Saints vs Vikings, Sunday at 4:40 on Fox.

Ian’s Take:

This game will be a treat for fans everywhere. The 2nd best ranked offense against the best ranked defense. Here’s the thing though, the Vikings are 7-1 at home all season. The Vikings defense is only allowing 15.8 points per game while the Saints offense is scoring 28 points per game. The Vikings defense in the pass and rush ranks 2nd in yards allowed. The game will all come down to the Saints offense and if Brees and the dynamic duo in the Saints backfield can put up enough points to outscore Case Keenum and company at home.

Vikings 27-24 Saints

Wyatt’s Take:

An NFC championship caliber game in this one as the 12-5 Saints visit the 13-3 Vikings. Both teams defenses play with a ton of energy, both cause turnovers, and both are extremely well coached. The clear edge here goes to the Vikings. As a unit, they’ve allowed the least total yards this year, and their zone coverage schemes go well with their strong front seven and safety play. The Saints do have the edge on offense. Drew Brees looked locked in against the Saints despite rookie sensation Alvin Kamara not able to really get going. Michael Thomas is going to be a huge factor for the Saints offense, and his matchup against Xavier Rhodes may very well decide this one. Overall, I see the Saints make Case Keenum look like the real Case Keenum in crunch time, force some turnovers, and if they contain the run Sunday their offense is going to be able to put up some points against the Vikings.

Saints 31-28 Vikings

Riley’s Take:

The Saints head to Minneapolis to face a red-hot Vikings team, who have given up only 17 points in their last 3 games. The storyline to this game will be if the Viking defense can stop Kamara and Brees, and if Case Keenum can put up points in his first career playoff start.

Vikings 20-17 Saints

Varun’s Take:

The key to winning games for the Saints this year has been their two-headed monster at running back in Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. Against the Panthers, both were bottled up, as the Panthers wanted to force Drew Brees to stop them. Brees, a clear Hall of Fame quarterback, was happy to oblige, throwing beautiful passes all day long to Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. The Vikings won’t have to pick either the run or the pass to defend, as they can do both. On offense, Minnesota will have to make sure they don’t test Marshon Lattimore too often, as he can change the game by causing a turnover. The Saints have to control the tandem of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, a tall task for any team. The Vikings have more talent on both sides of the football, and while it should be close, the Minnesota defense should have a few more stops than the Saints’ defense does.

Vikings 24-20