What are some stats to know about the Minnesota Vikings matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Week 16?
The stakes for the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints Week 16 matchup are significantly smaller than past meetings.
The Saints are embroiled in the NFC’s playoff hunt, but two consecutive losses have doused their hopes of wrapping up a first-round bye. For now, the Green Bay Packers hold the top spot in the NFC. Green Bay does have a formidable foe in the Tennessee Titans on the Week 16 docket though.
From a Vikings standpoint, this will be the first time since 2011 that a game against New Orleans has little bearing on the remainder of the season.
Minnesota will need miraculous happenings to materialize if they are to wiggle into the playoffs this year. The loss to the Chicago Bears last weekend substantially dampened the Vikings’ postseason dreams.
The Saints should be motivated to conquer the Vikings. Sean Payton’s team has not lost three straight games in a season since September of 2016. A defeat at the hands of Minnesota would make it three in a row.
New Orleans has dropped its last two games to the Jalen Hurts-led Philadelphia Eagles and then to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15. Losing in Week 16 will create a possible tumble in playoff seeding for Drew Brees and company.
Nevertheless, when the Vikings and Saints hook up, the product is entertaining. It is unlikely that Minnesota players consider themselves eliminated from the postseason. Ergo, the on-the-field vibe of the game should be akin to a normally high-stakes regular-season football game.
Let’s have a look at a few things to know about this Christmas Day matchup between the Vikings and Saints.