Key ingredients to win: Saints vs. Broncos

Rattler isn't the only rookie quarterback starter in this game. Denver's Bo Nix started all six games for the Broncos and completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,082 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He has thrown just one interception in the last four games, so the defense needs to create opportunities with a quarterback who has protected the ball. The Saints had three picks against Tampa Bay and have 10 this season, but that number will only increase in conjunction with the pressure. Four sacks in the last three games just isn't good enough. Nix was sacked just nine times and rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries. The number of times mobile quarterbacks have caused serious damage to the Saints' defense over the past three to four seasons is easily over 10 and can be under 20. Getting closer doesn't work often enough; Having Nix on site is paramount. Can Dennis Allen's defense confuse the rookie?

New Orleans needs to be the cleanest version of itself to help Rattler. This means minimizing pre-snap offense penalties and nuisance penalties on defense. New Orleans is so far into the season that some of these issues are much less noticeable and common.

While the Saints players and coaches have worked to stay focused on the task at hand and not the circus surrounding Payton's return, fans have no such responsibilities or limitations. They really want to see these Saints put an “L” on Payton’s resume, and they’ll be nervous. If the team can start early and get the crowd involved, it will go a long way in getting the adrenaline pumping. Obviously, this is a big game for a team that has recently lost four in a row, but it is also significant for a fan base that gave Payton new life after Hurricane Katrina.