KUDOS to Ron Meeks

[PuntJake]

We'll be the sixth seed at best. Atlanta looks like an 11-5/12-4 type team with the Saints looking like a probable 13-3 or 14-2. Winning 10 games might not even get it.

we can't be sixth seed if you think atlanta will be above us. there is no way the nfc south will send two wildcards to the playoffs. i agree on atlanta taking second and gatting a WC but the north or east will get the other before the third place team in the south will.

we're already out of the playoffs.

[PrimeTyme]

the defense has played well.. our special teams and offense (Jake) has put them in bad positions and given up points, but our defense is coming together

[carolinarolls]

Regardless of opponent or outcome, this is two wins largely spurred on by a defensive effort from a unit that looked entirely lost the first three weeks.

There has been improvement. Eventually that improvement should translate into results better than what we have seen already.

If you know what you are looking at you can see a marked increase in execution on the defensive side of the ball that seems to increase each week a little.

that is all we can really ask for.

The offense is obviously hampered by the signal caller but shows signs of life from the backfield at least.

I agree with this thread. There has not been a lot to work with when the injuries are considered and the new scheme (i don't care how different it is) was expected to posed challenges.

The staff however inept they may be has made potentially three moves at DT tryoing to replace Ma'ake one fell quickly the second is looking pretty good and the third was just acquired.

I am not pisst anymore. I am over all that. Rep to the OP for ballz to post this and I hope more people can just take joy in watching this unhinged, discombobulated, poorly led franchise improve each week against all odds ...if they can.

[beastson]

I was about to make this last night

I love the the effort from them. They wanted to get better and improve. Beason wanted Pep to be dominant like he is. And it's paying off

Can't say the same for the offensive side of the ball

[Seamonk]

To the people saying it's only because we're playing bad teams:

Yes we're playing bad teams, but playing bad teams = low risk experience. They can gel, they can get everything going and start feeling more comfortable in the NEW system with different things that it focuses on. Sure we've played Cover 2 in past years. But we've never played it to this extent.

[Brandon]

Look at the plays we are making on defense though, hell if Josh Johnson wasn't the QB last week we would have given up considerably fewer yards but his legs gave him the unique ability to keep some drives alive when we had PERFECT COVERAGE. Every aspect of our defense is playing well right now, especially now that we have a defensive line again. I can only imagine it improving with the addition of Tank.

[PuntJake]

yes, improvement will continue. we just need to stop putting their backs against the wall with turnovers.

[raleigh-panther]

For where this team is right now, improvement and not being humilated are things to be grateful to have.

Injuries can be a great equalizer in the NFL and while I think the Saints are a tremendous team this year, I want to see them win in below 32 degree weather, outside, before I crown them. The best thing that could to the Panthers when the Saints are here, a nice, cold, windy, rainy day. Teams that will beat the Saints are teams that have ball control and no turn-overs for shortfields (obvious).

...and am the only one that is already sick of the 'Matty Ice' nickname.

[Gman was right]

Yes Kudos to Ron Meeks! At least he knows how to game plan against cup cake teams. So I guess he's not a total idiot afterall.

[Catdaddy]

As bad as the Eagles game was, the defense was pretty good overall.

[thunderraiden]

I want to see you gameplan against 3 teams with stellar running backs when you have 10 people playing defense. (referring to the first 3 weeks of the season).

And we were successful at stoppin the run against ATL before leonard went IR in the middle of the game, leaving us with 10 players once again.

[Gman was right]

Thats his job. He's supposed to be able to game plan to stop great running backs. Quit using injuries as an excuse. If you think Kemo is the only reason we lost those 3 games then you just dont have a clue. Kemo is average just like the defense. Stop making excuses!

[ed bell]

when the offense doesn't hurt us, the defense plays really well. stick to the running game, eat up the clock, keep the D rested and we can have moderate success.

I would go so far as to say we would be more than just moderately successful with that formula. Add winning the field position battle and swinging the turnover margin in a positive direction and you have the difference between 2-3 and maybe 5-0. This league has a level of parity that can make average teams look awesome or terrible.

[God]

Yes, lets all blow Ron Meeks. He shutdown the ferocious offenses of the Skins and the Bucs.