# 303
01/24 6:40pm
Vikings vs Saints (FOX) (Championship Round)
Vikings 59.74%
Saints 40.26%
4680 Bets
01/24 6:40pm
Vikings vs Saints (FOX) (Championship Round)
Vikings 59.74%
Saints 40.26%
4680 Bets
Vikings/Saints. Let's Break it down..
- Thread starter bleedingpurple
- Start date
THATS FROM ONE BOOK THE TOP 6 OFF SHORES THAT ALLOW THIS TYPE OF MONITORING IS 52.4 TO 47.6 -
^^^THIS
Only chance Minny got...unless they get breaks like N.O. fumbles, penalties, etc. I will be rooting for Minny but unless AP/Taylor have a huge game, they got almost no chance of winning this game. I don't know why the Minny running game has struggled so badly this season.
Or on him.
Favre is my betting nemesis.
I will probably sit this out unless one side gets heavy.
Childress refuses to run the ball up the left side of the line where McKinney, Hutchinson, and Kleinsasser are.. That fucking idiot runs over Herrerra ALL THE TIME..
This is the NFL my man. Defenses dictate which way you run a lot of the time. I suspect DC's don't want Minny running behind Hutch and McKinny.
Vikes front four on D are just sickening to watch. Reminds me of the Tampa or NYG teams that won the SB. When you can get pressure on a QB like that with 4 people it changes everything and if they are able to that this weekend, they win. IMO it is a little easier to do when at home especially in their dome, so it will be interesting to watch this portion of the game.
jr11
jr11
I alluded to some reasons i liked the Vikings play last week -everybody is talking about Allen and Edwards off the edge but the key to the game upfront is the two tackles the Williams boys. I have watched the game 3 times now and and against a excellent large blocking line just bulldozed over them play after play- they took up 4 to 5(including a back) blockers up quite often.Thus the ends and blitzers(how few times they did) wer cut loose. Know will this happen again- i believe it will - you have 2 pro-bowl dominate tackles that at times this year decided to not put there best foot forward - well i say they do -the Williams boys were challenged and told they were the key to getting to the Superbowl. They are best friends and believe by what I have read that they want to dominate -there are no better 2 tackles combos- period. Brees has only been sacked 20 times BUT THEY HAVE PLAYED AGAINST THE 24TH EASIEAST SCHEDUELE AGAINST THE SACK. now do i think he gets sacked 6 times no way but i do think the vikings are able to pressure thru the tackles leaving the ends to do there thing thus leaving a extra blocker in on passing downs. The vikings left 6 to 7 in coverage last week due to the play of the d line -this is the first big key in my eye having extra men in read coverage either rush or pass not having to take chances with to many blitzes and not keeping the middle of the field open. I believe it happens. Secondly does mn shut down the run and does no shut down the vikings run. everybody is talking about how the vikings are not running the way they should WELL THEY PLAYED THE #3 overall rush d scheduele this year and still were 12TH in the league in Rushing Meanwhile teams that ranked in the bottom third in the league in rush d they played ALA SAINTS (20TH) the vikings ranked 3rd in rushing - The saints have shown there rush d is really bad and believe me these numbers would be much worse if teams didnt have to abandon the run against them. they have taken alot of big leads. Alot of teams do not even try to run against the vikings -least amount rush attemps against 357 -teams just cant run against them- Will the saints stop AP and taylor this week -why would they -every good rushing team ranked in the top 15 there numbers are alarming- 162 YPG WITH A 6.2 YPC AGAINST when in this senario there 29th in the leage against the run- Well the last arguement is the Vikings are a average road team on the surface very accurate statement- but not playing on the funny stuf- and indoors they are 11-0 and 8-3 Ats - there numbers are almost identical in those games the drop-off comes in outdoor games -SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY IT SHOULDNT MATTER WELL IT ALWAYS DOES.Some teams that play on grass dont play well in domes and vice versa -some domed teams or warm weather teams do not play well in the cold some teams do not travel cross country well- this does matter. LAstly the only 2 team NO played this year that had even close to a well rounded team were the cowboys and patriots but the patriots are not a running team they got beat soundly by the cowboys the Cowboys gave the blue print to beat these guys run the ball and put be able to pressure without blitzing leaving plenty in coverage-None of this happens if the Saints take a big lead i just do not see that - Vikings o wise are an elite team d wise they are way more proficient than the Saints- Lastly no kicker sucks if they are held to fgoals on drives can he meet the task. One more thing lined opened at 4.5 at has gone thru 4 a key number with 53% to 47% action on vikes the big boys like the 4.-- VIKINGS BY 7
- Mar 19, 2006
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More: AFC title game preview
You can follow Charles Robinson on Twitter at @YahooSportsNFL
Finally the NFC gets the glory matchup, with a brawl between the two top seeds (No. 1 New Orleans Saints vs. No. 2 Minnesota Vikings) and arguably the best quarterback matchup in a championship round since Tom Brady(notes) and Peyton Manning(notes) squared off in the AFC championship following the 2006 season.
