What do the Saints need to do in order to secure a victory and travel into a place this franchise has only ever dreamed of…

…simple score more points than the opposition. ;-) To expand that and discuss more how the Saints need to slow the Vikings and the Saints run up the score here is my preview:

The most important aspect for the Saints offense is to NOT let the foot off the gas pedal. The Saints should never look at the scoreboard as to stay in the mindset that they need and should score on every position. I love that Drew Brees, quarterback of the Saints, has said in multiple times [paraphrased] “we want to score every time we [the offense] get the ball.” I love that tenacity to always push.

I believe the most important aspect of the game with be the lines…Can the Saints offensive line hold up against the MAMMOTH defensive line of the Vikings? Will the Saints defensive line without Charles Grant be able to break through the Vikings offensive line and obtain pressure on Brett Farve, quarterback of the Vikings.

If the Saints offensive line are able to give Brees enough time to set his feet and make his sniper like throws to his receivers who (if Brees has enough time to get the play set in motion) should be breaking into their routes, it will be business as usual. Brees is an unique specimen because unlike Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, if Brees takes a hit he can use that Dwayne Wade’s (All Pro NBA player and former champion) “fall down 7 times, get  back up 8 times”. That being said I hope the Saints’ offensive line can withstand the Williams Wall (Pat & Kevin) and Jared Allen…they will have their hands full defending.

The running backs for the Saints neeeeeed to carve up yardage to take pressure off of Brees. Mike Bell saw his carries reduced lasted and go to Lynell Hamilton who proved to be a good option for their goal line formats. And although Reggie Bush had a flashy and sensational game from all phases: running, catching, and returning…I think the most valuable running back will be Pierre Thomas. Thomas is consistant, he picks up solid yardage, catches the ball well for a running back, and most importantly is the best running back the Saints have that can pick up blitz schemes from opposing defenses. Thomas will be crucial picking up any of the Viking defenders that pass the line of scrimage whether they be linebackers like Chad Greenway or EJ Henderson (when he is healthy). Or bringing secondary players like Madeui Williams or Cedric Griffin. If Thomas can be the model of consistancy, stay on the field, and do all the little…the Saints will be in a good position to win.

I can also see IF the Saints are having issues with defending the Vikings defensive line that we will see more 2 tight end formations and see back up tight end David Thomas help fellow Saint and starting left tackle, Jermon Bushrod, against Jared Allen. With the right side and starting tight end Jeremy Shockey flaring out…one because Shockey has never been known for his pass protection abilities and two because he may not be needed on the right side with Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards nursing a knee injury.

On the other side of the ball I want to see if the slightly depleted defensive of the Saints can penetrate the colossal line of the Vikings. Sedrick Ellis and Will Smith need to establish themselves as hungry monsters who only crave purple blobs with the number 4 on their chest….AKA get to BRETT FARVE.

But the most intriguing match up of the day has to be Safety Darren Sharper against former Green Bay Packers teammate (of eight years) with current Minnesota quarterback Brett Farve. After Sharper left the Packers, he went to the Vikings for 4 years. Sharper and Farve know each other very well…tendencies, habits, and what they will do when the play breaks down. Sharper is having one of his best seasons as a professional and if the season was the first 8 games, Sharper would have walked away with defensive player of the year.

In the end if the Saints show up, they have the capabilities to beat the Vikings, but if the Saints slip just for a second they can lose it. It will be crucial for the fans attending the game to be as loud as possible to give their team an advantage, it may not be a weather factor but a delay of game call or Brett Farve taking a time out because he cannot hear the play will be the way to tell how involved the fans are during the game.

Saints win a classic: 38-31