Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
***Pre-Game Thread*** Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jeff Pasquino
- Start date
timschochet
Footballguy
I called it at the beginning of the year and I see no reason to change the predicition now. The New Orleans Saints simply score too many points. I don't think the Vikings can keep up. Minnesota has a great defense, but against that Saints team it won't matter; they have too many weapns, and the best QB in the NFC, if not in all of football.
Saints 38 Vikings 24
Saints 38 Vikings 24
IDrinkyourMilkshake
Footballguy
Looking forward to a week of great hyperboles from you.
saintsfan
Footballguy
I find it kind of funny that after all that talk, the two teams that we all knew would be there in week 8 are in the NFC title game.
Should be a great game. I think the Saints have the edge because they are at home.
I look at these teams and I see the Saints passing game being a strength vs the Vikings pass defense being a weakness, so I like the Saints there.
However, I also see the Saints run defense as being a weakness vs Adrian Peterson, so I am nervous about that.
Personally, I think the game comes down to the Vikings pass rush. If they can't get the kind of pressure vs Brees that they got vs Romo today, I don't think the Vikings can score enough points to win. If they pressure Brees, the Vikings have a great chance to win.
Should be a great game. I think the Saints have the edge because they are at home.
I look at these teams and I see the Saints passing game being a strength vs the Vikings pass defense being a weakness, so I like the Saints there.
However, I also see the Saints run defense as being a weakness vs Adrian Peterson, so I am nervous about that.
Personally, I think the game comes down to the Vikings pass rush. If they can't get the kind of pressure vs Brees that they got vs Romo today, I don't think the Vikings can score enough points to win. If they pressure Brees, the Vikings have a great chance to win.
Kuz
Footballguy
I agree with this as well. If the Vikes can't get a pass rush like they did today it will be really tough to win. They haven't been great on the road lately but at least this will be on turf.. Should be a great game. I would give the Saints the edge as well since they are at home but if our defense can play like they did today then I love our chances..
Matt_The_Fantasy_Master
Footballguy
Vikes have to get Peterson going. Don't want to get in a shootout in their dome.
Johnny Ice
Footballguy
Should be a great game. Looking forward to it.
madviking10
Footballguy
Vikings going into the game as the dog. As a thirty year fan of the team, I love this. They have never done well as the favorite. IMHO the Vikings have very little pressure on them in this one. They are not expected to win. Favre has already proven his detractors wrong. (Myself included.) They gave a crazy beat down to a Cowboys team that was being picked as the hottest team in the NFL before todays game. Bottom line is they are still alive for a shot to hoist the Lombardi trophy in just a few weeks. After today there will only be four teams that can say that. Anything can happen on any given Sunday in the NFL. I will be watching and rooting for the Vikings next Sunday. Win or lose, I absolutely cannot wait !! 
Harrassment Panda
Footballguy
Two words: Jabari Greer.
He makes the Saints defense work because he allows them to be aggressive in pressuring the QB. He pretty much shut down Fitzgerald, and it's hard to believe he won't be able to contain Sidney Rice.
I think it will be a close game, 6 or 7 points, but I think the Saints will win.
He makes the Saints defense work because he allows them to be aggressive in pressuring the QB. He pretty much shut down Fitzgerald, and it's hard to believe he won't be able to contain Sidney Rice.
I think it will be a close game, 6 or 7 points, but I think the Saints will win.
tipsy mcstagger
Footballguy
I've started threatening all of my wine and liquor reps for tix. Luckily I am also the favorite restaurant of our arch bishop down here....he is calling god for me. 
snellman
Footballguy
Get an extra one for me and I will be down.I've started threatening all of my wine and liquor reps for tix. Luckily I am also the favorite restaurant of our arch bishop down here....he is calling god for me.
encaitar
Footballguy
Should be great. Was hoping we'd get SD-Indy too, but that fizzled. Still, this should be a classic. Saints have more weapons than Dallas, but they still have to deal with that D line.
