We are mere weeks away from the Super Bowl and the fight to appear in the main event marches on. The weather might be colder but the competition is heating up, well, at least in the NFC it is. When the New Orleans Saints travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings, it will surely take the cake as the best game from this week.
Saints-Vikings: Best Game This Week
Vikings Vs. Saints
The NFL saved the best for last this weekend as the Saints and Vikings play the 4:00 EST game. This game has a few compelling storylines. A possible home game for the Vikings in the Super Bowl, the first playoff game in U.S. Bank Stadium, and a backup quarterback leading the charge against one of the greatest of all time.
When it comes to strategy, there’s a litany of thrilling battles. The Saints finally have a running attack for the first time since, well, ever. How will the two-headed monster of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram fare against the dominant Vikings defense? It’s one thing to run at home, it’s another to do it on the road.
All eyes will be on Case Keenum, a career backup who struck gold becoming the starter for the Vikings, leading them to a 13-3 record. The Vikings offense is effective, but far from lights out. Keenum’s been great this season, but this is the playoffs, and we’ve never seen him play on this grand a stage.It will be interesting to see how Keenum adjusts if the Vikings fall behind early. Will the backup quarterback rise to the occasion, or will his inexperience rear its ugly head?
Game Planning
This Saints defense is one of the best units they’ve had in years. Last week they had a bend but don’t break type game against Carolina. The scoring might not be as intense in this one, so it’s important that New Orleans gets back to forcing three-and-outs.
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore will have his work cut out for him with Vikings wideout, Stefon Diggs. He’s explosive when the ball’s in his hands, and the Vikings are content with finding new ways of getting him the ball.
Both squad’s aerial attacks are favorable. The Viking’s Diggs and Adam Thielen force teams to think and move constantly in order to keep up. New Orlean’s Michael Thomas is a target like no other. He’s only a second-year player and his phenom like skill is through the roof.
It’s a battle of who can play to their strengths better. This one has the potential to keep fans glued to their seats. The Saints have the advantage in this one due to their experience. But don’t count out the Vikings, they have been proving experts wrong all year, and they sure look to have one more in them.