Championship Sunday! Vikings-Saints Preview

The day has finally arrived. Today's NFC Championship Game in New Orleans promises to be a thriller. Brett Favre came back to lead this team to a Superbowl and today he gets his chance. Here are the keys to the game:

When the Vikings have the ball:

1. Adrian Peterson vs. Saints front seven

Adrian has been sitting on a big game for awhile now. He needs to break out today for the Purple. Elite running backs have had huge games against the Saints defense. Brett Favre gets all the press, but Adrian Peterson may have the biggest day today.

2. Vikings offensive line vs. Saints defensive line

When Brett Favre has been protected well this year, he has been unstoppable. The Vikings O-Line must play well against a defense that loves to bring the blitz. They did a great job protecting Favre last week against a very good Cowboys pass rush.

3. Brett Favre vs. Saints secondary

The Vikings should see a lot of single coverage in the secondary considering that the Saints love to blitz. Favre has burned single coverage all year long. Last week, the Cowboys used single coverage on Sidney Rice and he scored three touchdowns. If the Saints make the same mistake, Rice may have another huge day. It will also be interesting to see Favre face off with his former teammate Darren Sharper. They each know each other so well. It will be a mind game all day.


When the Saints have the ball:

1. Vikings defensive line vs. Saints offensive line

This might be the biggest match up of the game. The Vikings sacked Tony Romo six times last week. If Jared Allen and co. can force Brees to get rid of the ball before he wants to, they might be able to slow down the dangerous aerial attack of New Orleans. Kevin Williams and Ray Edwards will play, but they may be less than 100%.

2. Saints running backs vs. Vikings front seven

Everything starts with the running game for New Orleans. Once they establish the run, they use play action and screens very effectively. The Vikings have the second ranked run defense in the NFL, led by Pat and Kevin Williams. They need to make the Saints one dimensional.

3. Drew Brees and Saints receivers vs. Vikings safeties

Safety play has been the weakest area of the Vikings defense all year long. Madieu Williams, Tyrell Johnson, and Jamarca Sanford need to tackle well and prevent big plays.


One other key point: Kickers

Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell is more experienced and trustworthy than Saints kicker Garrett Hartley. In a game where one field goal could make the difference, the Vikings have a big advantage in this department.


Prediction:

Vikings 34, Saints 28

Once the Vikings got Brett Favre, I said they were going to the Superbowl. I am not backing away from that now. Both offenses are excellent (#1 and #2 in the NFL), but the Vikings defense is ranked 6th, compared to 25th for the Saints. The Vikings have too many offensive weapons for the Saints to handle. Brett Favre will lead the Vikes to Miami.

SKOL.

It's playoff time! Vikings-Cowboys Preview

The Mission Miami begins in earnest today for the Minnesota Vikings, as they host the hot Dallas Cowboys today at Mall of America Field. This is the reason that Brad Childress picked up Brett Favre at the airport this past summer. We didn't get Favre to win in the regular season. It's all about today and going forward. Favre knows this and I expect him go have a huge game today at home, where he has thrown 21 TD to just 2 INT. Here are the key match ups in today's divisional playoff game:

When the Vikings have the ball:

1. Vikings O-Line vs. Cowboys defensive front

In my opinion, this is the most important match up of the game. The Cowboys defensive front, especially Demarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, and Jay Ratliff have been playing unbelievably well during their four game winning streak. When the Vikings have given Favre time to throw this year, their offense has been virtually unstoppable. They certainly have a lot of pride and don't want Favre to get hit at all, however, this is the toughest test they will face by far. The Vikings O-Line plays much better at home than on the road, so that will be to their advantage. This match up may determine the outcome of the game.

2. Brett Favre and Vikings receivers vs. Cowboys secondary

The Cowboys have the 20th ranked pass defense in the NFL, suggesting that this match up should favor Minnesota. Favre has picked apart most defenses this season, so expect nothing different today. Sidney Rice has a huge height advantage on Michael Jenkins and there is no one that can cover Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe on third down.

3. Adrian Peterson vs. Cowboys front seven

Against a team that likes to bring the pressure and has elite pass rushers, you must establish the run. If you don't, they will really start to come after Brett Favre. The Vikes run game has been best this year when they have used the pass to set up the run. They must pass first today and then pound the rock with AD.

When the Cowboys have the ball:

1. Cowboys offensive line vs. Vikings defensive line

The Vikings don't blitz a lot because they create enough pressure with their front four. They lead the NFL in sacks and must show up to play today. If the Vikings are forced to blitz to pressure Tony Romo, the hot quarterback could pick apart the Vikings defense in one on one coverage. Like the O-Line, the Vikes D-Line has played much better at home this year. The Cowboys O-Line should be a little delayed off the line due to the crowd noise and Jared Allen and Co. must take advantage.

2. Vikings front seven vs. Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice

The Cowboys three headed monster of running backs has given their offense terrific balance during their winning streak. Teams rarely even try to run on the Vikings in the Dome, but the Cowboys will at least attempt to today. If the Vikes front seven shuts them down, they force the Cowboys to become one dimensional and can come after Tony Romo.

3. Cowboys receivers and Jason Witten vs. Vikings secondary

The pass defense has been the weak part of the Vikings defense this season. Hopefully, the week off will help CB Antoine Winfield, as he will play a little outside and a little inside in the nickel today. Miles Austin has become a star just like the star on his helmet. Jason Witten is an elite tight end. The key with these receivers and Witten will be to get them on the ground immediately after they catch the ball. The Cowboys are one of the top teams in the league at getting yards after the catch, and Austin in particular thrives on it. The Cowboys don't go down the field much, preferring to use the short passes and the screen game. The Vikes need to put those Cowboys receivers down and limit their explosive plays.

Intangible factor:

The home field advantage.

This is the biggest advantage that either team has today. The Vikings are 8-0 at home and have averaged 31 points per game at the friendly confines of Mall of America Field. Yesterday, you saw what home field advantage did for the Saints and Colts. It will be extremely hard for the Cowboys to operate with the noise level in that building, as the purple fans make it hell on them. The home field, ultimately, will be the reason the Vikings win.

Prediction:

Vikings 30, Cowboys 20

Favre and the home field advantage will be too much for the Cowboys to handle. The Vikings advance to New Orleans for the NFC Championship Game next week. Let's go!

SKOL.

Vikings-Giants Preview

Let's just get a win today and cheer for the Cowboys. That's really all that needs to be said. The Vikes are back at home, where they are 7-0. They are also playing a Giants team that is counting down the seconds until the off-season. On offense, the Vikings have to pass to open up the run. On defense, they need to get some pressure on Eli Manning in order to take the pressure off of their vulnerable secondary. Let's get it done.

Prediction:

Vikings 31, Giants 17

SKOL.