Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Saints defense makes good kind of history with 3 TDs, 9 batted passes

NEW ORLEANS -- It was less than a month ago when I was writing about how the New Orleans Saints' embattled defense was on pace to shatter its own records for most yards, most touchdown passes and highest opponents’ passer rating allowed in a season.

But, man, oh man, did they put an exclamation point on their remarkable turnaround Sunday.

The Saints made the good kind of history in their 52-38 victory over the Detroit Lions.

They scored three defensive touchdowns -- something that had never happened before in franchise history. And they batted down nine of Matthew Stafford's passes -- the most by any NFL team since they stared tracking the statistic in 2006, according to ESPN Stats and Information. (The Saints’ total of 16 passes defended was also the most in that span.)

Obviously, that was a pretty awesome way for New Orleans to follow up their 20-0 win over the Miami Dolphins in their previous game.

But what the Saints’ defensive players were most proud of Sunday was their ability to bail out the struggling offense for a change.

The Saints offense flopped in the second half, with three turnovers and six punts, while nearly blowing a 45-10 lead. But the defense didn’t allow it to happen.

“I had been talking to the defense about, ‘We need to be the ones that take over this game,’” Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said of the moments before he batted a pass and intercepted it in the end zone when the Saints’ lead had shrunk to seven points with 5:04 remaining.

“That’s what we’ve been missing as a team,” Jordan said. “You know, we’ve always had a potent offense ... and our defense is finally playing how they should be. And this game was rolling.

“I mean, I’m sorry the offense didn’t make Game No. 5 with no turnovers [which would have been an NFL record]. But that being said, the defense had enough turnovers to help overcome.”

Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who returned his first career interception for a touchdown in the third quarter, agreed.

“The offense was struggling a little bit, so the defense just knew we had to win the game. We had to close it out for 'em,” Lattimore said. “When the offense is struggling, we pick them up -- and vice versa.”

Longtime Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro said this is the most "fun" he can remember the defense having since his rookie year in 2013 -- the last time they had a winning record and made the playoffs -- though they weren't forcing as many turnovers back then, either.

"I was proud of our defense because we still kept getting turnovers [after going up by 35 points Sunday]," Vaccaro said. "Usually when you are up 45-10, you lay back a little bit and play more zone. We kept that aggressive mentality. [Defensive coordinator] Dennis Allen did a great job of calling the plays."

It’s hard to say how much this confidence and momentum can carry over for a young, improving Saints defense that began the year with three rookies in the starting lineup.

Obviously, momentum isn’t all-powerful, since the Saints were able to overcome their 0-2 start, in which they allowed 65 points and more than 1,000 yards.

But it certainly can’t hurt for the Saints to see their confidence and resilience pay off with these results.

“I’ve been saying our swag just had to get to another level, and this game like this is gonna take us there,” Lattimore said.

“For all the stuff we were doing right last year in practice, for some reason it wasn’t translating to the field. But everything we’re doing in practice, we’re showing up on game day, and it’s showing true,” said Jordan, who is having a monster season with five sacks and four batted passes -- plus the interception for his first career TD.

“Now, again, this is Game 5. It’s too early to say, ‘Oh, this is an exalted defense, it’s gonna go down as ...’ But at the same time, you gotta take it for what it is. We’re growing as a defense, and I’m loving the way that we’re growing.”

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