NFC Championship game: VIKINGS vs SAINTS

eagle eye

5000 yards in 1 season


70000+ Career Yards

There are great stories on both sides. Brees the man who was thrown aside by the Chargers who preferred Rivers. The man who went where not many wanted to go after the disaster in New Orleans. The man many believe to be the best Quarterback in the game right now.
Brett Favre, the legend, the automatic first ballot hall of famer who didn't think he was finished when most people said he was a fool to come back. The man is 40 years old and looks like a young lad, and is throwing better than ever in his career.
Minnesota has gone Favre crazy, the man who was the most hated man in Viking land for many years is now the undisputed king of the Mall of America Field. Some people are even saying that its destiny, that when the Vikings logo was created it was a futurustic creation and that the picture is of the man that would lead them to the promised, they now believe that their logo bears a huge resemblence to Brett Favre and to be fair it does seem to.

Its going to be a cracker for sure, the much vaunted Saints Offensive line faces the Vikings Defensive line which obliterated the Giants this weekend. Brees has had no problem finding his targets all season in what is a committee of receivers rather than the traditional ranked receiving corp that we are used to seeing. They also possess a running game that has been powerful when needed this year, and that home run threat of Reggie Bush just to add another weapon that to an already incredible offense. On defense they have suffered a lot of injuries but it didn't lower their performance, an incredible feat considering some of the replacements were on the street and had not played this season.
Favre has been sacked but he hasn't been making the big mistakes, he has found his goto guy in Sidney Rice, they really seem to be in sync with one another. Adrian Peterson, the best running back in the league is almost becoming an afterthought due to the success of Favre. Percy Harvin brings to this team what Reggie Bush does to New Orleans.
On D Allen and Edwards will test the Saints tackles like never before.

I personally believe it all comes down to that battle on the line between the Saints Offensive line and the Vikings Defensive line. If the Vikings line needs help then they are in trouble, but if they can get to Favre without bring five or six men then this game will be very close. I'm really looking forward to it, I'm finding it hard to pick who I want to win, I'd love to see Favre go all the way but for the people of New Orleans this would be some tonic after all their troubles. I'll pick the Saints to win it and I'm shouting for them to go all the way too.

kryogen

cant pick right now

i am a huge Brees fan, but i would like to see the old man go to the big show also


just hope its a great game

NTMK

Saints

kryogen wrote: »

cant pick right now

i am a huge Brees fan, but i would like to see the old man go to the big show also


just hope its a great game

Same I want to see Farve go out at the top (if he does retire)

cooker3

eagle eye wrote: »

. Some people are even saying that its destiny, that when the Vikings logo was created it was a futurustic creation and that the picture is of the man that would lead them to the promised, they now believe that their logo bears a huge resemblence to Brett Favre and to be fair it does seem to.

lol wat?

Anyway, I think home advantage is a huge deal here. The Vikings away record is very questionable. New Orleans have been formidable at home the last 2 seasons and with good reason. The crowd were absolutely deafening last night and I think it will count.

Either way I think it's the most exciting NFC championship game in years. I can't wait. It's also fitting that it follows the Jets Colts game which is the warm-up game in every respect imo. Bring it on.

Mysterypunter

Saints

I have a strong feeling for Minnesota. Not on the basis of the Dallas game, but just on experience. They have a couple of solid years behind them, NO have come from nowhere this year.

helimachoptor

Saints

Vikings for me, every since i was a youngster and stayed up to watch Beverly Hills 90210 I've liked the Vikings!

_Buck Rogers

Saints

Vikings for me too. Brees will have more oppertunities to get a ring, I want this to be Favre's year

Chucky the tree

Saints, cant stand Farve. Attention seeking tosser tbh.

InKonspikuou2

Russian Roulette with a gun

Vikings form on the road has been bad and Brees will handle the pocket a lot better than Romo. Not to mention it is in the dome and it will be hard for the Viks to communicate. Although since they play in one may not be intimidated as much as some other teams. The Saints fans are one of the few home fans that really get behind their team. And i'd love to see NO take home a superbowl.

