NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-3) SEEK TO WIN FIFTH IN A ROW AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-9) Fresh off a dramatic 30-27 road victory in their first Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys, the Saints (8-3) will travel to Cincinnati to battle the Bengals (2-9) at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 5 at Noon CT. The Cowboys victory gives the Saints their fourth straight win and fifth in six games. New Orleans trailed Dallas 23-20 with less than three minutes left in the game when WR Roy Williams was racing towards the end zone and S Malcolm Jenkins snatched the ball from Williams at the 11-yard line. QB Drew Brees then drove the Saints 89 yards down the field for a go-ahead 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Lance Moore. Brees finished the day completing 23 of 39 passes for 352 yards with the winning touchdown and an interception. WR Marques Colston led all receivers with 105 receiving yards on six receptions. Former Cowboys RB Julius Jones led the Saints with 45 yards rushing on 10 carries. The Bengals are also coming off their first Thanksgiving contest, a 26-10 loss at the New York Jets. QB Carson Palmer completed 17 of 38 passing attempts with a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. The Saints and Bengals have met 11 times, with Cincinnati holding a 6-5 edge. The Bengals have won the last three contests. The last time these two squads met was on Nov. 19, 2006 when Cincinnati claimed a 31-16 victory in the Superdome. In the NFC South this week: With five regular season games left, the Saints are one win behind the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons (9-2). The Falcons travel to NFC South foe, Tampa Bay (7-4) this Sunday. The Carolina Panthers (1-10) will face the Seattle Seahawks (5-6) on the road. SAINTS SCHEDULE/RESULTS PRESEASON Date Opponent Time/Network Aug. 12 @ New England Patriots L, 24-27 Aug. 21 HOUSTON TEXANS W, 38-20 Aug. 27 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS W, 36-21 Sept. 2 @ Tennessee Titans L, 24-27 REGULAR SEASON Sept. 9 MINNESOTA VIKINGS W, 14-9 Sept. 20 @ San Francisco 49ers W, 25-22 Sept. 26 ATLANTA FALCONS L, 24-27 (OT) Oct. 3 CAROLINA PANTHERS W, 16-14 Oct. 10 @ Arizona Cardinals L, 20-30 Oct. 17 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers W, 31-6 Oct. 24 CLEVELAND BROWNS L, 17-30 Oct. 31 PITTSBURGH STEELERS W, 20-10 Nov. 7 @ Carolina Panthers W, 34-3 Nov. 14 BYE Nov. 21 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS W, 34-19 Nov. 25 @ Dallas Cowboys W, 30-27 Dec. 5 @ Cincinnati Bengals Noon/FOX Dec. 12 ST. LOUIS RAMS 3:05/FOX Dec. 19 @ Baltimore Ravens Noon/FOX Dec. 27 @ Atlanta Falcons 7:30/ESPN Jan. 2 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Noon/FOX GAMEDAY AT A GLANCE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 5 TIME: Noon (CT) SITE: Paul Brown Stadium WORTH NOTING: The Bengals lead the series 6-5...The Saints will be looking for their first win against Cincinnati since 1994...With a win, New Orleans would guarantee consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1991 and 1992...At 8-3, the Saints are one game behind first place 9-2 Atlanta in the NFC South and are tied for the conference s second-best record with the Chicago Bears...New Orleans is ranked fourth in the NFL in offense (24th rushing and third passing) and seventh in defense (15th rushing and third passing)...cincinnati is ranked 22nd on offense (25th rushing and 11th passing) and 16th on defense (23rd rushing and 15th passing)...sunday s game will be broadcast regionally on FOX (WVUE-8 locally) with Ron Pitts handling play-by-play and John Lynch serving as color analyst...the game can be heard throughout the Gulf Coast on the Saints Radio Network (870 AM or 105.3 FM locally) with Jim Henderson handling play-by-play, Hokie Gajan serving as color analyst and Kristian Garic on the the sidelines...a Spanish language broadcast is available on WFNO 830 AM with Emilio Peralta handling play-by-play and Marco Garcia serving as color analyst.
NEW ORLEANS-CINCINNATI PREVIEW SAINTS-BENGALS SPECIFICS THE COACHES Saints coach Sean Payton has posted a 46-29 regular season record and a 4-1 postseason mark, guiding them to the Super Bowl XLIV championship. He s the lone head coach in club history to open a season with 13 straight wins and post a 13-game winning streak, and has the franchise s top all-time winning percentage (.613). Over this period, the Saints have the best winning percentage in the NFC and are tied for fourth in the NFL. He s also the club s leader in postseason victories. His 23-15 (.605) home record and 23-14 (.622) road mark are the top winning percentages in club record books. Payton has recorded a 36-21 (.632) mark vs. NFC opponents. Since taking over, the Saints have the best record among NFC South teams over that period In 2006, he took the Saints to the NFC Championship and was named the NFL Coach of the Year by most major media outlets. Payton is is only one of two NFL coaches to lead his team to two NFC Championship games since 2006. Payton was hired as New Orleans 14th head coach on January 18, 2006, after serving on the Dallas Cowboys staff from 2003-2005. Prior to joining the Cowboys, Payton served on the New York Giants staff from 1999-2002, including the final three seasons as offensive coordinator. His tenure was highlighted by a Super Bowl berth in his first full season as coordinator. Payton s prior NFL coaching experience came as quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-98. Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis is 58-64 in the regular season and 0-2 in the postseason since becoming the Bengals head coach in 2003. In 2005, he guided the club to an 11-5 record and the AFC North title. He led them to a 10-6 record and to the division title in 2010, earning Associated Press Coach of the Year honors. Lewis came to the Bengals after serving as defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins in 2002. Prior to his Redskins stint, he spent six seasons (1996-2001) coordinating the defense of the Baltimore Ravens, a tenure that included a Super Bowl victory in the 2000 season. Prior to joining Baltimore, Lewis spent four seasons (1992-95) with the Pittsburgh Steelers as linebackers coach following 11 years in the college ranks. Lewis earned All-Big Sky Conference honors as a linebacker at Idaho State. SERIES HISTORY The Saints and Bengals have met 11 times in the regular season, with Cincinnati holding a 6-5 edge. The Bengals have won the last three contests. The two teams first faced off in 1970, as the Saints lost 26-6 at Riverfront Stadium. The teams did not meet again for five years, when the two teams christened the Superdome for the first regular season game, 21-0 Bengals win. Three years later, the Saints recorded their first win against Cincinnati, a 17-7 win at home. The two clubs split their next two meetings, while the Saints won the next three and then the Bengals have captured the next trio of contests including a 31-16 win in the Superdome on November 19, 2006 in a shootout where the Saints set a franchise record for most yards in a game with 595, including a franchise-record and career-high 504 through the air by QB Drew Brees and career-high 169 receiving yards for WR Devery Henderson. Four of the games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less. SUPERLATIVES The top individual yardage games for the Saints and Bengals in the 11 previous meetings: RUSHING YARDAGE RB Craig Heyward 122 yards on 19 carries, @ Riverfront Stadium, Nov. 4, 1990.