Brett Favre(notes) and Drew Brees(notes) both factored into the MVP race this season and combined to throw for a staggering 8,590 yards, finishing with 67 touchdown passes. Favre is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and Brees is heading in that direction, and each is the unquestioned leader of his team. And a Super Bowl appearance would mean a great deal to both ? the ultimate capper on Favre?s stunning career, or an apex in Brees? statistic-bloated but championship thin r?sum?.
With that in mind, consider the following four issues as critical to the Saints-Vikings matchup on Sunday in the NFC championship game.
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1. Favre vs. Brees
They have both had periods in their careers where they have been mistake prone, but neither has really been that player this season. In fact, you could argue that 2009 represented the finest seasons of both players? careers. And both reflected that in the divisional round. However, each is also vulnerable when he gets knocked around, evidenced by Brees? performances against the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, and Favre?s December. Each shows some inaccuracy when he gets hit, and make no mistake, both will take blows in the conference title game. This will come down to who makes better decisions under pressure.
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2. Brad Childress vs. Sean Payton
Childress had his hiccup in the final month of the season, when the specter was raised about how much authority he has over Favre. I don?t think there?s any question that Favre still influences that offense with his audibles. Payton has turned his defense over to Gregg Williams, so there really isn?t one true master manipulator in this game. That said, both Childress and Payton will be pivotal when it comes to motivation and focus. While Childress has shown the ability to be a little more flexible (the gag when he dressed up as a female flight attendant is an all-time great), Payton?s tactics and mental manipulation have been never-ending, from his bat games to bringing in visitors for pregame speeches. More importantly, Payton has one thing Childress doesn?t: the experience of being in this position before as a head coach and failing. That will be a big edge.
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3. The Saints? running backs vs. Vikings? front four
New Orleans has been branded in some quarters as a ?finesse? offense, perhaps unfairly. But one thing is for sure: It is almost unbeatable when the Saints run the football well. Indeed, part of the faltering in the three-game losing streak to close the season was the lack of a balanced attack. New Orleans reacted to that by thumping the Arizona Cardinals with 171 hard-nosed rushing yards. Whether the Saints will be able to grind out that yardage against Minnesota?s second-ranked rushing defense will be pivotal. The Vikings dominated the New York Giants? running game in the season finale and then shut down Dallas? extremely talented trio. If Minnesota?s front four can make New Orleans one-dimensional again, the Vikings will have landed a significant blow.
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4. Favre vs. himself
With all due respect to Brees, I don?t think there is a single player who will take the field on Sunday who has more pressure on his shoulders than Favre. All of the offseason drama of the last two years ? including the ridiculous road traveled through New York ? has led to this point. If Favre wins, he gets another shot at the Super Bowl and is totally vindicated. But there is a flip side to this tale, too. Just go back and recall the landslide of negativity that came after he lost in the NFC championship game following the 2007 season. That loss staggered Favre and triggered the ensuing chaos. All of this can still end very badly for Favre. Don?t fool yourself. He knows what?s at stake here.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Saints 24
Minnesota isn?t the Swiss cheese defense of Arizona. The Vikings will get consistent pressure on Brees. The Saints have the imposing Superdome crowd, but Favre has a running back in Adrian Peterson who will be the best player on the field after the two quarterbacks. That will be the tipping point.
