Only one player (Brian Robison) remains from the Vikings team that lost to the Saints in the 2010 NFC Championship Game, so while fans might be hoping to exorcise ghosts from the overtime loss, players don’t seem to be thinking that way. The Saints have become more balanced and dynamic on offense through the talented rushing duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara.
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On offense, Drew Brees was his usual terrific self. As it turns out, his only full game of the season came against these Saints in Week 1.
Here are five things to watch throughout the game.
Much has changed since then.
The Panthers were focused on stopping the running game last week in the Wild Card round matchup. The Vikings have the talent on the back end to limit those kinds of days with Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith. There were two times in which I was hit by [former Saints safety] Darren Sharper late. Cornerback Trae Waynes will likely be tasked with handling Ted Ginn Jr., who has been a threat vertically all season. If the Vikes can come through, they’ll find themselves one victory away from becoming the first-ever National Football League team to host the Super Bowl in its home stadium. Minnesota has allowed the second-fewest plays of this variety, per Sharp Football. “We just weren’t able to make the extra play tonight”. The environment certainly will help, but playing disciplined is going to be extra important.
New Orleans and their high-powered offence travel to the site of Super Bowl 52 to take on Minnesota’s ferocious defence.
Over the last four months, though, they’ve been cashing in on Keenum, a dividend that has paid out handsomely for both parties. The Vikings defensive line will have to remain disciplined in clogging the gaps and setting the edge to keep Ingram and Kamara contained in the backfield. Among them: 28th to ninth in scoring touchdowns on possessions after passing the 20-yard line, and 19th to third in third-down conversions.
Adrian Peterson is a first-ballot Hall of Fame running back who was capable of dominating games during his prime with the Minnesota Vikings.
“I love it when these guys come back that to me is a sign you have a program and so I want them always to feel welcome they were a big part of what all of us are now standing on”, explained Payton. Anthony Barr is a problem coming off the edge.
Now, the Saints find themselves back in Minneapolis on an Arctic Sunday afternoon in the NFC divisional round.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen had receptions that gained 44, 35, 27 and 24 yards. The defense was exposed in this season’s infancy, starting with the Vikings’ 470 yards in the opener. They have the NFL’s best defense, and quarterback Case Keenum has been playing well for long enough that it’s harder to see him laying a stink bomb in the playoffs than continuing to do the job.
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It’s understandable that fans of a certain age might prefer the Vikes just bow out before they get that far rather than see their team give Packers fans more ammunition for mockery.
