Category: 2019 Playoffs

Behind Enemy Lines, wild-card round: Previewing Saints vs. Vikings

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are ready for their game against the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round of the 2019 NFL playoffs

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The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings are on the doorstep of their matchup in the wild-card round of this year’s NFL playoffs tournament, and there are plenty of questions that need answering surrounding the game.

To get the best perspective, we went behind enemy lines to ask Vikings Wire’s Kyle Ratke. Here is what we learned:

1. The Saints have played the Vikings often in recent years, both in the playoffs and the regular season. They even had a preseason game just a few months ago. What’s most different about the latest version of the Vikings we’ll see on Sunday?

KR: I think it’s probably that the defense isn’t the team’s strength these days. The defensive backs have struggled mightily this season. Now that the team will be without Mike Hughes (neck) and Mackensie Alexander (knee), it puts even more pressure on a cornerback group that has been subpar this season. That’s not great news against Michael Thomas and company.

2. Xavier Rhodes has been poorly graded by Pro Football Focus and other outlets this year. Is he dealing with age, an injury, or just missing his mojo?

KR: A lot of it has to do with the game changing so much. Rhodes was at his best when he was able to be physical with other receivers. With the NFL rule changes, he can’t get away with the things that made him thrive before. He isn’t as quick as he once was, either. It would be a huge surprise if Rhodes was a Viking in 2020.

3. Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook haven’t played together in months due to injuries. Are they going to be close to 100% when they play the Saints?

KR: Both should be 100 percent. They both practiced in full all week. The question is whether or not there will be any rust there. The Vikings will need both of these players to be at their best if the Vikings want to pull off an upset.

4. Kirk Cousins has a reputation of struggling in big games in prime time. Is there anything to do that, and how do you think he’ll respond to the pressure of just his second playoff game?

KR: While Cousins hasn’t been great in big games, he’s also been way better in Minnesota than anyone is giving him credit for. If he lays an egg in this one, he surely should get some criticism. But I think he’s going to be just fine in this game with all of his weapons back. The question will be whether he can keep up with the Saints offense.

5. Aright, who’s winning this thing? What is your final score prediction?

KR: As much as I’d love the Vikings to pull off the upset (for my fandom and website numbers), I just don’t see it happening. I don’t this one will be particularly close. Saints 34, Vikings 23.

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Watch: Choppa, Louisiana Philharmonic collaborate for Saints highlight video

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra remixed the 2003 hit single “Choppa Style” for a New Orleans Saints highlight video before the playoffs

The New Orleans Saints have ridden with the 2003 hit single “Choppa Style” as their anthem for several years now, often blasting it during big moments at the Superdome and in victorious locker rooms across the league. Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater popularized the song again during the 2018 season, when he introduced the “Bike Life” dance he picked up from the next generation of football players at his old high school in Miami.

But on Friday, two days ahead of their clash with the Minnesota Vikings during the wild-card round of the playoffs, the Saints dropped a remix. And they didn’t go to just anyone for such a special occasion: they brought Choppa, the man himself behind the big hit, as well as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

Those artists and musicians collaborated on a special orchestral version of “Choppa Style” which the Saints then played over a highlight reel of the 2019 season’s biggest moments, which you can see in the video embedded below. This is as good as it gets, folks:

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3 challenges the Saints will face against the wild-card Vikings

From play-action passing game to a stout run defense, the New Orleans Saints face several big challenges in the wild-card Minnesota Vikings.

A heavily favored New Orleans Saints should feel confident heading into their wild-card round game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Despite the Vikings having a surprisingly thin secondary heading into the matchup, there are still numerous challenges the team can pose to the Saints.

Minnesota all year-long has had a quietly good offense, and their rushing defense has been stout. It will take some of New Orleans best game planning and execution to defeat a very good Vikings team.

Here are three challenges the Saints may face in the Vikings:

A great Vikings rushing attack

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will be returning to action after missing Week 15 and 16 with a shoulder injury. Saints head coach Sean Payton acknowledged the threat Cook brings to the table during his weekly press conference, saying, “I think, number one, they do a great job in their running game. They get to the edge, obviously they are extremely talented at running back. The type of season (Dalvin) Cook has had it’s been real impressive.”

New Orleans has had a fantastic rush defense all year, and has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 42 games. However, the Saints defense noticeably struggled against the San Francisco 49ers edge rushing attack in Week 14. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will be heavily looking at that tape as a blueprint to attack the Saints defense on the ground.