Charles Robinson is a national NFL writer for Yahoo! Sports. Send Charles a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
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NFL Playoffs
<TABLE class=offense summary="Playoff Offense Stats"><CAPTION>Playoff Offense Stats</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD class=away>379.6 (5)</TD><TH scope=row>Yds</TH><TD>403.8 (1)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>119.9 (13)</TD><TH scope=row>Rush</TH><TD>131.6 (6)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>259.8 (8)</TD><TH scope=row>Pass</TH><TD>272.2 (4)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>29.4 (2)</TD><TH scope=row>Pts</TH><TD>31.9 (1)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Defense
<TABLE class=offense summary="Playoff Defense Stats"><CAPTION>Playoff Defense Stats</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD class=away>305.5 (6)</TD><TH scope=row>Yds</TH><TD>357.8 (25)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>87.1 (2)</TD><TH scope=row>Rush</TH><TD>122.2 (21)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>218.4 (19)</TD><TH scope=row>Pass</TH><TD>235.6 (26)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>19.5 (10)</TD><TH scope=row>Pts</TH><TD>21.3 (20)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Minnesota
<TABLE class=dark><CAPTION>Y! Sports Expert Picks</CAPTION><THEAD><TR><TD>Away</TD><TD>Expert</TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Reason</TD></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TD class=away></TD><TD class=expert>Jason Cole</TD><TD class=home>New Orleans</TD><TD class=comment>The Vikings defense on the road has been downright awful the past five games. It allowed at least 26 points in each of those games, including 36 at Chicago in Week 16. The problem: The Vikes don't play as fast away from the noisy Metrodome.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>Minnesota</TD><TD class=expert>Charles Robinson</TD><TD class=home></TD><TD class=comment>Minnesota isn't the Swiss cheese defense of Arizona. The Vikings will get consistent pressure on Brees. Favre has a running back in Adrian Peterson who will be the best player on the field after the two quarterbacks. That will be the tipping point.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>Minnesota</TD><TD class=expert>James C. Black</TD><TD class=home></TD><TD class=comment>Brett Favre is rightfully so the center of attention. However, Minnesota's defense awakened with tremendous efforts vs. the Giants and Cowboys. Drew Brees might put up big numbers, but don't expect the Saints' backs to run wild again.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away></TD><TD class=expert>Michael Silver</TD><TD class=home>New Orleans</TD><TD class=comment>Two No. 1 seeds in the Super Bowl for the first time in 17 years? Wrap your head around that. When the Saints bring their A game at the home, it's overwhelming to any opponent. A late Darren Sharper INT of ex-Packers teammate Brett Favre clinches it.:scared </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
- New York vs Indianapolis New York vs Indianapolis
Sun, Jan 24 3:00 pm ET | CBS - Minnesota vs New Orleans Minnesota vs New Orleans
Sun, Jan 24 6:40 pm ET | FOX
<TABLE class=offense summary="Playoff Offense Stats"><CAPTION>Playoff Offense Stats</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD class=away>379.6 (5)</TD><TH scope=row>Yds</TH><TD>403.8 (1)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>119.9 (13)</TD><TH scope=row>Rush</TH><TD>131.6 (6)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>259.8 (8)</TD><TH scope=row>Pass</TH><TD>272.2 (4)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>29.4 (2)</TD><TH scope=row>Pts</TH><TD>31.9 (1)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Defense
<TABLE class=offense summary="Playoff Defense Stats"><CAPTION>Playoff Defense Stats</CAPTION><TBODY><TR><TD class=away>305.5 (6)</TD><TH scope=row>Yds</TH><TD>357.8 (25)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>87.1 (2)</TD><TH scope=row>Rush</TH><TD>122.2 (21)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>218.4 (19)</TD><TH scope=row>Pass</TH><TD>235.6 (26)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>19.5 (10)</TD><TH scope=row>Pts</TH><TD>21.3 (20)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Minnesota
- NFC North Champion
- 12-4 (4-4 road)
- No. 2 seed
- NFC South Champion
- 13-3 (6-2 home)
- No. 1 seed
