The New Orleans Saints' defense is off to a good start in the NFC Championship Game.
After the offense came down the field and scored a field goal on their first possession, the Saints' defense then stepped up and picked off Jared Goff on the Los Angeles Rams' first offensive series.
Goff, who was under pressure, fired a pass that ricocheted off the hands of running back Todd Gurley and into the arms of New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis:
.@Saints INTERCEPTION.
Through Gurley's hands and into the arms of @demario__davis! #HomeInTheDome
📺: #LARvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/NTENjiSesA
— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2019
When Gurley is dropping passes like that, you know the pressure is on.
On the year, the 25-year-old hauled in 59 receptions for 680 yards and four touchdowns out of the backfield, as he has developed into one of the best pass-catching halfbacks in the league.
Gurley entered the NFL in 2015 and caught just 21 passes for 188 yards during his rookie campaign, but the following year, he became more of a threat, snaring 43 balls for 327 yards.
Then, last season, Gurley became one of the league's deadliest receivers out of the backfield, racking up 64 catches for 788 yards and six scores.
For the Saints, it was their third interception of the playoffs. On the season, they picked off opposing quarterbacks 12 times, good for 18th in the league.
Overall, New Orleans' defense was only mediocre this season, ranking 14th in the NFL in yards allowed and 14th in scoring, allowing opponents to score 22.1 points per game.
However, the Saints' offense has been so explosive all year round that it has more than made up for its so-so defensive unit.
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