* RB Rueben Mayes 115 yards on 30 carries, @ Riverfront Stadium, Nov. 4, 1990.* (*) Dual 100-yard game, one of two in club history. RB George Rogers 113 yards on 31 carries, @ Riverfront Stadium, Oct. 25, 1981. PASSING YARDAGE QB Drew Brees 510 yards (club record) on 37 of 52 attempts, @ the Superdome, Nov. 19, 2006. QB Dave Wilson 325 yards on 20 of 32 attempts, @ Riverfront Stadium, Dec. 9, 1984. RECEIVING YARDAGE WR Devery Henderson 169 yards on nine catches, @ the Superdome, Nov. 19, 2006. WR Danny Abramowicz 165 yards on eight catches, @ Riverfront Stadium, Nov. 29, 1970. WR Michael Haynes 156 yards on five catches, @ Riverfront Stadium, Sept. 15, 1996. WR Eric Martin 120 yards on five catches, @ the Superdome, Jan. 2, 1994. WR Donte Stallworth 111 yards on six catches, @ Paul Brown Stadium, Dec. 22, 2002. TE Hoby Brenner 101 yards on three catches, @ the Louisiana Superdome, Nov. 29, 1970.
CONNECTIONS Head Coach Sear Payton served on the coaching staff at Miami of Ohio from 1994-95. Payton and Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer served on the same staff in Dallas from 2003-05. LB Scott Shanle was tutored by Zimmer in Dallas from 2003-05...Strength & conditioning coach Dan Dalrymple played at Miami from 1983-86 and supervised the Redhawks strength program from 1989-2005...T Zach Strief prepped at Milford (Ohio) High School...S Malcolm Jenkins and DE Will Smith played for Ohio State...WR Lance Moore prepped at Westerville (Ohio) South High School and starred at Toledo University...C Matt Tennant prepped at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati...Tight ends coach Terry Malone and Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle were on the same staff at Holy Cross in 1985...Director of player programs Fred McAfee and Bengals tight ends coach Jonathan Hayes were teammates in Pittsburgh from 1995-96...Bengals wide receivers coach Mike Sheppard coached in New Orleans from 2002-05, tutoring quarterbacks his first three years before being elevated to coordinator. Sheppard served on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coaching staff in Buffalo as his coordinator in 2001. Williams tutored Cincinnati S Reggie Nelson in Jacksonville, where he was teammates with S Pierson Prioleau...Assistant head coach/linebackers Joe Vitt and Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese served on the same coaching staff in Green Bay in 1999...T Jon Stinchcomb and Bengals DE Robert Geathers were teammates at the University of Georgia. Geather s uncle, James Jumpy Geathers played for the Saints from 1984-89...Cincinnati offensive quality control coach Kyle Caskey served as an assistant at the University of Mississippi in 2009 and as a graduate assistant at Louisiana-Monroe from 2004-05 RB Ladell Betts was tutored by Bengals assistant linebackers/special teams coach Paul Guenther in Washington DE Alex Brown, Bengals RB Cedric Benson and DT Tank Johnson were teammates in Chicago. TE David Thomas and Benson were college teammates at the University of Texas in 2004 and he later played with Bengals WR Quan Cosby with the Longhorns. RB Julius Jones played with Johnson and Bengals WR Terrell Owens in Dallas. Shanle and Jones also played with Bengals S Roy Williams on the Cowboys. Jones and Cincinnati S Chinedum Ndukwe were teammates at Notre Dame in 2003...QB Chase Daniel and Bengals TE Chase Coffman were college teammates at the University of Missouri...Cincinnati LB Dhani Jones went to training camp with the Saints in 2007. Jones was a teammate of TE Jeremy Shockey with the New York Giants from 2002-03...C Jonathan Goodwin began his college career at Ohio University, starting every game at right guard in 1997. Goodwin and Jones were teammates at the University of Michigan...WR Devery Henderson, Bengals G Nate Livings and T Andrew Whitworth were college teammates at Louisiana State from 2002-03. Livings prepped at Washington- Marion (Lake Charles) High School...S Roman Harper, Cincinnati G Evan Mathis and DE Antwan Odom were college teammates at the University of Alabama...T Charles Brown, RB Reggie Bush and DT Sedrick Ellis played with Bengals LBs Rey Maualuga and Keith Rivers at the University of Southern California...K Garrett Hartley and Bengals TE Jermaine Gresham were college teammates at the University of Oklahoma. LAST MEETING Nov. 19, 2006: Cincinnati 31, Saints 16 @ Louisiana Superdome The Saints fell to 6-4, undermining their chance at victory with three interceptions and a fumble in Cincinnati territory in a 31-16 Bengals win at the Louisiana Superdome on November 19, 2006. QB Drew Brees set a club record with 510 passing yards, the sixth-highest total in NFL history and five New Orleans players had over 50 yards receiving. The Bengals took the lead when WR Chad Johnson caught a 41-yard touchdown on the game s fourth play. The Saints responded with a score on their second drive when WR Joe Horn hauled in a 72-yard touchdown with Brees finding Horn after a lateral from RB Deuce McAllister. The Bengals broke the tie game with a field goal in the second quarter, a lead they would take in to halftime. Brees was intercepted twice in the second quarter in the end zone, including with 17 seconds remaining in the first half. The Bengals threatened in the third quarter, but LB Mark Simoneau intercepted QB Carson Palmer in the end zone to end the Bengals scoring chances. Following the turnover, the Saints marched 74 yards on 11 plays to set up a 24-yard field goal. Palmer and Johnson combined twice more for touchdowns in the fourth quarter, once from 60 yards and on the next march from four yards. On the Saints next drive, a Brees interception was returned for a touchdown, giving the Bengals a 31-9 advantage. The Saints would add a late touchdown when WR Terrance Copper hauled in a 27-yard scoring pass. Brees would throw for 261 yards over the final two quarters, and 249 yards in the first half.
