The Saints season ending three game losing streak is in the rear view mirror thanks to their 45-14 win over Arizona in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. Standing in the way however of the team’s first ever trip to the big game, you might of heard of him, Brett Favre and his Minnesota Vikings.
A team with a good offense that can pass and run the football. “They’re probably going to try and establish the run against us early. Open it up with a couple play action passes, try to go deep on us,” says Saints defensive end Will Smith. “Ultimately the things that we need to do is, stop the run early and get after Favre.”
It’s also a team that has a solid defense, just ask Dallas. Last week the Vikings forced three turnover, had six sacks, and created 13 negative yardage plays. “These guys have one the best defensive fronts if not the best in the league. They have some elite pass rushers. They’ve really been able to get after the quarterback,” says Saints quarterback Drew Brees. “They’ve been very disruptive in the run game as well. I mean just all around it really starts up front. They fly around. They make a lot of tackles.”
Sunday will also be a bit of a reunion for one Saints player. Safety Darren Sharper wore the Purple and Gold for four season in Minnesota. “Facing your old foes is just like going in the backyard, you playing against someone that you know or are familiar with, it’s always going to be a little extra motivation because you want to beat him because you know the guy lives right across from you,” says Sharper. “That will be the extra motivation right there.”
BUMPS AND BRUISES
Friday’s injury report for the New Orleans Saints listed six players.
Tight end Jeremy Shockey did not practice once again, making it a full week of practices missed. Shockey has been sidelines this week due to a knee injury sustained against Arizona last week. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins also was held out as he continues to rehab a hamstring injury. Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC Championship game.
Four players were listed as probable for the game, receiver Robert Meachem (ankle), safety Darren Sharper (knee), center Jonathan Goodwin (knee), and defensive end Bobby McCray (back). Meachem and Sharper both did not practice on Wednesday but worked on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.
The Saints unquestionably are a more dangerous team if Meachem and Shockey can play Sunday, but if not others will have to step up. “If we have all the guys out there it definitely helps this offense click and if there’s somebody that can’t go, there’s somebody that can step in and make those plays too,” says receiver Lance Moore. “I think that coach Payton does a great job of putting people in the right place at the right time.”
HOW I SEE IT
It’s a heck of a matchup. The Saints and Vikings have battled all season to have the best record in the NFC. Both teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball, and quarterbacks that are In the elite category of the NFL.
This game will come down to execution. Minnesota won’t want Drew Brees and the Saints offense to touch the football anymore then they have to, they’ve also likely seen plenty of video of opposing running backs running through the Saints run defense. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson had 32 yards last year against the Saints and this week he spoke about the disappointment he felt afterwards. You can bet he’ll look to have a better performance this week. Stopping him will be key.
“Even if he gets stuffed ten times, just waiting for that one big run out of him, and he has the ability to do that,” says Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. “I think we definitely have to be technique sound, the whole game, the whole sixty minutes because you get that guy any kind of room and he’ll bust a big one on you.”
Offensively, the Saints need to run the football, establish something on the ground to attack a banged up defensive line that plays very aggressive. The Saints passing attack is deadly, and with a running game aiding the effort, the passing game becomes lethal.
“I think we’re going to be able to mix it up. That’s what you have to do against a defensive front that has the kind of players that they have,” says Saints receiver Marques Colston. “I think it’s just going to be trying to keep them off balance off balance and get them running.”
I think a key factor will be the Who Dats. Fans can, and I believe will make a difference in the game Sunday. “Momentum plays a huge factor, but that’s only if we play well,” says tight end Jeremy Shockey. “They expect big things from this team and we expect big things from those guys in the dome. Make as much noise as possible, getting as loud and as hostile, fist fights, bring everything it doesn’t matter do it all. We need it all this week because we’re treating this game like the Super Bowl.”
I think the game is a close one and not as high scoring as many may think. I see it 24-20 Saints in the most historic win in franchise History.
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