear to have a defense capable of complementing their overpowering offense. New Orleans shut down the Raiders in a 34-3 win on Sunday and it crushed a top-tier rushing attack for the second consecutive week. Oakland's three points were the fewest a team has scored on the Saints since Sept. 25, 2006 — a season in which New Orleans advanced all the way to the NFC championship game.
The Saints' run defense, which has been without one of its key cogs in rookie DT Sedrick Ellis over the past two games, has allowed just 64.5 rushing yards per game and zero rushing touchdowns over the past two weeks against two of the better rushing attacks in the league (Vikings and Raiders). New Orleans was allowing 122.8 rushing yards per game through the first four contests. On Sunday, Oakland had 22 carries for 85 yards — 70 yards fewer than its season average.
The PFW spin
It just doesn't look like teams can bury the Saints with the run anymore. If they can remain consistent, it's the kind of breakthrough that can put this team back into contention for the NFC crown.
Players attribute the marked improvement to a combination of several factors, including better tackling, increased gap discipline and minimizing the big play — the squad hasn't allowed a run of more than 11 yards in the past two weeks against the likes of Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor, Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas.
Saints SLB Scott Fujita credited the job done by New Orleans' front four on the D-line. DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith and interior linemen Kendrick Clancy and Brian Young have kept offensive linemen away from the second level, allowing linebackers and safeties to come up to the line uninhibited and make plays on ballcarriers.
The difference MLB Jonathan Vilma is making this season can't be understated. He has helped to change the look of a defense that really lacked versatility and also influenced the culture of a unit that wasn't used to success. With a big assist to the interior D-linemen, Vilma has been free to roam to the ball and he has done it with precision. Vilma, who was acquired in a trade with the Jets in the offseason, has set an example for his fellow linebackers. He has shown them the right way to make a tackle.
Perhaps it just took some extra time for the offseason additions to mesh with their new teammates and make this defense more complete. There were several new faces around the Big Easy, and it's understandable if the adjustment period took longer than expected. It's clicking now, however, and it'll have to continue if the Saints want to stay competitive in the NFC South. Over the next three games, New Orleans will face Carolina's two-pronged attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, LaDainian Tomlinson of San Diego and Michael Turner of Atlanta, all away from the Superdome.
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