Minnesota Vikings: 3 Key players to beating Saints in Divisional Round
By Derek Snyder
2. Everson Griffen
If the Vikings are to move past the Saints this weekend, and fight another week for a chance to make Super Bowl LII, they’ll need Everson Griffen to have another incredible game. Not only did Griffen lead the Vikings in total sacks this year, but he finished fourth in the NFL in that same category.
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Needless to say, with a New Orleans offense that’s been lights-out since late-September, Griffen has to get interior pressure and shut down the Saints improved rushing game.
You may have thought I was going to say Griffen’s biggest task was getting to Drew Bress. While that’s definitely something he’ll have to do on Sunday, getting to Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram means even more.
It seems crazy to say, but this Saints offense actually revolves around their ability to move the football on the ground. If Kamara and Ingram start to move the chains, it’s going to be extremely hard to stop Brees from finding wide open receivers on play action.
With that said, getting interior pressure and meeting the ballcarrier in the backfield is of utmost important this weekend. Kamara and Ingram are great, but no running back excels when they’re consistently getting hit in the backfield.