<TABLE class=dark><CAPTION>Y! Sports Expert Picks</CAPTION><THEAD><TR><TD>Away</TD><TD>Expert</TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Reason</TD></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR><TD class=away></TD><TD class=expert>Jason Cole</TD><TD class=home>New Orleans</TD><TD class=comment>The Vikings defense on the road has been downright awful the past five games. It allowed at least 26 points in each of those games, including 36 at Chicago in Week 16. The problem: The Vikes don't play as fast away from the noisy Metrodome.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>Minnesota</TD><TD class=expert>Charles Robinson</TD><TD class=home></TD><TD class=comment>Minnesota isn't the Swiss cheese defense of Arizona. The Vikings will get consistent pressure on Brees. Favre has a running back in Adrian Peterson who will be the best player on the field after the two quarterbacks. That will be the tipping point.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away>Minnesota</TD><TD class=expert>James C. Black</TD><TD class=home></TD><TD class=comment>Brett Favre is rightfully so the center of attention. However, Minnesota's defense awakened with tremendous efforts vs. the Giants and Cowboys. Drew Brees might put up big numbers, but don't expect the Saints' backs to run wild again.</TD></TR><TR><TD class=away></TD><TD class=expert>Michael Silver</TD><TD class=home>New Orleans</TD><TD class=comment>Two No. 1 seeds in the Super Bowl for the first time in 17 years? Wrap your head around that. When the Saints bring their A game at the home, it's overwhelming to any opponent. A late Darren Sharper INT of ex-Packers teammate Brett Favre clinches it.:scared </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I hear ya, but I watch every game and there are times that they can run behind them... They always run the right side. When Hutch played in Seattle where did they run the ball. Always over Hutch and Jones. I am not saying to run behind them every play but 2 to 3 times per game would be an improvement..:00hour
Kevin Williams not at practice this morning. Injury report due out today.
The link:
http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_14230681?nclick_check=1
The link:
http://www.twincities.com/vikings/ci_14230681?nclick_check=1
Williams has an injured knee. They are not disclosing the severity.. No one noticed an injury during the Dallas game.... Vikings are keeping quiet about Ray Edwards as well. I have been listening to Viking radio all day on KFAN - Minneapolis
It appears that Williams injured his knee againt Dallas.. Nobody is talking about the severity of these injuries but some of the media who cover the Vikes on radio do not seem all that concerned.
For one it is not important for Williams or Edwards to practice this week anyway.. It's not like their gameplan has changed.. Clog the middle and speed rush the outside.. Chile usually does hold players from practice even if slightly knicked up.
For one it is not important for Williams or Edwards to practice this week anyway.. It's not like their gameplan has changed.. Clog the middle and speed rush the outside.. Chile usually does hold players from practice even if slightly knicked up.
- Mar 19, 2006
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Kevin Williams, Edwards, Harvin miss practice
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
<FORM id=buzz-toolbar class=buzz method=post action=http://buzz.yahoo.com/vote/> </FORM>
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP)?Just three days away from the NFC title game, the Minnesota Vikings? injury situation isn?t looking any better.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams(notes) and defensive end Ray Edwards(notes) missed their second straight practice on Thursday because of knee trouble.
Receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin(notes) also was not present. After practicing on Wednesday, he got another migraine headache, a problem that has plagued him all season.
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Harvin missed a game against Cincinnati in December because of the headaches and visited the Mayo Clinic to address the recurring issue. While Harvin has been headache-free for more than a month, coach Brad Childress said it was unrealistic to think that the problem had been solved.
?I think it?s just a matter of trying to slow the onsets,? Childress said. ?For a while he had them pretty often. This is the first time one?s raised up (in a while). We expect him to be OK.?
The Vikings sure could use him on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Associated Press? offensive rookie of the year is a key part of the Vikings? offensive game plan with his ability to lineup in the backfield as a running back and out wide as a receiver.
?We?re trying to put Percy in as many places as we can,? offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. ?We want to make sure we don?t have him just lined up in one spot where you can take him away. ? It?s important to get the ball in his hands, sometimes to throw it (to him) and sometimes the easiest way is just to hand the ball to him.?
