5 Stats That Prove Saints Improved For 2023

In several cases, the New Orleans Saints showed immediately that they are a different team in 2023 than they were in 2022.

Every NFL team spends its offseason trying to improve from the previous year. The New Orleans Saints were no exception. They made big roster moves, coaching changes and even philosophic shifts (like being more aggressive and creative on offense). Rarely though, does a team show the immediate results of their work in the first week of the season. The Saints wasted no time.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) celebrates intercepting a Titans pass in the third quarter at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023

RELATED: What We Learned From the Saints in Week 1

Though it is clear that New Orleans has some things to clean up, particularly on offense, the team achieved things on both sides of the ball that alluded them consistently through the 2022 season. Here are five stats from Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans that prove the Saints are set up to be a better team in 2023 than they were in 2022.

1. Three Interceptions

Saints safety Marcus Maye and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo each got their hands on field-flipping interceptions on Sunday. The team adding three picks in Week 1 puts them nearly half way to their 2022 season-long total of just 7. Head coach Dennis Allen stressed that the team needed to generate more turnovers this year. With this trio of big plays along with a blocked punt by linebacker Zack Baun, the Saints are off to great start in this category.

2. 305 Passing Yards

It took a while for the offense to find its rhythm. One could argue they never really found it. But the team did show up when it mattered most to put the game away. Saints new quarterback Derek Carr completed 69.7% of his passes for 305 passing yards, a touchdown and interception. The passing yards stand out because New Orleans exceeded 300 yards through the air just twice in 2022. Both accounts were losses, the Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers and their Week 7 defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. While the passing game did find its stride, the run game will need to take steps forward quickly.

3. 10 Quarterback Hits

While the defense was top-5 in the league in 2022 in sacks with 48, they were No. 25 in hits on the quarterback (34). Every form of pressure matters. Sacks, hits, hurries and even batted passes at the line all get into the opposing passer's head. That was evidenced in the Saints' Week 1 victory wherein Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill was pestered quite a bit and never looked to settle in behind his offensive line. In one game, the Saints defense is almost already at a third of their hit count from last year.

4. 17% Third Down Conversion Rate Allowed

The defense was good last year. No doubt about it outside of their No. 24 run defense ranking. But one thing they struggled in was surrendering third down conversions. The team finished ranked No. 24 allowing a 41.6% rate. The Saints did a great job getting off the field when given the opportunity. New Orleans did give up two first downs on third down penalties, however. So, still something to work on there.

5. Forcing Multiple Turnovers

The cherry on top of the three interception is that the Saints only forced more than one turnover in three games in 2022. The trick this year will be all about being consistent. New Orleans forced two turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons in their 2022 season opener as well. The did not do so again until Weeks 13 and 18. Ideally, the team will not see the same gap of games here in 2023.