Produce stops on first and second down, forcing third-and-long situations. Then, get after the quarterback. Hit him, hurry him, force him out of the pocket, hopefully sack him.
The latter will be of particular note Sunday, when the Saints (4-5) play Washington (3-5) at FedExField in Landover, Md.
Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins has been sacked a league-low nine times this season, and only has been taken down more than once in a game one time, when he was sacked twice by St. Louis in Week 2.
“The key is first and second down,” Saints defensive tackle Kevin Williams said.