Saints Receive Clear Warning on Minnesota Vikings Game

The New Orleans Saints have something to prove on Sunday. The Saints (1-3) take on the Minnesota Vikings (4-0) in a game that could launch them back into the NFC South division title race or may well knock them out of any serious conversation for the postseason.

Several new faces are being asked to fill key roles, and the Saints have paid dearly for the lack of continuity so far. The biggest deficits come on the defensive side of the ball.

Bob Rose of Saints Wire discussed the New Orleans defense through the first four games. According to Rose, the defensive performance has left plenty to be desired. Here's what he had to say about the underperforming unit.

"This doesn't even closely resemble the defense that coordinator Brandon Staley put on the field last season. Very few teams are softer against the run than the Saints, as opponents have had their way with them on the ground. The defensive line has gotten virtually zero push in the middle as pass rushers and gets moved around easily in the running game. A lack of depth here is astonishing, but starters Vernon Broughton and Nathan Shepherd have made no difference, while rookie second round pick Christen Miller simply cannot stay healthy and in the lineup.

Linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf) is about to miss his second straight game. Elliss has been the second best player on a struggling defense. Pete Werner and Danny Stutsman are both extremely limited in coverage or in pursuit, leaving the team vulnerable to off-tackle runs or passes in their direction. Inexplicably, athletic linebacker Isaiah Stalbird doesn't see the field defensively after making several plays in limited action during 2025. Even with Elliss, opponents have been able to run straight at New Orleans."

The encouraging thing about the Saints is that they do have pieces in place to be a great team. In particular the explosive and consistent offense is playing at a playoff level. Much of that revolves around the great play of second year starting quarterback Tyler Shough.

To see their playoff ceiling realized, New Orleans will need its defense to rise to that level. If it is going to happen it should happen against the league's second worst offense, the Minnesota Vikings. Averaging just 262.8 yards per game, Minnesota is a great get right opponent.

The Saints will hope to get right against New Orleans on Sunday.