It's fortunate the defense improved because other than Brees running the show the offense has regressed.
There's a few issues in play but the biggest is the OL just doesn't consistently move anybody off the Line of Scrimmage...we can't get a 3rd and 1 running the ball...all the problems are tied to that fact....
We're weak exactly in the place you need to be playing well this time of year and the ability scheme around it and rely on Brees is wearing out.