Washington @ New Orleans preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 19, 2017 ) Washington 31, New Orleans 34

Drew Brees has a chance to attain two major career milestones when the New Orleans Saints go for their fourth consecutive victory against the visiting Washington Redskins on Monday night. The nationally televised matchup provides a perfect backdrop for Brees, who can become the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards with 201 versus the Redskins.

“Drew Brees is a great quarterback, a Hall of Famer in my eyes,” Redskins linebacker Mason Foster said. “He’s going to break that record sooner or later anyways. Everybody knows that. Our big thing is to limit big plays and win the game.” Brees can surpass both Peyton Manning and Brett Favre to claim the record and also has a chance to join that duo and New England's Tom Brady with 500 touchdown passes if he throws for four on Monday night. Another subplot involves the return of Redskins running back Adrian Peterson to New Orleans, where he played four games last season before he was traded to Arizona. Washington will be fresh coming off a bye but the team has had nightmarish experiences on Monday night, dropping five in a row and 13 of 15.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Saints -6.5. O/U: 52.5

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2-1): Washington bounced back from a woeful performance in a 21-9 loss to Indianapolis in Week 2 with a 31-17 victory over Green Bay prior to the bye. Peterson sparked the win by rushing for 120 yards and a pair of scores while Alex Smith added two touchdown passes. The Redskins have shown no semblance of a vertical passing game -- running back Chris Thompson is the leading receiver with 20 receptions and tight end Jordan Reed is next with 14. Washington ranks second in points allowed (14.7) and third in both total yards (278.0) and passing yards (187.3).

ABOUT THE SAINTS (3-1): Mark Ingram returns from a four-game suspension but New Orleans' biggest problem may be how to integrate him into the backfield without cutting into Alvin Kamara's efficiency. Kamara rushed for a season-high 134 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 33-18 win at the New York Giants and also has been superb in the passing game with 35 catches and a pair of 100-yard games. Brees threw for a season-low 217 yards last week but has eight touchdowns and zero interceptions on the season. The Saints are vulnerable though the air, surrendering an average of 311 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Saints WR Michael Thomas, who has an NFL-best 42 catches, has at least 10 receptions and a TD in his last two at home.

2. Smith has 23 TD passes against only four interceptions in his last 10 road games.

3. Brees has thrown for 3,461 yards with 34 touchdowns and five interceptions in his last 10 Monday night home games.

PREDICTION: Saints 30, Redskins 20