The Patriots were +6 in the turnover department in 2009, while ranking 11th in total defense.  The were very balanced against both the run and pass, ranking 12th and 13th respectively.  Look for head coach Bill Belichik to experiment and mix up coverages to see what may and may not work. There is no better team than a stout offense by the Saints than the use a myriad of defensive schemes and coverages.

New England Offense Vs. New Orleans Defense-

The Patriots offense begins and ends with quarterback Tom Brady.  Brady is the field general when New England has the ball and knows exactly where each of his players is at each different set.  Averaging close to 400 yards per game, the Patriots ranked third in the NFL in total offense and third in the NFL in passing.

The Patriots Achilles heal has been the run game over the course of the past few seasons, though they still ranked in the top-half of the league in 2009.  Still, the combination of Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris will be the first set of backs that the New Orleans defense will likely see in the first few series in this one. New England averaged 120 yards on the ground last season, while the Saints were prone to giving up some yardage, ranking 21st in the league.

The passing game between the New England offense and the New Orleans secondary should present a good match up between the starters in the opening series.  Safeties Roman Harper and Darren Sharper were turnover machines down the stretch for the Saints.  In the game last year, Brady threw two interceptions.

Special Teams-

On paper, the edge goes to the Saints in terms of return men.  Reggie Bush will be the guy to return punts for the Saints, though it remains to be seen if head coach Sean Payton will put him in their in the first pre-season game.

The Patriots have a good talent at the place kicker position in Stephen Gostkowski, as he is a reliable field goal kicker, and boots them deep on the kick off into the end zone.