Saints X-Factors vs. Vikings

Here are some of the key players to watch for the Saints as they take on the Vikings in a pivotal Week 10 matchup.

The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings meet in a Week 10 matchup that is critical to each team's playoff aspirations. Both squads come in with 5-4 record. The Saints have won two straight, while the Vikings are riding a four-game winning streak and have won five of six.

This is the 38th all-time meeting between the Saints and Vikings. The Saints are just 13-24 against the Vikings and 4-14 in Minnesota, the site of today's matchup. 

New Orleans entered Week 10 with the league's 13th ranked offense in yardage and 15th in points scored. They are 10th in passing production, 18th in rushing yardage, but only 28th in red zone efficiency. The Saints hold the NFL's seventh ranked defense, sitting seventh against the pass and 17th against the run. They are fourth in third down percentage and have intercepted more passes (12) than any team in the league. 

Minnesota counters with an eighth ranked offense that is second in passing yardage but just 29th in rushing production. However, QB Kirk Cousins and RB Cam Akers are out for the year, All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will still be sidelined, and TE T.J. Hockenson and LT Christian Darrisaw are dealing with injuries. The Vikings also have an aggressive 14th-ranked defense that's 18th against the pass and 12th versus the run. 

Even with significant injuries, Minnesota has talent on both sides. Is it enough to beat the Saints in an important NFC showdown? Here are a few X-Factors on New Orleans that should have a major impact on the outcome. 

Andrus Peat, LT

Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans Saints guard Andrus Peat (75) blocks Chicago Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

A backup coming into the year, the end looked near for the 2015 first-round draft choice from Stanford. Instead, Peat has been the key to a much-improved performance from the offensive line over the last three weeks. At left tackle, no less, a position he hadn't even played since 2018.

Peat replaced benched 2022 first-round choice Trevor Penning in Week 7 at left tackle.  Over the last three games, the Saints have surrendered just two sacks. That includes just four QB hits over the last two weeks and no sacks for the first time this season last Sunday. New Orleans has also rushed for 361 yards in those contests, averaging four yards per carry, well above their season average.

Additionally, the Saints have been much more effective on screens and swing passes to their backs behind Peat on the left side. They've also been much more efficient in the red zone, partly the result of a better offensive line in general. 

Peat and RT Ryan Ramczyk face a disruptive Vikings edge rush tandem of Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum. The two have combined for 14 sacks, 19 QB hits, and 30 pressures. Hunter has been especially dominant with an NFL-best 10 sacks and team-high 13 tackles for loss. He'll move around the formation but will often line up on Peat's side.

Peat had some trouble with Jacksonville edge rusher Josh Allen in Week 7. However, he held his blocks well enough to keep Allen from recording a sack despite six pressures. Since then, he's been dominant against edge rushers Samson Ebukam, Montez Sweat, and Yannick Ngakoue. 

Peat and Ramczyk must control Hunter and Wonnum so QB Derek Carr can take advantage of favorable matchups against the Minnesota secondary. They also must get push in the running game for Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill to make plays off the edge and establish vital balance. 

Saints Secondary 

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) lines up in man coverage against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In spite of an anemic pass rush, New Orleans coverage has held opposing quarterbacks to only 57.8 completion percentage and has 12 interceptions, most in the NFL. They've allowed just one 100-yard receiver and no passer to surpass 260 yards.

Third-year CB Paulson Adebo has been special, allowing just 53.5% completion rate while breaking up 11 throws, forcing two fumbles, and intercepting an NFL-best four passes. Marshon Lattimore continues to be elite and has an interception, eight pass breakups, and 56.5% completion percentage when targeted. Alontae Taylor gets better in the slot each week and has a sack, four tackles for loss, eight passes broken up, and a 59% completion rate against him. 

The New Orleans corners are a physical and athletic group that bait quarterbacks effectively and can play suffocating man coverage to shut down even the best receivers. They're supported by two versatile safeties in Marcus Maye and Tyrann Mathieu who are also capable of game-changing plays. 

Eight different New Orleans players have at least one interception.  The team already has five more picks than they had all of last year. It's also a unit with superior depth, as CB Isaac Yiadom, rookie S Jordan Howden, and veteran Lonnie Johnson Jr. have all made big plays this season. 

Even without Justin Jefferson catching the ball and Kirk Cousins throwing it, the Vikings have some dangerous weapons. T.J. Hockenson might be the NFL's best tight end not named Travis Kelce and torches defenses at all three levels. Rookie WR Jordan Addison is deadly in the open field and well worth the first-round choice that his team invested. K.J. Osborn is an underrated complementary receiver who has stepped up his game in Jefferson's absence. 

The Saints have had some issues against tight ends and the slick Addison could be a problem, especially from the slot. Expect New Orleans to mix up their coverages to try and bait QB Joshua Dobbs into mistakes. In the biggest moments, however, the Saints will likely challenge Minnesota pass catchers with old-school man coverage.

On the Spot: Cameron Jordan 

Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes the passer against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports / Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) rushes the passer against the Minnesota Vikings. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The Saints must find a way to generate a consistent pass rush, but need to stay disciplined and prevent Dobbs from making plays with his legs. Don't be surprised if New Orleans brings some interior blitzes in an effort to fluster Dobbs and also keep him from taking off up the middle. 

Carl Granderson is having a strong season at one edge. He leads New Orleans with 5.5 sacks, 13 QB hits, and 10 tackles for loss. However, the Saints future Hall of Fame player at the other end continues to have a quiet year. 

Cam Jordan remains one of the league's best run defenders at the defensive end position. Jordan's pass rush remains invisible. He leads the Saints with 16 pressures, but they've only resulted in two sacks and six QB hits. 

Jordan is still getting penetration. He just hasn't been able to finish plays or affect the outcome of plays as he's done throughout his legendary career. Minnesota RT Brian O'Neill is a big and physical blocker, but can have some problems against quicker pass rushers. The savvy Jordan has always been able to beat opponents in multiple ways. He'll have to be that player this afternoon to help shut down Dobbs and the Minnesota offense.