Vikings haven't lost a game played on turf all year, here's hoping for a continuing trend.
Vikings haven't lost a game played on turf all year, here's hoping for a continuing trend.
Vikings haven't lost a game played on turf all year, here's hoping for a continuing trend.
that's the key, for me -- it's not that the Vikes are a bad road team, they are a bad team on grass. This will be a very fun game... I was much more nervous about Dallas. Could go either way, depending on how the Vikes D plays.
Gadabout
Footballguy
They also haven't won in the state of Louisiana.Vikings haven't lost a game played on turf all year, here's hoping for a continuing trend.
Father Guido Sarducci
Footballguy
Went 4-0 with my picks in the last round.
The Vikings are two different teams. Put them in a dome on a fast track and they are monsters. Put them outside on grass and they aren't nearly as good. Unfortunately for the Saints, they play in a dome.
Vikings blow out the Saints. They are toast in the Super Bowl since its on grass.
The Vikings are two different teams. Put them in a dome on a fast track and they are monsters. Put them outside on grass and they aren't nearly as good. Unfortunately for the Saints, they play in a dome.
Vikings blow out the Saints. They are toast in the Super Bowl since its on grass.
Pnishthm
Footballguy
Actually I think the Vikes have most of the pressure on them. Of course both teams want to win but the Saints and Brees know that if they lose they still have more shots. The Vikes and Favre know that this may be their best shot for a while if this is Favre's last season. This may also cause Favre to press a little more than usual. I'm still expecting a great game that could go either way.madviking10 said:Vikings going into the game as the dog. As a thirty year fan of the team, I love this. They have never done well as the favorite. IMHO the Vikings have very little pressure on them in this one. They are not expected to win. Favre has already proven his detractors wrong. (Myself included.) They gave a crazy beat down to a Cowboys team that was being picked as the hottest team in the NFL before todays game. Bottom line is they are still alive for a shot to hoist the Lombardi trophy in just a few weeks. After today there will only be four teams that can say that. Anything can happen on any given Sunday in the NFL. I will be watching and rooting for the Vikings next Sunday. Win or lose, I absolutely cannot wait !!
Last edited by a moderator:
Gadabout
Footballguy
This is just a long-winded way of saying that the Vikes suck on the road.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Vikings special teams will be the difference in a close game.
Saints-Man
Footballguy
Spuds_McKenzie
Footballguy
Nobody gave the Vikes a chance vs. Dallas and they DESTROYED THEM.
Saints are being favored right out of the gate. Just like Dallas was.
Saints better watch themselves because the Vikings showed up today to win, and they'll show up next weekend to win too.
Saints are being favored right out of the gate. Just like Dallas was.
Saints better watch themselves because the Vikings showed up today to win, and they'll show up next weekend to win too.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
Pretty sure the Saints are planning to show up and win too.
Johnny Ice
Footballguy
I think most will be split down the middle on this one, the amount of people that were on Dallas was flat out ridiculous.
Saints-Man
Footballguy
I thought Minnesota was favored to win the game?
ChrisCooleyFan
Footballguy
Your two words should be Jermey Cocky, they way he looked saturday night is not good news to you. Bushrod will need help chipping Allen, without Cocky it will be a long long day.
SaintsInDome2006
Footballguy
Some thoughts:
The Vikes have always been the Saints' nemesis, the Saints all time are 8-19 against them. The Vikes have won 8 of the last 9 overall and the last 3 in NO. The Vikes killed the Saints' playoff hopes twice before (once in MIN, once in NO), including the prior "magical" season the Saints had in 1987 (a real drubbing in the Saints' first ever playoff appearance) and the decimation after the Saints' first ever playoff win in 2000. Five (5) of the Saints' 7 wins against the Vikes have come in NO though (5-8 all time vs the Vikes in NO).