2010 GAME SUPERLATIVES REVIEW WEEK 1: Saints 14, Minnesota Vikings 9; September 9, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome The Saints won a club record third consecutive season opener as a consistent performance on offense, defense and special teams carried New Orleans in the NFL s kickoff performance. QB Drew Brees highlighted the Saints performance as he completed 27 of 36 attempts for 237 yards and a TD. RB Pierre Thomas had a team-best 71 yards on 19 carries with his one-yard TD run in the third quarter giving New Orleans the lead for good. Brees connected on completions with nine different Saints led by WR Marques Colston s five receptions for 62 yards. RB Reggie Bush chipped in with five catches for 33 yards. The Saints out-gained the Vikings, 308 to 253 yards, and held the ball for 33:43 in time of possession as they scored their fewest points in a winning effort since Sean Payton became coach in 2006. New Orleans got out to a early 7-0 lead, but then saw that evaporate in the second quarter until Thomas one-yard scoring run in the third stanza to put them back up for good. The Saints defense displayed their mettle, allowing only 253 yards of offense by the Vikings and held Minnesota to 5-of-13 on third downs (38%). LB Jonathan Vilma had a second quarter interception of Vikings QB Brett Favre, while DT Sedrick Ellis sacked him. Favre finished 15-of-27 passing for 171 yards and one interception for a 71.7 passer rating. Vilma recorded an interception on a play where a pressure on Favre was credited to S Roman Harper. The win improved their opening day record to 16-28. This was the first time in club history the Saints have won three consecutive season openers. The Saints are 4-1 in season openers under Payton. The 14 points scored were the fewest by the Saints in a winning effort since Payton became head coach in 2006, and the fewest in a win since defeating Dallas 13-7 on Dec. 28, 2003 in the Superdome. Brees and WR Devery Henderson connected on a 29-yard TD on a third down play on New Orleans first offensive drive for the Saints first points of the season. DT Remi Ayodele blocked an extra point in the second quarter. It was the first extra point blocked by the Saints since DT Grady Jackson at Cincinnati on Dec. 22, 2002. WEEK 2: Saints 25, San Francisco 49ers 22; September 20, 2010 @ Candlestick Park The Saints posted an impressive road victory behind timely plays by the arm of Drew Brees, the foot of Garrett Hartley, who booted a 37-yard game-winning field goal as time expired and four forced turnovers by the defense and special teams unit. The Saints scored nine early first quarter points. On the first drive, the 49ers had the ball on their 15-yard line on third and five when the ball flew over San Francisco QB Alex Smith s head and fell out the back of the end zone for a safety. New Orleans then capitalized on the ensuing possession fro the safety and drove 46 yards on seven plays to cap it off with a six-yard touchdown pass from Brees to RB Reggie Bush. Leading 9-7 at halftime, 49ers RB Anthony Dixon ran for a two-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 14-9 edge. The Saints responded when Brees fired his second score of the game on a three-yard pass to TE David Thomas with 1:43 remaining in the quarter. Taking advantage of a 43-yard punt return by Bush to end the third quarter, Hartley kicked the first of his three fourth quarter field goals to put the Saints up 19-14. Later on, WR Courtney Roby recovered a muffed punt on coverage, setting up another field goal to give New Orleans a 22-14 edge. San Francisco RB Frank Gore ran for a TD and Smith connected with 49ers TE Vernon Davis for a two-point conversion with 1:19 left, but Brees took advantage of the time to engineer the game-winning drive. Brees completed 28 of 38 passes for 254 yards with two TDs for a 108.9 rating. RB Pierre Thomas led the Saints in rushing (46 yards) and receiving with eight catches for 57 yards. WR Marques Colston had a team-high 67 yards receiving on five grabs, including an acrobatic 30-yard catch to set up the game-winning field goal. The defense forced Smith to throw interceptions to S Roman Harper and CB Tracy Porter in Saints territory. LB Jonathan Vilma had a game-high ten tackles and his forced fumble, which was recovered by S Malcolm Jenkins to avert a potential 49ers score. The win marks the first time the Saints have started 2-0 in two consecutive seasons. It extended their win streak against their former NFC West rivals to six games. Brees had a streak snapped of an NFL record five consecutive games with 300 or more yards passing on Monday Night Football. Head Coach Sean Payton improved his record on Monday Night Football to 6-2.
