Minnesota Vikings: Studs and duds from Week 16 loss to Saints
Stud: Passing game and putting up 33 points
Although it will get lost in the shuffle of this game due to the dominance on the side of New Orleans led by Alvin Kamara and company, another stud that did appear in the game for Minnesota was its success on the offensive side of the ball.
For the most part, the offense hasn’t really been a huge issue for the Vikings all season long, but rather the defenses inability to hold down opposing offensive units to allow that offense to take a lead on the side of Minnesota.
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Such was the case once again in Week 16 on the road, with the Vikings going off for 33 points against a solid Saints defense on the other side of the ball. Minnesota passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns and ran the ball for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
The offense did what it should, especially on the road, on Friday night in New Orleans. The defense was a huge let down though.
Dud: Defense as a whole
The defense for the Vikings in the Week 16 loss was brutal, and part of that was due to the plethora of injuries on that side of the ball resulting in some unfamiliar names taking the field against a top-notch Saints offense.
That didn’t end up playing out well for Minnesota, as it allowed New Orleans to explode for 52 points over four quarters and couldn’t buy a stop at any point in the game. The Saints threw the ball for 319 yards, while rushing the ball for 264 yards and seven touchdowns in the win.
The defense has been tough to watch all season long for the Vikings, and part of that is because of the number of injuries to key players on that side of the ball. Either way, the defense was really bad in the Week 16 loss to the Saints.