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The Pats opened the season 3-2, with two painful road losses, Brady looking rusty and out of sync, Mayo missing essentially the first 4 games and Welker missing 2 games. The Pats' opponents for those 5 games have an aggregate record of 23-27. Our high powered offense was averaging under 21 PPG through those games. Our rushing offense averaged 101 YPG in those 5 games, running for over 100 yards only once (168 against Atlanta; we averaged 84 YPG in the other 4 games). Our defense was better than ancitipated allowing an average of 18.2 PPG, forcing 6 turnovers (4 fumbles and 2 interceptions, one by Randy Moss on an Ortan Hail Mary; there was also a key fumble forced by our special teams unit against Buffalo). Our point differential through 5 games averaged a paltry 2.6 PPG.
In contrast, the Saints opened the season 5-0. Their 5 opponents have a current aggregate record of 21-29. They averaged 38.4 PPG over those 5 games, and put up 45 or more in 3 of the 5 games. They averaged 157.8 YPG rushing. They destroyed Philadelphia and the Giants, both of whom are playoff contenders. Their defense gave up an average of 18.6 PPG over those 5 games, facing two of the top 10 scoring offenses in the NFL (Giants and Philly), and forced 15 turnovers, producing 3 defensive scores. Their point differential through 5 games averaged 19.8 PPG.
Now let's look at the past 5 games.
The Pats have gone 4-1, with the only loss a 1 point loss to Indy on the road after dominating the game for 3+ quarters. They have done this despite losing their starting LT and 2 of their running backs. Our opponents for these 5 games have an aggregate record of 24-26. During this period the Patriots have averaged 37.2 PPG, best in the NFL. Take away the 59-0 blowout against Tennessee and we're still averaging almost 32 PPG. Tom Brady has thrown for over 300 yards in all 5 games. The running attack (minus Taylor and Morris) has averaged 126.6 YPG, rushing for over 100 yards in all 5 games and outrushing the opposing team in 4 of the 5 games. The defense has given up an average of 14.6 PPG, despite giving up 21 points to Peyton Manning in the 4th quarter. Take away that quarter and they are averaging 10.2 PPG. The defense has forced 15 turnovers in those 5 games, including 2 defensive TDs. The only downside is that the defense has given up an average of 122.6 YPG rushing in those 5 games. The Pats have a differential of 22.6 PPG over those 5 games.
The Saints have gone 5-0 in the last 5 games, coming from behind against Miami and Carolina and struggling against 1-9 St. Louis. They have had several injuries to key players during that period. Their opponents for those 5 games have an aggregate record of 16-34. During that period the Saints have averaged 35.4 PPG, second only to the Pats. The running game has had to deal with injuries, but has still averaged 150.8 YPG. Their defense has given up an average of 22.2 PPG over those 5 games, and has forced 14 turnovers including 3 for TDs. Their point differential through those 5 games has been 13.2 PPG.
The Saints have been very consistent despite injuries in the past 5 games. Their scoring has gone down slightly (38.4 to 35.4 PPG) but they still remain at or close to the top. Their running game has continued to pile up over 150 YPG despite injuries. Their defense has given up more points (22.2 vs. 18.6, and against weaker competition) but has continued to force turnovers at an impressive pace, often leading to defensive scores.
The Pats have been a completely different team over the past 5 games. They were 3-2 and not terribly impressive by the stats in their first 5 games. They have dominated the past 5, leading the league in scoring and in scoring defense over that period. Their rushing attack has picked up despite injuries to Sammie Morris, Fred Taylor and Matt Light. Their defense has started producing turnovers at a pace similar to that of New Orleans' defense. And they have gone 4-1 against a much tougher schedule the NO's for the past 5 games (24-26 vs. 16-34) with their only loss being a 1 point road loss to the Colts in a game they had dominated and should have won.
The Saints have been the better team over 10 games. Over the past 5 games, the Pats have been the more impressive team.
Should be a great game Monday night.
In contrast, the Saints opened the season 5-0. Their 5 opponents have a current aggregate record of 21-29. They averaged 38.4 PPG over those 5 games, and put up 45 or more in 3 of the 5 games. They averaged 157.8 YPG rushing. They destroyed Philadelphia and the Giants, both of whom are playoff contenders. Their defense gave up an average of 18.6 PPG over those 5 games, facing two of the top 10 scoring offenses in the NFL (Giants and Philly), and forced 15 turnovers, producing 3 defensive scores. Their point differential through 5 games averaged 19.8 PPG.
Now let's look at the past 5 games.
The Pats have gone 4-1, with the only loss a 1 point loss to Indy on the road after dominating the game for 3+ quarters. They have done this despite losing their starting LT and 2 of their running backs. Our opponents for these 5 games have an aggregate record of 24-26. During this period the Patriots have averaged 37.2 PPG, best in the NFL. Take away the 59-0 blowout against Tennessee and we're still averaging almost 32 PPG. Tom Brady has thrown for over 300 yards in all 5 games. The running attack (minus Taylor and Morris) has averaged 126.6 YPG, rushing for over 100 yards in all 5 games and outrushing the opposing team in 4 of the 5 games. The defense has given up an average of 14.6 PPG, despite giving up 21 points to Peyton Manning in the 4th quarter. Take away that quarter and they are averaging 10.2 PPG. The defense has forced 15 turnovers in those 5 games, including 2 defensive TDs. The only downside is that the defense has given up an average of 122.6 YPG rushing in those 5 games. The Pats have a differential of 22.6 PPG over those 5 games.
The Saints have gone 5-0 in the last 5 games, coming from behind against Miami and Carolina and struggling against 1-9 St. Louis. They have had several injuries to key players during that period. Their opponents for those 5 games have an aggregate record of 16-34. During that period the Saints have averaged 35.4 PPG, second only to the Pats. The running game has had to deal with injuries, but has still averaged 150.8 YPG. Their defense has given up an average of 22.2 PPG over those 5 games, and has forced 14 turnovers including 3 for TDs. Their point differential through those 5 games has been 13.2 PPG.
The Saints have been very consistent despite injuries in the past 5 games. Their scoring has gone down slightly (38.4 to 35.4 PPG) but they still remain at or close to the top. Their running game has continued to pile up over 150 YPG despite injuries. Their defense has given up more points (22.2 vs. 18.6, and against weaker competition) but has continued to force turnovers at an impressive pace, often leading to defensive scores.
The Pats have been a completely different team over the past 5 games. They were 3-2 and not terribly impressive by the stats in their first 5 games. They have dominated the past 5, leading the league in scoring and in scoring defense over that period. Their rushing attack has picked up despite injuries to Sammie Morris, Fred Taylor and Matt Light. Their defense has started producing turnovers at a pace similar to that of New Orleans' defense. And they have gone 4-1 against a much tougher schedule the NO's for the past 5 games (24-26 vs. 16-34) with their only loss being a 1 point road loss to the Colts in a game they had dominated and should have won.
The Saints have been the better team over 10 games. Over the past 5 games, the Pats have been the more impressive team.
Should be a great game Monday night.