2010 GAME SUPERLATIVES REVIEW WEEK 3: Atlanta Falcons 27, Saints 24 (OT); September 26, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome Atlanta K Matt Bryant kicked a 46-yard field goal with 1:55 left in overtime to give the Falcons a 27-24 win. The Saints overcame three turnovers and a three-point fourth quarter deficit to tie the score on their final drive of regulation when K Garrett Hartley kicked a 32-yard field goal. However, in overtime, after the Saints defense stymied Atlanta s first drive, Hartley missed a 29-yard attempt and the Falcons would successfully execute their next time down the field. QB Drew Brees completed 30 of 38 passes for 365 yards with three TD passes, two to WR Lance Moore and two interceptions. Moore had a career day with six receptions for a career-high 149 yards, tying his best in TD grabs and adding a career-long 72-yard punt return to set up a first quarter scoring throw from Brees to TE Jeremy Shockey. Shockey led the Saints in receptions with eight catches for 78 yards. DE Will Smith and DT Sedrick Ellis recorded one sack apiece. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar led New Orleans with a career-high 13 tackles. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan completed 19 of 30 passes for 228 yards with two TDs. TE Tony Gonzalez had eight receptions for 110 yards with one TD, while RB Michael Turner carried 30 times for 114 yards with a TD. The loss snapped a streak of six consecutive September wins for the Saints, dating back to 2008. For the third straight game, the Saints scored a TD on their first possession. Dating back to the 2009 opener and including the playoffs, the Saints scored on their first possession 13 times (10 TD, 3 FG) in 22 games. Brees first-quarter interception was not only the first turnover committed by the Saints in 2010, but the first in 15 quarters, dating back to the second quarter of the 2009 NFC Championship. The pick was his first in 243 attempts, counting the postseason, his first in his last 141 regular-season throws. His last interception came in Week 15 of 2009 vs. Dallas. WEEK 4: Saints 16, Carolina Panthers 14; October 3, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome The Saints posted an impressive win behind a powerful run game, timely third down conversions, a relentless pass rush and some key plays on special teams in a contest which wasn t decided until the final seconds. On their first drive, the Saints drove to the one yard line, where WR Lance Moore fumbled on a hard hit and it was recovered by Panthers LB James Anderson in the end zone for a touchback. But the Saints got the ball back after forcing Carolina to their first of two first half three and outs on a day where they constantly harassed rookie QB Jimmy Clausen, allowing him to complete only 11 of 21 passes for 146 yards. On their next drive, QB Drew Brees directed a six-play, 76-yard scoring march, ending with Moore rambling into the end zone on a four-yard TD grab. However, the Panthers tied the score on a 55-yard pass from Clausen to RB Jonathan Stewart. New Orleans took the lead near the end of the half, when K John Carney, starting his third Saints stint, kicked a 32-yard field goal. The Panthers took the lead on their first drive of the second half, when RB DeAngelo Williams had a 39-yard run. Failing to convert a third down on their next drive, New Orleans was forced to punt, but a hard hit on coverage by LS Jason Kyle forced Panthers CB Captain Munnerlyn to cough up the ball and it was recovered by WR Courtney Roby at the Carolina 29. Carney kicked a 32-yard field goal to put the Saints within one. Brees engineered an 18 play, 86-yard drive, that took up 9:25 of the fourth quarter and ended with Carney kicking a 25-yard field goal to give New Orleans the lead with 3:55 left. Carolina on their final drive, marched as close as the New Orleans 36, but their hopes ended when the Saints pushed them out of field goal range on successive plays with S Usama Young tackling Williams for a four-yard loss and S Malcolm Jenkins sacking Clausen before a final incompletion. Brees completed 33 of 48 passes for 275 yards with one TD as the Saints ran up 121 yards on the ground and outrushed Carolina s powerful attack. In his most extensive, rookie RB Chris Ivory led the club in rushing with 67 yards on 12 carries, teaming with Ladell Betts who had 47 yards on the ground and caught four passes for 23 yards. WR Devery Henderson had six receptions for a team-leading 59 yards. WEEK 5: Arizona Cardinals 30, Saints 20; October 10, 2010 @ University of Phoenix Stadium In a topsy-turvy contest, the Cardinals came back from a 10-0 deficit and prevailed despite failing to score an offensive touchdown rushing or passing. CB Jabari Greer gave rookie Cardinals QB Max Hall a rough initial reception in his first drive of the game of his first NFL start, picking him off and returning the interception 26 yards. New Orleans would capitalize on the early turnover and K John Carney kicked a 31-yard field goal. New Orleans increased their first quarter lead to 10-0 when the Saints quickly would get the ball back and QB Drew Brees drove the Saints on an 11-play, 76-yard scoring drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown pass to TE Jeremy Shockey. (continued on next page)
2010 GAME SUPERLATIVES REVIEW (continued from previous page) Despite a second quarter Cardinals field goal and touchdown fumble recovery on a play where DL Anthony Hargrove had forced Hall to fumble, but the ball was picked up and brought into the end zone by Arizona T Levi Jones in the second quarter, the Saints remained on top at halftime as Carney booted his second field goal of the contest to give the Saints a 13-10 lead at the midway point. The Cardinals would go on a 13-0 run off two field goals and a 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Kerry Rhodes. With 3:25 remaining in the game, the Saints got the ball back at their 18-yard line. The Saints drove to the Arizona 35 where Brees connected with WR Robert Meachem for his first TD of the season with 1:49 left. With the Saints trailing 23-20, Carney attempted an onside kick but Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald recovered it. On 3rd and eight at the New Orleans 33, Hall completed a pass to TE Ben Patrick and he coughed of the ball at the 25-yard line where Fitzgerald recovered it much to the dismay of the Saints. After the Cardinals were forced to punt, the Saints got the ball back at their nine-yard line. On first down, Brees threw his third pick of the game to Cardinals DB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie who returned it for a 28- yard touchdown to seal the Arizona victory. The Saints outgained the Cardinals in net yards by a 358-194. The 41 yards rushing the Saints defense surrendered was the least since the 33 rushing yards given up to Detroit in the 2009 season opener. Brees completed 24 of his 39 attempts for 279 yards and two TDs. WR Marques Colston led all receivers with seven catches for 97 yards. RB Ladell Betts, who got the start, rushed with 44 yards on 10 attempts. WEEK 6: Saints 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6; October 17, 2010 @ Raymond James Stadium The Saints had their most dominating performance of the season on both offense and defense to beat the Buccaneers 31-6 and improve to 5-2. New Orleans started off fast as they scored on their opening drive for the fifth time in six games, marching down 94 yards on seven plays, ending with a 41-yard TD pass from QB Drew Brees to WR Lance Moore. New Orleans extended their lead to 14-0 when Brees found WR Robert Meachem for a 41-yard TD early in the second quarter The Saints went into halftime with a 17-0 edge. New Orleans continued their outstanding defensive performance in the third quarter when LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar forced a fumble by Tampa Bay RB Carnell Williams, recovered by LB Marvin Mitchell at the Tampa Bay 45-yard line. Eight plays later, Brees found FB Heath Evans for a four yard TD. The Saints defense held Tampa Bay scoreless until they scored a touchdown with 5:43 remaining in the fourth quarter. New Orleans rolled to 475 yards of total offense, 298 in the first half, while holding Tampa Bay to 277, including only 42 on the ground, 20 in the first half as the Saints took control. New Orleans churned out a season-high total of 212 rushing yards. Brees completed 21-of-32 passes for 263 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and a 109.2 passer rating. