What Is 2011 New Orleans Saints football team

Overview

The 2011 New Orleans Saints were one of the most dominant offensive teams in NFL history, finishing the regular season with a franchise-best 13–3 record. Under head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees, the team led the league in total offense and set a record for combined net yardage.

Despite their regular-season success, the Saints' postseason run ended in the Divisional Round with a 36–32 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in one of the most thrilling playoff games of the decade. The season was also notable for Payton’s return after a year-long suspension due to the NFL’s Bountygate scandal.

• Drew Brees threw for 5,476 yards and 46 touchdowns, marking his highest single-season yardage total and second-highest in NFL history at the time.
• The offense averaged 34.8 points per game, ranking second in the league and just behind the Green Bay Packers.
• The defense, under coordinator Gregg Williams, allowed 23.1 points per game, a significant increase from the previous season.
• The team set an NFL record with 7,474 total net yards (6,279 offensive, 1,195 defensive return yards), surpassing the 1998 Vikings.
• They went 8–0 at home during the regular season, showcasing dominance at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

How It Works

The 2011 Saints' success stemmed from a high-octane offense, aggressive defensive schemes, and strategic coaching decisions. Their system maximized Brees’ quick-release passing and utilized a deep receiving corps, while the defense relied on blitz-heavy packages.

• Passing Attack: The Saints led the NFL with 4,819 passing yards. Brees connected frequently with Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, and Jimmy Graham, who had 990 receiving yards.
• Sean Payton’s Scheme: After returning from suspension, Payton implemented creative play designs, including 12 offensive packages with multiple tight ends, keeping defenses off balance.
• Bountygate Fallout: The scandal led to four coaches suspended, including Payton, but the team rebounded strongly in 2011 under interim leadership.
• Defensive Aggression: Gregg Williams deployed blitz packages on 42% of snaps, generating pressure but leaving the secondary vulnerable in deep coverage.
• Special Teams Impact: Thomas Morstead averaged 45.2 yards per punt, while kicker Garrett Hartley made 25 of 29 field goals (86.2%).
• Playoff Collapse: In the 36–32 loss to San Francisco, the Saints led 32–29 late but failed to stop Alex Smith’s game-winning 14-yard TD pass with 9 seconds left.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 Saints compared to other top NFL teams of that season:

The Saints ranked first in total yards and second in scoring but were outlasted by more balanced teams in the playoffs. Their offensive explosion contrasted with the Giants’ eventual Super Bowl run, which relied on defense and timely play. The table highlights how dominance in yardage didn’t always translate to postseason success.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Saints represent a peak in offensive football, influencing future NFL strategies emphasizing pace, versatility, and quarterback precision. Their season is studied for both its brilliance and its cautionary playoff collapse.

• Their 7,474 total yards remain a benchmark for team-wide production, inspiring analytics-driven offensive philosophies.
• Drew Brees’ performance solidified his status as one of the top quarterbacks of the 2010s, earning a Pro Bowl selection.
• The Bountygate scandal brought league-wide scrutiny to coaching culture, leading to stricter oversight of team conduct.
• Their playoff loss underscored the importance of defensive resilience in January, even for high-scoring teams.
• The season helped popularize multiple tight end sets as a core offensive strategy across the NFL.
• It marked the last dominant season before the Saints entered a transitional phase in the mid-2010s.

The 2011 New Orleans Saints remain a defining example of offensive innovation—and the limits of such dominance without postseason execution.