Darren Sharper is well versed in Brett Favre. He faced him on the MIN defense vs GB 6 times over 3 seasons and he played with him at GB for 8 seasons. The captain of the Saints' defense is studied on all things Favre.
Brett Favre is from Kiln MS. Kiln is a Saints town. Favre is a Saints fan. (I think there is some legend about him winning a pass/punt/kick competition representing the Saints as a kid). A friend of mine dates a girl who knew Favre's brother at USM and they stay in touch. Etc., he has connections in NO. - As a Packer Favre won 3 of 5 vs NO (2-1 in NO, 1-1 in GB). His last game vs NO was a loss (in GB in 2006), and his last game in NO was a loss (a 35-20 defeat in 2002).
As DC for the Skins on 12/23/07 Gregg Williams orchestrated a masterful game plan against ADP, limiting him to one of his worst games as a pro (his actual worst?): 9 for 27 rushing with 0 TD's (the long of 18 meant that ADP went 8 for 9 yards in the remaining plays), 2 for 21 receiving & 0 TD's. On 11/23/08 as DC for Jax Williams' defense held ADP to 17/80 with 1 TD rushing and no catches. The last time a Williams defense faced Favre was 10/14/07 when his Skins' D held Favre (playing for an eventual 13-3 Packer team) to 19 for 37 with 2 INT's & 0 TD's (in a 17-14 Pack win).
The Saints beat the Cards who beat the Vikes. This means nothing? Anything?
It is only fitting that to get to the Super Bowl the Saints must pass one final test against an old and known foe.
The Vikes have also lost 3 straight and the last 4 of 5 on the road. But I think it's safe to say Favre can handle crowd noise and playoff pressure.
Aside from all that, this game will come down to (1) the Saints getting out to a fast start; (2) stopping ADP (well aside from the one monster run we all know he will get because every RB does); (3) the Saints' O-Line defeating the Vikes' D-Line (i.e. time for Brees to throw). I have no idea how Favre figures into this, but if the Saints are scoring then they can keep up with anybody so a little bit of lattitude on Favre doing well can still result in a Saints win.
Other key - injuries: Shockey must play (supposedly he's ok, but we'll see, and it's crucial to winning the line battle). Pierre & Meachem are dinged, hopefully they're okay too. Shockey's the most important out of this group though.
The Vikes have always been the Saints' nemesis, the Saints all time are 8-19 against them. The Vikes have won 8 of the last 9 overall and the last 3 in NO. The Vikes killed the Saints' playoff hopes twice before (once in MIN, once in NO), including the prior "magical" season the Saints had in 1987 (a real drubbing in the Saints' first ever playoff appearance) and the decimation after the Saints' first ever playoff win in 2000. Five (5) of the Saints' 7 wins against the Vikes have come in NO though (5-8 all time vs the Vikes in NO).
Darren Sharper is well versed in Brett Favre. He faced him on the MIN defense vs GB 6 times over 3 seasons and he played with him at GB for 8 seasons. The captain of the Saints' defense is studied on all things Favre.
Brett Favre is from Kiln MS. Kiln is a Saints town. Favre is a Saints fan. (I think there is some legend about him winning a pass/punt/kick competition representing the Saints as a kid). A friend of mine dates a girl who knew Favre's brother at USM and they stay in touch. Etc., he has connections in NO. - As a Packer Favre won 3 of 5 vs NO (2-1 in NO, 1-1 in GB). His last game vs NO was a loss (in GB in 2006), and his last game in NO was a loss (a 35-20 defeat in 2002).
As DC for the Skins on 12/23/07 Gregg Williams orchestrated a masterful game plan against ADP, limiting him to one of his worst games as a pro (his actual worst?): 9 for 27 rushing with 0 TD's (the long of 18 meant that ADP went 8 for 9 yards in the remaining plays), 2 for 21 receiving & 0 TD's. On 11/23/08 as DC for Jax Williams' defense held ADP to 17/80 with 1 TD rushing and no catches. The last time a Williams defense faced Favre was 10/14/07 when his Skins' D held Favre (playing for an eventual 13-3 Packer team) to 19 for 37 with 2 INT's & 0 TD's (in a 17-14 Pack win).
