NFL Playoff Predictions: Why New Orleans Saints Are NFL's Most Dangerous Team

The New Orleans Saints are the NFL's most dangerous team for many reasons. 

Drew Brees is a start, don't you think? 

While we rant and rave about the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots, we must not forget about the team that won the Super Bowl two years ago. 

Here's why.

Drew Brees and His Pass-Catchers

It's quite the obvious statement, but Brees and his pass-catchers have what it takes to make any defense look atrocious. More importantly, they have what it takes to stay with the mighty Green Bay Packers. 

No one has ever thrown for more passing yards in a single-season than Brees. What's more, nearly all of his wideouts create matchup problems due to their size, speed and Sean Payton's vertical passing system.

They're on a tear as a unit and can beat you with the big play down the field or with tremendous yards-after-the-catch ability 

Don't forget Jimmy Graham, who is the toughest tight end to cover in the game right now. 

They aren't as spectacular playing outside, but they've won their last seven and they've averaged 34.5 points over that span. 

Playoff Experience

While the Saints are missing some players from the Super Bowl-winning club of 2009—most notably Darren Sharper—they have plenty of guys who have been a part of the postseason. 

That will go a long way in January. 

While their defense isn't great from a statistical standpoint, it's a veteran-laden group that ferociously attacks the passer with exotic blitzes drawn up by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. 

The secondary isn't as bad as the numbers indicate, either, as many teams have been forced to throw against New Orleans after falling behind. 

Tracy Porter, Jabari Greer and Malcolm Jenkins are above-average cover men and know what it takes to win in the postseason. 

Running Game

With all the attention focused on the masterful Drew Brees and the ultra-athletic Jimmy Graham—who makes dunking a football over the goalpost look as easy as a layup—it's not hard to overlook the Saints' running game. 

You shouldn't. 

They are ninth in the NFL on the ground and average nearly 128 yards per game. 

The running back committee of Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory and Mark Ingram always keeps the defense guessing and Sean Payton has demonstrated he knows exactly when to call a draw up the middle or a run to the outside. 

The screen game has to be factored in as well. 

New Orleans has been one of the best screen teams in the NFL for the last three years and their backs know how to set up blocks and make defenders miss in the open field. 

If you can stop Brees down the field, that's fine. 

He can lean on a fantastic running back quartet.