The Saints will try to put the type of pressure on Russell that they placed on San Francisco's J.T. O'Sullivan back in Week 4, when New Orleans recorded six sacks to keep the 49ers at bay. The team had just one sack of Gus Frerotte last week, that by tackle Brian Young (7 tackles), and ends Charles Grant (24 tackles, 3 sacks) and Will Smith (15 tackles, 2 sacks) were left silent in that regard. Young is once again slated to start in place of injured rookie Sedrick Ellis (knee). In limiting Vikings Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson to 32 yards on 21 carries last week, New Orleans got six tackles each from Grant and Young and 10 from middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma (44 tackles). The Saints secondary continues to suffer injury problems, including a wrist problem that knocked promising corner Tracy Porter out for the season last week. The much-maligned Jason David (4 tackles) could start in Porter's place this week. Safety Kevin Kaesviharn (32 tackles, 1 INT) posted six tackles against Minnesota but also drew a pass interference penalty that set up the Vikings' game-winning field goal.

WHEN THE SAINTS HAVE THE BALL

Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9 TD, 6 INT) enters Week 6 leading the NFL in passing yards (1673), and New Orleans is No. 1 in NFL passing offense (325.8 yards per game) as the Raiders come to town. With wideout Marques Colston (thumb) and Jeremy Shockey (sports hernia) both missing from the lineup again on Monday, Brees still managed to throw for 330 yards on 26-of-46 passing with a touchdown and a pair of picks. Wideouts Lance Moore (22 receptions, 2 TD), Devery Henderson (10 receptions, 2 TD), and Robert Meachem (7 receptions, 2 TD) have all made big plays since the above-mentioned pass-catching stars have been absent, with Henderson taking his turn in a four-catch, 104-yard effort against the Vikings. Shockey (16 receptions) is listed as questionable to return this week, but Colston remains out. Bush (212 rushing yards) has made a major impact for the Saints this season, but the team remains last in the league in yards per carry (3.2). Bush carried 12 times for 29 yards versus the Vikings, and Deuce McAllister (96 yards, 1 TD) was limited to 13 yards on six carries. Brees has been sacked just five times through five games.

The Raiders have alternately shown some vulnerability against both the pass and the run this year, and the team's defensive strength - rushing the passer - might not have much of an effect against the quick-triggered Brees. Kalimba Edwards (11 tackles) has a team-best three of Oakland's 12 sacks on the year. The play of cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha (10 tackles) and DeAngelo Hall (22 tackles) will be especially important on Sunday. Hall had his team-leading second interception of the year against the Chargers. Oakland is allowing 113.3 yards per game on the ground, and will need linebackers Kirk Morrison (28 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Thomas Howard (21 tackles, 1 sack) to do their part in limiting Bush and Deuce McAllister in that avenue. Morrison had seven tackles against the Chargers, four fewer than safety Gibril Wilson (33 tackles), but the Raiders allowed a 100-yard day from San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson.

FANTASY FOCUS

The Raiders don't have a lot of viable fantasy options in general, and the injury to McFadden strips them of perhaps their best hope in that area. Fargas is back this week, but will probably share touches and faces a Saints front seven that did a good job against Adrian Peterson last Monday. Tight end Zach Miller is a decent play, and kicker Sebastian Janikowski should get some opportunities, but stay far away from the Oakland defense.

Brees remains a can't-miss fantasy starter, and Bush - despite his lack of rushing prowess - has been productive thanks to his work in the receiving and return games. With Colston still out and Shockey and David Patten listed as questionable, Moore and Henderson remain decent plays. Stay away from new kicker Tyler Mehlhaff, who wasn't good enough to beat Martin Gramatica out in the preseason and will probably be inconsistent. It might be a good week to take a flier on the Saints defense, however, since the inexperienced Russell is subject to a mistake or two.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

The Raiders may be a bit more relaxed coming into this game, since the situation involving Kiffin had cast a pall over the team beginning way back in the spring. From here on out, Oakland won't have to worry about who will be doing the coaching from day-to-day, and that figures to help. But the Raiders still have personnel and depth problems on the two-deep, and are not at this stage ready to beat a quality opponent on the road. The Saints are banged up, but they're also bound and determined to get themselves back into the NFC South mix and are talented enough to avoid an upset in a game they simply can't afford to lose.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Saints 23, Raiders 14

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