Hmmm. Everyone is saying how evenly matched we are but are we?
ON paper, not at all. Sure they have lots of explosive play power, and they have a "rep" as a "ball hawking" defense... but why?
They are ranked high in interceptions, they had 26, they were 3rd in the NFL. They were avg. in sacks.. and very low in force fumbles/ fumbles recovered. (28th)
We led the league in sacks and forced fumbles, but were dreadful in interceptions. (Maybe because we get more sacks?)
Per passing attempt we got one Interception every 48 passing plays. (less then one a game!)
Saint's had a PICK every 23 plays ( very good)
Per passing play we got one sack every 11 plays (awesome)
Saints got one every 16 plays. (above average)
Plus Minus the Saints were +11, Vikes were +6.
Overall the VIKES are ranked 2nd in the NFC behind Green Bay, The Saints are ranked near the bottom ahead of Detroit and St. Louis. But I admit, these stats are slightly misleading as they're isn't much of a difference between teams over all. (55 yards total offense per game between Vikes and Saints)
But just by glancing at these facts, and comparing FAVREs incredibly LOW interception total, (7) the Vikes ability to rush the passer and create fumbles and the NEW ORLEANS very below avg. total defense you have to ask yourself. Which team is going to be able to stifle the other teams high scoring offense?
We just destroyed the 2nd best offense in the league. (Dallas) But we were at home and had the crowd noise as an advantage... New Orleans is the number one offense. WE are the number three offense. I don't like to crunch stats for anything more then fun, but common sense tells me that if we play half as good as we did against Dallas, we should be able to limit them to 14, 17, 21 points. How are they gonna stop us? They won't get any interceptions, I can tell you that... unless they are deflections etc or something like that. They better start scheming.
I am assuming that we will try to gash them with a real balanced run/pass attack early. Try to sustain long drives and "matriculate" it down the field. Keep our defense fresh, keep the bal out of BREES hands. I assume that we will have some success on the defensive end and of the two teams, we will cause the most turnovers. And we will, finally, have a rushing game again.
More stats...
DALLAS's defense is infinitely better then the SAINTS. Dallas is 4th against the run, the SAINTS are 22nd. The SAINTS give up 122 yards per game, and that's AVG. That's not VRS Adrian Peterson an company.
"Home field"
True, it's at their house, and crowd noise will be a nuisance, but I like our chances overall. I am not scared at all. "WHO DAT" all they want I think they're team will be exposed as just a high scoring no defense playing over rated side show. They won't be able to find a way to stop us when necessary and we will do a good job of slowing them down.
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