Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) at New Orleans Saints (4-5)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn

*Keys to the game: QB Drew Brees earned some of the blame for last week’s overtime loss. He didn’t see the field or pressure well, especially in the game’s critical moments. Brees has avoided consecutive clunkers since joining the Saints, and is 11-1 in his past 12 games at home.

RB Pierre Thomas could be back to spell Mark Ingram, but the bulk of the carries will go to Ingram, averaging 130.7 rushing yards in the past three games. Allowing 143 yards per game, the Bengals rank 31st in the league in run defense.

Grinding good yardage on the ground puts the middle of every defense in a bind. Teams already focus plenty of attention on TE Jimmy Graham’s route tree, but now that he’s off the injury report, Graham requires a heavy shade from a safety over the top or he’s capable of annihilating man coverage.

Bengals QB Andy Dalton could be the second option in this one, what with his performance against the Browns and the Saints’ sorry run defense, exposed repeatedly by the 49ers last week. However, Dalton’s outside matchups are tilted heavily in the Bengals’ favor, especially if Saints CB Keenan Lewis’ swollen knee prevents him from playing.

*Matchup to watch – Bengals LB Emmanuel Lamur vs. Graham: A no-name to some, Lamur has faced a Who’s Who of NFL tight ends in his first year as starter. Lamur will get help — and will probably need it against Graham, who leads all NFL tight ends with 56 receptions.

*Player spotlight – Bengals WR A.J. Green: Six catches for 67 yards in two games since returning from a three-game absence to deal with a toe injury, Green is essential to pulling Dalton out of his recent funk.

*Fast facts: Dalton has two touchdowns and six interceptions in the past four games. … Brees has 37 TD passes in his past 12 home games.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Bengals rookie RB Jeremy Hill, a former LSU star, could thrill friends and family in a “home” game for him. The Saints are built to win in multiple ways, and deal the reeling Bengals another setback.

*Our pick: Saints 30-21