The Saints beat the Cards who beat the Vikes. This means nothing? Anything?
It is only fitting that to get to the Super Bowl the Saints must pass one final test against an old and known foe.
The Vikes have also lost 3 straight and the last 4 of 5 on the road. But I think it's safe to say Favre can handle crowd noise and playoff pressure.
Aside from all that, this game will come down to (1) the Saints getting out to a fast start; (2) stopping ADP (well aside from the one monster run we all know he will get because every RB does); (3) the Saints' O-Line defeating the Vikes' D-Line (i.e. time for Brees to throw). I have no idea how Favre figures into this, but if the Saints are scoring then they can keep up with anybody so a little bit of lattitude on Favre doing well can still result in a Saints win.
Other key - injuries: Shockey must play (supposedly he's ok, but we'll see, and it's crucial to winning the line battle). Pierre & Meachem are dinged, hopefully they're okay too. Shockey's the most important out of this group though.
Last edited by a moderator:
Mario Kart
Footballguy
I laughed when Anderson missed the FG ten years ago and I hope I can laugh at Packers fans when Favre gets to another Super Bowl. Go Vikings!!!!
Harrassment Panda
Footballguy
Wow. "Jermey Cocky?"What are you, like 14?Your two words should be Jermey Cocky, they way he looked saturday night is not good news to you. Bushrod will need help chipping Allen, without Cocky it will be a long long day.
Last edited by a moderator:
Doug B
Footballguy
Played on Zona's grass, so most Minny fans will say "throw out that result".Maybe the Dome will have a surprise "gas leak" that necessitates a venue change to Tad Gormley
ScottyFargo
Footballguy
Also, you know, the cancel-out theory works better if the Vikings did not just completely and utterly, 100% destroy, murder death kill the team that ended the Saints winning streak in the Dallas Cowboys. But whatever. Yeah the Saints beat the Cards who hurt the Vikes pretty bad, paper beats rock and all that.Played on Zona's grass, so most Minny fans will say "throw out that result".Maybe the Dome will have a surprise "gas leak" that necessitates a venue change to Tad Gormley
BigJim®
Footballguy
Good post. However, I don't think the Vikes have won 3 straight in New Orleans. Wasn't there a MNF game last season where Bush returned 2 TDs against them and won?
saintsfan
Footballguy
Who beat who doesn't matter.
Both teams played great defense this weekend. I'm not sure the Saints defense shutting down the Cards is not just as impressive as what the Vikes just did to the Cowboys. After all, all season long, the Cowboys MO has been that they get lots of yards, but don't score lots of points. That's kind of what they did the entire first half yesterday. The Saints, on the other hand, shut down a GREAT offense. An offense that lights it up and one of the best playoff QBs of all time. Saints defense not getting enough credit for what they did on Saturday.
Basically, it's one game for all the marbles. I think whatever team protects their QB and the ball the best wins next Sunday.
Both teams played great defense this weekend. I'm not sure the Saints defense shutting down the Cards is not just as impressive as what the Vikes just did to the Cowboys. After all, all season long, the Cowboys MO has been that they get lots of yards, but don't score lots of points. That's kind of what they did the entire first half yesterday. The Saints, on the other hand, shut down a GREAT offense. An offense that lights it up and one of the best playoff QBs of all time. Saints defense not getting enough credit for what they did on Saturday.
Basically, it's one game for all the marbles. I think whatever team protects their QB and the ball the best wins next Sunday.
jurrassic
Footballguy
This is going to be a great game. I think the Saints will win, but thatis probably more wishful thinking than anything. The Vikings have the better defense but the Saints defense just seems so opportunistic. I'll be anxious to see if Sharper picks off Favre. They both looked great last weekend.
