TV Schedule: Sunday, November 15, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

Location: FedEX Field, Landover, Md.

Line: Even

The 4-5 New Orleans Saints will be trying to recover from a disappointing home overtime loss at the hands of the Tennessee Titans when they travel to the nation’s capital to take on the 3-5 Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon. Prior to the loss to the Titans, the Saints were on a three-game winning streak and looked to be on the verge of making a serious playoff run after starting the season 1-4.

The Redskins enter Sunday’s contest trying to bounce back from a 27-10 drubbing at the hands of the New England Patriots. The defense was rather impressive, as they held the Patriots to a season-low 27 points and only allowed 428 yards to one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Redskins’ offense couldn’t get anything going against the stingy Patriots defense as they only posted 250 yards of total offense and turned the ball over twice.

Offensively, the Saints have found their groove in recent weeks, especially in the passing game. After missing Week 3’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a shoulder injury, Drew Brees has been on an absolute tear. In those six games, Brees is averaging just under 359 yards passing per game and has thrown 16 total touchdowns. Expect the Saints to throw the ball north of 40 times on Sunday.

On the other side of the ball, the Saints are a complete mess. Rob Ryan must have something of value to hold over Sean Payton‘s head, because the Saints’ defense has been terrible for years, and it’s getting worse instead of better. After allowing 483 yards to the Titans last week, the Saints have the 31st-ranked defense in the NFL, as they allow 414.8 yards per game.

Fortunately for Ryan, the Redskins only average 329 yards on offense as Jay Gruden‘s team has struggled to run the ball outside of a huge performance by Matt Jones in Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams. Part of the problem has been the offensive line, and the other part has been the Redskins constantly playing from behind, which forces Gruden to turn to Kirk Cousins and the passing game early. Against the Saints, the Redskins must come out and establish a running game early, or this one could be over before it starts.

If Jones can get going early on, it will open up the play-action passing game for Cousins, who finally has his full complement of receiving weapons available this week. With DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon on the outside and Jordan Reed controlling the middle of the field, the Redskins don’t have any excuses for underachieving offensively anymore.

The Redskins’ defense has been rather impressive this season considering the talent level on that side of the ball. Aside from the defensive line, and Ryan Kerrigan, the rest of the linebackers and secondary are full of guys with names that most people don’t recognize. But they’ve gotten the job done, especially in pass defense, where the Redskins have the No. 9-ranked unit in the NFL.

This really is an evenly matched contest. The winner will be the team that can take control of the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately for the Saints, their defensive line has been so bad that I don’t know how they’re going to stop Jones, Alfred Morris and the Redskins’ ground game. I think Brees will get his, but the Redskins will find a way to come out on top.

Prediction: Washington 27, New Orleans 24

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.