01-13-2018, 03:43 AM
The New Orleans Saints are two wins away from the Super Bowl.
Thanks to their emotional wild card win against the Carolina Panthers, this already qualifies as a happy new year.
But a win Sunday against the mighty Minnesota Vikings in the NFC divisional playoffs would kick-start our great city's tri-centennial celebration. Bourbon Street would be a sea of Saints fans doing the Sean Payton.
Not even the most hardcore Who Dat expected the Saints to go this far this soon. After three consecutive 7-9 seasons, most Saints fans would have settled for a winning season as a totem of progress in the club's rebuilding plan.
But here they are, two steps away from going somewhere they've been only once before in the franchise's 51-year history.
And the most treacherous step in the journey occurs Sunday, By most accounts, the Vikings are the best team in the NFC and the most likely to represent the conference in Super Bowl LII. They went 13-3 this season, including a 29-19 victory against the Saints in the season opener Sept. 11. They have won seven of eight games at U.S. Bank Stadium and are 12-4 there since it opened in 2017.
Minnesota is motivated by history and opportunity. The Vikings' infamous 0-4 record in the Super Bowl is tied with Buffalo for the worst in the NFL. Vikings fans have also suffered the heartbreak of losing not one but two conference championship games in overtime on sudden-death field goals.
If you thought being a Saints fan during the Mecom years was tough, think about our neighbors at the other end of the Mississippi River. At least, it's warm in New Orleans.
Fate has alighted on the Vikings' 2017-2018 season. Minneapolis is playing host to Super Bowl LII and the club's best team in recent memory has earned a gilded path to it. No team in NFL history has ever played the Super Bowl in its home stadium.
"I know the history of the Vikings and trying to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl," Morstead said. "I'm sure their fans are itching for a chance at that and the fact that they could host a Super Bowl themselves if they make it. I'm sure they feel great about where they sit."
The Vikings aren't the Falcons or Panthers. Yet, there's plenty of history between these teams, and for the Saints, most of it isn't pleasant.
The Vikings own a dominant 19-10 all-time record against the Saints, including a 13-3 mark in the Twin Cities. It's the Saints' lowest winning percentage against any NFC rival and in any NFC city.
The Saints did win the most significant matchup in the all-time series: the 2009 NFC Championship Game.
Rest assured, Vikings fans haven't forgotten it.
The Saints dealt the Vikings one of their most heartbreaking losses ever in the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Vikings fans are still smarting from that loss. In their minds, the Saints not only robbed them of another Super Bowl bid but did it dirty.
The Vikings accused the Saints of intentionally trying to injure Brett Farve in game. Their snitching to the league led to the bounty-gate scandal, which effectively destroyed the Saints' 2012 season and cost the club a second round draft pick.
Thanks to their emotional wild card win against the Carolina Panthers, this already qualifies as a happy new year.
But a win Sunday against the mighty Minnesota Vikings in the NFC divisional playoffs would kick-start our great city's tri-centennial celebration. Bourbon Street would be a sea of Saints fans doing the Sean Payton.
Not even the most hardcore Who Dat expected the Saints to go this far this soon. After three consecutive 7-9 seasons, most Saints fans would have settled for a winning season as a totem of progress in the club's rebuilding plan.
But here they are, two steps away from going somewhere they've been only once before in the franchise's 51-year history.
And the most treacherous step in the journey occurs Sunday, By most accounts, the Vikings are the best team in the NFC and the most likely to represent the conference in Super Bowl LII. They went 13-3 this season, including a 29-19 victory against the Saints in the season opener Sept. 11. They have won seven of eight games at U.S. Bank Stadium and are 12-4 there since it opened in 2017.
Minnesota is motivated by history and opportunity. The Vikings' infamous 0-4 record in the Super Bowl is tied with Buffalo for the worst in the NFL. Vikings fans have also suffered the heartbreak of losing not one but two conference championship games in overtime on sudden-death field goals.
If you thought being a Saints fan during the Mecom years was tough, think about our neighbors at the other end of the Mississippi River. At least, it's warm in New Orleans.
Fate has alighted on the Vikings' 2017-2018 season. Minneapolis is playing host to Super Bowl LII and the club's best team in recent memory has earned a gilded path to it. No team in NFL history has ever played the Super Bowl in its home stadium.
"I know the history of the Vikings and trying to get to a Super Bowl and win a Super Bowl," Morstead said. "I'm sure their fans are itching for a chance at that and the fact that they could host a Super Bowl themselves if they make it. I'm sure they feel great about where they sit."
The Vikings aren't the Falcons or Panthers. Yet, there's plenty of history between these teams, and for the Saints, most of it isn't pleasant.
The Vikings own a dominant 19-10 all-time record against the Saints, including a 13-3 mark in the Twin Cities. It's the Saints' lowest winning percentage against any NFC rival and in any NFC city.
The Saints did win the most significant matchup in the all-time series: the 2009 NFC Championship Game.
