Kickoff: seven:thirty p.m. at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Coaches: Saints -- Sean Payton (56-34 in 6 seasons, all with the Saints) Giants -- Tom Coughlin (139-111 in 16 seasons, 8 with the Giants).

Tv: ESPN and WDSU.

Radio: 870-AM, 105.3-FM, 830-AM (Spanish broadcast)

Wherever THEY RANK

Offense-Passing offense-speeding offense ... Protection-pass-rush

Saints: one-one-13 ... twenty-19-19

Giants: thirteen-five-31 ... 21-18-21

ROMAN HARPER

The Saints' sturdy security has quietly been chasing heritage this period -- or rather, he has been attacking it.

Harper has a sack in each of his final 3 game titles, bringing his total to 6.5 for the time. He wants two more to break the NFL record of 8 sacks by a defensive back, which was set by Arizona Cardinals security Adrian Wilson in 2005.

"As way as information and almost everything, all I'm really concerned about is Ws," said Harper, though he additional that he relishes his part as the assault canine in the Saints' protection.

"I just want to make performs, whether it's sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions. Whichever assists this crew win ... even though lately it really is been far more sacks and fumbles than interceptions," stated Harper, who has been plagued by an inability to catch the soccer throughout his profession.

Harper also has had some high-profile struggles in pass protection over the a long time -- most notably in previous season's playoff loss at Seattle -- but he has earned two journeys to the Pro Bowl by becoming a hard hitter and intense playmaker.

The six-foot-1, two hundred-pounder blitzes more frequently than most defensive backs, which has led to 16 sacks since he arrived in the Crescent Town in 2006. No other NFL defensive back has much more than 11.5 above that span. Eleven of people sacks have come because defensive coordinator Gregg Williams arrived in New Orleans in 2009 and started to characteristic Harper more typically as an attacking weapon.

Nationwide Soccer Post analyst Matt Bowen, who utilized to perform basic safety beneath Williams with the Washington Redskins, said the strong safety is the most important player in Williams' protection and added Harper will be the Saints' most important defensive participant down the stretch.

Harper also has 12 forced fumbles in his profession, including one this season. And this time he leads the Saints with 79 tackles -- such as sixteen in their final victory at Atlanta, which helped make him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this period.

Harper's pass protection has been decent this season, way too, specially because Week one, when absolutely everyone in New Orleans' secondary struggled at Green Bay. He'll most likely need to have to assist out in that office tonight since the Giants are relying seriously on quarterback Eli Manning and their deep group of receivers and tight ends.

BRANDON JACOBS

The Giants' tailback and Napoleonville native has hit a rough patch this period soon after a stellar six-12 months operate in New York.

But the Giants are counting on the six-four, 264-pounder to energy his way via it tonight given that they're nevertheless with no injured tailback Ahmad Bradshaw -- and they're conquer up alongside the offensive line.

In very last week's loss to Philadelphia, Jacobs rushed for 21 yards on twelve carries, and Coach Tom Coughlin described the team's dashing performance as "pathetic." Despite the fact that the line deserved a huge component of the blame, New York enthusiasts directed a lot of their ire towards Jacobs, who has been repeatedly booed by the home crowd.

Jacobs' diminishing popularity commenced in current years when he began to complain about his diminishing function in the Giants' backfield. It received worse when he obtained off to a slow start off this time (he's averaging just three. yards per have, even though he did play properly in the two game titles just before previous week). And it didn't assist when Jacobs questioned the fans' loyalty on more than one particular situation, complaining about the boos and suggesting the fans kick the group while its down.

Jacobs attempted to mend fences with the fans earlier this week, stressing that "we've obtained a good deal of great individuals pulling for us," and "we've acquired to go out there and do our very best for them."

He'll make even more amends if he can exploit a Saints' operate protection that has struggled. Although the Giants rank an uncharacteristic 31st in rushing yards per game, the Saints rank previous in the NFL in yards-per-carry by opposing rushers (5.19).

Sport Strategy

The Saints' offensive line demands to win the battle up front towards the New York Giants' remarkable front four, led by ends Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck and hybrid pass rusher Mathias Kiwanuka.

The Giants entered this week tied for first in the league with 31 sacks, and they get most of their strain without having needing to blitz, which makes it possible for absolutely everyone else to perform in protection.

That was the system the St. Louis Rams utilized when they shocked the Saints three weeks back -- obtaining strain on quarterback Drew Brees even though even now that contains weapons like tight finish Jimmy Graham, receiver Marques Colston and tailback Darren Sproles. The Saints require to avert a repeat overall performance -- with far better protection up front and a far better offensive video game prepare.

"You have to find a way to preserve people men off stability," Brees explained. "You want to be great rushing the soccer and combine in the perform-motion, drop back again, change up the start details, and do all individuals things you need to have to do to slow people guys down."

The Giants' defense is vulnerable past that front 4. With top rated linebacker Michael Boley out with a hamstring damage, the Giants might use three rookie linebackers in a rotation. Their secondary acquired a enhance with the return of rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara last week, but they'll still have difficulties with the Saints' deep group of offensive weapons.

Important MATCHUP

Saints restricted finish Jimmy Graham vs. Giants safeties

Graham triggers matchup problems for all defenses.

His 62 catches and 873 receiving yards lead all NFL restricted ends and rank in the best 5 amongst all NFL receivers. But the Giants, in certain, have been burned by restricted ends.

With Boley out, Giants safeties Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips will be especially important in coverage versus Graham. And they also have to account for the Saints' large receiver, Colston, who is enjoying as properly as he at any time has in modern weeks.

BY THE Quantities

The Giants lead the all-time collection against the Saints 14-11. But the Saints are 2- in the Payton-Brees era, like a 48-27 rout at the Superdome in 2009. ... The Saints have won 5 consecutive "Monday Evening Football" games dating to 2008. ... The Giants are scoring 22.8 factors per sport and allowing 22.eight details per video game. The Saints are also allowing 22.8 factors per sport. The Saints, however, are scoring 31.8 factors per sport.