Colts Entering Difficult Stretch in Schedule

Oct 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) prepares to take a snap over center against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 39-17. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints (1-4)

Efficiency through Week 4:  8th in Offense, 32nd in Defense

The Saints get a mini-bye week before they have to face the Colts. They host the Falcons this week on Thursday Night Football, while the Colts will be at home against the Pats on Sunday night. The Saints have their issues, but Drew Brees isn’t a quarterback to sleep on and given the opportunity can still shred opponents.

The last time these two teams met was in 2011 (the gas leak year) with the Colts getting embarrassed 62-7 in New Orleans. Brees was nearly flawless with just four incompletions and five touchdowns. But that was four years ago.

Three of the Saints games have been decided by seven or fewer points. One ended with a failure on a potential game tying drive, another they had three chances to take the lead but failed to do so (without Brees), and the final was an overtime victory. Their other two games were blowout losses.

The Saints are also getting hit with injuries as it appears wide receiver Marques Colston may have suffered a separated shoulder, which likely means he’d be out for at least a few weeks.

This is the “easy” game in the five game stretch, mainly because the Saints don’t appear to have a calling card anymore. Brees, who is still talented, is showing his age and with the recent shoulder injury isn’t at his best anymore. Considering how bad the Saints defense has been (held an opponent under 20 points just once), this could easily turn into a shootout.