After a few strong performances from the defense, it all came unraveled last week vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Over the past six weeks, the Colts defense was allowing 17 points per game, but without their best cornerback in Kenny Moore, the defense struggled to get stops and allowed a season-high 542 total yards and gave up 38 points.

This week’s challenge doesn’t get any easier for the Colts as they head to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night football. The Saints have one of the best offenses the Colts will see this season, averaging 26.5 points per game, good for fifth in the NFL.

Let’s look at some keys for the Colts defense against this elite offense in the New Orleans Saints:

1. Find a way to get to Brees

The Saints are one of the best teams in the NFL at protecting their quarterback Drew Brees. New Orleans is 3rd in the NFL in both sacks given up (21) and QB hits allowed (49) but in one of their losses this season they allowed six sacks to the Atlanta Falcons, and three were too defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

According to the Saints’ injury report from Thursday, tackle Terron Armstead and guard Andrus Peat did not practice due to various injuries. New Orleans’ offensive line will be banged up going into Monday Night so look for guys like Justin Houston and Denico Autry to try to get to Brees early and often.