mr roboto
Footballguy
@Doug B @SproutDaddy @Biabreakable @Hov34 @SaintsInDome2006 and others.
09 rematch, without the dirtiness.
Prediction - 27-17 Vikes.
09 rematch, without the dirtiness.
Prediction - 27-17 Vikes.
I got nothin' but love, man, let's not do that.@Doug B @SproutDaddy @Biabreakable @Hov34 @SaintsInDome2006 and others.
09 rematch,without the dirtiness.
Prediction - 27-17 Vikes.
Seems pretty easy to me:Please rank the QBs remaining in the playoffs by conference, and then say who you think will be in the AFCC game. Then do the NFCC.
I'll wait.
This is where I'm at. I think the game is a toss-up. Not seeing anything that would indicate a runaway by either squad.As for predictions my brain and my heart are at war. Honestly if I was an objective third party gambler in Montana I'd say the Vikes by something like 26-23 or 29-24. My heart, gut and instinct knowing the Saints tell me other factors such as QB, run game, defense and Saints DB play have changed a lot since Week 1. However rationally I think the biggest factor is homefield.
But even so - the Saints are fine in a dome, they are built for it.
You have to realize the magic he's pulle out his rear end in the past, even in losing causes. Breakaway long touchdowns in the last two minutes of the SF game in 2011. The Seattle losses in 2010 and 2014 were just that losses but he had his team in position to win, the first time basically the defense threw up all over itself and in 2014 Brees scored two TDs and two 2-point conversions to keep things tight against one of the best SB era defenses. Since the Super Bowl the Saints have had some rotten luck in visiting venues against some really tough defenses - I have no idea how being in a dome in Minny will measure up vs being at Seattle, SF, Seattle.encaitar said:On the flip side, Brees is the most experienced QB in the NFC playoffs. You can't ever really count him out and he will find a way to manufacture some offense for NO.
It will be louder. This Viking D is on the same level as Seattle's during their heyday.You have to realize the magic he's pulle out his rear end in the past, even in losing causes. Breakaway long touchdowns in the last two minutes of the SF game in 2011. The Seattle losses in 2010 and 2014 were just that losses but he had his team in position to win, the first time basically the defense threw up all over itself and in 2014 Brees scored two TDs and two 2-point conversions to keep things tight against one of the best SB era defenses. Since the Super Bowl the Saints have had some rotten luck in visiting venues against some really tough defenses - I have no idea how being in a dome in Minny will measure up vs being at Seattle, SF, Seattle.
I think we're going to see a lot of RB screens. The Panthers fully loaded the box and shut that down but it's a natural antidote to what the Vikings do.Hoping the Vikings can completely stifle the Saints offense, but being realistic, Brees is likely to execute some big plays regardless because he is that good.
The Vikings have been shutting down the screen game for over two years now.I think we're going to see a lot of RB screens. The Panthers fully loaded the box and shut that down but it's a natural antidote to what the Vikings do.
And obvious statement of the week here... no or almost no turnovers is key for the Saints.
Like Bia said, this is a nonstarter, at least based on how they've played so far this season. They are I believe, the best defense in the league against RB's catching the ball.I think we're going to see a lot of RB screens. The Panthers fully loaded the box and shut that down but it's a natural antidote to what the Vikings do.
And obvious statement of the week here... no or almost no turnovers is key for the Saints.
I'm certainly not. I think the comps to the Seahawks defense the Saints faced on the road in the 2013 playoffs is more than apt. The Vikes held 5 of their 8 home opponents to 14 points or fewer. None scored more than 2 TDs. And actually the Saints' 19 in Week 1 was the most scored at Min all year and they scored all of 1 TD.I've seen some talking heads compare this defense to that of the Seahawks a few years back that NO seemed to always draw in the playoffs. Brees didn't seem to have any problems moving the ball on that defense. NO just didn't have any defense then. I guess we'll see on Sunday.
And I don't think you're going to find any Saints fan that will discredit Minny's defense.
This specifically worries me, because -- let's face it -- the Saints have been poor in the Payton era against top-few defenses, especially in the playoffs. The sample size is small, but there still seems to be a pattern: the Saints' 2006, 2011, and 2013 playoff runs were all ended on the road by top-5 defenses (both yds and pts).I'm certainly not. I think the comps to the Seahawks defense the Saints faced on the road in the 2013 playoffs is more than apt.
I seemed to remember Winston being out against them. Thanks for the good information to correct my faulty recollection.The Vikings defense did stone the Rams and Falcons over the second half of the season. After the Panthers loss in Week 14, the Vikings got three bottom-feeder offenses in a row to close out the season, and held the Bengals, Packers, and Bears to a total of 17 points combined.
The Vikings defense has given up 100 yards rushing to six teams this season -- all during Minnesota road games. The most rushing yards given up at home was 97 to the Lions in a Week 4 loss. Not sure why, but the Minnesota rushing defense difference between home and road games has been stark.