If Peterson can have a big day and Favre and Rice keep their relationship hot the Vikings can do a lot of damage. But the Saints showed last week that they were fresh and rested and didn't show any signs of rust. Reggie Bush should be coming into the game with a lot of confidence too. If the Saints D can keep Peterson quiet the way the Cowboys did i believe Favre will throw some turnovers. And the Saints have been great at forcing them. With both defenses suspect i reckon this will be another high scoring game. Gonna go with the Saints in a close battle. Possibly winning by a field goal.

_Buck Rogers

Saints

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

With both defenses suspect i reckon this will be another high scoring game

Eh what?

jman0war

I'd prefer the Vikes. Would enjoy seeing Favre getting another ring.
Then retiring.
However Darren Sharper used to be a Packer and should be very familiar with Favre. Could make for some interesting fireworks.

damoz

Saints

Hope the Vikes take it.......

But the head says homefield will make the difference. Saints by 7.

InKonspikuou2

Russian Roulette with a gun

_Buck Rogers wrote: »

Eh what?

What do you mean what? Viks and Saints are ranked 19th and 26th respectively on passing defense. And both have quarterbacks coming off big wins and great regular seasons. Why is it hard to believe that it won't be a high scoring game? Or are you saying that they both have great D's or something? I don't get your comment.

Hazys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONmEVro8Fog

_Buck Rogers

Saints

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

What do you mean what? Viks and Saints are ranked 19th and 26th respectively on passing defense. And both have quarterbacks coming off big wins and great regular seasons. Why is it hard to believe that it won't be a high scoring game? Or are you saying that they both have great D's or something? I don't get your comment.

Vikings are ranked 6th in total defense. Not exactly suspect by any stretch

gandroid

Saints

I thought the Saints' power and hunger was awesome on Saturday against the Cardinals and it will be tough for the Vikings on the road (the noise at the Superdome seemed unreal!) but I would love to see Favre back in a Superbowl.

Eire-Dearg

Russian Roulette with a gun

The Saints were awesome on Saturday, and I think they'll take this one. Home advantage, the Dome was an absolute fortress the other night. The Cardinals couldn't communicate. Plus, its the first NFC Championship game there. The fans will be really up for it, and I think Brees and co. will keep the Saints fire burning.

themont85

Mysterypunter wrote: »

I have a strong feeling for Minnesota. Not on the basis of the Dallas game, but just on experience. They have a couple of solid years behind them, NO have come from nowhere this year.

Not really, they were at this stage 3 years ago losing to the Bears. I know there is a turnover roster wise and they but guys like Brees, Bush, Colsten, Lance Moore and many others have been there and done it. Then you have experienced guys like Sharper and Shockey. Systematically I think they're both fairly settled. Offensively the Saints have been a machine since 06 but this year can control it with better run + defense. Okay defensively they've mixed it up this year but I still think they're settled enough. They havent made the post season since 06 but they've been dangerous since for everybody, their defence has let them down of course but they're settled and have things together.

Of course the Vikings are set on both offense and defence. The defence under Fraiser has been set for 2+ years now so we've known that. Farve's input means we actually see their offense and how it has supposed to have worked for the previous two years. Both teams are as experienced as each other imo and its the other variables that we have to take account of.

The dome.
Less attritional game versus the Cardinals imo.
Better coach, Childers is an okay coach but still makes silly clock management calls. The teams talent covers up a lot of his mistakes at times.

Saints to win by 6.

Karlusss

NTMK wrote: »

Same I want to see Farve go out at the top (if he does retire)

Brett Favre is incapable of retiring.

Both teams obviously have the players to do it and have been consistently good all year, but the Saints' offense is ridiculous. Give Brees the football and they can score with ANYBODY, and add to that the fact that Reggie Bush has been saving up a lot of "league's highest paid decoy" bitterness for this playoff run, and any team in football would be in trouble. Between their rush attack and their screen game they can deal with the Vikes rush.

That said, who's going to be surprised if this ends 28-27 with the last score being a 99 yard Brett Favre bomb that stays in the air for thirty seconds after the clock is dead until it's caught in the endzone for a touchdown.

_Buck Rogers

Saints

caught by rice of course:P

raven136

Russian Roulette with a gun

what time is kick off?

Black Swan

Russian Roulette with a gun

raven136 wrote: »

what time is kick off?

