The New Orleans Saints may curse their luck, because for the third week running they face yet another top NFL defence in the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have surrendered below 24 points per game and are only conceding 380 yards per game making them the 13th best defence in the league. Saints on the other hand average 34 points per game and 413 yards per game thus earning them the 6th most productive offence in the league.
It’s a chance for payback for the New Orleans Saints who were denied a trip to the NFC Championship Game on their last visit to Minnesota. In the “Miracle at Minnesota”, the Vikings denied the Saints victory in one of the most dramatic finishes in NFL history when wide receiver Stefon Diggs scored on a 61-yard TD pass for a sensational 29-24 win as time expired. The Saints are bringing a five game winning streak into this match and if revenge is on their minds, they have the form to back up their will.
The New Orleans Saints (5-1) have won 6 of their last 9 on their travels while Quarterback Drew Brees has two or more TD passes in 8 of his previous 13 games. He is completing 77.3% of his passes for a total of 1,870 yards, contributing 13 TDs and giving up zero interceptions. The Saints ground game is averaging 108.3 yards per contest while Alvin Kamara is showing the way with 363 yards and 6 TDs.
Kamara and Thomas have combined for 5 TDs and a total of 950 receiving yards. Defensively Demario Davis shines with 49 tackles, Cameron Jordan contributes with 5 sacks and Marcus Williams with the one interception. They are allowing 27.2 points per game and 366 yards per game. The Saints managed a very narrow 24-23 win over Baltimore Ravens in week 7.
The Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) who host this match up for the third time in under 14 months enter week 8 ranked 13th in total yards per game with a 380.4 mark in 7 games and fresh from 3 successive wins. Last week, their strong defence allowed the Jets Quarterback Sam Darnold to complete only 40% of his passes forcing 4 turnovers while holding the Jets rushing attack to only 3 yards per carry.
Their defence ranks 11th in yards allowed this year having held opponents to a 23.4% third down conversion rate. The Minnesota Vikings are averaging 293.0 passing yards per game and Adam Thielen has extended his 100 receiving yards streak to 7 games in the impressive 37-17 victory over New York Jets. Kirk Cousins is completing 70% of his passes for 2162 yards, 14 TDs and 3 interceptions. Thielen’s 822 receiving yards is first in the NFL and tied for the fourth most through the first seven games of a season in NFL history.
Xavier Rhodes, Andrew Sendejo and Anthony Barr, Dalvin Cook and Tom Compton are questionable for the Vikings while DE Everson Griffen is definitely out of Sunday’s game. The Saints have fewer injuries headaches with Jermon Bushrod and Mitchell Loewen the major worries, both are questionable for Sunday.
The Saints will be highly motivated for this game considering the events of the last meeting between the two sides. They have also not lost a game since the opening loss to Tampa Bay. However, the offensive game of the Vikings has been elevated by Cousins and the connection between Diggs and Thielen should prove too hot for the Saints to handle.
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