Forever ago, but Drew Brees did get the third-most passing yards against the Vikings all season back in Week 1 with 284 yards. Jameis Winston (316 yds in Wk 3) and Kirk Cousins (313 yds in Wk 10) were first and second.
Good defenses play bad teams every year, that is nothing new. Throwing in Jameis as he's something to be scared of was pretty funny too.Wondering if the Viking's defensive prowess is skewed by playing the Bears twice, the Packers twice without Rodgers and others, and the Bucs without Jameis Winston, not to mention the Browns. They have some excellent players, no question, but maybe, just maybe the record book needs to be read in context.
At any rate we will know soon enough. Here's to hoping for clean play, good health during and after, and fair and accurate ref'ing throughout.
The passing yards I gave were actually "team defense passing yards allowed" yards, which deducts sack yardage. So the yards passing I gave are actually a little higher if looking at the individual QB stats -- e.g. Brees has 291 yds passing in Wk 1, while the Vikings gave up 284 yds passing after deducting 7 yards lost to sacks.I seemed to remember Winston being out against them. Thanks for the good information to correct my faulty recollection.
"Everybody funny. Now you funny too."Good defenses play bad teams every year, that is nothing new. Throwing in Jameis as he's something to be scared of was pretty funny too.
Nothing like a good rent reference, bourbon, scotch, and beer to make a thread."Everybody funny. Now you funny too."
George Thorogood
The Vikings defense did stone the Rams and Falcons over the second half of the season. After the Panthers loss in Week 14, the Vikings got three bottom-feeder offenses in a row to close out the season, and held the Bengals, Packers, and Bears to a total of 17 points combined.
Impressive numbers no doubt. They do have some impressive talent on that side of the ball.Hov34 said:Just to follow up on the Vikings' Defense at home. In 8 games at home they have given up an average of 11.6 points.
Over the last 5 home games they have given up just 8.6 per game.
The way Rhodes has played, getting the better of him would be something like 6-55-1.I'm assuming Rhodes blankets M. Thomas. Any chance Thomas get's the better of it? Will be fun to watch.
Let's try to give some context in terms of what to really expect.Hov34 said:Just to follow up on the Vikings' Defense at home. In 8 games at home they have given up an average of 11.6 points.
Over the last 5 home games they have given up just 8.6 per game.
I keep trying to find flaws with the Vikes record too, but they almost went undefeated against the entire NFC South in the regular season. They were clearly the best team in the North and South. I don't think this is a historically great D, but they are the top ranked D this year and they have homefield.Ditkaless Wonders said:Wondering if the Viking's defensive prowess is skewed by playing the Bears twice, the Packers twice without Rodgers and others, and the Bucs without Jameis Winston, not to mention the Browns. They have some excellent players, no question, but maybe, just maybe the record book needs to be read in context.
At any rate we will know soon enough. Here's to hoping for clean play, good health during and after, and fair and accurate ref'ing throughout.
They lost at Carolina.I keep trying to find flaws with the Vikes record too, but they went undefeated against the entire NFC South in the regular season. They were clearly the best team in the North and South. I don't think this is a historically great D, but they are the top ranked D this year and they have homefield.
yes forgot about that one. The Jonathan Stewart fountain of youth game.They lost at Carolina.
Doubt it.I can see ginn getting the best of trae waynes a couple times in this upcoming game.
Doug Martin was out that game and I think Tampa was missing LBers as well (helping Keenum).Ditkaless Wonders said:I seemed to remember Winston being out against them. Thanks for the good information to correct my faulty recollection.
Stewarts big run was a defensive error on the Vikings part.yes forgot about that one. The Jonathan Stewart fountain of youth game.
You’re right. Plus the Michael Thomas and Brees connection has been really good on the short stuff this year. It’ll be interesting to see(no horse in this race)Doubt it.
Waynes has been playing terrific for the second half of the season. QBs have started going after Rhodes again recently because Waynes has been playing so well (and Rhodes has been a bit gimpy).
Its been so long since that game I didn't really remember what happened.I don't feel too, too bad about my comment. I wasn't saying the Saints would succeed with the screen pass only that I am expecting they will lean on it or try to succeed with it. Going back and checking the stats, the Saints RBs went 12/9/74/0 in Game 1. The only Vikes opponent with that many targets was Baltimore who went 13/10/29/0. The Browns backs went 12/9/79/0. Of course not all RB targets are screens with the Saints, especially Kamara who can go downfield. I didn't mean 'antidote' in the sense that it would defeat the Vikes, only that it seems like it's a natural option for a team facing a defense that is so good defending the pass downfield. If anyone wants to make a SB Seahawks D comp that's one place especially I could see it.
Thomas is a very good receiver. Wish the Vikings would have drafted him instead of Treadwell.You’re right. Plus the Michael Thomas and Brees connection has been really good on the short stuff this year. It’ll be interesting to see(no horse in this race)