New Orleans Saints Catch Shade in Preview of Minnesota Vikings Matchup

The New Orleans Saints suffered an embarrassing 45-24 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. The aftermath of the loss isn't cataclysmic, but the doubt surrounding the team's playoff potential has reached an all time high.

Doubt pretty well sums up the lens through which NFL media is viewing the team. That notion could not be clearer than it is heading into a pivotal matchup against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. 

Andrew Buller-Russ of Sportsnaut predicts a rough day could be ahead for the Saints defense. He writes that the Vikings offense, which could only muster field goals in a 15-10 win over the winless Miami Dolphins, will score only touchdowns against the Saints. Here's what he had to say on that prediction.

"First-Team All-Pro kicker Will Reichard has been one of the Vikings’ team MVPs through four weeks, making 31 consecutive field goals dating back to last season. He’s also been the team’s leading scorer. Last week the Vikings didn’t even score a touchdown, relying on Reichard to score all 15 of the team’s points. This week the Vikings won’t ask nearly as much from the NFL’s best kicker, scoring touchdowns rather than being forced to settle for field goals."

Buller-Russ sees the Vikings defense having a great day as well. He surprisingly predicts that Minnesota will add insult to injury and intercept Saints quarterback Tyler Shough three times on the way to a win. Here's what he added on that front.

"Tyler Shough has shown he can rank among the league leaders in passing yards. Yet, as he’s settling into his second season in the NFL, he’s also susceptible to committing turnovers. He’s tossed nine interceptions and lost five fumbles in 13 NFL starts. But he hasn’t faced Brian Flores’ top-ranked Vikings defense yet. Facing more pressure than he’s ever dealt with in the NFL, the 26-year-old Shough will commit three turnovers on Sunday."

Buller-Russ' perspective is one way to look at things. Another way to look at it is that the Saints have been losing despite playing well offensively and this could be a get right game for the New Orleans defense.

The Vikings offense entered Week 4 as the worst offense in terms of yards per game in the NFL before putting up just 15 points on Sunday. If there is an opportunity to fix the Saints defense, it's this week.

New Orleans will hope to get right with a must-win game against Minnesota.