Vikings vs Saints: NFL Starts Here
For the first time in their history, New Orleans Saints fans can say they’ll be opening up the season as Super Bowl champions.
And as Super Bowl champions the Saints’ first task of the season is to host the team they beat in the NFC Championship game, the Minnesota Vikings. That win came in overtime so the Saints will be well aware of what the Vikings will bring to table on Thursday night.
Revenge will be high on Minnesota’s agenda come game time, and if the defending champions are to start the season without being embarrassed they’ll have to start the season much like they finished – winning.
"We haven't been down this road before as defending champs, but the fact of the matter is we all know this is a new season and everybody has the same hopes and aspirations," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
Brees was named Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 288 yards and two touchdowns and is ready to face a whole new challenge this season. Brees will be hoping he can reproduce the 4388 yards and 34 touchdowns he threw during last year’s regular season.
"There are 32 teams that believe this can be their year. ... We know that we are going to get everybody's best shot. We know we have to put our best foot forward every time we step on the field,” Brees said.
The Saints will have to compete without safety Darren Sharper, who underwent microfracture surgery on his knee. For a team which is projected to struggle defensively this season, not having Sharper for the first six games will be a big blow considering last season he was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with nine.
Sophomore Malcolm Jenkins will start in Sharper’s place.
As ever, Brett Favre followers had to endure a will he or won’t he stay retired off-season. As ever he decided to come back and will make his 286th consecutive start, and against the team he thought would be his last.
"Believe me, when I left New Orleans, a big part of me was - I don't want to say done - but the fact that we lost that game, how hard it is," Favre had said.
The 40-year-old had one of his best season’s last year throwing 4202 yards with 33 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions –the Vikings will be hoping he can reproduce such form.
But that form may not come after Favre underwent off-season ankle surgery and is reportedly still feeling the effects of the procedure. Add the absence of Sidney Rice – Favre’s favourite target last season – who is missing due to a knee injury and the aerial game could play second fiddle to their running game.
Adrian Peterson will lead the running game and after his three rushing touchdowns against the Saints in the NFC title game, will be a huge threat. Though Peterson did fumble the ball a few times in that match you can expect the Vikings to pound the running game if things with Favre don’t pan out.
Peterson led the NFL with 18 touchdowns and ranked third in scrimmage yards last year.
But if you thought the Vikings were going to upset the defending champions, you might want to consider this stat.
Each of the last 10 Super Bowl champions has opened their title defence with a victory.
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