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay s Josh Freeman was held to 18 completions on 43 attempts for 219 yards. RB Chris Ivory started and carried 15 times for 158 yards (10.5 avg.).this was the fourth-highest yardage total by an NFL runner in 2010, the 23rd most rushing yards by an undrafted player in NFL history and the second-most yards per carry in a single-game by a Saint in club record books (min. eight attempts.), the first to gain 150 yards and gain ten yards a carry. WR Marques Colston had a team-high five receptions for 53 receiving yards, with four of his catches going for first downs. RBs Ladell Betts and Julius Jones combined for 52 yards rushing and Betts one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was his first as a Saint. S Roman Harper led the defense with seven solo tackles and his NFL-high third forced fumble of 2010. WEEK 7: Cleveland Browns 30, Saints 17; October 24, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome The Saints undermed their chances with four interceptions and two game-changing special teams plays by the Browns. With New Orleans punting after the first possession, Cleveland WR Joshua Cribbs lateraled the return to CB Eric Wright who raced 62 yards to the New Orleans 19-yard line before being tackled, setting up an early field goal. Cleveland increased their first quarter lead to 10-0 when they took advantage of a 38-yard pass interference penalty to put them in at the four-yard line where RB Peyton Hillis ran in four yards for a touchdown. Despite a second quarter Saints field goal, the Browns scored ten second quarter points as they took advantage of a fake punt and rushed 68 yards to set up a field goal and LB David Bowens returned a pass by QB Drew Brees 30 yards for a touchdown to give them 20-3 lead at the midway point. (Continued on next page)
2010 GAME SUPERLATIVES REVIEW (Continued from last page) After a scoreless third quarter, the Saints scored their first touchdown when Brees connected with TE David Thomas from 11 yards out. The Browns sealed the game by going on a 10-0 run with a field goal and Bowens second interception return touchdown of the day, this one for 64 yards. The Saints outgained the Browns in net yards 394-210, as they gave up a season-low 77 yards passing to Cleveland and allowed them to convert only two-of-11 third down attempts. Brees completed 37 of his 56 attempts for 356 yards and two scores. WR Marques Colston led all receivers with ten catches for 112 yards with one TD, seasonhighs in all categories. RB Ladell Betts had a careerhigh eight receptions for 48 yards. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar had the first sack of his NFL career, when he dropped Browns QB Colt McCoy for a four-yard loss on a third down play. WEEK 8: Saints 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; October 31, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome QB Drew Brees was pinpoint accurate in the second half, completing 20-of-22 passes, while the defense had two key fourth quarter turnovers to rebound from last week s loss in a nationally televised primetime contest. Brees shook off a second quarter interception and fourth quarter fumble, completing 34-of-44 passes for 305 yards with two TD passes and a 101.0 passer rating. WR Lance Moore led the Saints in receiving with seven receptions for 54 yards and one TD. WR Marques Colston had six catches for 75 yards and a fourth quarter 16-yard TD grab. WR Robert Meachem had six grabs for a team-high 76 yards. The Saints made several key defensive plays. In the second quarter, WR Antwan Randle El had an 11-yard reception to the goal line, where it was ruled after a New Orleans challenge that CB Leigh Torrence stopped him before reaching the end zone. New Orleans held Pittsburgh to a field goal after a goal line stand. In the fourth quarter with TE Heath Miller running in Saints territory trailing 13-10, LB Marvin Mitchell stripped the ball from him at their 34-yard line and it was picked up and returned by S Darren Sharper 11 yards, to set up the score that gave the Saints a 20-10 lead. With Pittsburgh taking the ball back, Torrence, seeing his extended duty at cornerback, picked off Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to ice the win. LB Scott Shanle came back after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury and led the Saints with 11 tackles. LB Jonathan Vilma finished with nine tackles and one sack. DE Will Smith had a season-high 1.5 sacks as he moved into sole possession of fifth place on the club s all-time list with 52. The win evened New Orleans all-time record against Pittsburgh to 7-7. WEEK 9: Saints 34, Carolina Panthers 3; November 7, 2010 @ Bank of America Stadium A complete effort of the season on offense, defense, special teams with New Orleans largest margin of victory of the season. The 34-3 victory improved the Saints record to 6-3 heading into their bye. New Orleans rolled to 408 yards of total offense while holding Carolina to 195 yards. The Saints also forced a fumble, intercepted a pass for a touchdown and held the Panthers passing attack to 68 yards, while New Orleans churned out 165 yards on the ground. The Saints scored 34 unanswered points after Carolina scored a first, courtesy of Drew Brees touchdown passes to TEs Jeremy Shockey and Jimmy Graham, a 24-yard interception return by CB Jabari Greer and a rushing TD by RB Ladell Betts. K Garrett Hartley added a pair of field goals, while the Saints defense allowed only a field goal and forced two turnovers en route to the win. Brees was efficient as he rebounded from an interception on New Orleans first drive to completed 27-of-43 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina went through three quarterbacks, as they completed only 17-of-36 passes for 107 yards with a 42.4 passer rating. The three points surrendered by New Orleans was the fewest since they gave up three in a 34-3 win vs. Oakland on October 12, 2008. The Saints converted 7-of-14 third down attempts (50%). Greer s 24-yard interception return for a touchdown was New Orleans first defensive score of the 2010 season. WR Marques Colston led the Saints in receiving with eight receptions for 65 yards. Three move the chains for first downs. WR Lance Moore had six grabs and led the Saints in receiving yardage with 77 yards, including a second quarter 36-yard grab that set up a field goal. With his first quarter, seven-yard TD reception, the catch was Shockey s 500th of his career, making him the eighth NFL tight end with 500 grabs.