Edwards had three sacks and five quarterback hurries in last weekend?s win over Dallas and Williams is a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the league?s best defensive tackles. Williams is a force against the run and also provides pressure on the quarterback up the middle.
If the Vikings are going slow down the league?s highest scoring offense in New Orleans, Williams and Edwards figure to play a big part in it.
?They are vital cogs to our success on defense,? defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. ?So we need the both of them. You?d like to have them at 100 percent. Not sure if that will be the case. But just their presence will make a difference.?
Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield(notes) said his injured right foot is feeling ?a lot better? from when he first returned from a six-game absence on Dec. 13 against the Bengals.
Winfield said he still expects to spend most of his time against the Saints? high-flying offense on Sunday lined up as the nickelback in the slot. The Vikings made that adjustment?and move nickelback Benny Sapp(notes) outside?when Winfield returned to reduce the stress on his foot as we worked his way back.
For the first time on Thursday, Winfield acknowledged his foot was fractured, and not sprained, against Baltimore on Oct. 18.
?Once I fractured my foot, I really couldn?t condition, really couldn?t lift (weights) with my lower body,? Winfield said. ?The last couple weeks, I feel myself getting my strength back and getting close to 100 percent.?
By JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
<FORM id=buzz-toolbar class=buzz method=post action=http://buzz.yahoo.com/vote/> </FORM>
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP)?Just three days away from the NFC title game, the Minnesota Vikings? injury situation isn?t looking any better.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams(notes) and defensive end Ray Edwards(notes) missed their second straight practice on Thursday because of knee trouble.
Receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin(notes) also was not present. After practicing on Wednesday, he got another migraine headache, a problem that has plagued him all season.
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Harvin missed a game against Cincinnati in December because of the headaches and visited the Mayo Clinic to address the recurring issue. While Harvin has been headache-free for more than a month, coach Brad Childress said it was unrealistic to think that the problem had been solved.
?I think it?s just a matter of trying to slow the onsets,? Childress said. ?For a while he had them pretty often. This is the first time one?s raised up (in a while). We expect him to be OK.?
The Vikings sure could use him on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. The Associated Press? offensive rookie of the year is a key part of the Vikings? offensive game plan with his ability to lineup in the backfield as a running back and out wide as a receiver.
?We?re trying to put Percy in as many places as we can,? offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. ?We want to make sure we don?t have him just lined up in one spot where you can take him away. ? It?s important to get the ball in his hands, sometimes to throw it (to him) and sometimes the easiest way is just to hand the ball to him.?
Edwards had three sacks and five quarterback hurries in last weekend?s win over Dallas and Williams is a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the league?s best defensive tackles. Williams is a force against the run and also provides pressure on the quarterback up the middle.
If the Vikings are going slow down the league?s highest scoring offense in New Orleans, Williams and Edwards figure to play a big part in it.
?They are vital cogs to our success on defense,? defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. ?So we need the both of them. You?d like to have them at 100 percent. Not sure if that will be the case. But just their presence will make a difference.?
Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield(notes) said his injured right foot is feeling ?a lot better? from when he first returned from a six-game absence on Dec. 13 against the Bengals.
Winfield said he still expects to spend most of his time against the Saints? high-flying offense on Sunday lined up as the nickelback in the slot. The Vikings made that adjustment?and move nickelback Benny Sapp(notes) outside?when Winfield returned to reduce the stress on his foot as we worked his way back.
For the first time on Thursday, Winfield acknowledged his foot was fractured, and not sprained, against Baltimore on Oct. 18.
?Once I fractured my foot, I really couldn?t condition, really couldn?t lift (weights) with my lower body,? Winfield said. ?The last couple weeks, I feel myself getting my strength back and getting close to 100 percent.?
Ray Edwards and Kevin Williams returned to practice today.. Winfield probably be more used as the nickel back..:00hour
Percy Harvin OUT of practice again today.. Damn Migraines..
Percy Harvin OUT of practice again today.. Damn Migraines..
