The New Orleans Saints will go 9-7 if…

The New Orleans Saints come into the 2016 season with many new faces, and these new faces will be the key to making a run this year.

This young Saints team will need these five components to go in their favor to make another run at a Super Bowl in 2016, let alone just make the playoffs.

1. Get the Pass Rush going

This is the most important of them all in making another go in the postseason. The Saints new look defense will have to get to the quarterback. Putting pressure on the passer will help some of the new guys in the secondary. With consistent pressure coming, the secondary can play more aggressive, which in turn will help the team’s passing defense. If the defense can muster up enough pressure, then turnovers will come the Saints’ way.

2. Drew Brees must be great

Drew Brees has to step up his game this year. Yardage is not necessarily the most important. Brees has made it to the top before. Look for him to be great this year. An average year will not be good enough for a young team. The veteran quarterback will really have to guide this year’s team with leadership and steady play. The main thing is minimizing the mistakes. The Saints will go as far as Brees. The veteran leadership will be crucial when the tight games come along, which brings me to the next part.

3. Be clutch at crunch time

With the schedule being so tough this year, there will be little room for error in the 4th Quarter. Who Dat Nation has seen many of leads go by the wayside in the latter stages. The Saints need some playmakers to make plays when it counts. This one category could sway the record one way or another.

4. Win at home

Not too long ago, the New Orleans Saints were dominant in the Superdome. Now, not so much. The fans will surely do their job. Now, it’s time for the team to take care of business at home. The Saints need to go at least 6-2 at home to regain that home field (or Dome field) advantage. If the Saints go 6-2 at home, start buying your playoff tickets now!

5. Get some lucky bounces

Maybe Sean Payton will try to unveil a magic possum on the sideline, similar to what LSU Baseball had success with. Luck is obviously something that a team cannot count on, but boy would it help this year. The Saints just need a few bounces to go their way in critical situations to hit that 9-7 mark. The luck factor could get the the team that extra win to put them over the top.

So, there you go Saints fans. These are my top five things to get us to 9-7. Surely there is more than these five categories. These specific areas though wouldn’t hurt. If the Saints can stay healthy and hit these five benchmarks, look for Saints football in January.