Earlier Stateside Fox was showing it to be aired at roughly 3.40pm PST.

Eire-Dearg

Russian Roulette with a gun

This is going to be a straight-out shootout. Pity I'm going to miss it!

cooker3

Incidentally. If New Orleans win then it will be the first time since Superbowl XXVIII that both number 1 seeds contest it.

tallaghtoutlaws

Saints

Lets go #4

Black Swan

Russian Roulette with a gun

I'm cheering for Reggie Bush and the Saints. Oops, my Trojan bias is showing!

eagle eye

Russian Roulette with a gun

I really do like Brett Favre despite the fact that he lead them Packers in '96. I was sure at the start of the year that I would be rooting for him if he made it this far but I can't, Brees made a great commitment to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he deserves it, the people of New Orleans deserve it even more.

I'm shouting for the Saints tonight, but one thing is for certain sure, whoever wins this game better win the big one.

ReacherCreature

Russian Roulette with a gun

I'll be roaring for Brees and the Saints.

Fr Tierney

Russian Roulette with a gun

No matter who wins this game, I think it will be one of the best superbowl final in years. Colts to win thou.

ReacherCreature

Russian Roulette with a gun

Peterson storms in. Vikings up 7-0.

cooker3

Fantastic opening drive from the vikings.

eagle eye

Russian Roulette with a gun

Yeah super drive there, wow everybody played well for them in that drive.

ReacherCreature

Russian Roulette with a gun

Afaik, the comms said that Vikings players are wearing earplugs to help with the noise of the dome. Must be insane there!

Fr Tierney

Russian Roulette with a gun

This game is going to down to the team with the defense/special team who makes 1 big play , as both offenses are really able to score at will

ReacherCreature

Russian Roulette with a gun

7-7, Pierre Thomas just took a screen from inside the fifty yard line, TD Saints!

cooker3

This is going to be epic.

eagle eye

Russian Roulette with a gun

This is looking like a td fest. Super drive there from the Saints

ccosgrave

Anybody got a stream for this?

Hazys

Farve is getting beat up

InKonspikuou2

Russian Roulette with a gun

Favre is looking tired and he's taking some hits. He's not looking too comfortable at the moment.

davyjose

Saints

Hazys wrote: »

Farve is getting beat up

Favre's been hit a couple of times after he's released. Cheap attempt by NO to rattle him....

TD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

favre's been around too long to get rattled like that :rolleyes:

evil_seed

Russian Roulette with a gun

the saints are trying to get to favre like they did too warner. favre is too tough to be played like that. what a game so far

Pherekydes

Saints

Vikes come up with the first stop. Can they put some distance in it?

copacetic

Saints

Another good game, they are really targetting Farve for hits. He probably should have kept his mouth shut about how sore he was all week...

tallaghtoutlaws

Saints

copacetic wrote: »

Another good game, they are really targetting Farve for hits. He probably should have kept his mouth shut about how sore he was all week...

They would have went after him anyway. They did the same to Warner last week.

cruiserweight

Bush means business, he dropped the shoulder and levelled that db

copacetic

Saints

tallaghtoutlaws wrote: »

They would have went after him anyway. They did the same to Warner last week.

Well they should always go after the QB, I meant more 'targetted' as in hit late a pile of times..

tallaghtoutlaws

Saints

copacetic wrote: »

Well they should always go after the QB, I meant more 'targetted' as in hit late a pile of times..

Yes I knew what you meant and they did the same thing to Warner last week.

davyjose

Saints

Had a dream a few nights ago that the Colts beat the Saints 20-13 in the SB. Not a very likely score, and i'd still rather face the Vikes, but tbh a few hours ago, 17-0 down, I didn't care who we faced, as long as we found a way to turn it around. So I'll face either team, but Manning better have his scoring boots on, cos it sure as hell won't be 20-13

Go Vikes

cruiserweight

Terrible decision by Reggie Bush, gives the Vikings the ball inside the 10 yard line

copacetic

Saints

cruiserweight wrote: »

Terrible decision by Reggie Bush, gives the Vikings the ball inside the 10 yard line

yep,he was going nowhere even if he had caught it. Had to wave that off.

edit- fumble vikings on 4 yard line! saints recover