The New Orleans Saints are desperate for their first win of the 2014 campaign and aim for it against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. New Orleans dropped its first game against the Atlanta Falcons, 34-31 in overtime, before falling to the Cleveland Browns on a last-second field goal.
How to watch Vikings vs. Saints 2014 online, TV schedule, radio and more
New Orleans has been disappointing but can turn things around at home against the Vikings.
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The Saints are two games behind the Carolina Panthers in the tough NFC South and a game back of the Falcons. New Orleans is one of the few teams still in tact heath-wise though, so coach Sean Payton at least won't have to worry about an injury riddled roster entering Week 3.
Minnesota crushed the St. Louis Rams 34-6 in the season opener but then fell flat in Week 2, losing 30-7 to the New England Patriots. The Vikings were without Adrian Peterson, who was deactivated by the team after news broke that he was facing an indictment for allegedly beating his 4-year-old son with a switch. Without Peterson, Matt Cassel struggled mightily, throwing three interceptions.
How to watch
Where: Mercedez-Benz Superdome
When: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Rondé Barber, Jennifer Hale
Online Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket, Verizon NFL Mobile, Fox Sports GO
Odds
The Saints are 10.5-point favorites over the Vikings with the over/under line set at 51, per Oddsshark.
Nuts and Bolts
New Orleans has one of the most potent offensive attacks in the NFL led by Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham. Brees has thrown for 570 yards and three touchdowns through two weeks, but has been undone by his team's pass defense. The Saints rank dead last in the NFL with 323.5 passing yards allowed per game. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has struggled to generate pressure, amassing two sacks on the year.
Minnesota might help the Saints' pass defense get on track, coming in with the ugliest passing attack in football. Cassel hasn't mustered more than 202 passing yards in either game and Minnesota is also without a 100-yard receiver, as Cordarrelle Patterson leads the team with 82 yards. Patterson also leads in rushing with 102 yards.
Further Reading
For more Saints talk, head over to Canal Street Chronicles.
For plenty of Vikings chatter, check out the Daily Norseman.
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