After a down year in 2018, Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen was back to his ways in 2019. That continued in Sunday’s overtime win over the Saints in the wild card round of the playoffs.
Griffen finished the game with three tackles, three quarterback hits, a tackle for loss and a season-high 1.5 sacks.
Griffen, along with Danielle Hunter who had 1.5 sacks of his own, were the difference in this game. The two defensive ends got pressure on Drew Brees early and often. Brees never felt comfortable and that led in a fumble (forced by Hunter) and an interception to safety Anthony Harrirs.
The Vikings will need a repeat performance from these two against the 49ers in a matchup where they are 6.5-point underdogs. The 49ers allowed just 28 sacks this season, a mark that ranked sixth in the league.
However, the Saints allowed just 22 sacks, the best mark in the league, and the Vikings didn’t seem to have any problem with that.