4 Saints the Vikings need to be the most concerned about in Week 16

Alvin Kamara – RB

The Vikings‘ run defense has been a weak spot all season long and it was majorly exposed last week by the Bears. Chicago running back David Montgomery bull-dozed his way to nearly 150 yards on the ground and Minnesota couldn’t come close to slowing him down.

Jaleel Johnson and Shamar Stephen have basically been useless in the middle of the Vikings defensive line and without linebacker Eric Kendricks in the middle, the team’s run defense is scraping the bottom of the barrel in the NFL.

The bad news for Minnesota is that Alvin Kamara is a much better back than Montgomery. He may not be as physical, but Kamara is quicker, faster, and he has better vision.

Kamara is also a bigger threat to catch the football and without Kendricks in the middle, the Vikings linebackers will be exposed.

Minnesota’s defense will need to decide whether they are going to try to take Kamara out of the game and make Drew Brees beat them or vice versa. If they elect to try and shut down the New Orleans rushing attack, they’ll need to consistently run blitz with the corners and safeties.

The Vikings will also need to stack the box, as they’ve proven they can’t shut anyone’s run game down relying just on their front seven. Minnesota also needs to be concerned about Latavius Murray as it is very possible both he and Kamara finish with huge rushing performances during this Christmas Day matchup.