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Report: NFL won’t allow Saints to wear ‘Color Rush’ alternates vs. Vikings

The NFL won’t allow the New Orleans Saints to wear “Color Rush” alternate uniforms in Sunday’s wild-card round game vs the Minnesota Vikings

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We know now what the New Orleans Saints will be wearing in Sunday’s wild-card round game with the Minnesota Vikings: white jerseys and white pants. It’s a clean look, and the Saints have had success in its debut season, winning all five games in which they used the combination in 2019. But we could have so much more.

According to The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell, the Saints requested special permission from the NFL to wear their “Color Rush” alternate jerseys against the Vikings, but were denied. New Orleans already hit the three-game limit for alternate uniforms in a single season, having previously worn their widely-loved gold-on-white duds in wins over the Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons. Now that the playoffs are upon us, the Saints must have argued that the alternate jersey rule only applies to the regular season; the No Fun League and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell must have disagreed.

So, at least the Saints are going to look great when they line up against the Vikings. It’s just a shame that they won’t be looking their best. For superstitious fans, the white-on-white jerseys and pants are undefeated in 2019, and have the highest winning percentage of any uniform worn by the Saints since Sean Payton was hired as head coach, way back in 2006:

  • White jerseys, white pants: 5-0 (1.000)
  • “Color Rush” alternates: 6-2 (.750)
  • Black and gold throwbacks: 2-1 (.667)
  • Black jerseys, gold pants: 23-13 (.639)
  • White jerseys, black pants: 38-25 (.603)
  • Black jerseys, black pants: 41-27 (.603)
  • White jerseys, gold pants: 31-24 (.564)

The Saints also once used alternate gold jerseys during a 2002 loss to the Vikings, but it’s probably for the best that those weren’t considered this week, bad juju and all.

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Eli Apple, Zach Line ruled out on final Saints-Vikings injury report

The final injury report ahead of Sunday’s wild-card round matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings ruled out Eli Apple.

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The New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday during the wild-card round. The Saints will have a mostly healthy team heading into the playoffs with the notable return of safeties Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams.

Unfortunately full back Zach Line and cornerback Eli Apple have been ruled out for Sunday’s contest. Much of the offensive scheme in recent memory has featured Line in a prominent capacity. Apple’s absence will require Janoris Jenkins to play a full time role much like he did in Week 17.

New Orleans will travel to Green Bay to face the Packers at Lambeau Field if they should find their way past the Vikings.

Any changes to Thursday’s practice status are noted in bold text, and players listed without likelihood of playing on Sunday (whether they are Out or Questionable) should be considered ready to go. Here’s what we’ve learned.

From the Saints

  • CB Eli Apple (Ankle), Did not participate, OUT
  • FB Zach Line (Knee), Did not participate, OUT
  • SS Vonn Bell (Knee), Full
  • FS Marcus Williams (Groin), Full
  • WR Michael Thomas (Hand), Full
  • RB Dwayne Washington (Knee), Full

From the Vikings

  • LB Eric Kendricks (Quadriceps), Limited
  • CB Mackensie Alexander (Knee), OUT
  • DE Stephen Weatherly (Illness), Did not participate
  • SS Andrew Sendejo (Illness), Did not participate
  • DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (Hamstring), Limited
  • DT Shamar Stephen (Knee), Full
  • SS Jayron Kearse (Foot), Full
  • CB Mike Hughes (Neck), OUT/IR
  • CB Xavier Rhodes (Ankle), Full
  • RB Dalvin Cook (Shoulder), Full
  • RB Alexander Mattison (Ankle), Full

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Vikings down multiple cornerbacks for wild-card round game vs. Saints

The Minnesota Vikings will be without cornerbacks Mike Hughes and Mackensie Alexander against the New Orleans Saints in their wild-card game

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A few surprises accompanied the Minnesota Vikings’ final injury report for the wild-card round matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Cornerback Mike Hughes was downgraded from limited practice participation to being out for Sunday’s game with the Saints, and was subsequently moved to the injured reserve list with a neck issue.

Additionally, cornerback Mackensie Alexander was also downgraded, and will not be available for Sunday’s game. He’s been struggling with a knee injury. Both players rotate into and out of the slot corner position, and their absence will undoubtedly provide challenges for the Vikings defense.

Alexander is a huge loss, and is considered one of the better Vikings cornerbacks on the roster. He played 48.8% of all defensive snaps in 2019, and boasted a 65.7 rating from Pro Football Focus. Despite recording only one interception this season, Alexander has often provided above-replacement coverage at his position.

Hughes is also a significant loss for Minnesota, considering he saw an average of 45.6% of defensive snaps. He was also a punt returner who saw an expanded role with the special teams units as the season went on, so his loss will be felt on two different fronts of the Vikings gameplan.

