This is not a joke: Saints have top 10 defense
September, 28, 2009
9/28/09
10:10
AM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas
Even after a day where they didn’t exactly light it up against Buffalo, the Saints still have the league’s top-rated offense.
They’re No. 2 in the running game and sixth in the passing game. Perhaps more significantly, the Saints have a top-10 defense. Seriously. According to the rankings the NFL sent out this morning, New Orleans ranks No. 10 in overall defense. The Saints are fifth against the run and tied for 22nd against the pass.
The Saints are the only NFC South team with units even close to the top 10 in offense or defense.
Tampa Bay, which was No. 4 in offense last week, fell all the way to No. 26 after Sunday’s shutout against the Giants. The Bucs are 25th in rushing and 17th in passing. Tampa Bay’s defense is 30th overall (31st against the run and 21st against the pass).
Atlanta’s offense ranks No. 24 (23rd rushing and 16th passing). The Falcons are No. 24 in total defense (24th against the run and tied for 22nd against the pass).
Carolina, which plays tonight at Dallas, ranks No. 23 in offense (14th rushing and 21st passing). The Panthers are No. 13 in total defense (29th against the run and third against the pass).
Pat Yasinskas | email
NFL- ESPN NFC South Blogger
- Joined ESPN in 2008
- Began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
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