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Texans vs. Saints: 5 Players to watch in Week 1

By Stephen Forsha

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Brennan Scarlett #57 of the Houston Texans reacts after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 18: Brennan Scarlett #57 of the Houston Texans reacts after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on November 18, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Eli Apple #25 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass from Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Eli Apple #25 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass from Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. Eli Apple, CB, Saints

Eli Apple better bring his “A” game on Monday Night Football when the Saints host the Texans because he’s most likely going to be responsible for covering DeAndre Hopkins. If not Hopkins the entire game, Apple must contest with Will Fuller, who if healthy, is a very strong wide receiver as well.

Apple could also have to defend the newly added Kenny Stills too, so it is safe to say Apple and his secondary teammates are in store for a tough nights work in the season opener against the wide receivers of Houston.

In adding Apple to their secondary in ’18, the Saints had him for 10 games last season. They traded for him from the New York Giants, the team that drafted him in the Top 10 of the 2016 NFL Draft.

In his 10 games with the Saints last season, Apple totaled 52 tackles, with one fumble recovery, two interceptions and nine passes defensed. For his entire 15-game season in ’18, Apple totaled 14 passes defensed and 75 tackles with the Saints and Giants.

Apple didn’t play against the Texans last season when the Giants took on Houston as he was injured. This will be the first time in his career that he’ll be on the opposite side of DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson, making for exciting football on Monday Night Football. It also makes for an entertaining and competitive matchup for all football fans to end Week 1 of the regular season.

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