The New Orleans Saints continued their recovery from a disastrous 0-4 start to the season with a 35-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, thanks to a last-play penalty that negated a tying touchdown.

The Saints defense would struggle once again, however, as the Bucaneers would take an early 14-0 lead before Drew Brees completed three touchdown passes in the second quarter to give New Orleans a 28-21 lead heading into halftime. The Saints allowed 513 total yards on Sunday against Tampa Bay, failed to force a turnover and permitted quarterback Josh Freeman to pass for 420 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

It was only thanks to a magnificent performance by Drew Brees, particularly in the first half, that allowed the defense to get off the hook from yet another porous performance.

Dave Cariello of Canal Street Chronicles voiced his displeasure with the Saints defense, which is now historically bad.

2,793

Total yards allowed by the Saints defense in the first six games of the 2012 season, most in NFL history since at least 1940. The previous high was 2,743 by the 1950 Colts.

Talk about it. Or don't, I don't give a s***.

The Saints are 2-4 on the season, partly due to an uneven year for the offense but certainly having much to do with the team's defensive shortcomings. The Saints are not just allowing the most yards per game in the NFL this season, but the most points per game as well.

While the frustration is justified, the defense did make one fantastic play that likely saved the game against Tampa Bay. Safety Malcolm Jenkins was able to track down receiver Vincent Jackson at the end of a 95-yard catch-and-run, with the defense holding strong on a goal-line stand that turned the tide the of the game.