By the Numbers: The 2012 Saints Through Eight Games

After eight games, here are the Saints' league-wide ranks in a variety of statistical categories.

Arrows indicate mobility since week four; adjustments reflect league ranking, not raw statistical output. Numbers italicized in parentheses indicate previous ranking after four games.


Offense
* Points/game: 8th ↑ (10th)
* First half points scored: 4th ↑ (10th)
* Second half points scored: 12th ↓ (7th)
* Red zone scoring % (TDs): 1st ↑ (3rd)

* Yards: 5th ↑ (8th)
* Yards/play: 6th ↑ (7th)
* 3rd down conversion %: 7th ↑ (9th)

* Rush yards/game: 30th ↓ (26th)
* Rush yards/attempt: 17th ↓ (9th)
* Rush play %: 32nd --same-- (32nd)

* Pass yards: 2nd ↑ (3rd)
* Pass yards/attempt: 7th (tie) ↑ (14th)

* Point differential: 16th

* DVOA: 7th ↑ (11th)
* WPA: 10th ↑ (20th)

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Defense
* Points allowed/game: 29th (tie)  --same-- (29th)
* First half points allowed: 32nd ↓ (31st)
* Second half points allowed: 25th ↑ (26th)
* Red zone scoring % allowed (TDs): 15th ↓ (14th)

* Yards allowed: 32nd  --same--  (32nd)
* Yards allowed/play: 32nd ↓ (30th)
* 3rd down conversion % allowed: 13th ↑ (19th)

* Rush yards allowed: 32nd  --same--  (32nd)
* Rush yards allowed/attempt: 31st ↓ (30th)

* Pass yards allowed: 29th ↓ (24th)
* Pass yards allowed/attempt: 31st ↓ (30th)

* DVOA: 30th ↓ (28th)
* EPA: 32nd --same--  (32nd)

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Assorted
* Turnover Margin (0): 11th (tie) ↓ (8th)
* Penalties: 12th ↑ (27th)
* Passer rating differential: 22nd ↑ (27th)

Drive Stats
* Offense
     - Average starting field position: 32nd ↓ (28th)
     - Drive success rate: 6th ↑ (9th)
     - Points/drive: 5th ↑ (10th)

* Defense
     - Average starting field position: 19th ↑ (22nd)
     - Drive success rate: 31st ↓ (29th)
     - Points allowed/drive: 30th ↓ (29th)

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Special Teams
* Thomas Morstead
     - Punting, gross average: 1st (51.2) ↑ (3rd [51.1])
     - Punting, net average: 1st (46.1) ↑ (3rd [45.9])

* Kickoff returns: 9th ↓ (7th)
* Punt returns: 23rd ↓ (21st)
* DVOA: 16th --same-- (16th)