The New Orleans Saints will host the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and there’s a lot on the line. A win for the Saints would keep them in the hunt with the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers to sit on top of the NFC playoff picture. On the other side, a win for the Colts would stave off playoff elimination for at least another week.

This game also creates another opportunity for Drew Brees to break the NFL record for career passing touchdowns, currently held by Colts (and Broncos) legend Peyton Manning (he retired with 539 touchdown passes to his name). Brees is awful close, and he mightl ook to some familiar targets to get over the top. They’re among four players we’re watching closely in Monday night’s game:

Alvin Kamara, running back

The insanely talented Saints running back has seen some regression this season, and has not looked the part of the All-Pro back he was voted to be last year. Instead, he has seen his yards gained per carry drop each season, falling from 6.1 in 2017 to just 4.4 in 2019. Furthermore, his rate of yards gained per reception — which is normally one of his best stats — has also drastically dropped from a high of 10.2 in 2017 to 6.8 in 2019. The Saints can go as far as Kamara will carry them, and as such, a big game against the Colts will go a long way in helping him find momentum before the playoffs.

Michael Thomas, wide receiver

The top wideout in the league will once again be featured as Brees’ go-to weapon, in a game that could see the Saints dial up more passes in an attempt at getting Brees the three touchdowns he needs to break Manning’s record. Thomas is on pace to break another ex-Colts star’s record, with Marvin Harrison’s 143 receptions single-season mark at threat. Thomas already has 121 receptions of his own with several games left to play. Elite cornerbacks have tried all year to slow Thomas down, but the Colts don’t have many great options on the back end to defend him. If Thomas eclipses 100 yards receiving again, he will have done so for the ninth time this season. The question for him: will he be the one to catch Brees’ record-setting touchdown?

Cameron Jordan, defensive end

Cameron Jordan was limited in practice all week due to an abdomen injury, but he will be ready to go on Monday night. The defensive end has 13.5 sacks on the year, and he has stated numerous times that his career “white whale” is to achieve 20 sacks on the season. He has three games left to try and accomplish that feat, but that would require him to average just over two sacks per game for the rest of the season. Indianapolis’ offensive line is great, but they will have a tough time containing Jordan who is out for a rebound after his defense let the San Francisco 49ers drop 48-points on them. With starting defensive end Marcus Davenport and surging defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins out for the year, Jordan is going to be carrying even more of a responsibility to pressure quarterbacks than usual.

Drew Brees, quarterback

How could we not include Brees in this list when he is on the cusp of another all-time NFL record? With 537 touchdown passes already behind him, Brees only needs three more to break Manning’s record of 539, and he can surpass Tom Brady along the way (Brady climbed to 538 on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but couldn’t go all the way). Doing it against Manning’s former team, and during prime-time with the Super Bowl XLIV-winning teammates in attendance, would make the moment even more special. This game and atmosphere has all the makings of a vintage Brees performance, to the tune of 400 yards and four touchdowns.

[vertical-gallery id=24630]