With all the hype surrounding the start of the 2010 NFL season with a rematch of last years NFC Championship, there’s a couple things to look for tonight that will set the tone for the season.
SAINTS
It’s hard to know what to expect from the Saints defense in its second season under Gregg Williams. This team did not win the Super Bowl because of a great defense, that part is obvious – the question is what have they done to improve themselves? Under Williams, the Saints defense was a turnover machine. But can they maintain their hunger for putting the football in Drew’s hands?
Offense is not nearly as complicated. The issue isn’t whether Drew Brees and the offense will have a Super Bowl hangover, but what has the offense done to change it’s schemes? Who’s going to pound the rock for New Orleans? Can Reggie Bush focus with the continuing allegations of his Heisman being stripped from his grasp?
VIKINGS
It’s like beating a dead horse. AD needs to hold onto the damn football. Also, don’t get hurt. When both of those things happen, Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the NFL (Sorry to my fantasy running back, Chris Johnson). The real question is if Brett Favre can replicate anything near what he did last season (not bloody likely) and if he can’t, the Vikings are going to need to run the ball “down their damn throat” as Rex Ryan would say. And needless to say, Toby Gehart cannot lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl. (UPDATE: Gehart is listed as inactive tonight, leaving Albert Young as the backup.) Lastly, the health of Brett Favre’s ankle (which we can keep track of via Twitter). The Saints are obviously going to gun to end Favre tonight…it’s just a matter if the refs protect #4, or let the Saints play how they always have.
Defensively, Cedric Griffin cannot stop all of the Saints weapons. And even though Jared Allen is probably the only person that can hold a candle to Chuck Norris, he’s just one man. This defense will be nowhere near as dominate as last year. With the Vikings down to just three healthy cornerbacks, Brad Childress can only hope that the line generates enough pressure on Brees, so he won’t have time to pick off DB’s with the sniper skills of Mark Wahlberg in Shooter.
PREDICTION
There’s no way in hell that this Saints team will let Minnesota come in and ruin their home opener on national television. Not on Drew Brees’ watch. New Orleans pulls it out in a thriller, 34-28.
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