Following an impressive 27-21 win at the Indianapolis Colts for their second consecutive victory, the New Orleans Saints (3-4) return home to wrap up the first half of the 2015 season when they host the New York Giants (4-3) at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Saints will be looking to stretch their win streak to three games and return to the .500 mark for the first time since the midpoint of the 2014 campaign. After losing their first three contests, New Orleans went 3-1 in the month of October for the second consecutive season. Since Sean Payton was hired as head coach in 2006, the Saints have posted an impressive 26-13 mark in the month of October.
Sunday's contest against the Giants will be the first of a two-game homestand for the Saints and their third of four contests played against NFC East opponents in 2015, having defeated the Dallas Cowboys 26-20 in Week Four and fallen at the Philadelphia Eagles 39-17 in Week Five.
The Saints jumped out to a 27-0 lead Sunday against the Colts, their most favorable start in a contest since 2012. Running back Mark Ingram carried 14 times for 143 yards and one touchdown to pace a rushing attack that gained a season-high 183 yards and three scores on the ground. Quarterback Drew Brees completed 28-of-44 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown.
The New Orleans defense held the Indianapolis ground game to only 75 yards, The Saints' lowest opponent rushing total since Week seven of 2014. The Saints also allowed the Colts to convert only three-of-13 third down attempts (23%). Defensive end Cameron Jordan picked up two more sacks to add to a two-game total of five. With six sacks for the season, he's tied for fourth in the NFL, while his two defensive fumble recoveries are tied for third in the league. Linebacker Stephone Anthony and cornerback Kyle Wilson added interceptions.
For the second consecutive week special teams also played an important role in the victory. Late in the first quarter on a fourth-and-nine situation at the Indianapolis 26-yard line, quarterback/holder Luke McCown successfully executed a fake and completed a pass for a 25-yard gain to tight end Benjamin Watson to set up a one-yard touchdown run by running back Khiry Robinson. Right after Robinson's second touchdown, linebacker David Hawthorne stripped the ball from Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen on the ensuing kickoff return and Wilson picked up the ball to set up a touchdown three players later, creating a 13-point swing. Late in the fourth quarter, rookie running back/return specialist Marcus Murphy recovered an Indianapolis onside kick attempt late in the fourth quarter to ensure New Orleans' last offensive possession.
The Saints and Giants have met 27 times with New York holding a 15-12 lead. However, New Orleans has a four-game winning streak against the NFC East leaders in games played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