2010 GAME SUPERLATIVES REVIEW WEEK 11: Saints 34, Seattle Seahawks 19; November 21, 2010 @ Louisiana Superdome QB Drew Brees tossed four touchdown passes, two apiece to WRs Marques Colston and Robert Meachem to lead the Saints to a 34-19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks to improve their record to 7-3 and remain one game out of first place in the NFC South. In addition to an offensive explosion of a season-best 494 net yards, the Saints run defense held the Seahawks to 58 yards on the ground, only allowing them to gain 3.4 yards per carry. Brees enjoyed one of his most impressive outings of the season as he completed 29-of-43 passes for 382 yards with four touchdown throws for a passer rating of 106.9. Colston led the Saints in receiving with eight catches for a season-high 113 yards. With his two TD grabs, he moved into a tie for third place on the club s all-time list in scoring receptions. RB Chris Ivory carried 23 times for 99 yards and scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard dive in the first quarter to give the Saints the lead. The Saints defense forced Seattle RB Marshawn Lynch to cough up the ball twice in the third quarter, with recoveries by S Roman Harper and LB Scott Shanle. Shanle had a team-leading 12 tackles (nine solo), in addition to his third quarter strip of Lynch in New Orleans territory. The Saints converted 11-of-15 third down attempts (73%). Colston s 113-yard performance was a season-high and it was the seventh multiple touchdown performance of his career. Harper s third quarter forced fumble was his fourth of the season and his tenth since being drafted by New Orleans in 2006. The victory gave the Saints a 6-5 lead in the all-time series against the Seahawks and was their second consecutive victory against Seattle. The win gave New Orleans their first three-game winning streak of the season and their fifth streak of at least three wins since Sean Payton became head coach in 2006. With 45 regular season wins, Payton is now tied with Jim Haslett (2000-05) for the second-most victories by a Saints head coach. WEEK 12: Saints 30, Dallas Cowboys 27; November 25, 2010 @ Cowboys Stadium The Saints rebounded from a fourth quarter four point deficit with a dramatic comeback following a defensive turnover and quick scoring drive to improve them to 8-3. The Saints first jumped out to a 17-0 first quarter lead compliments of a pair of touchdowns by RB Chris Ivory and a career-long 50-yard field goal by K Garrett Hartley following an interception. Dallas got on the board with two field goals in the second quarter and although the Saints took a 20-6 lead into the half, the Cowboys got right back in the game on the second play from scrimmage of the third quarter when WR Miles Austin took an end around 60-yards into the end zone to cut the lead to 20-13. After a Hartley field goal on New Orleans next possession extended the lead to ten points, Dallas RBs Marion Barber and Tashard Choice each followed up with one-yard touchdown runs to give Dallas their first lead of the game with under ten minutes left. The Saints were unable to execute on their next drive, but S Malcolm Jenkins forced Cowboys WR Roy Williams to fumble the ball at the New Orleans 11. QB Drew Brees then went on a five play, 89-yard drive that included a 22-yard completion to WR Marques Colston, a 55-yard throw to WR Robert Meachem and a 12-yard scoring pass to WR Lance Moore to give the Saints the lead back. Brees completed 23 of 39 passes for 352 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Colston led the Saints in receiving with six receptions for 105 yards. In addition to his game-saving strip and fumble recovery, Jenkins also added five tackles (three solo), while LB Jonathan Vilma led the Saints with 11 tackles (seven solo). Colston s 105-yard performance was the second straight week he surpassed the century mark and with his final grab of the day, he moved past WR Danny Abramowicz into third place on the club s all-time list for receiving yardage. The victory guaranteed the Saints at least a.500 winning percentage in three consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1991-93 campaigns. The win gave New Orleans their first four-game winning streak of the season and their third streak of at least four wins since Sean Payton became head coach in 2006. With 46 regular season wins, Payton surpassed Haslett for the second-most victories by a Saints head coach.
SEAN PAYTON NOTES Since he was named head coach in 2006, the New Orleans Saints have enjoyed a significant turnaround under Payton, culminating with him leading them to the Super Bowl XLIV title. Payton has posted a 46-29 (.613) regular season record, the best winning percentage in the NFC South, tied for fifth in the NFL and the best in the NFC during the period. Payton has the top winning percentage for a Saints coach all-time. His home (23-15,.605) and road (23-14,.622) winning percentages are the finest in franchise history. Payton has recorded a 36-21 (.632) mark vs. NFC opponents. New Orleans 16-12 record in division play during this period is the second-best in the NFC South. Under the supervision of Payton, the Saints offense has been ranked first in yards per game three of the last four seasons. Overall, New Orleans has posted a 10-5 record in primetime contests over that period. New Orleans has excelled in the biggest spotlight, since the hiring of Payton. Seven of the club s 12 victories on Monday Night Football have occurred since 2006. The Saints are the only NFC South club to capture two division titles since 2006. Payton joins New England s Bill Belichick as the only two coaches to guide their clubs to a conference championship game twice in the last four seasons. His postseason winning percentage (.800) is best among active NFL coaches. IN THE NFC SOUTH Under Payton, the Saints have enjoyed the best regular season record in the division since 2006. Team W L Pct. New Orleans Saints 46 29.613 Atlanta Falcons 40 35.533 Carolina Panthers 36 39.480 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32 43.427 TEAM NOTES DOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE The Saints enjoyed a 6-2 home mark for the second straight season in 2009 with a club record six game home win streak. This marked the 12th time in club history the team posted a winning home mark. For the first time since 1991 and 1992, the Saints posted back-toback winning home records. Since 2008, the Saints have a 16-6 home regular season record. ROAD WARRIORS Since Payton became head coach in 2006, the Saints have the fourth-best record in the NFL at visiting stadiums with a 23-14 mark. With a 7-1 road mark in 2009, tied for best in the NFL, the Saints matched the 2000 squad for the most road wins. Including the final road game of 2008, New Orleans eight game win streak away from home was the second-longest in club record books. The Saints have posted a 4-1 road record in the 2010 season. NFL s BEST REGULAR SEASON ROAD RECORDS SINCE 2006 Team Record 1. New England 27-11 2. Indianapolis 26-12 3. New York Giants 24-13 4. New Orleans 23-14 5. Philadelphia 22-15-1 VERSUS THE AFC Including their 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints have captured nine of their last ten contests versus AFC teams, dating back to the 2008 season. Overall, the Saints have a 10-8 regular season record against AFC opponents since Payton became head coach PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT The Saints have nine players who have moved up to the 53-man roster after starting their NFL careers on practice squads, six who have spent time on the Saints practice squad. The most notable member of the group is WR Lance Moore. After spending most of 2005 and 2006 on the club s practice squad, he s evolved into one of the team s leading playmakers with 20 career touchdown receptions to rank ninth in club record books. In 2010, he s recorded 43 receptions for 530 yards (12.3 avg.) with a team-leading six TD catches. Moore has also been a significant contributor on special teams in the punt return game, averaging 10.2 yards a return. LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar started on the club s practice squad in 2008 and has become an integral part of the special teams units and spot starter on defense. He s appeared in 33 games with 12 starts, making 61 tackles (32 solo), five pass defenses, a sack, five pass defenses, a forced fumble and 29 special teams tackles. In 2010, he s started seven of nine games, recording 38 tackles (22 solo), two pass defenses, a forced fumble, a sack and two special teams stops. After alternating between the Saints practice squad and active roster in 2008, DT Remi Ayodele has held down a starting position since the 2009 season. In 2010, he leads the New Orleans defensive line with 55 tackles (22 solo), also adding one sack, one pass defense and one forced fumble for a unit that is currently ranked seventh in the NFL in opponent net yards per game, third against the pass.
