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NFC Championship Preview 2 at New Orleans
by resedabear
01/21/2010 12:26 PM

Let's get serious for a moment: What kind of chance do we have against the Saints?
I say we have a good shot at winning. We have a few things we need to watch out for:
- The Divisional game against the Cowboys showed a strong defensive unit with blitzes resulting into sacks and rushing yardage losses. If Deuce McAllister is still out for Sunday, our D-Line needs to cut through one of the toughest O-Lines in the NFC and key on Drew Brees and any of his backs - Reggie Bush, included. Brees, like Favre, loves to mix up his targets. Where Brees excels on Brett is the utilization of his backs in rushing situation. Get Edwards involved on the outside with Allen coming in the other side and have the Williamses gnaw up front towards weakening the run game and get some shots at Brees in the process.
- Our D-Backs need to amp it up a notch with the Saints receivers. Tight Man coverages will help shut off key pass routes for Brees. Engage Jeremy Shockey as Brees can do a short dump pass to him - that would mean including Leber and Greenway to cover Shockey. Brees has no problem mixing up his pass targets, especially in long pass situations.
- Favre needs to get the offense aware of the Saints' defense. You can respect them, but they are extremely tough. The O-Line did a good job against the Cowboys, but they need to play at another level against the Saints.
- Favre knows he needs to contend with the noise inside the Superdome. He has no problem making decisions at scrimmage - which means communication must be key to get a play off.
- Every week, I suggest that Favre utilizes a mix of backs, including Tahi. In this game, giving the ball to A.P. will draw the most Saints defenders on you. If you mix A.P. with Chet, you can fool the defense. Platooning may be necessary to combat the noise.
- Key on Darren Sharper. He is their leader in the secondary. Sharper knows to look for Rice, Shiancoe, Berrian and Harvin deep. He also will go Man on anyone we send down. He also knows Favre from his days in Green Bay. Neutralize Sharper and you can score.
- Utilize the kicking game when necessary. Ryan Longwell can be the difference between Miami and Eden Prairie on February 7. Longwell's foot has been accurate this season and he knows how the Superdome crowd can take out a kicker on field goal situations.
There you have it! Now, we just have to sit...and wait...and hope. SKOL VIKINGS!
Comments

I4VIKES wrote:
01/21/2010 05:05 PM

You are totally right, maybe you should be on the Vikes coaching staff ! Lets hope Chilldress gets it right . I give him and the rest of the coaching staff credit for a great job against the cowboys!!!
tim12960 wrote:
01/22/2010 01:56 PM

I would say, not all, but certainly a majority of the games came down to defense and this one against the Saints will be no different. Our offense and punter have no problems putting points on the board when we need them but it will be the defense that will win this or any other game. Protecting Favre and pressuring Brees will be the key to a successful win. At this point mistakes will be critical.
NCVikingFan wrote:
01/23/2010 01:22 AM

Let's go back to last year, where we won a shootout 30-27 in New Orleans. The major factor for the Saints were 2 punt returns for touchdowns by Reggie Bush. All we have to do is simply punt the ball away from him or out of bounds. The special teams sucked, but our defense fared pretty well. We have improved from worst to first in special teams. Also we beat that team with pretty much just Gus Frerotte, Bernard Berrian and Antoine Winfield. Peterson had 32 yards rushing. Since then, we have added Brett Favre, Percy Harvin, Phil Loadholt, and Sidney Rice has emerged as the hottest receiver in football, and several other player have stepped up as well. The Saints have added........Sharper and Shockey. Sharper will be all over the field trying to keep up with all of our weapons.
dalekeener wrote:
01/23/2010 06:38 AM

I agree with others posts. In addition, I think we have to get Peterson going. He could be the X factor in this game. He hasn't had a break out game in a while. If he could break off a 50+ yard TD run early it could really go a long way to shut down the crowd noise and get the Saints on their heals. The Saints are very good but lets not build them to the status of the 90's Rams "Greatest Show on Turf". In the Saints long winning streaks this year they won a lot of close come from behind games. We (yes I used we) should respect them not fear them. Also, I think that Farve's experience over Brees might be a factor. I just have a hard time seeing him come this far and not taking it to Miami....GO VIKINGS !!!
dalekeener wrote:
01/23/2010 07:14 AM

I agree with others posts. In addition, I think we have to get Peterson going. He could be the X factor in this game. He hasn't had a break out game in a while. If he could break off a 50+ yard TD run early it could really go a long way to shut down the crowd noise and get the Saints on their heals. The Saints are very good but lets not build them to the status of the 90's Rams "Greatest Show on Turf". In the Saints long winning streaks this year they won a lot of close come from behind games. We (yes I used we) should respect them not fear them. Also, I think that Farve's experience over Brees might be a factor. I just have a hard time seeing him come this far and not taking it to Miami....GO VIKINGS !!!
CheeseFree wrote:
01/23/2010 10:18 AM

