2011 New Orleans Saints Predictions
The New Orleans Saints came up short in their quest for a second straight Super Bowl title. They won 11 games and advanced to the playoffs but lost in the first round to the Seattle Seahawks, the first team in NFL history to make the postseason with a losing record. That loss has the Saints very focused and motivated as they enter the 2011 season.
Offense: New Orleans ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense in 2010 with 372.5 yards per game. It ranked 11th in scoring with 24.0 points per contest.
Led by quarterback Drew Brees, who completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 4,620 yards with 33 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, the Saints ranked third in the league with 277.6 passing yards per game. Brees knows he must cut down on the interceptions, and I fully expect him to do so.
The running game took a huge step back last season, dipping to 28th in the league with 94.9 rushing yards per game. The Saints know how big of a role the running game played when it won it all in the 2009 season. That’s why they traded away two draft picks to nab 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
Marques Colston, who caught 84 passes for 1,023 yards and seven scores in 2010, leads one of the best receiving units in the league. Lance Moore hauled in 66 passes for 763 yards and led the team with eight touchdown grabs.
Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks anchor a very solid line. This unit does need to cut down on its penalties in 2011. The starting five were hit with 12 false starts and 19 holding calls last year.
Defense: The New Orleans’ stop unit ranked fourth in the NFL in total defense in 2010 with 306.2 yards allowed per contest. It ranked seventh in scoring defense with 19.2 points allowed per game.
Despite solid statistics, the defense lacked the punch it had when it was one of the most opportunistic units in the league in 2009. Last season, the Saints ranked last in the league in interceptions with nine and tied for 18th in sacks with 33.
The Saints added Cameron Jordan with their first pick to help bolster the pass rush. They also drafted linebacker Martez Wilson in the third round in hopes of improving the talent level around Pro Bowler Jonathan Vilma.
The Saints made huge strides in pass defense in 2010, improving from 26th to fourth with 193.9 yards allowed per game. Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter held down the cornerback spots and Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper were a strong duo at the safety positions.
Prediction: 1st Place NFC South – New Orleans finished third in the league in turnover differential in 2009 at plus-11. It finished 23rd last year at minus-six. The fact the Saints still won 11 games despite the huge swing is a testament to how talented they are. I can’t see Brees making as many poor decisions with the football this year. That alone will go a long way toward the Saints returning to the top of the South. NFL odds makers have listed New Orleans at +130 to win the NFC South division.
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