Opposing Viewpoint: 5 Questions (and Answers) About Saints

[Viktor]

The Vikings have a strong collection of playmakers on offense, but who is the one guy the Saints defense will key on, and why?


JD: Justin Jefferson is fantastic and is probably the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. We know Adam Thielen has been a thorn in the Saints side for several years … big target, great hands, great route runner.


But the Saints are keying on Dalvin Cook, because when they say, "Let Dalvin cook,' they mean it. He is a fantastic runner and was the key to the playoff win [in January] for the Minnesota Vikings. If Dalvin Cook is on the field, he's the key to what they want to do offensively because he keeps them balanced.


Just the threat of him, even if you can stop him from running, you have to devote so much attention to him that it should free up the receivers. He's the guy that has the Saints attention, especially after giving up … more than 400 [total] yards rushing [over the past two games]. They feel like they've got to be able to do something with Dalvin Cook. If you can't stop him, you have to be able to contain him somehow, and you can't let him have the big explosive plays that he's popped off. That's a whole lot easier said than done, but he's where it begins if you're a [defending] Minnesota.


Finally, what does this game mean to New Orleans? Do they want revenge for recent playoff losses to Minnesota, or are the Saints focused on the present and trying to win the division … and catching Green Bay for the NFC's No. 1 seed?


JD: They're focused on the present, and I don't know they believe now they can catch Green Bay because they need so much help. You don't want to put yourself in the position of needing so much help, so now they're concentrating on winning the game Friday — or if it comes to it, winning the last game of the regular season — and winning the NFC South. That's what they can control. They did have the No. 1 seed but lost a couple of games, so they don't have control of that.


Do they want the revenge? Of course they'll say no ... but that's not true. Anybody who played in that [January] playoff game or the 'Minneapolis Miracle' game, you feel some type of way. You're human and you want to beat that team that eliminated you from the playoffs, even if it's a regular-season game. I don't care who you are … yes, they're the next team on the schedule and yes, the Saints need a win … but it happens to be Minnesota, and [the Saints] can't feel great about what Minnesota has been able to accomplish against them the last couple of years.


I'm sure they'll say it's not a rivalry game. And Sean Payton and Mike Zimmer have the utmost respect for one another … those two guys are as close of friends as head coaches can be. But player-wise, of course the Saints want to win this one. You win and get the double byproduct … you beat a team that eliminated you from the playoffs, and you win your division."