Preparation and adjustments
Another issue the Vikings need to improve upon is just their overall preparation. This is mostly an issue on offense. They need to realize their offensive line can be a weakness and call plays that will make up for some of their shortcomings.
Kirk Cousins has shown he can be very effective when rolling out of the pocket. The Vikings should roll him away from Cameron Jordan as often as possible and nix the straight dropbacks.
Minnesota should also look to utilize a no-huddle offense early. The Saints’ defense is very good this season and not giving them the chance to line up or adjust to how the Vikings are lining up will be a big advantage for the purple.
Not seeing Minnesota make these adjustments at the half in Week 16 was disheartening. They just kept doing what wasn’t working and the offense continued to sputter.
If something isn’t working against New Orleans next weekend, let’s hope Kevin Stefanski and Gary Kubiak can come up with a new game plan for the Vikings’ offense instead of just continuing to run plays that aren’t going to work.
The same goes for the defense. If a certain player is struggling in coverage, Mike Zimmer should take them out. Whether it is Xavier Rhodes, Mike Hughes, or Trae Waynes, Zimmer should roll with who is hot and not keep an ineffective cover man out there against a potent Saints offense.