December is ultimate test for surging Saints defense

The Saints have faced some powerful offenses on their way to 10-2. But, for the defense, December will be a test like they haven’t faced in the 2018 Season.

The NFL intentionally backloads schedules these days so that there are more divisional matchups. The Saints play six divisional games each season and they can look forward to half of those coming in December, over the next four games. That means several major tests for the suddenly powerful looking Saints defense.

In 2018, the Saints are 2-1 in divisional play having lost the season opener to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home and having swept the Falcons home and away. Ahead, the Bucs on Dec. 9 and the Panthers twice, home and away, with a…