Last edited by a moderator:
ATC1
Footballguy
Saints lost.This will be a great game. The main keys of the game can be easily pointed out on both sides.Saints need to protect Brees. They have done a great job all year with the exception of the game late in the year against Dallas. Vikings need to stick to ADP. He has not had 100 yards in a game in 8 weeks. The TO battle like always will be a huge factor. Also, the dome will be rockin.As a Saints fan of course I like the saints. I see Brad Childress getting away from the run and Favre wanting to throw the ball when the saints offense marchs down the field on them much like Dallas was able to early. Sharper plays as if he is possessed and keeps Favre guessing.
Vikings won that game, 30-27
Pnishthm
Footballguy
Yes Bush did return a couple but the Vikes still won that game. They scored on a long TD pass where T. Porter ended his season trying to defend iirc
saintfool
Dead sexy
I don't put much as much stock as some in defeating the Cardinals. like a lot of teams this year, they're not the same team on the road as they are at home. the saints played a great game on both sides of the ball though and that's not to be taken lightly considering how uneven they played down the stretch during the regular season. the confidence going into sunday's game will be sky high. i think the key to sunday will be the o-lines. if NO can protect brees then he should be able to orchestrate an attacking, multifaceted offense. jared allen will be a point of emphasis for the protection scheme, so the other minnseota linemen will have to step up. if the saints can pressure and disrupt favre then it plays into their hands.saintsfan said:
valhallan
Footballguy
I never thought the Cowboys were as good as many were saying. When they won in New Orleans, the Saints played some of the absolute worst football I've ever seen for 3 quarters and still had a chance to tie it in the closing minutes. Then the Boys beat the Skins and Eagles, big deal. The Eagles had no running game and it's not too hard to defend a one-dimensional team. When a balanced offense like the Vikings came knocking, that Dallas D looked average.
These two teams, Vikes and Saints, were always the best in the NFC so it's great that we get to see them duke it out. As others have said, the Vikings have always given the Saints fits, even when it seemed like the Saints had the better team going into the game. Perhaps it's because they play in a dome too, I dunno.
Can a Vikings fan explain to me what happened down the stretch? What were the reasons for losing by 13 at Arizona, 19 at Carolina, and 6 at Chicago? Have those issues been fixed or were they just not exposed by Dallas?
I think both teams are excellent but the Saints have been more consistent. The poor performances late in the season were almost entirely due to starting guys off the street in the secondary and losing Shockey's presence on offense. Even with those problems, they still went 2-2 in games they were trying to win and only lost by 7 and 3 points. With the two weeks off, the players have healed and the Saints played on Saturday like the team we saw earlier in the year. I really expect them to come out strong again.
These two teams, Vikes and Saints, were always the best in the NFC so it's great that we get to see them duke it out. As others have said, the Vikings have always given the Saints fits, even when it seemed like the Saints had the better team going into the game. Perhaps it's because they play in a dome too, I dunno.
Can a Vikings fan explain to me what happened down the stretch? What were the reasons for losing by 13 at Arizona, 19 at Carolina, and 6 at Chicago? Have those issues been fixed or were they just not exposed by Dallas?
I think both teams are excellent but the Saints have been more consistent. The poor performances late in the season were almost entirely due to starting guys off the street in the secondary and losing Shockey's presence on offense. Even with those problems, they still went 2-2 in games they were trying to win and only lost by 7 and 3 points. With the two weeks off, the players have healed and the Saints played on Saturday like the team we saw earlier in the year. I really expect them to come out strong again.
Mario Kart
Footballguy
Overall, Sharper is not that good. He is very opportunistic when it comes to his stats. Favre has pretty much won every "matchup" against former players he has faced and Sharper is no exception to that. If pressure comes up front, Favre may throw an errant pass that Sharper might get to but I can see Rice or Berrian having a couple opportunities each on Sharper in single coverage if Favre sees it before the snap. Sharper is terrible when left by himself in coverage and Favre knows this.ATC1 said:
saintsfan
Footballguy
Another key, I believe, is Reggie Bush. Right now, he looks like that extra present on Christmas morning you didn't know anything about. Flying under the radar most of the season.
