What rank did/does our Defense need to be to make deep playoff run?

We can make the playoffs ranked 32nd on D, just not a historically bad last place defense. We've had about 3-4 record setting years for defensive ineptitude. If we are just an average or an above average last place defense (one that maybe at least forces turnovers at a decent rate) we will win 10-11 games. As far as making a legit, deep run we won the super bowl with #20th ranked defense in 2009. But again that defense was elite at turning the ball over and scoring points. Turnovers, 3rd down %, and Red Zone % are all more important stats than yardage given up.

After careful observation of the post season, the Saints aren't nearly in the same realm of defense of these other teams. That needs to be addressed heavily in the draft.

They need help on the lines especially because pressuring the opposing QB was non existent this season.

29th?
32nd has not been working.

Depends on how much better we make our offense. Still not convinced we have the pass catchers to make any kind of legit playoff run when the stakes are high....against these good defenses. So with that being the case we would need a significantly improved d to top 10ish to legitimately compete. If we shore up the o line with an improvement at one of the guard spots and get a legitimate receiving threat on the outside and I think more importantly out of the backfield, then somewhere in the middle of the pack that makes some timely plays would benefit.

We just haven't played complimentary football well the past few years. I trust our front office /coaches more in getting the offense back to elite. And I realize that we are highly ranked statistically when it comes to yardage, but if anyone and I mean ANYONE thinks our current ability to move the ball and pressure opposing teams is equivalent to the "frick you we're gonna carve your arse up, try and keep up" offenses of our 2 big years then they are strictly going by stats/rankings and not watching week in/out.

Guard, pass catching game breaker out of backfield, another guy at wr/pass catching te combined with a continued influx in young front 7 defensively that helps cam get pressure and we're in business.

Mid teens

I don't know if we necessarily have to have a very high ranking as far as defense goes.. yardage wise/points given up.

turnover differential is where its at.

trying to get caught up in yards given up in this era of football is fricking awful.

kind of the same story with points given up. I mean the points/yards are going to come against you at times the way the game is these days.. no getting around it. That is especially true when you have an offense who usually forces teams to keep pace with what we're doing. We usually finish at the top of offensive categories.

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Brandincookem

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Damn everyone is right. You are worse than Chad.

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It needs to be top 5 honestly

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lmao. No it doesn't.


The Super Bowl team wasn't a great defense, they just forced turnovers constantly. They were ranked in the 20s for team defense.


It's hard to expect turnovers to be forced at a rate like that, so I'd say something at around 15 and they could make a run. If the offense adds another WR and they fix the interior line they might be able to just destroy teams by using a great offense (2011).

10-15 to make a serious run