New Orleans Saints: Will They Survive 0-2 Start?

Sep 16, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter as Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) and free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) and defensive end Antwan Applewhite (93) defend. The Panther defeated the Saints 35-27 at Bank of America Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USPresswire

But all the blame can’t be laid at the feet of the defense for the offense has had plenty of struggles.

The Saints usually boast one of the NFL’s best offensive lines, but pass protection this season has been far below the units normal standard.

Drew Brees has been harassed in the pocket, and more time then not finds himself scrambling for room to throw.

He has been sacked three times and hurried/hit countless others. The result has lead to a disappointing stat line.

Brees has completed only 55 of 101 passes for a 54.5% completion percentage — 28th in the league — and thrown four interceptions coupled with a measly 6.43 yards per pass attempt.

That number becomes increasingly troublesome when you consider Brees set a new NFL record for completion percentage last year boasting a 71.2% completion rate.

In fact his 54.5% completion percentage is his lowest through two games since joining the league in 2001.

Normally sure handed receivers like Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Jimmy Graham have all dropped a few passes — Moore and Graham both botched potential touchdown grabs against Carolina.

Third down conversions are also way down as the Saints are currently ranked 15th in the NFL with a 37.5% conversion rate.

That’s a significant drop off from last season when they were tops in the NFL, converting nearly 60% of the time.

Another area of concern is red zone efficiency where they are scoring 66.67% percent of the time — 6th in the league — but are getting there far fewer times a game.

Last season the Saints averaged nearly five red zone attempts per game compared to only three trips per game so far this season.

It’s evident that the Saints have struggled, they know it, and so do the fans.

But New Orleans is a veteran team and regardless of Drew Brees recent struggles, he is still one of the best signal callers in the league.

Everyone is aware that since 1990 out of the 184 teams that started 0-2 only 22 of those went on to post season play.

However the Saints are still one of the better teams in the NFL, and they are custom built to handle adversity.

If there is any team that can bounce back from a losing streak it’s the them.

With an upcoming three game stretch against the Chiefs, Packers, and Chargers — all respectable teams — the time to get it right is now.