The Washington Redskins have a tall task ahead as they head to the Superdome looking to cool off the red-hot New Orleans Saints.
Washington Redskins (4-5) at New Orleans Saints (7-2)
History
- Redskins head south to the Superdome for the first time since 2012 (40-32 win).
- Teams meet for first time since 2015, with ‘Skins rolling to a 47-14 win at FedEx Field.
- Redskins are 4-1 in last five meetings in series dating back to ’06 (head coach Sean Payton and QB Drew Brees‘ first season with Saints).
- Redskins have won four straight road games in series dating back to 1994.
Redskins By The Numbers
- Lost to Vikings, 38-30, in Week 10.
- Outscored opponents 50-23 in the first quarter in nine games in ’17.
- Allowed 68 points in four wins, 164 points in five losses in ‘17.
- Allowed 20-plus points in 21-of-25 games dating back to ’16.
- 14 takeaways in nine games in ’17 (21 takeaways in ‘16).
- QB Kirk Cousins: 62 TD passes, 20 INT in last 35 regular season games (six TD passes, eight INT in first six games in ’15)
Saints By The Numbers
- Defeated Bills, 47-10, in Week 10.
- Saints: 7-2 in ’17 (7-9 in 2014, 2015 and ’16).
- Won seven straight games (opened 0-2 in ‘17).
- Allowed nine offensive TD in last 7 games (allowed seven offensive TD in first two games in ’17).
- Allowed 16 offensive TD in nine games in ’17 (allowed 46 offensive TD in ’16).
- 25 sacks in nine games in ’17 (30 sacks in ’16).
- 10 INT in nine games in ’17 (nine INT in ’16).
- 1,280 rushing yards in nine games (142.2 YPG) in ’17; 1,742 rushing yards (108.9 YPG) in ’16.
- Scored 30-plus points in 13-of-25 games dating back to ’16.
Things To Look For
This is a different kind of Saints’ team that has been on a major roll for nearly two months. They run the football and play aggressive defense, quite the departure from recent seasons. Still, this is a Redskins’ team capable of big things away from home. Jay Gruden’s club has already notched victories over the Rams in Los Angeles and the Seahawks in Seattle. And they may be able to test the Saints’ defense on the ground. An upset here is hardly out of the question.
