Saints vs. 49ers: Why New Orleans Desperately Needs to Improve Defense

January 15, 2012   ·   Wes Stueve   ·   Jump to comments

In a game where the New Orleans Saints put up 32 points against an excellent defense, there's just one place to point the blame.
At the defense.
San Francisco's offense hasn't been awful by any means, but the 49ers should not be able to score 36 points. The 49ers averaged only 23.8 points per game during the regular season, and a playoff defense should be able to hold them to that or less.
This wasn't New Orleans' first bad defensive performance either. The Saints were 24th in yards allowed per game and 20th in points. 
Is this awful? No. Is it good enough to win a Super Bowl? Probably not.
At this point, the season that doesn't end with a Super Bowl win is a failed season for the Saints. They've consistently made the playoffs and won the Super Bowl in 2010. 
Drew Brees will have the offense playing at a Super Bowl level. In 2011, the Saints gained the most yards in the NFL and the second-most points. The offense isn't the issue.
With t...

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