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Saints’ defense sets new record for futility with 43 passing TDs

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 27: Marqise Lee #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars dives for a touchdown during the second quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 27, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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The Saints are proving themselves to be the worst pass defense in NFL history.

On Sunday, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles threw four touchdown passes in New Orleans, which means the Saints have now allowed 43 passing touchdowns this season. That breaks the longstanding NFL record of 40, set by the Broncos in 1963.

The Saints are also poised to break the all-time record for passer rating allowed: Through 15 games, the Saints’ defense has given up a cumulative passer rating of 117.1. The record for passer rating futility was set by the 0-16 Lions in 2008, when they allowed a cumulative passer rating of 110.9.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was fired during the season for the Saints’ defensive futility, but not much has changed since Ryan was canned. The Saints appear to have a problem with personnel as much as with coaching, and that’s a problem that can’t be fixed until the offseason.