Les Kiss's side won a fourth-straight game when they broke their Drua duck with victory in Lautoka a fortnight ago.
They conceded just six points in that clash but have leaked 52 and 42 in losses since - in Wellington to the Hurricanes and a costly one to the Force - letting a top-three spot slip to instead teeter in sixth.
Assessing the damage, Kiss thinks the Fiji result took the wind out of them but expects the Reds (4-3) to be more like their old selves on Saturday.
That might not be enough though, with defending champions the Crusaders (fifth, 4-3) chasing a third consecutive 50-plus score for the first time in club history and boasting a staggering Reds record.
They have won 14 of the last 15 games against the Reds and triumphed in the last five Suncorp Stadium contests by an average of 17.6 points.
Not since the Reds' solitary title in 2011 have the visitors been defeated in Brisbane.
"They've got a world-class team, Leicester (Fainga'anuku) at 13 is pretty deadly and their centre combination against ours is going to be really exciting," Reds captain Fraser McReight said.
"Position to position, testing ourselves, it's exciting.
"The collision battle - winning that area that they love as well - and just getting up for it (will be key)."
The Reds have a bye next week, followed by tests against the Blues in Christchurch and home games against the Brumbies and Chiefs that will define their season.
Reds utility back Filipo Daugunu, who has continued his fine form on both sides of the ball this season, will play his 100th Super Rugby game.
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