The Rams and Chiefs might score a lot of points, but the New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFL. Led by MVP candidate Drew Brees, the Saints are cruising with a 10-1 record, and have not lost since week one. They defeated the L.A. Rams, who were regarded as the best team in the league, by 10 points. This year, the Saints have scored at least 40 points six different times, easily the most in the league. they also lead the league in points per game, with around 36. If the Saints keep this high scoring streak up, they will easily win their second Super Bowl of the decade.
One of the key components to the Saints success is the stellar play of Drew Brees. This season, Brees is on pace for 38 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions, an extraordinary ratio, which would be good for 3rd in history. At the start of the year, the Saints struggled at the wide receiver position. Outside of pro bowl wideout Michael Thomas, they really had nobody who could consistently get yards. They signed Cameron Meredith from the Bears, but he quickly got hurt and was done for the year. Then, they signed Dez Bryant, who tore his Achilles in only his second practice. Also, Ted Ginn was put on injured reserve at the beginning of the season. Brees has acted like none of this is a problem, as just last night, threw touchdowns to four different undrafted free agents. Dan Arnold, Keith Kirkwood, TommyLee Lewis, and Austin Carr had combined for one score coming into to Sunday Night and left it combined for five. That goes to show how well Drew Brees can adjust to different groups of receivers, and how he can make them a lot better. If Brees can keep his level of play at what it is right now, he should be able to edge out Patrick Mahomes for his first ever MVP award, one he has deserved for years now.
The Saints have always had a high flying offense, but since their 2009 super bowl victory, never had a defense to take them over the top. This year, however, they do have the firepower to hold strong offenses in check. Last night, they forced four turnovers on Julio Jones and the Falcons, including three forced fumbles in the red zone. If the Falcons had scored on those red zone trips, the story of the game might have been different. The week before, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles only could score 7 points against the Saints defense. The 2017 draft class has helped the Saints defense greatly. Marshon Lattimore has established himself as a shutdown corner, and Alex Anzalone seems like an extremely solid linebacker. The Saints also traded up in the draft this year for edge rusher Marcus Davenport, who has 4 sacks on the year and is an excellent compliment to feared rusher Cam Jordan.
In conclusion, with one of the best quarterbacks of this generation, and a strong defense, the NFC seems to run through New Orleans. Coach Sean Payton has also been key for the Saints. His usage of quarterback/running back/blocker/return specialist Taysom Hill, especially, has thrown opposing defenses into a frenzy. Come February, the black and gold could very possibly hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy for the second time in their history.
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