Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Vikes-Saints- facts and thoughts on the game


The Minnesota Vikings (1-1) travel to play the New Orleans Saints (0-2) at noon on Sunday September 21.

I read an article whose headline had this: New Orleans Saints, the best worst team in the NFL. It is hard to believe the powerful Saints are 0-2. A fact about teams that start 0-2 shows only 12.5 percent of those teams make the playoffs.

Game info:

Channel: Fox

Broadcast team: Chris Myers and Ronde Barber with Jennifer Hale handling the sideline duties.

Las Vegas: Saints favored by 9.5

VIKINGS-SAINTS SERIES

Minnesota is 20-10 all-time vs the Saints and are 8-7 in New Orleans. The Vikings have lost the last 3 in New Orleans having not won there since 2008.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS TEAM AND PLAYER FUN FACTS

Minnesota has now scored a touchdown in 53 straight games which ranks 3rd all-time in team history.

Vikings First rounder, Anthony Barr leads the teams in tackles with 22. He has 18 solo and 4 assists. What a great way to start his career.

Harrison Smith vs the Patriots had 13 tackles which is career high. If he can stay healthy we have a pro-bowl caliber safety for a long time.

The Vikings have 8 new starters sine last season. The only ones to remain starters in 2014 are Harrison Smith, Brian Robison and Chad Greenway. What a turnover but look forward to it being successful.

Matt Asiata who started Sunday vs the Patriots recorded his first touchdown reception in his career. He also had a career high in reception with 5 and yardage with 48.

The Vikings have the 4th most home wins since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger

1) Pittsburgh Steelers 245-95-1

2) Denver Broncos 237-102-4

3) Miami Dolphins 228-112-1

4) Minnesota Vikings 227-114-1

MINNESOTA VIKINGS ROSTER FUN FACTS

The Oldest Vikings on the roster is Cullen Loeffler (33) and the youngest is Teddy Bridgewater (21).

The colleges that are represented by the most Vikings have 4 and they are from Notre Dame and USC.

The college conference with the most Vikings is the Pac 12 with 10 Vikings from that conference.

The largest Vikings player is Phil Loadholt (6’8” and 343 pounds) and the smallest Vikings is Marcus Sherels (5’8” and 175 pounds).

There are 10 former first round picks on the roster and 9 former Pro Bowlers

The Vikings staff has 4 former NFL Players (Jeff Davidson, Jerry Gray, George Stewart and Hank Fraley).

THOUGHTS ON THE SAINTS GAME

The Saints are 0-2 coming home for their first home game of 2014. If we don’t think they are going to want to show America they are not a 0 win team we better think again.

Drew Brees is in mind a top 5 quarterback in the NFL and has dangerous weapons at receiver. The one that concerns me the most is tight end/wide receiver, Jimmy Graham.

The Saints running back, Mark Ingram is out 4 weeks due to a hand injury.

The Saints have scored 58 points and given up 63 so I like this stat. I know Minnesota offense is better than it showed vs the Patriots.

The Vikes defense played decent last Sunday and will definitely be challenged by Brees and company. The ally I love in this case is having defense genius, Mike Zimmer on our side.

The noise will be a factor for sure. The offensive line is key in protecting Cassel. I was at the 2009 NFC Championship came and can assure you it is deafening in there.

I just wonder how much pressure Cassel puts on himself knowing one more bad performance and a young 21 year old man may be waiting in the wings. I look for Cassel and the offensive line to play much better. I have no facts to base this on just a gut feeling these guys will show us they are contenders.

Green Bay plays at Detroit on Sunday so I kook for at the end of Sunday to see Minnesota and Detroit 2-1 while Green Bay and Chicago go to 1-2.

Vikes win in a shocker 24-23

Thanks for reading

Todd Walkingstick

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