Vikings at Saints
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-4.5, 48.5)
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Well, taking into account both the Saints and the Vikings didn't lose much in terms of personnel this offseason, and considering they were the top two teams in the NFC last season, see this matchup as an early statement for conference supremacy in 2010.
VIKINGS’ STRATEGY
Despite losing last year’s NFC Championship game, Minnesota feels confident about attacking with a similar game plan. All-Pro tailback Adrian Peterson carved the Saints’ interior defense, gaining 122 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
Turnovers cost the Vikes a game they otherwise should have won. Minny won the time of possession battle by a large margin and the NFC North champs look to use the same strategy.
"In a perfect world, you would chew the clock a great deal and keep an explosive offense off the field," Vikings coach Brad Childress told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
"Absolutely,” Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell told reporters. “I think that we need to try to get Adrian the ball as much as we can.”
DEFENDING THEIR TURF
The Saints practiced at the Superdome on Tuesday for a tune-up and to check out the stadium’s turf. The home side has the benefit of altering how fast or slow the artificial surface plays.
Head coach Sean Payton was open when talking to the New Orleans Times-Picayune about the subject.
"We play with it and how firm we want it to be ... we can change that,” Payton told reporter Jim Varney.
SECONDARY A PRIMARY ISSUE
Minnesota’s defensive secondary has been an issue for several seasons now. The weakness is often exploited by teams who give up running the ball against the Vikings’ stout interior defensive linemen.
That spot looks even softer entering this season. The Purple People Eaters will probably enter Thursday’s game with just three cornerbacks. Cedric Griffin, who’s just eight months removed from major knee surgery, might be rushed into an emergency start because of injury to rookie corner Chris Cook.
Team blog VikingAge.com also reports that Childress is leaning toward starting Husain Abdullah beside Madieu Williams at safety.
The report says Jamarca Sanford and Tyrell Johnson will be the leading contenders for the starting spot and took the majority of first-string snaps during the preseason.
From what we understand, Childress prefers Adbullah because he’s better in pass coverage than Sanford and Johnson.
PRESEASON BUZZ
The Saints made the most of their exhibition slate, scoring more than 20 points in each of their four games. They also topped 30 points twice. The Vikings, who opened without Favre and gave him limited time when he did return, reached 20 in three of the four games.
LINE MOVEMENT
Money has been pretty even on both sides, which is understandable. Both are public teams, and both are coming off tremendous seasons. The Saints opened as 4-point favorites, and can be found around -5.5 now. The total, however, has dipped down, moving from a 54 open to 48.5 this week.
THE LINE TRENDS
The Vikings open loud and proud. They are 6-2 ATS in their last eight openers.
The Vikings are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games in conference.
The Vikings are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 overall.
The Saints love September, too. Home, road, day, night, it makes no difference. In their last five September games, New Orleans is 5-0 ATS.
And with the September success comes Opening Week success. The Saints are also 4-1 ATS in their last five openers.
THE TOTAL TRENDS
The Saints are 5-1-1 over in their last seven September games.
Saints home games have gone over in 16 of the last 23 at home, with one push in there.
In the Vikings' last 10 games, seven have gone under.
INJURY REPORT
Both teams are fairly healthy going into this tilt. For the Vikings, linebacker EJ Henderson and Favre, of course, are probable, while receiver Sidney Rice is out.
For the Saints, linebacker Jonathan Vilma and receiver Marques Colston are probable while safety Darren Sharper is out. Fairly close to fully staffed on both sides.
