Minnesota Vikings will not face Michael Thomas in Week 16 vs. Saints

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) can't haul in this New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) defends during a NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-24 to advance to the NFC Championship Game.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 14: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) can't haul in this New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) defends during a NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-24 to advance to the NFC Championship Game.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Michael Thomas will not be available for the Saints against the Minnesota Vikings.

The last three games of the 2020 NFL season will be essential for the Minnesota Vikings as they hope to make their way into the playoff picture. As it stands, the team is on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason and will need to win their remaining games and get some help if they want to get in.

Christmas Day will be a real challenge for the purple and gold as they will face a familiar opponent in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have already locked down a spot in the playoffs and have made the decision to place one of their biggest weapons on Injured Reserve in order to get him ready for the postseason.

Adam Schefter shared the news on his official Twitter account.

New Orleans boasts an explosive offense and will likely have future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees at the helm when the Vikings come to town. Add in dynamic running back Alvin Kamara and the versatile Taysom Hill, and you have a team that can attack a defense in any phase of the game.

Considering how the Vikings secondary is young and inexperienced, not having to face a player like Michael Thomas is definitely a good thing. The acceleration and hands of Thomas make him a huge challenge to try to guard and the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year is a player defenses always have to keep track of.

It will be interesting to see if the Minnesota Vikings can head into New Orleans and defeat the Saints to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, their chances might be a little better knowing that such a dangerous weapon will be off the table for the team from “The Big Easy” on Christmas Day.