Number-one cornerback Xavier Rhodes will be heavily relied upon against New Orleans, but we knew that already. He has recently struggled in his play, turning in his worst-graded season as a pro. Expect the Saints to consistently attack the slot and Rhodes in their offensive gameplan, creating opportunities for Michael Thomas and Drew Brees to attack downfield. Number-two cornerback Trae Waynes will also likely have to shoulder a heavier workload.

Minnesota signed veteran Marcus Sherels in response to both of these injury blows. Sherels will likely return punts for the Vikings, and provide depth at the cornerback position. Despite not seeing the field much this season, it appears Minnesota feel confident he can return to previous form and produce in a playoff situation. Ironically, he was the favorite to return punts for the Saints this year, but he was outplayed by rookie sensation Deonte Harris, who was named to both the Pro Bowl and AP first-team All-Pro list.

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Where Saints, Vikings ranked in key stats in 2019

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings compare favorably in various key stats from the 2019 season, including point differential.

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Wild-card weekend is almost upon us, and the New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday in the playoffs’ opening round. Currently, the Saints are a 7.5-point home favorite over the Kirk Cousins-led Vikings.

Money lines won’t tell the entire story in this matchup. A deeper dive into rankings of key stats throughout the season is necessary to unpack it. We will take a look at differentials for points and turnovers, rushing yards per game, and third-down conversion percentages between the two teams.

Point differential

Saints +117; Viking +104

Point differential is often a better indicator of team performance than overall record. Teams stuck with a lower point differential, but having still maintained a solid overall record, can be considered “lucky” by winning incredibly close games that could have gone either way at the end (looking at you, Seattle Seahawks).

New Orleans unsurprisingly holds the fifth-best point differential in the NFL, and the second-best in the NFC. However, Minnesota, whose offense is regularly criticized, holds the seventh best point differential in the NFL and fourth best in the NFC.

The Saints defense will have to play one of their best games in order to stop a sneakily good Vikings offense, that will be headlined by running back Dalvin Cook who will be returning from injury.

Turnover differential

Saints +15; Vikings +11

Turnover differential calculates how well a team takes care of the ball on offense, while also taking into account how many turnovers that same team creates on defense. It is an important stat that helps determine how many opportunities each team can create (or destroy) for itself.

New Orleans’ offense set the NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season with only eight in the 2019 regular season. Meanwhile, its defense helped create 23 turnovers, which ranked 14th in the league. Minnesota was not far behind with the fifth best turnover differential in the league.

Once again, Minnesota has quietly proven it can take care of the ball on offense, while still forcing errors on opposing defenses. The Saints will have to rely on a strong running game, and quarterback Drew Brees’ accuracy in order to prolong drives and reduce mistakes that the Vikings will try to capitalize on.

Rushing yards per game

Saints 108.6 yards; Vikings 133.3 yards

We finally arrive at a stat that the Vikings clearly outrank the Saints. Cook has led the Vikings in rushing yards with 1,135 yards in only 14 games this season. Cook has led the way for the Vikings to achieve the sixth best rushing game in the NFL.

Meanwhile, New Orleans ranks 16th in the league in rushing, but their star running back Alvin Kamara has missed significant time with injury this season. Kamara has begun to look more like himself the last two weeks of the regular season, and could be a large factor in the wild-card game.

Finally, the Saints defense has not given up a 100-yard rusher in 42 straight games. If New Orleans can hold Cook to less than 100-yards, then it will limit play-action opportunities and force Cousins to make quicker decisions, which should bode well for the Saints. The Vikings defense is competent at stopping the run (108.0 rushing yards allowed per game), but they don’t have the consistency of the Saints defense (91.3 rushing yards allowed per game).

Third-down conversion rate

Saints 42.2%; Vikings 42.8%

Third down conversion rates are important when looking at how well teams are able to keep the drive alive. However, it is not the end-all, be-all since first- and second-down conversions are just as important in helping to sustain successful drives. That being said, good teams keep themselves alive on third down by dialing up the right play and converting.

For as efficient as the Saints offense has been all season, the Vikings have been even more so, on third downs at least. The two teams’ third-down conversion rate is almost identical, and this stat may be what both of their defensive game plans will focus on. Whichever sides’ defense can get off the field quickly and more often will hold the advantage.

It’s important to contrast these conversion rates on offense against what the other team is allowing on defense. While the Saints are slightly worse on third down when they have the ball (at 42.2%), they’ve got the Vikings beat on defense (34.8%). Minnesota’s third-down defense, usually a point of pride for coach Mike Zimmer, is substantially worse at getting off the field on third down (39.7%). If the Saints defense can create many third-down opportunities, they should win that matchup against Cousins and the Vikings offense, while Zimmer’s defense should struggle against Brees and the Saints.