Vikings 35 Saint 28 Vikings in the Super Bowl against the Colt, and we win the Super Bowl, Vikings 31 Colts 24 This is our year Super Bowl Baby Skol Vikes!!!
NCVikingFan wrote:
01/23/2010 12:15 PM

Hell yeah, Syd!!! SKOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Purple Reign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NCVikingFan wrote:
01/23/2010 12:17 PM

Of our four losses, 2 were from a 3-4 defense (Steelers and Arizona) and the other 2 were Carolina and Chicago (4-3 defense). The Saints use a 4-3 defense. Our offense have been more successful against 4-3 teams. Total points vs 4-3 teams 274-131 (+143) Total points vs 3-4 teams 253-161 (+92) That's a 51 point difference. The Saints use a 4-3 defense. The Saints have had a good season with a lot of blowouts, but the teams they struggled with: (Won by less than a TD) Rams (W 28-23) Redskins (W 33-30) Falcons (W 26-23) Cowboys (L 17-24) Buccaneers (L 17-20) Panthers (L 10-23) Of all of those defenses, only Dallas uses the 3-4 defense. The rest use the 4-3. Minnesota uses the 4-3 as well.
TyrThorsson wrote:
01/23/2010 04:49 PM

I've finally got to my host's home here in New Orleans. It's overwhelming how much this town is Wall-to-Wall Saints mania. If we beat them, it'll be seen as another massive act of God, right up there with Hurricane Katrina. When I come to Minnesota during the regular season, there is nowhere near this level of hysteria. I have been very edgy these last 2 days and I do not have a good feeling. I'm off to go get some Tums now.
resedabear wrote:
01/23/2010 05:54 PM

Hey, all! Thanks for the comment strings on here! It was good to see of the locals whom stuck around last night at the Rally at MOA. SKOLT, VikingDav - much respect, guys! I'm thinking about this post and everyone has some great points. It will have to come down to our defense managing the Saints on all fronts. To shut down Brees' targets, then, ultimately, getting to Brees - it absolutely comes down to that!
NCVikingFan - great point on defensive sets vs. our offense! My eyes will be on Sullivan and Loadholt - those two will be the keys against the Saints 4-3 set.
Syd/Cheese Free - are down in New Orleans? I'm with ya, man! Next season, I'll stop down at one of your Saturday Happy Hours in town!
Tyr - Hang in there! Help in on the way!
I4 - Me, too!
Tim: Every inch and second counts tomorrow!
Dale: I hear ya, too!
A win is everything, tomorrow! SKOL VIKINGS!
Jenny wrote:
01/23/2010 07:35 PM

PhillyVIKING wrote:
01/23/2010 07:54 PM

I would like to see the Vikes run more 2 back (split) in order to get both Peterson and Taylor on the field and out on passing routes... Shiancoe needs to play a more prominent role in the short passing game (not just in the end zone) and I'd love to see Farve roll out a little bit more to press the defense!
mnmike wrote:
01/24/2010 05:24 PM

I have watched the Vikes since the early 70's and everytime they went to the Superbowl. I love the Vikes. I think that all we have seen this season will not matter in this playoff game because things change without ryhme or reason. Its in God's hands. SUPERBOWL HERE WE COME, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!
resedabear wrote:
01/24/2010 06:06 PM

Hey Jenny! Saw you at the rally! Great to see ya and Sir Diggs!
Philly, if I was Childress, I platoon A.P. and Chet throughout the game at RB. I would have Favre mix Tahi on key short yardage situations to throw off the Defense. Good points on Favre!
mnmike: My memories of the seventies was on the short end of the Purple People Eaters' stick. My respect for those teams were cottoned by the presence of Blair, Voigt and Foreman Friday evening at MOA. They reminded me how much pressure this current team has on this afternoon's game. We're here at the New Hope Cinema Grill waiting for the show to begin!
SKOL VIKINGS!
BCHFUZ wrote:
01/25/2010 01:33 PM

The team gave it their all ! We had five turnovers in the game compared to 18 all season ! Boils down to focus I guess.Kicking game was good, putting the ball in the back of the endzone woulda been the best plan after the 61 yard return. The 12-in-the huddle penalty killed us. Even a six yard run would have gotten Longwell into range to kill the preceding insanity and end it for the Saints. The Colts will not go easily. Manning will disect the Saints....... Time to take a break everyone and then regroup for the 2010 season!!! Favre... does he stay for a second year ? If not,,,, I say put Sage in the drivers seat. Jackson still needs seasoning or replacement !!!
TyrThorsson wrote:
02/13/2010 08:59 AM

Saints = Paper champions that had the game handed to them in the REAL Super Bowl (Vikings vs. Saints).
CheeseFree wrote:
02/15/2010 05:57 PM

How freaken long is this blog staying up...the super bowl is long over and. This nfc championship perview is still up looks like someone is sleeping on the job...lol
resedabear wrote:
02/22/2010 08:05 PM

They fixed it at Winter Park somehow...they heard ya!
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