New Orleans Saints' Problems Start with Lack of Toughness on Defense

The New Orleans Saints defense continued to get worse Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints aren't simply a bad defense—they're soft, too.

New Orleans' lack of toughness on the defensive side of the football was never more evident than during the Saints' 38-17 loss to the Cowboys. 

Poor angles, missed tackles and being physically dominated at the point of attack were issues throughout the night. It isn't the first time this season that Rob Ryan's unit failed to answer the bell once the lights were on.

Everything started up front.

The Cowboys own one of the best young offensive lines in football. Their linemen are big, physical, athletic and continually got the best of the Saints' defensive line.

New Orleans chose to counter Dallas' advantage up front by coming out in a four-man front instead of the team's traditional 3-4 scheme. The extra big body didn't help.

Dallas accumulated 448 total yards. The most impressive aspect of this performance was the offense's ability to impose its will on the Saints with 190 rushing yards.

New Orleans actually entered the contest as the NFL's 11th-best squad against the run. However, a familiar theme presented itself Sunday.

The Saints have now faced two upper-echelon offensive lines through four games. Against both the Cowboys and the Cleveland Browns, the Saints weren't able to match up in the trenches. Names such as Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Joe Thomas and Alex Mack got the best of Akiem Hicks, Brodrick Bunkley and even Cameron Jordan.

A team builds its identity up front, particularly when it comes to its attitude and overall toughness. The Saints' starting front finished the Sunday's game with eight total tackles. The Saints' defensive linemen weren't disruptive, and Dallas was able to regularly get to the second level to block linebackers.

There is a lot of talent along the Saints' defensive line. It simply needs to play at a higher level. 

"

Ryan’s planning/decisions have put Saints in position to stop both Bryant and Murray and players on field haven’t delivered.

— Michael Schottey (@Schottey) September 29, 2014"

Since the Saints weren't winning their one-on-one matchups, Ryan had to get creative with his play-calling. 

As the game wore on, the defensive coordinator became more aggressive. It even looked like Ryan lit a slight spark under his unit late in the game, but it proved to be too little, too late.

Earlier in the contest, the Cowboys didn't have any trouble picking up the exotic schemes Ryan likes to throw at opposing quarterbacks.

The Saints' secondary didn't help the front seven either.

Jairus Byrd signed in the offseason to be a difference-maker along the back line of defense. The All-Pro safety missed multiple tackles against the Cowboys due to poor angles on the ball-carrier.

Plus, Ryan still hasn't figured out what he does or does not have at cornerback opposite Keenan Lewis. Corey White was inserted into the lineup after poor performances by former first-round pick Patrick Robinson. White didn't fare much better against Dallas' talented receivers.

Undrafted rookie Brian Dixon also looked a little overwhelmed as the Saints attempted to expand his role in nickel and dime packages.

Fortunately for the Saints, the NFC South is wide open with no team in the division possessing better than a 2-2 overall record. Despite the slow start on the defensive side of the ball, New Orleans still has a chance to rectify the situation over the next 13 weeks with the hope of claiming a divisional crown.

New Orleans' offense continued to prove Sunday that it's good enough to win against most teams, but the Saints defense wilted.

If the Saints don't fix the defensive problems identified throughout the first four games of the season, their playoff aspirations will quickly fade.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFC South for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.