Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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4. Dialed in on the defense
The last time the Vikings and Saints met in the postseason two years ago, Minnesota boasted the NFL’s No. 1 defense in terms of both points (15.8) and yards (275.9) allowed per game.
That isn’t the case this time around, as the Vikings finished 14th in the league by allowing 341.6 total yards per game, and tied for fifth with 18.9 points allowed per game.
But Zimmer expects his team to play well against a high-powered Saints offense that averaged 28.6 points per game, which tied for third in the league. New Orleans hit the 34-point mark in six of its final seven games, averaging 36.3 points per game in those contests.
“They’re pretty resilient,” Zimmer said of what he’s learned about his unit. “Throughout the course of the season, there’s always some ups and downs throughout, injuries and different things.
“These guys are good competitors,” Zimmer added. “They’re tough guys and smart, and I expect them to go out and play well.”
The Vikings are expected to start eight of the 11 players they started in the Divisional round game against the Saints in January of 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium. That group includes Hunter, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffen, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith.
Shamar Stephen, Mackensie Alexander and Anthony Harris — each of whom played in that game — are the other three expected starters.