–The Saints are entering one of the most challenging stretches in their schedule. Three of the next four games are on the road as New Orleans travels to Minnesota next week, then hosts the Los Angeles Rams before visiting the Bengals on Nov. 11.
–The Saints defense has allowed fewer than 20 points and fewer than 300 yards in each of the last two games – victories against the Giants and Redskins. It’s a dramatic improvement from the first three weeks when they gave up averages of 34 points and 421 yards in games against the Buccaneers, Browns and Falcons.
“Obviously we didn’t start the season the way we wanted to, but we’ve improved each week and continue to show flashes of the defense we believe we can be,” defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. “We stayed the course.
“It’s the same reason we got better last year. After the first two games last year people were writing us off, saying same ole Saints, it’s going to be another 7-9 year, but we trust our coaches and we trust in each other as players.”
The Saints played poorly defensively in losing their first two games last season before improving enough to win their next eight games in a row on their way to an 11-5 finish and the NFC South title.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0-4 – Sean Payton’s and Drew Brees’ record against the Ravens. Payton and Brees have both beaten every NFL team except Baltimore.
