What are the keys to victory for the Minnesota Vikings at the Saints?
Although the Minnesota Vikings don’t have much hope of securing an unlikely playoff berth this season, there is plenty at stake during their Week 16 game at the New Orleans Saints. Mike Zimmer’s men have a storied and sometimes controversial history with Sean Payton’s men in recent years and a win on Christmas day would all-but deny the home side the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.
Whether it was bounty gate, the Minneapolis Miracle, or the walk-off touchdown from Kyle Rudolph in last season’s playoffs, there always appears to be drama whenever the Vikings and the Saints clash. There is far more pressure on New Orleans which might work in Minnesota’s favor, but the size of the task awaiting them on a short week is a steep one.
Finishing the season on a high will be priority No. 1 for Zimmer, who has his work cut out this offseason with some difficult upcoming decisions that won’t be helped by some significant salary-cap complications. Their loss against the Chicago Bears last time out was demoralizing in more ways than one and just how much fight this young roster has left remains to be seen.
Lets’s take a look at four keys to victory for the Vikings at the Saints in Week 16.
Key to Victory No. 1
Negate the New Orleans pass-rush
One of the primary factors behind the Saints’ success in 2020 has been their defensive front. They are relentless getting after the quarterback and in Cameron Jordan and Trey Hendrickson, they boast two edge rushers at the top of their game.
Stopping them is easier said than done. But it is not impossible.
Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill have played well this season and the Vikings will be hoping for more of the same if they want to stand any chance of getting themselves back to winning ways. The Saints are averaging 2.9 sacks-per-game and they are sure to smell blood in their bid to secure the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.