Saints vs. Vikings: 8 Reasons New Orleans Should Fear the Vikings

For a comprehensive game plan for the Saints headed into their Week 15 contest, click here. 

The New Orleans Saints are among the hottest teams in the entire NFL, having won five games in a row. The Minnesota Vikings are among the coolest teams in the league, having lost five games in a row. 

All signs therefore point to an easy Saints victory--which would of course clinch the NFC South and give the Saints an excellent opportunity to obtain the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoff race. 

But every commentator and coach will tell you, no matter who you're playing, it's hard to win a game in the NFL. Here are eight good reasons New Orleans should legitimately fear this Vikings squad and not overlook them, as they did the St. Louis Rams earlier this season. 

1. Christian Ponder, the Rookie

In his inaugural campaign as an NFL signal-caller, Christian Ponder has had a number of moments he and the Vikings organization can only hope he learns from. If not, they will all eventually want to forget these moments. 

But Ponder has done something rather remarkable as a rookie. He's made this Vikings offense exciting. Literally anything can happen at anytime with Ponder under center. Ponder is just as likely to pull the ball down and gain 20 yards rushing as he is to throw an interception. 

The point is Ponder has ignited an offense that was going nowhere under Donovan McNabb and made Percy Harvin a potential Pro Bowler this season. 

Along with Joe Webb, the Vikings' QBs are always a legitimate threat to run, but has the arm strength and accuracy to make a perfect throw over the middle into triple coverage. 

Normally, the game plan is to blitz a rookie QB--not so against Ponder. Against this intelligent rookie you want to play zone coverage and maintain as many eyes on him as possible. This is the only sure fire way to slow him down.  

2. Joe Webb, Slash

Two weeks ago Joe Webb started at wide receiver. Last week at Detroit he played the majority of the second half at quarterback and was one play away from leading the Vikings to an amazing comeback victory. 

Head coach Leslie Frazier says rookie Christian Ponder will start this week, but the Vikings are not afraid to throw Webb in as a wildcat, or simply let him play the position for a series. 

Webb also has great size and speed, making him a huge running threat as a QB. And he is able to use these same traits to drive secondaries crazy as a receiver. 

While the Vikings' offense runs through Percy Harvin, Joe Webb is a scary threat who must be equally prepared for. 

3. All Day Adrian Peterson

Leslie Frazier is optimistic that Adrian Peterson will play this week. He hasn't played since Week 11 at home against the Raiders. 

Toby Gerhart has been a successful fill-in for Peterson, but AP is still the best pure running back in the NFL. His strength, power, and shiftiness is a combination few players possess. Any defense would struggle to slow this guy down. 

In the past, the Saints have had different levels of success slowing him down. In a Monday night game a few years back, the defense held him under 40 yards rushing. But in the NFC Championship Game two seasons ago, Peterson dominated the Saints defense--other than fumbling on multiple occasions. 

Coming off injury, expect Peterson and Gerhart to split carries, in addition to Minnesota's other slash--Percy Harvin. That combination is simply the best in the NFL, if and when healthy. 

4. Percy Harvin, the New Most Explosive Player in the NFL

One thing is clear after watching the Vikings' offense the past four weeks--they want to get the ball into Harvin's hands as often as possible. 

This may change a little with the return of Peterson, but Harvin's play the past few weeks has elevated this offense into what I would consider the scariest offense in the NFL behind New Orleans, Green Bay, and New England. 

Harvin has scored four times in those four games, but more so has put the Vikings' offense on his back and made them a legitimate threat. Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave leaves no stone unturned in finding ways to get the ball in Harvin's hands. 

It is a must to know where he is at all times. If you can slow him down, your odds of slowing this offense down go up significantly. If you're unable to, it's going to a LONG day. 

5. Jared Allen, the Best Hand on the Ground Edge Rusher in the League

Jared Allen leads the NFL in sacks with 17.5 this season--so it wouldn't be a stretch to say he is flat out the best pass rusher in the league. Clearly he's the best who regularly puts his hands on the ground. 

Regardless, Allen is great. He's a sure Hall of Famer in my books. The guy is unreal, and due to the Vikings' scheme, becomes a one-on-one matchup for Jermon Bushrod. 

As good as Bushrod has played the past few weeks, he hasn't faced a player of Allen's ability and determination. As I detailed in the game plan article, the Saints are going to have to help Bushrod by keeping a sixth blocker in for max protection. 

Even so, Allen is likely to get in Drew Brees' face with regularity. And if it isn't him, it will be one of the Vikings' other linemen. That's the beauty of the Vikings' pass rush scheme, it opens the gates for other players if the protection does a good job on Allen. 

Brees is going to have to be as alert as ever in this game to avoid the pass rush. The Saints game plan should include tons of deep throws, putting much of Brees' protection on himself. 

6. Playing on the Road in a Dome Game Is Tough!

The entire NFL knows the New Orleans Saints roster is built for success in a dome stadium. It is built with speed and aggressiveness. The defense relies on the advantages a home crowd can give them--namely noise and energy. 

But as the Saints saw against Atlanta, when the script is flipped and they're team on the other end of the equation, success is much more difficult to come by. Heck, this game wreaks of similarities to the loss at St. Louis. 

Minnesota has passionate fans, who will not be swayed by their losing record or the fact the Vikings would seem to be facing an impossible matchup. Frankly, the fans will step their game up in hopes the Vikings' team does the same. 

The one positive in that is the Saints' should build off that energy. Clearly, a building which creates a playoff atmosphere seems to be an advantage for this Saints squad. 

7. This Game Is Essentially the Vikings Super Bowl

With a 2-11 record the Vikings aren't going anywhere in 2011. In fact, they are likely headed for a top-five pick in the 2012 Draft. 

But this a Vikings team with pride, and a ton of talent. They aren't going to simply roll over in order to gain a slot higher in the draft. In fact, you could say a win like this against a Saints team that is going somewhere in 2011 could provide momentum heading into 2012. 

For that reason, expect the Vikings to throw everything into this game, knowing the result could benefit them going forward. In fact, teams that end the year strong often use that momentum to roll the next season. 

The Vikings should be plenty motivated to make that part of their story. They certainly have the talent to make that story a reality. 

8. Saints Struggle to Close Teams out on Road & Vikings Play Tough at Home

I've already mentioned the Vikings' crowd and their desire to impact a game. In that sense, this crowd is as good as the Saints crowd at the Mercedes Benz Superdome. And similar to the Saints, the Vikings have played better football at home than on the road. 

The pass rush is benefited by the noise and energy of the crowd, in addition to the fast turf. Percy Harvin goes from fast to a lightning bolt, nearly the equivalent of Usain. 

The Vikings have almost beat potential playoff teams--Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders--at home in recent weeks. Though the Saints are better teams than those two, they are just as apt to fall into the trap of not playing well in this game. 

While the goal is always a quick start, finishing games must be the main goal the next few weeks as the Saints prepare for the playoffs. It is something this Saints team has struggled mightily to do in recent weeks, especially on the road--nearly losing twice in the final minute. 

A dominating game from start to end may be the key to good feelings going into the playoffs. At some point the Saints are going to have to go on the road in the playoffs, even if it isn't until the Super Bowl--a long shot anyway. 

Those good feelings could go a long way toward the confidence necessary to go on the road in the playoffs and win. That is the goal, and Week 15 is not too early to gain that kind of confidence.