6 key matchups to watch for Saints vs. Colts

Battles between playmakers like New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and Indianapolis Colts FS Malik Hooker could define Monday Night Football.

The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts entered the year with similar expectations: win the division, and then compete for Super Bowl LIV.

But things derailed quickly for Indianapolis, when franchise quarterback Andrew Luck abruptly retired before the season started, citing a series of years-long injuries that crushed his love of the game. More injuries struck at key positions, with star wideout T.Y. Hilton sidelined for weeks at a time. Now, the Colts are just looking to exit the regular season with grace and build some momentum going into next year.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll be a pushover. The Colts have enough impactful players at key positions to give the Saints trouble, especially if New Orleans underestimates them like they’ve done too often this year (their home loss to the Atlanta Falcons coming out of the bye week still stings). Here are six matchups where individual battles can make all the difference on “Monday Night Football.”

Colts WR Zach Pascal vs. Saints CB Eli Apple

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Apple started the year playing well, executing his responsibilities with penalty-free football. Then he ran into a buzzsaw in that first Falcons game, and still hasn’t really recovered. Whether Apple’s confidence has been shaken in recent weeks or if he’s simply been overmatched by better opponents can’t be said with any surety, but he has to win his matchup with Pascal on Monday.

Pascal has been the breakout star of the Colts this year, emerging out of nowhere to become the team’s big-play threat. He’s averaging 15.6 yards per reception and has snagged five touchdown passes, tying the team lead. While he’s a clear number-two option to Hilton (who Marshon Lattimore should be able to handle, with Hilton questionable to play after missing time with a calf injury), Apple is likely to draw this assignment, and he can’t afford to let Pascal get behind him in coverage.