What: Texans vs Saints

When: 10/15, 12pm CST kickoff

Where: Houston, TX NRG STadium

TV/Radio: KRIV-TV, KILT-Radio

Betting Lines: Saints -1.5 (-110), O/U 42.5 (-110) *As of this writing

To be about five to six hours away (depending on how you drive I-10), these two teams don't meet often. Every four years is wild. Every preseason is very meh. Especially factoring in it's usually the last preseason game and no one of consequence plays much, if at all. Add in all the cross-over fans from so many natives of Louisiana living in Texas, and it's even more fun to think about these teams playing! There's always going to be some trash talk between the fans because of the factors listed above. Now, with both teams on an upswing, there's more wood added to the fire.

When the Saints have the ball: Derek Carr was brought in to be the new franchise quarterback. While he's thought of as an upgrade, the offense has struggled this season. In five games, they've scored more than 30 points once. It was last week against the dreadful Patriots. Outside of that, they've only scored 20 or more once. It was 20 on the nose against the winless Panthers. Getting Alvin Kamara back and in game shape should help. This will be his third game back from suspension. With Maliek Collins and Shaq Griffin back, the Texans defense will get a boost. They'll need it, since this Saints team may have gotten their mojo back last week. This matchup puts the Saints' 25th place total yards offense against the Texans' 18th ranked total yards defense.

When the Texans have the ball: C.J. Stroud could be without his favorite target this week. Tank Dell is questionable to play with a concussion. This would be a huge blow to a team that's very reliant on the pass game. Having Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard back will be welcomed against the 4th ranked defense in terms of total yards given up. This offense is ranked 11th in total yards. Stroud has been sacked 11 times this season. The Saints have 11 sacks on the season. 7.5 of those 11 come from their defensive line. Carl Granderson will be matched up against Tunsil most of the game. He leads the Saints with 3.5 sacks and earned an extension recently. However, it's Cam Jordan, their perennial All Pro that worries me going against George Fant all game. Fant was able to hold T.J. Watt at bay, so there's hope. Saints' rookie defensive tackle Bryan Bresee has shown he can pressure the pocket from the inside, where the Texans OL has taken the most hits with injuries.

Outcome: In a game where I'm sure most will take the under, I'm expecting more scoring. But not by much. The Saints have more talent at running back and will want to run the ball. The Texans will have a hard time moving the ball because they don't run well and the Saints defend the run well. They've only given up a 100-yard rusher a handful of times over the last couple of seasons. If the Texans can keep the Saints off balanced by running the ball, they'll have a shot. Also, Carr is prone to bad mistakes. Add to it that their OL has given up 17 sacks this season, one could see him taking a beating and it leading to a Texans win. However, I think the better defense and better run game will win out ultimately. Saints 24, Texans 20