The Saints defensive ranking is getting a lift from one of the most important trends of their season: turnovers. In Week 6, New Orleans beat the New York Giants and forced four total takeaways, a performance that accounted for nearly half of the Saints' 2025 turnover total.
That matters because the Saints have only had so many chances to build this kind of defensive edge. The four-takeaway game against the Giants was a major outlier in terms of volume, but it also gave New Orleans a clear path to winning games when the defense creates short fields and extra possessions.
Can the Saints keep the turnover streak going?
The next test comes in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Saints will try to keep their takeaway trend alive. That is not a small ask. Last year, the Saints followed up a five-takeaway performance with a game in which they came up empty in the takeaway category the next week. So while the Giants game was a strong sign, it did not guarantee anything going forward.
Still, there is reason to pay attention to how New Orleans is creating those plays. Aaron Rodgers has thrown five interceptions this season, including three while pressured or blitzed, which gives the Saints a clear area to target if they want to keep generating turnovers. For New Orleans, the challenge is not only getting after the ball, but also staying sound enough on offense to avoid giving it back.
What it means for Week 7
If the Saints can pair defensive pressure with clean offense, they have a better chance of turning their Week 6 success into a real trend. The players most relevant to that effort include Chase Young and Carl Granderson, whose presence helps the Saints stay disruptive up front. Kaden Elliss also fits into that picture as New Orleans tries to keep the pressure on and extend the takeaway streak.
In short, the Saints defensive ranking is tied to a simple question: was the Giants game a one-week surge, or the start of something more sustainable? Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers should offer a better answer.
