The Saints also turned a corner defensively; after opponents averaged 27 points per game in the first nine, New Orleans held the last eight foes to 17.5 points per game.

“This is a great group,” said cornerback Alontae Taylor, whose two sacks raised his career total to seven, a franchise record for cornerbacks. “This whole locker room — offensively, defensively, special teams — Coach (Kellen) Moore and those guys have done a really good job bringing in the right guys. This is probably some of the most fun I’ve had in my four years, probably the tightest that I’ve been with this defensive back group. Really good. Bright future here, for sure.”

And much of it traces to Shough, the No. 40 overall pick last season, who will have a full offseason to seek improvement.

“I think it’s just continual reps of the offense, mastering it,” he said. “Making sure my footwork is dialed. I’m just really excited to be able to do that, to kind of develop that chemistry with a lot of the guys. It’s a constant process. Looking back at these games, figuring out how I can be more consistent that way and be able to show up.

“For me, it’s been so much fun because of how close we are. And I think that’s the biggest lesson… I feel like the success we had is attributed to the culture that Kellen has developed, the culture that our leaders on the team have developed. That, and just having fun together and working hard, going back to our process. It’s been a great thing to reiterate going into next year, and having that high standard set.”

Davis, who completed his 14th NFL season with a career high 143 tackles, likes what he sees from a roster standpoint with players like Shough, rookie offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and linebackers Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman.

“The quality of guys who are developing on the roster – I think there’s a lot to be excited about as far as heading into the offseason with a lot of momentum,” Davis said. “Because what you have is no longer potential, but you have guys who are answering the call and becoming who they were projected to be. You don’t always get that and you have all that happen at one time, it’s a good thing.”