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Saints vs. Vikings updated injury report wild-card round

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings updated their injury report for the wild-card round game that will take place on Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings updated their injury report for the wild-card round game that will take place on Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Wednesday’s injury report for the Saints was only an estimation of players’ status considering it was just a walkthrough. Safeties Vonn Bell, and Marcus Williams both “returned” in a limited status on Wednesday, and their participation on Thursday and Friday will be much more indicative of their status on Sunday.

Cornerback Eli Apple once again did not participate in practice on Wednesday, and has two days of practice remaining to make his way back to the field for Sunday’s game.

Minnesota saw the return of running back Dalvin Cook in a full capacity, and is expected to play on Sunday.

Any changes made from Wednesday’s injury report will be denoted in bold.

From the Saints

  • CB Eli Apple (Ankle), Did not participate
  • FB Zach Line (Knee), Did not participate
  • SS Vonn Bell (Knee), Full
  • FS Marcus Williams (Groin), Full
  • WR Michael Thomas (Hand), Full
  • RB Dwayne Washington (Knee), Full

From the Vikings

  • LB Eric Kendricks (Quadriceps), Limited
  • CB Mackensie Alexander (Knee), Did not participate
  • DE Stephen Weatherly (Illness), Did not participate
  • SS Andrew Sendejo (Illness), Did not participate
  • DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (Hamstring), Limited
  • DT Shamar Stephen (Knee), Full
  • SS Jayron Kearse (Foot), Full
  • CB Mike Hughes (Neck), Limited
  • CB Xavier Rhodes (Ankle), Full
  • RB Dalvin Cook (Shoulder), Full
  • RB Alexander Mattison (Ankle), Full

 

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is ‘ready to go’ vs. Saints in wild-card round

Minnesota Vikings RB’s Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison returned to practice before their wild-card round game with the New Orleans Saints

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The New Orleans Saints will be facing a better version of the Minnesota Vikings than has taken the field in recent weeks, because star running back Davlin Cook is returning to the lineup. Cook missed the final two regular season games with a chest injury, but he’ll be rested and ready for the Saints during Sunday’s wild-card round game.

“It’s a long season. You go through a lot, your body takes a lot,” Cook told Lindsey Young of Vikings.com. “I got some rest, and I’m ready to go.”

Cook gained a team-leading 1,135 rushing yards and scored 13 touchdown runs in 14 games, a rate of 81.1 yards per game on the ground. He also ranked second-most in both receptions (53, on 63 targets) and receiving yards (519) for Minnesota, chipping in 37.1 yards per game through the air. He’s a dynamic weapon who should seriously threaten the Saints defense’s streak of 42 games without allowing a 100-yard rusher.

Additionally, Minnesota could be welcoming the return of backup running back Alexander Mattison, a rookie the Saints scouted during his career at Boise State. Mattison missed the last three games with an ankle issue, but he and Cook were each spotted at Wednesday’s Vikings practice in helmets, going through drills in their usual first- and second-string rotation. The Vikings offensive line remains vulnerable, but both of these runners are capable of creating something out of nothing, and that should keep the Saints defense wary.

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Opening odds favor Saints to beat the Vikings by more than a TD

The New Orleans Saints are favored by more than a touchdown over the Minnesota Vikings in their wild card round matchup in the 2019 playoffs

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The NFL has set its playoff schedule for next week’s wild card round games, and the New Orleans Saints are readying for a rematch against the Minnesota Vikings, who eliminated them in 2017.

That was a returning of the favor from their last postseason matchup in 2009, when the Saints beat Minnesota to advance to (and win) the Super Bowl. The Vikings didn’t follow New Orleans’ example, however, instead getting run off the field by the Philadelphia Eagles. Minnesota went on to miss the playoffs the next year with an 8-7-1 record, while the Saints beat that same Eagles team twice by a combined score of 68-21. Makes you think that maybe the wrong team won back in 2017, but let’s not dwell on it.

Per the latest odds from BetMGM, the Saints are 7.5-point home favorites over the Vikings for this latest entry in their long-running series. With an initial over/under of 46.5, that implies a final score in the neighborhood of Saints 28, Vikings 20. In other words, bettors are expecting a competitive game, with New Orleans ultimately coming out on top. We’ll see soon whether Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins can finally have a good game on a big stage, and test how well Minnesota’s running game performs against a staunch Saints defensive front.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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