4 improvements the Vikings need to make to beat the Saints

More consistent pass coverage

The Vikings’ pass coverage this season has been far below the standards of a Mike Zimmer coached defense.

Xavier Rhodes has been the biggest offender. The once lockdown corner is a shell of himself this year and the reason remains unclear. Maybe it is age catching up with him, but Rhodes has given up a ton of huge plays this season. He also has struggled with tackling and he has been routinely picked on by opposing offenses.

Mike Hughes has also struggled this year. He at least runs a little more hot and cold, but unfortunately is more cold than hot. Sometimes Hughes does have himself in good position, but he just doesn’t have the size to match up with his receiver.

The Saints have one of the best passing attacks in the league and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play leading it. Minnesota’s corners are going to have to play their best football of the season if the team hopes to get a win.

New Orleans offensive weapons are scary this year. Michael Thomas has been playing out of his mind and tight end Jared Cook is also a big target they rely on often.

The Saints also have lesser-known targets like Tre’Quan Smith, Ted Ginn, and Taysom Hill that they unleash on their opponents. Alvin Kamara is also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield. On paper, next Sunday’s matchup looks like a huge advantage for New Orleans.

Expect Zimmer to come up with some unique plan to slow down the Saints’ elite weapons on offense. He may continue to rotate his corners and that seems to have helped a little in past weeks. He’ll be disguising coverages and also trying to pressure Drew Brees.

Zimmer will do all he can, but he isn’t the one on the field playing. Rhodes, Hughes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander will all have to step up their game in New Orleans or the Vikings will just be one and done in this year’s playoffs.