Kellen Moore’s decision to bring in Brandon Staley as the defensive coordinator has proven to be a masterstroke for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints defense is experiencing a remarkable turnaround, showcasing its best performance in years. In their latest outing, they held their opponent, the New York Jets, to a mere six points, highlighting the significant improvements made compared to last season.
Last year, the Saints defense struggled, ranking 30th in the league for total defense, allowing an average of 379.9 yards per game. This season, however, they have surged into the top ten, currently sitting ninth with just 303.5 yards allowed per game. Additionally, their performance in limiting points scored against them has also improved, now averaging 22.5 points allowed per game, placing them in the upper half of the league.
Under Staley’s guidance, who previously served as the head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Saints have adopted a 3-4 defensive scheme that has dramatically enhanced their pass defense, which is currently ranked fifth in the NFL. This shift has revitalized the team’s defensive strategy, making it a formidable unit.
Saints fans witnessed a stellar display during the game against the Jets, where the New Orleans defense stifled their opponents effectively. The Jets struggled to convert on third downs, only managing a 13% success rate. The dominance continued as the Saints defense held New York scoreless on their final eight possessions. The Jets left the Superdome with only two field goals to their name and were unable to avoid turnovers, with defensive tackle Nathan Shepard forcing a fumble and safety Jonas Sanker making a crucial interception.
The marked improvement in the Saints defense is a promising indicator for the team’s prospects this season, providing not just hope for the fans but also a solid foundation for future successes on the field.