Saints vs. Vikings: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The 2-11 Minnesota Vikings will host the 10-3 New Orleans Saints on Sunday in a game that could very well get out of hand early. The Saints and quarterback Drew Brees have been on a major offensive hot streak lately, so it wouldn't be surprising to see a lopsided score.

New Orleans has won five straight games, many in blow-out fashion, and are now in a tight battle with the San Francisco 49ers for a first-round bye in the NFC. The Saints may have the most well-rounded offense in the entire league, and that is something that could give the Vikings trouble.

Minnesota's season began with promise, but it derailed quite quickly. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was cut, giving rookie first-round pick Christian Ponder the starting job. Running back Adrian Peterson has missed the past couple games with an ankle injury, and his status for Sunday's game is still in question.

All signs point to an easy New Orleans win, although the Vikings have proven to be a tough team to beat at home. Minnesota nearly upended the undefeated Green Bay Packers several weeks ago, and it will look to give the Saints a run for their money on Sunday.

Where: Mall of America Field in Minneapolis, Minn.

When: Sunday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. EST

Watch: FOX; WVUE-TV FOX 8 Live (New Orleans) and KMSP TV FOX 9 (Minnesota)

Listen: WWL 870 AM (New Orleans) and KFAN 1130 AM (Minnesota); Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Internet 880 (New Orleans) and XM 230 (Internet 878, Minnesota)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: New Orleans (-7)

Saints Injury Report

Questionable: RB Mark Ingram (toe), DL Turk McBride (ankle), DL Sedrick Ellis (hamstring), LB Jonathan Casillas (knee)

Probable: TE Jimmy Graham (back)

Vikings Injury Report

Questionable: RB Adrian Peterson (ankle), DB Chris Cook (non-injury)

Probable: QB Christian Ponder (hip)

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Sleeper

Start: All Saints Offensive Players—The Vikings defense has been in dire straits this season, particularly against the pass. This is a major issue against the Saints, as quarterback Drew Brees is on fire. Because of the circumstances, Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham are all great plays, as well as running back Darren Sproles and running back Mark Ingram if he plays.

Sit: QB Christian Ponder (MIN)—Unless you're in a deep league that starts two quarterbacks, you probably don't start Ponder anyway, but the rookie signal-caller is coming off his toughest game as a professional and may be on a short leash. The Saints can be passed on, but they also are capable of applying pressure, so Ponder will likely be under siege all day.

Sleeper: WR Percy Harvin (MIN)—Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is beginning to enter must-start territory after early-season injuries slowed him down, but it would be understandable if owners are still a bit gun shy. Provided Harvin is on the field, though, he is extremely productive. Not only is he the focal point in the passing game, but he has been very active in the running game as well recently, making him a great play.

What They're Saying

The game between the Saints and Vikings is still a few days away, but the war of words has already started. The war has been a bit one-sided to this point, though, as defensive end Jared Allen trashed the city of New Orleans in a recent interview, according to WWLTV.com. Luckily for Allen, the Vikings will be hosting the Saints on Sunday.

"

There's two cities like I don't go out to eat or don't do anything. It's Detroit and New Orleans. New Orleans looks like I'm driving through a third-world country every time I get off the plane, I'm like, 'Oh, flak jacket.' I'm trying to get down. I'm like, 'Ah, crap, I can't carry my gun here. This sucks.

"

Saints Player to Watch: QB Drew Brees

If it weren't for a quarterback named Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Saints quarterback Drew Brees would likely be the MVP of the league this season. With well over 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns already, Brees is essentially the one player that makes the Saints go.

He has thrown for over 300 yards in four consecutive games and currently holds the second-longest touchdown streak in NFL history. That streak should easily be extended against the Vikings' soft secondary, plus a whole lot more. Brees and the Saints are on a mission to secure the No. 2 spot in the NFC, so they should put on an aerial show in Minnesota.

Vikings Player to Watch: WR Percy Harvin

This has certainly been a rough season for the Vikings, but one positive is that wide receiver Percy Harvin has proven capable of being an offensive force when healthy. Not only has he been a proficient receiver with 69 grabs for 779 yards, but he has also contributed as a runner with almost 300 yards on the ground.

Especially if running back Adrian Peterson is forced to miss Sunday's game, Harvin will be a huge factor on offense. Any time Harvin has the ball in his hands, he is a threat to take it to the house, and that is exactly what the Vikes will need to combat the explosive Saints offense.

Key Matchup: Drew Brees vs. MIN Secondary

The Saints rank first in the league when it comes to passing the ball, and the Vikings rank just 26th when it comes to stopping it. With that in mind, Sunday could be disastrous for Minnesota. If the Vikings' secondary continues to play the way it has in recent weeks, the team will simply have no chance to pull off the upset.

If they can find a way to tighten up, however, it will be a different story. The Tennessee Titans were able to keep Brees under wraps for most of the first half last week by forcing him into short throws. He eventually broke out in a big way later in the game, but the Vikes would be very well served to replicate Tennessee's early-game tactics.

On the Hot Seat: QB Christian Ponder

Rookie quarterbacks are going to go through their growing pains, so the fact that Christian Ponder was pulled in the Vikings' loss to the Detroit Lions last week shouldn't be read too much into. It should be noted, however, that the athletic Joe Webb stepped in and played very well in relief, as he nearly led the Vikings to a comeback.

Ponder is most definitely still the starter, but if he continually turns the ball over like he did last week, then the coaching staff may not hesitate to put Webb in once again. One or two bad outings aren't going to cost Ponder his job, but if it becomes a trend, Webb has proven capable of making some plays.

Prediction

Saints 38, Vikings 21