TV Schedule: Sunday, Nov. 22, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX

Stadium: NRG Stadium

The Houston Texans are right back in the thick of the AFC South and AFC Playoff race following back-to-back wins while the New Orleans Saints, who were once perennial playoff contenders, are a mess. The Saints are 2-1 all-time against the Texans with the Saints winning their most recent matchup back in 2011 (40-33). Houston’s 25th-ranked offense has been better, albeit slightly with T.J. Yates under center, but they face the Saints’ 32nd-ranked defense and a unit that just fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Conversely, the Saints’ No. 2-ranked offense faces the Texans’ No. 8-ranked defense.

With Brian Hoyer not expected to play due to a concussion, Yates will get the call once again. In limited action, Yates has been solid for the Texans. Going back to 2011 as an undrafted rookie, Yates defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card game and nearly upset the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. Just two weeks ago, he upset the previously undefeated Bengals in Cincinnati.

Offensively speaking, the Saints are still elite, but they are being wasted by the league’s worst defense. The additions of rookie Stephone Anthony and free agent Brandon Browner clearly haven’t worked, and Ryan took the fall for this unit. The pressure is clearly on Sean Payton after having just one winning season since returning from his Bountygate suspension. If the Saints lose this game, they will pretty much be eliminated from playoff contention.

On the field, there are several intriguing matchups to watch, especially in the trenches. When the Saints are on offense, they have to contend with J.J. Watt, the NFL‘s best defender who has 11.5 sacks. Terron Armstead will likely be facing him a lot, but he’s had his struggles in his brief NFL career. Expect the Saints to double-team and chip Watt on every snap. On the other side of the ball, Duane Brown, a former Pro Bowl player, will face a rising star in Cameron Jordan. The former first-round pick has six sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

In terms of the skill position players, DeAndre Hopkins, who is bound for his first Pro Bowl, faces Browner, an elite corner when he’s not dealing with penalties. On the other side, Brandin Cooks has had a solid season with six touchdowns, but he goes against Johnathan Joseph who has bounced back nicely after a rough start.

As important as this game is for the Texans, it is also important for the Saints. Houston has to keep up with the Indianapolis Colts, who have won every game with Matt Hasselbeck as their starter, and even the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have won two straight and have looked good all season. The Saints won’t catch the Carolina Panthers atop the NFC South, but the Wild Card is still a remote possibility. In the end, Houston will exploit the Saints’ porous defense and win decisively.

Prediction: Houston 24, New Orleans 14