Don’t let Saints high-scoring offense overshadow how good the defense is also playing

The New Orleans Saints have been the early surprise of the 2024 NFL season. Off to a 2-0 start, the Saints have been the most dominant team in the league through two weeks. They won 47-10 in Week 1, and 44-19 in Week 2, giving them a league-best +62 point differential.

When you start the season with back-to-back 40+ point games, your offense is going to make a lot of headlines, and that’s exactly what’s happening in New Orleans. Everyone is raving about Klint Kubiak, and already asking if he’ll be a head coach candidate, and fans and media members are also apologizing to quarterback Derek Carr. The offense has started the year on another level and it’s got everybody talking.

While the unit definitely deserves this recognition, it’s not the only group in New Orleans that has started the year on fire. The Saints defense has been just as dominant through two weeks, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Saints defense is playing at an elite level through two weeks

In Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans allowed just 10 points. The defense limited Carolina to 135 passing yards and 58 rushing yards. The lone touchdown allowed came in the third quarter when the lead was already 37-3. But, that was against an abysmal Panthers team, who just benched their second-year quarterback after Week 2.

No worries, the Saints just did the same thing a week later against a talented Dallas Cowboys offense led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Dallas had 285 passing yards and just 68 rushing yards. While the Cowboys did score 19 points, they kicked four field goals, scoring just one touchdown on a play where Tyrann Mathieu made a rare mistake.

Between both games, New Orleans is allowing just 14.5 points a game, and 273 total yards. Beyond limiting teams’ production, the Saints have been making the splash plays, recording seven sacks, four interceptions, and forcing two fumbles, recovering one.

The group is also physical and fast, playing with a different level of intensity than opponents. However, this is the standard for a New Orleans defense. Even in recent years when New Orleans struggled, the defense was competitive. The franchise made key additions this offseason, though, and the newcomers have made the unit even better. It’s safe to say the Saints have one of the best offenses and defenses in the NFL.

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