If he plays like he did on Saturday, the Vikings are gonna have trouble stopping the Saints because they can't match up with him and if they try too hard to match up with him, the Saints have a multitude of other weapons to go to.
If he plays like he did on Saturday, the Vikings are gonna have trouble stopping the Saints because they can't match up with him and if they try too hard to match up with him, the Saints have a multitude of other weapons to go to.
I could be wrong, but isn't the average age of the Saints team higher than the average age of the Vikings team?Pnishthm said:
Both teams are in the older half of the league when it comes to average player age...but I think that the Saints grade out as a bit older than the Vikings do. But that means that the Vikings window is slamming shut while the Saints window will still be open for years to come? I'm not tracking.The Vikings biggest problem BY FAR is QB. Not in 2009, of course, but what happens after 2009. Peterson, Rice, Harvin, Shiancoe, Greenway, Allen, Edwards and many other core players have many good seasons ahead of them yet...but if the team cannot effectively move/control the ball (QB), we're back to being the 2nd/3rd horse in the NFC North.I wish the Vikings would convince Favre to stick around for one more season (2010), and then make this off-season's #1 priority to find our starter in 2011. If the Vikings do nothing with the QB position this off-season, this could end up being the Vikings last shot at the dance for several seasons.
Last edited by a moderator:
saintsfan
Footballguy
I think it's because of the questions at QB. Brees is just entering his prime and this will likely be Favre's last season.I could be wrong, but isn't the average age of the Saints team higher than the average age of the Vikings team?Pnishthm said:
[sarcasm] Brees WAS entering his prime. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by running for his life and/or being planted in the Superdome turf 8-9 times on Sunday might take care of that though... [/sarcasm]
Last edited by a moderator:
JFT Ben
Footballguy
I think the game will be really interesting. Again, I think in general, with two quick-release QBs, I think the trenches and Pass-protection are the keys of the game. I think the crowd noise is going to be deafening when MIN has the ball, reducing Favre's ability to use the hard count to his liking and giving the advantage to the NO D-line over the MIN O-line. I don't know NO personnel too much, esp. their D-line personnel so don't know who wins that battle. On the flip side, if the MIN D-line plays like they did on Sunday, Brees is going to have a tough time moving the ball.
However, I say the secondary of MIN doesn't match up that well w/ the O-talent of NO in the passing game.
I think it should be an entertaining game, but expect the home field advantage to be difficult to overcome and the NO secondary which is finally healthy along with DC Gregg Williams and an extra day to prepare is the difference in this highly offensively tilted matchup.
However, I say the secondary of MIN doesn't match up that well w/ the O-talent of NO in the passing game.
I think it should be an entertaining game, but expect the home field advantage to be difficult to overcome and the NO secondary which is finally healthy along with DC Gregg Williams and an extra day to prepare is the difference in this highly offensively tilted matchup.
Kuz
Footballguy
I'm sure it's not this simple.. but it seems like the Vikings pass rush is almost non-existant playing on Grass. All of these games were on the road & on grass. They got no pressure on any of those QB's.. I think playing in a dome really helps us this weekend. I with it was at the Metrodome but we are much quicker along the defensive line on turf...
I think that's where I go for the explanation -- outside, on grass. The only games the Vikes won under these conditions were at Cleveland to start the season, and the 2nd Packer game. In addition to the three listed here (Arizona, Carolina, Chicago), the Vikes also lost at Pitt... outside, on grass.Although I think I'd put the Chicago game in a different category... completely different story in the second half. Since the Vikes walked out of that lockerroom at half-time, they've been lights out fantastic.
KnowledgeReignsSupreme
Footballguy
They didn't do a good job protecting him against Miami.ATC1 said:
