1. The New Orleans Saints offense begins and ends with protecting Drew Brees effectively. The Texans defense begins and ends with defensive end J.J. Watt making those kinds of plans look foolish, wreaking havoc like few others in NFL history have. If Watt (league-leading 11.5 sacks and 33 quarterback hits) has 1.5 sacks, he’d become the second-fastest player in NFL history to 70, behind the late Reggie White. Simply, the Saints have been at their best when they have protected Brees best. That hasn’t been on the road, where Brees is completing 63 percent of his passes, but has been sacked 11 times in four games, has six touchdown passes (five interceptions) and averages 288 passing yards per game.
John DeShazier: Key ingredients for a a Saints victory vs. the Texans