BUCKING THE ODDS Players whose names are not called in the NFL draft typically face challenging odds in sticking on a team. Yet, the Saints feature 12 players on their roster who have bucked convention, several becoming key contributors. Seven of the most notable undrafted alumni on the Saints roster are Moore, Ayodele, Dunbar K Garrett Hartley, RB Pierre Thomas, CB Jabari Greer and RB Chris Ivory. Thomas has provided a significant impact to the run game. Signed after the 2007 draft, leading the club in rushing in 2008 and 2009, scoring 20 touchdowns over that span. Signed by New Orleans at midseason in 2008, Hartley has made 35-of-42 field goal attempts, as well as nailing the game-winning kick in the NFC Championship and being the only kicker in Super Bowl history to make three attempts of 40 yards or more. A 2004 undrafted signing by Buffalo out of the University of Tennessee, Greer has developed into one of the NFL s elite pass defenders. Signed to a four-year contract in 2009, Greer has recorded four interceptions and 19 pass defenses in 19 regular season appearances, often charged with the task of covering the opposition s top wideouts. Signed as a free agent out of NCAA Division II Tiffin following the 2010 NFL Draft, Ivory has appeared in nine games for New Orleans with four starts and is their leading rusher with 108 carries for 519 yards (4.8 avg.) with three touchdowns. He enjoyed a breakout performance at Tampa Bay, Oct. 17, carrying 15 times for 158 yards, averaging 10.5 yards per carry. This was the fourth-highest yardage total by an NFL runner in 2010, the 23rd most rushing yards by an undrafted player in NFL history and second-most yards per carry in a single-game by a Saints runner in club record books (minimum eight attempts.), the first to gain 150 yards and gain ten yards a carry. SCORING EXPLOSION Since 2006, the Saints have scored an average of 27.1 points per game (2,030 points) in 75 games, ranking third in the NFL. During this period since Payton became head coach, New Orleans has scored 20 or more points in 59 games (78.7%) and 30 or more points in 33 contests (44.0%). The Saints are ranked ninth in the NFL in scoring in 2010. NFL POINTS PER GAME LEADERS SINCE 2006 Team Pts. Pts./Gm. 1. NE 2145 28.6 2. SD 2072 27.6 3. NO 2030 27.1 WORTH NOTING ON OFFENSE DOMINATING OFFENSE Since 2006, the Saints have been the NFL s top ranked offense in net yards per game, averaging 390.8 yards per game. In the past four seasons, they ve been ranked first three times. In 2010, they are ranked fourth overall, averaging 385.2 net yards per game. NFL TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS SINCE 2006 Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 1. NO 29,313 390.8 2. NE 27,994 373.3 3. Phi. 27,558 367.4 NFL TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS IN 2010 Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 1. SD 4,483 407.5 2. Phi. 4,392 399.3 3. NYG 4,257 387.0 4. NO 4,237 385.2 5. Ind. 4,184 380.4 THROUGH THE AIR For four consecutive seasons the Saints have been ranked in the top five in the NFL in net yards passing. In 2010, the Saints are ranked fourth, averaging 291.0 passing yards per game. The Saints have ranked in the top five in passing offense every season since Payton was named head coach in 2006 and lead the NFL during the period throwing for an average of 284.6 net yards per game. NFL PASSING OFFENSE LEADERS IN 2010 Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 2. Ind. 3,275 297.7 1. SD* 3,237 294.3 3. NO 3,201 291.0 NFL PASSING OFFENSE LEADERS SINCE 2006 Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 1. NO 21,350 284.6 2. Ind. 20,225 269.7 3. Dal. 19,057 254.1 KEEPING DRIVES GOING In 2010, the Saints have converted 73-of-147 (49.7) third down attempts to rank first in the NFL. 2010 NFL THIRD DOWN CONVERSION PERCENTAGE LEADERS Team Made Att. Pct. 1. NO 73 147 49.7 2. Atl. 81 170 47.7 3. NE 56 124 45.2
YARDS AFTER THE CATCH Since 2006, the Saints offense has been ranked first in the NFL in yards after the catch. The Saints are ranked fourth in 2010 with 1,545 yards after the catch MOST YAC BY NFL TEAMS SINCE 2006 Team YAC 1. New Orleans 10,398 2. New England 9,628 3. Green Bay 9,467 MOST YAC BY NFL TEAMS IN 2010 Team YAC 1. Detroit 1,736 2. San Diego 1,611 3. Dallas 1,714 4. New Orleans 1,545 5. New England 1,365 HOLDING THE LINE The Saints offensive line remains one of the New Orleans offensive unit s foundations. Since 2006, New Orleans has been the second-least sacked club in the NFL, surrendering only 88 in 75 games. In 2009, LT Jermon Bushrod, RG Jahri Evans, C Jonathan Goodwin, LG Carl Nicks and RT Jon Stinchcomb surrendered only 20 sacks, the fourth-fewest in the NFL for an offense that ranked first in the league overall, while missing only one start overall due to injury. The starting unit returns in 2010 intact and have given up only 16 sacks for the NFL s fourth-ranked offense, the fifth-lowest total in the NFL. LEAST SACKS ALLOWED BY NFL TEAMS FROM 2006-PRESENT Team Sacks 1. Indianapolis 77 2. New Orleans 88 3. Tennessee 105 LEAST SACKS ALLOWED BY NFL TEAMS IN 2010 Team Sacks 1t. Indianapolis 12 1t. New York Giants 12 3t. New England 15 3t. Kansas City 15 5. New Orleans 16 Below is a synopsis of the Saints offensive line, including five of it s six members that started at least one game in 2009, who are draft picks by the club: LT Jermon Bushrod - A 2007 fourth round draft pick, this promising young lineman helped spur the NFL s sixth ranked running game in 2009. The Towson product has continued adding