NFL Playoffs: 5 reasons the New Orleans Saints will make the playoffs

Nov 13, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks to wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) after his fourth quarter touchdown catch against the Denver Broncos at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Broncos won, 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (99) during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Defensive Improvement

On top of a top five offense from 2015 improving in multiple areas, the defense improved across the board as well. On the defensive line, the drafting of Sheldon Rankins, and the signing of Paul Kruger and Nick Fairley are starting to pay dividends. Fairley is playing like the player he was once drafted to be, and Rankins, a 2016 first-round pick has two sacks in four games at the defensive tackle position.

Dannell Ellerbe, like Rankins, is back from injury, and he only played in four games in 2015 as well. However, in his four starts this season, he has three sacks and 21 tackles to make an obvious impact in the linebacker corps.

In the secondary, the growth of third round pick Vonn Bell is starting to show as well. With Delvin Breaux back from injury, and Bell now starting in eight games as a rookie, the secondary is showing upgrades from the 2015 version as well.

Since Rankins has come back from his injury, the Saints have given up just 23 points per game. It does not sound great, but before that they were giving up 30.7 points per game. The defense is not quite good yet, but it most certainly is not bad anymore. With the offense in the position that it is in, that is all the Saints need to stay competitive.

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