Redskins safeties Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry vs. Saints quarterback Drew Brees
The Redskins upset the eventual NFC South champions in December 2006 by playing fundamental defense, eschewing then-defensive boss Gregg Williams' usual blitzes and elaborate packages. In September 2008, the Redskins beat the Saints as rookie safety Chris Horton forced three turnovers in his first start.
Williams is now running the Saints' defense, and Horton is on injured reserve. Washington's defense is much improved from 2006, but NewOrleans' offense just might be better, too.
What hasn't changed is the wizardry of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who would be the unquestioned MVP if Brett Favre and Peyton Manning also weren't having great years for terrific teams. Brees is the main reason New Orleans has 18 plays of 35 yards or more.
Albert Haynesworth, out the past two games with an ailing ankle, could return to the middle of Washington's defensive line, freeing pass-rushers Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo to try to tee off on Brees. Even so, there's plenty of pressure on Doughty, the secondary's top tackler but its slowest member, and Landry, the hardest hitter but a poor tackler, to try to out-think Brees.
Their task is tougher because top cornerback DeAngelo Hall isn't likely to play because of a sprained knee, making Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot, each of whom has been benched this season, the starters. Italso doesn't help the Redskins' upset hopes that Williams knows the strengths and weaknesses of all four expected starters in the secondary.
THREE KEYS
Play keep-away
No offense is more dangerous than New Orleans'. The Saints can score seemingly at will. The Redskins can only hope replacing Edwin Williams with the bigger Mike Williams at right guard will improve the running game so they can keep the ball away from the Saints.
Limit big plays
After allowing just one play as long as 35 yards during the first six games, the Redskins surrendered eight in the past five games, including three in last week's loss to Philadelphia - all in the air. Six Saints players have catches of at least 35 yards, led by deep threat Devery Henderson, who has a 20.9-yard career average.
Do it on special teams
If there's an area where the Redskins have the edge, it's here. Washington has yet to score a return touchdown, but Devin Thomas is more of a threat to take a kickoff to the house than predecessor Rock Cartwright was. The same is true of Santana Moss on punt returns instead of Antwaan Randle El.
THE EDGE
WHEN THE Redskins HAVE THE BALL
After not topping 17 points all season, Jim Zorn's offense scored 27 on Nov. 15 against Denver and 24 last week at Philadelphia. Part of that increase has come from improvement on third down (23-for-48 the past three games compared with 34-for-102 in the first eight). The Redskins achieved that without top running back Clinton Portis, ace tight end Chris Cooley and veteran blockers Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas. Their replacements will have to step up this week to keep quarterback Jason Campbell upright and give him time to find his targets against an aggressive New Orleans defense. The Saints have forced 32 turnovers, 22 of which were interceptions.
WHEN THE Saints HAVE THE BALL
The Redskins' tendency to allow big plays the past five games is scary with Drew Brees and Co. visiting. The almost sure absence of topcornerback DeAngelo Hall only makes matters worse. Top pass-rusher Andre Carter (nine sacks) could be a difference-maker against young Saints tackle Jermon Bushrod. The good news for Washington is that Albert Haynesworth should return to bolster a run defense that the Cowboys and Eagles burned for 276 yards the past two weeks. But the Saints run the ball better than both of those teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Washington's coverage units are the NFC's best. New Orleans' coverage teams are the worst. The Saints score so many touchdowns that ageless John Carney has tried only 17 field goals. He's just 7-for-11 beyond 29 yards. Washington's Shaun Suisham is 15-for-17, including 15-for-16 under 50 yards. One-time wunderkind Reggie Bush has been even more of a disaster on punt returns (3.8-yard average) than Washingtonveteran Antwaan Randle El (4.5). New Orleans' Courtney Roby returneda kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. With Rock Cartwright starting atrunning back, Devin Thomas is returning more kickoffs and is more ofa threat to break one.
