It wasn’t a huge surprise when fans around the world realized the New Orleans Saints will have to take on the Minnesota Vikings in the Wildcard Round. No one liked the fact a 13-3 team will host a wildcard round instead of having a bye week. The echoes of the Minnesota Miracle resonated in the hearts and minds of NFL fans everywhere. With the playoffs starting it is noticeable, the New Orleans Saints defense will play a major role in their road to the Super Bowl.
New Orleans Saints Defense Critical to Super Bowl Hopes
Everything Off Limits
During regular season, I look at a 2-6 team playing a 7-1 team and automatically assume the one with more wins will win. Besides those rivalry games, it is like we know what is going to happen. You don’t think it will be a battle game. However, postseason is a different story. No one can look at a team who barely made it to the playoffs and think it is automatic that their season is about to end. The energy that a team brings is one ready to battle. The games are more physical.
New Orleans Saints Defense Needs a Strong Arm
The Saints have known they have a problem in the secondary, and we have seen them take measures to make it better. Due to injuries, the rookie Chauncey Gardner-Johnson debuted this season and has proven to be an asset to the team. This season Johnson racked up 41 sacks and one interception. The Saints also acquired Janoris Jenkins, a veteran in the league. Demario Davis has had an impeccable season, and it will be great to see how he handles the playoffs. Cap it off with the defensive leader, Cameron Jordan, the defense will be ready to take on anyone.
The winners of the wild card round will either play the San Francisco 49ers or the Green Bay Packers. The Saints have already gone against the 49ers once and resulted in a loss. We know from that game the team will be able to go head to head with the #1 seed if necessary. However, we do not know how they will do against the Packers. In the last four games, the Packers have struggled in getting moving. They have allowed an averaged 14.5 points and scored and averaged 21.75 points. Compare it to Saints who have allowed an averaged 23.25 points and scored an averaged 40 points in the last four games, one can guess it will be a good battle to witness if the teams have to meet up.
Tricky Season
The elimination of the New England Patriots took us all by surprise. However, it showed all hands are on deck in the playoff rounds. Every player needs to be laser focused when it comes to executing plays. With the AFC losing one of its biggest contenders, the NFC is the most competitive division. Sean Payton and Drew Brees will have to bring some of the New Orleans heat to get to the Super Bowl. These next games will need to be the most balanced and aggressive games the Saints have played this season. There is a statement to be made and the New Orleans Saints are the ones to make it.
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