Post by Danchat on Dec 24, 2020 20:58:28 GMT -6
We've got football on Friday afternoon! Let's see how the Saints stack up against the Vikings in this Christmas matchup.
Line: Saints -7
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Dye Out
DE Holmes Out
LB Kendricks Out
HB Mattison Out
TE Rudolph Out
LB Davis Doubtful
FB Ham Questionable
DT Watts Questionable
Saints
WR Smith Out
G Easton Out
FS Williams Out
G Peat Questionable
DT Brown Questionable
DE Hendrickson Questionable
*My Thoughts*
It's Christmas Eve, so I'm going to keep things short here. The Saints enter this matchup with Brees recently coming off a few fractured ribs, but after a rough first half against the Chiefs, he knocked off the rust and picked his game up. They're going to rely heavily on Kamara and Murray. Don't be surprised if they both have big days against the Vikings' already bad and injured defense. New Orleans has basically nothing left at WR - Sanders isn't what he used to be, but he's not bad - but all that's left is a few UDFAs and a returner. Lil'Jordan Humphrey will likely be elevated again for this game.
New Orleans has usually provided Brees with a strong O-line, but they do share a weakness at guard with the Vikings. They spent their 1st rounder on Ruiz and canned Larry Warford, but the move has backfired. Ruiz has been a sieve in the pass protection game, giving up the most pressures per snap on the team. Peat may have been voted to the Pro Bowl, but PFF has never liked him. He's given up 4 sacks and nearly as many pressures as Ruiz. On the more positive side, McCoy was a home run as a 2nd rounder last year, proving to be a quality run blocker. The two tackles are having great years.
Defensively, the Saints have been a strong unit, allowing the 4th least rushing yards and 3rd least points. Dalvin Cook will be their toughest test of the year, as he's already run through Tampa and Chicago twice. There are no weak points in the run game in their front four. Former 2nd rounder Trey Hendrickson is having a massive year, notching 12.5 sacks after nabbing 6.5 his first three seasons. Cam Jordan is still a threat, and Marcus Davenport is too, though he's been a disappointment this season with just 1.5 sacks (they spent 2 1st rounders to get him). Sheldon Rankins hasn't been the same player he was since his Achilles injury, but he's not bad.
Demario Davis is the heart of the LB crew, leading the unit in tackles and providing great coverage. Anzalone and Alexander are middling options who don't specialize in anything, but neither are liabilities. The Saints have some talented DBs who can take on most passing attacks. Lattimore is the #1 CB, but has been getting knocked by PFF's scores since he shadows #1 WRs. He's given up 7 TDs, but only allows 48 yards a game. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a jack of all trades who will play safety and nickel CB. He should have been drafted higher than the 4th round last year, as he's been a great run defender. He is actually the most highly targeted defender, but only allows 9 yards a catch. Janoris Jenkins is a quality #2 CB since being axed by the Giants, who's nabbed 3 picks. Marcus Williams being out is a boon, and will force the inept P. J. Williams into coverage. He has been a poor nickel CB who has moved to safety, but PFF is giving him the rare Abysmal grade. Jenkins is in his 12th season in the NFL and is still going strong, but he can be taken advantage of in coverage.
My Prediction: Saints 35, Vikings 20
The Vikings are banged up and have almost nothing left to play for as they've been virtually eliminated. The Saints are likely going to finish in the #2 seed, but they're going to be going at full strength with a much better roster. The Vikings may have pulled the upset in the playoffs last year, but this team is a shell of its 2019 self. Don't expect this one to be close.
Any thoughts? And have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Line: Saints -7
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Dye Out
DE Holmes Out
LB Kendricks Out
HB Mattison Out
TE Rudolph Out
LB Davis Doubtful
FB Ham Questionable
DT Watts Questionable
Saints
WR Smith Out
G Easton Out
FS Williams Out
G Peat Questionable
DT Brown Questionable
DE Hendrickson Questionable
*My Thoughts*
It's Christmas Eve, so I'm going to keep things short here. The Saints enter this matchup with Brees recently coming off a few fractured ribs, but after a rough first half against the Chiefs, he knocked off the rust and picked his game up. They're going to rely heavily on Kamara and Murray. Don't be surprised if they both have big days against the Vikings' already bad and injured defense. New Orleans has basically nothing left at WR - Sanders isn't what he used to be, but he's not bad - but all that's left is a few UDFAs and a returner. Lil'Jordan Humphrey will likely be elevated again for this game.
New Orleans has usually provided Brees with a strong O-line, but they do share a weakness at guard with the Vikings. They spent their 1st rounder on Ruiz and canned Larry Warford, but the move has backfired. Ruiz has been a sieve in the pass protection game, giving up the most pressures per snap on the team. Peat may have been voted to the Pro Bowl, but PFF has never liked him. He's given up 4 sacks and nearly as many pressures as Ruiz. On the more positive side, McCoy was a home run as a 2nd rounder last year, proving to be a quality run blocker. The two tackles are having great years.
Defensively, the Saints have been a strong unit, allowing the 4th least rushing yards and 3rd least points. Dalvin Cook will be their toughest test of the year, as he's already run through Tampa and Chicago twice. There are no weak points in the run game in their front four. Former 2nd rounder Trey Hendrickson is having a massive year, notching 12.5 sacks after nabbing 6.5 his first three seasons. Cam Jordan is still a threat, and Marcus Davenport is too, though he's been a disappointment this season with just 1.5 sacks (they spent 2 1st rounders to get him). Sheldon Rankins hasn't been the same player he was since his Achilles injury, but he's not bad.
Demario Davis is the heart of the LB crew, leading the unit in tackles and providing great coverage. Anzalone and Alexander are middling options who don't specialize in anything, but neither are liabilities. The Saints have some talented DBs who can take on most passing attacks. Lattimore is the #1 CB, but has been getting knocked by PFF's scores since he shadows #1 WRs. He's given up 7 TDs, but only allows 48 yards a game. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is a jack of all trades who will play safety and nickel CB. He should have been drafted higher than the 4th round last year, as he's been a great run defender. He is actually the most highly targeted defender, but only allows 9 yards a catch. Janoris Jenkins is a quality #2 CB since being axed by the Giants, who's nabbed 3 picks. Marcus Williams being out is a boon, and will force the inept P. J. Williams into coverage. He has been a poor nickel CB who has moved to safety, but PFF is giving him the rare Abysmal grade. Jenkins is in his 12th season in the NFL and is still going strong, but he can be taken advantage of in coverage.
My Prediction: Saints 35, Vikings 20
The Vikings are banged up and have almost nothing left to play for as they've been virtually eliminated. The Saints are likely going to finish in the #2 seed, but they're going to be going at full strength with a much better roster. The Vikings may have pulled the upset in the playoffs last year, but this team is a shell of its 2019 self. Don't expect this one to be close.
Any thoughts? And have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
... and neither is this Chris guy.