strength and working on technique as he continues to line up against many of the NFL s elite pass rushers in his second season starting. LG Carl Nicks - This 6-5, 343 pound mauler who was a 2008 fifth-round draft choice, needed very little time to make a smooth transition to life in the NFL trenches. Selected for All-Rookie honors by several publications, Nicks has opened every contest since the fourth of his first year and combines with Jahri Evans for one of the NFL s top young interior combinations. C Jonathan Goodwin - Goodwin took the starting reins of the club s center position in 2008 and has distinguished himself in pass protection, run blocking and making line calls, opening 42 games in the middle of the line as a Saint. He s coming off a standout 2009 campaign where he was recognized with a Pro Bowl selection for the first time in his nine-year NFL career. RG Jahri Evans - The 2006 fourth round draft choice has made a rapid ascent from his small school roots at Bloomsburg into one of the NFL s top right guards. Evans was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2009 as a starter, elected a starter. His 75 straight starts with the Saints is the longest streak in team history among offensive linemen to begin a career and tied with linemate and RT Jon Stinchcomb as the most by a current Saint. Evans streak of consecutive starts to begin a career is ranked third overall among all players in Saints record books. Re-signed to a seven-year contract in the offseason, Evans is expected to be a cornerstone of the line for years to come in New Orleans. MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTED BY A SAINTS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN TO OPEN CAREER Player Pos. No. Years How acq. Jahri Evans, G 75 2006- D4, 06 William Roaf, T 57 1993-96 D1, 93 Don Morrison, T 42 1971-73 D4e, 71 MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTED BY A SAINT TO OPEN A CAREER Player Pos. No. Years How acq. Rickey Jackson, LB 91 1981-87 D2b, 81 Bob Pollard, DT 78 1971-76 D11, 71 Jahri Evans, G 75 2006- D4, 06
RT Jon Stinchcomb - This 2003 second round draft choice is the club s longest tenured player and among the most respected by his teammates, shown by his election as a team captains. Anchoring the right side since 2006, he s combined with Evans to start all 75 games and provide uninterrupted service, the most by the Saints during this period. He s tied for the fourthlongest current starting streak among NFL tackles. Stinchcomb was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2009. MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES STARTED AMONG ACTIVE NFL TACKLES Tackle No. 1. Jeff Backus, Det. 155 2. Michael Roos, Ten. 91 3. Vernon Carey, Mia. 86 4t. Jon Stinchcomb, NO 75 4t. D Brickashaw Ferguson, NYJ 75 4t. Flozell Adams, Pit. 75 T Zach Strief - This 2006 seventh round pick out of Northwestern has appeared in 66 regular season games, opening five at left tackle, also filling in on the right side. The versatile Strief, has also served as an extra blocking tight end in short yardage situations. WORTH NOTING ON DEFENSE The addition of defensive coordinator Gregg Wiliams, shrewd moves in free agency and the draft and the return to health of several starters have produced an opportunistic, resurgent unit, resulting in a improvement to a defense that moved up in the league rankings in several categories since 2009. The improvement has continued into 2010 as they re ranked seventh in the NFL in opponent yards per game, third against the pass, while ranking sixth in scoring defense. Overall, they have improved statistically from the 2009 campaign in most defensive categories. YARDAGE IMPROVEMENT After finishing ranked 25rd in the NFL in yardage surrendered (357.8 yards per game) in 2009, the Saints have improved to seventh (306.7 yards per game) in 2010. NFL TOTAL DEFENSE LEADERS IN 2010 Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 1. SD 3,010 273.6 2. NYG 3,152 286.5 3. NYJ 3,266 296.9 4. Chi. 3,302 300.2 5. Pit. 3,350 304.5 6. Pit. 3,358 305.3 7. NO 3,374 306.7 SCORING DEFENSE In 2009, the Saints were ranked 20th in the NFL in scoring defense. In 2010, they are ranked sixth in points allowed per game (17.9). NFL OPPONENT POINTS PER GAME LEADERS IN 2010 Team Pts. Pts./Gm. 1. GB 166 15.1 2. Chi. 172 15.6 3. Pit. 178 16.2 4. NYJ 187 17.0 5. Bal. 188 17.1 6. NO 197 17.9 STOPPING THE RUN The Saints have experienced an improvement in their run-stopping efforts in 2010. After ranking 21st in the NFL, surrendering an average of 122.2 yards per game in 2009, the Saints have moved up in the league rankings to rank 16th, giving up an average of 108.9 yards per game in 2010. PASS DEFENSE After finishing the 2009 season ranked 26th in the NFL in opponent net passing yards per game, surrendering an average of 235.6 yards per game through the air, the Saints have given up 197.8 passing yards per game in 2010, improving their ranking to third. 2010 NFL OPPONENT NET PASSING YARDS PER GAME LEADERS Team Yds. Yds./Gm. 1. New York Giants 2,050 186.4 2. San Diego 2,118 192.5 3. New Orleans 2,176 197.8 IN THE RED ZONE The New Orleans defense has continued stopping opponents inside the 20 in 2009, allowing only 11 touchdowns on 25 possessions (44.0%) inside the 20 to rank sixth in the NFL after ranking second in 2009. NFL OPPONENT TOUCHDOWN PERCENTAGE IN- SIDE THE 20 LEADERS IN 2010 Team Poss. TD Pct. 1. Ten. 47 16 34.0 2. Mia. 30 11 36.7 3. Bal. 26 10 38.5 4. Arz.* 51 20 39.2 5. Pit. 30 12 40.0 6. NO 25 11 44.0 * Not including Monday night result