”It’s like the Super Bowl all over again,” Saints running back Reggie Bush said.
Indeed, Saints owner Tom Benson will show off the Lombardi Trophy once more at a newly completed festival plaza next to the Superdome that has been named Champions Square. Then the festivities move inside the dome, where those with the hottest ticket in town will witness the raising of a 2009 championship banner before kickoff.
The Vikings would like to see the party end right about there, and they have their reasons for believing they can make that happen.
Minnesota outperformed the Saints in numerous statistical categories when they met in last season’s NFC championship game and might have won if not for five turnovers.
The Vikings outgained the Saints 165 yards to 68 on the ground and 310 yards to 189 in the air. In the end, Minnesota was done in by three lost fumbles and two interceptions, the last by Saints cornerback Tracy Porter when the Vikings were threatening to take a late-game lead …..Brett Favre performed brilliantly in the NFC title game despite taking a pounding from a Saints defense that drew a few flags – and fines – for some of the heavy hits they delivered…Childress and some of Favre’s teammates have since suggested that the Saints appeared to be trying to hurt their quarterback, although Favre said this week he had no complaints.
The Saints say so-called ”remember me” hits are part of an aggressive style taught by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and that they play the same way every game.
With the chatter that has gone back and forth, Saints quarterback Drew Brees figures the Vikings may be looking for a little payback. Certainly, it wouldn’t hurt Minnesota’s cause to knock the reigning Super Bowl MVP – who completed an NFL record 70.62 percent of his passes last season – out of the game…..Minnesota topped the NFL with 48 sacks last season, led by end Jared Allen’s 14 1/2. The Vikings defense also ranked sixth in yards allowed (305.5 per game).
The Saints’ offense led the NFL in total yards (403.8 per game) and has all of its key players back….look for an excited crowd and hard hits from both teams!!
