2001 Ford Ranger catylitic converter

I have a 2001 ford ranger 165,000 km. When driving for a short period of time I was forced to pull over due to check engine light flashing and loss of power. I was under the assumption that it was my fuel filter or air filter that was plugged, but found out soon after changing both that it was neither. Someone told me to check my catylitic converter. I opened my hood at one point and noticed that I had an exhaust leak and the front part of my exhaust was glowing red. Would this be due to a plugged catylitic converter? And if so do ford rangers only have one? I was also told I had 5 plugged converters. Please help my job depends on this truck.