Minnesota Vikings: 3 Takeaways from Divisional Round win over Saints
By Derek Snyder
3. Vikings defense contained Ingram and Kamara extremely well
The Saints are going to be taking a ton of criticism this offseason, so let’s do them a favor and give them some props here. Not only did New Orleans turn from average to great in one season, but their running back combination of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara was deadly in 2017. If there’s one reason why this Saints team is dangerous heading into 2018, that’s it.
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At the same time, we have to give props to the Vikings defense as well. These guys knew they needed to shut down Ingram and Kamara to move onto the NFC Championship, and they succeeded with flying colors.
Ingram and Kamara combined for 68 yards rushing with zero touchdowns and 65 receiving yards with one touchdown. Not to mention, Minnesota held New Orleans, as a whole, to only an average of 3.3 yards on the ground per carry.
Sure, Kamara’s late touchdown reception could’ve proven costly to the Vikings Super Bowl hopes this year, but that’s all water under the bridge now. With a huge game coming up against the Eagles next weekend in Philadelphia, Minnesota needs to keep playing with this kind of focus and intensity against the run.