Rest assured, Vikings fans haven't forgotten it.
The Saints dealt the Vikings one of their most heartbreaking losses ever in the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Vikings fans are still smarting from that loss. In their minds, the Saints not only robbed them of another Super Bowl bid but did it dirty.
The Vikings accused the Saints of intentionally trying to injure Brett Farve in game. Their snitching to the league led to the bounty-gate scandal, which effectively destroyed the Saints' 2012 season and cost the club a second round draft pick.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) will be one of the key matchups in Sunday's NFC divisional playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The memory of the bitter loss is just one reason why Vikings coach Mike Zimmer predicted U.S. Bank Stadium "will be the loudest it's ever been since that stadium opened" on Sunday.
In Drew Brees, the Saints have the perfect field general to navigate the chaotic conditions and frenetic atmosphere. The steely 17-year veteran has played - and won - in nearly every stadium and situation possible over the years. He won't wilt when the Vikings SKOL chant reverberates through the sellout crowd.
"This isn't the first time Drew has been in a loud place," Zimmer said. "I'm sure he will be fine."
Better than most, Brees understands what's at stake here. He turns 39 on Monday and knows there are only so many of these opportunities left in his Hall of Fame career.
For all of his wins, records and accomplishments, Brees remains relatively underrated in the grand scheme of things. On the list of best quarterbacks of this generation, Brees consistently is listed behind his peers: Tom Brady; Peyton Manning; and Aaron Rodgers.
Another Super Bowl would burnish his legacy and gain him entry into the rare club of multiple-Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Since taking over the Saints in 2006, Brees' starting record in the playoff is 6-0 at the Superdome and 1-4 on the road. Upsetting the Vikings and their top-ranked defense on the road is the biggest hurdle in the Saints' road to Super Bowl LII.
"This game is so much bigger for Drew Brees than to any other player on the field," Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall said this week on Showtime's "Inside the NFL." "Because we are talking about legacy. How many years have the Saints been down and done? And now they emerge and they are having this awesome season and everybody is talking about Aaron Rodgers being great, Tom Brady being great. And what happened to Drew Brees? And Drew Brees, we all know the competitor he is. ... He is going out there with a big chip on his shoulder, and I think he's thinking about legacy."
Brees, of course, dismisses such talk. The ultimate creature of habit and devotee of the preparation process, his sole focus is on the Vikings and this week's game plan. He can't see the forest for the pine needles and frankly doesn't care to.
"This is crunch time," Brees said Wednesday. "This is where you want to be playing your best. This is what you play the regular season for. You get paid to play the regular season. I'd pay it all back just to be in this position. This is where it's fun."
The Saints carried themselves with a quiet confidence this week. They understand the challenge ahead and are fully embracing it.
"This team is hungry," Morstead said. "Obviously, we're in the knockout stages of the season and that's exciting. But there's something to be said about being young, dumb and naive and just going out and doing your job and not make it any bigger than it is."
Added guard Larry Warford: "It's hard to get here, just to get into the playoff is difficult. It doesn't happen a lot. There's a lot of players in the league who have never even been in the playoffs. We have to seize this opportunity. It's one and done if you lose."
The New Orleans new year will certainly be happier one if the Saints can pull off the upset. With Brees under center, they always have a chance. A Saints win would be hell of a birthday gift for the city and its favorite son.
The memory of the bitter loss is just one reason why Vikings coach Mike Zimmer predicted U.S. Bank Stadium "will be the loudest it's ever been since that stadium opened" on Sunday.
In Drew Brees, the Saints have the perfect field general to navigate the chaotic conditions and frenetic atmosphere. The steely 17-year veteran has played - and won - in nearly every stadium and situation possible over the years. He won't wilt when the Vikings SKOL chant reverberates through the sellout crowd.
"This isn't the first time Drew has been in a loud place," Zimmer said. "I'm sure he will be fine."
Better than most, Brees understands what's at stake here. He turns 39 on Monday and knows there are only so many of these opportunities left in his Hall of Fame career.
For all of his wins, records and accomplishments, Brees remains relatively underrated in the grand scheme of things. On the list of best quarterbacks of this generation, Brees consistently is listed behind his peers: Tom Brady; Peyton Manning; and Aaron Rodgers.
Another Super Bowl would burnish his legacy and gain him entry into the rare club of multiple-Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks.
Since taking over the Saints in 2006, Brees' starting record in the playoff is 6-0 at the Superdome and 1-4 on the road. Upsetting the Vikings and their top-ranked defense on the road is the biggest hurdle in the Saints' road to Super Bowl LII.
"This game is so much bigger for Drew Brees than to any other player on the field," Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall said this week on Showtime's "Inside the NFL." "Because we are talking about legacy. How many years have the Saints been down and done? And now they emerge and they are having this awesome season and everybody is talking about Aaron Rodgers being great, Tom Brady being great. And what happened to Drew Brees? And Drew Brees, we all know the competitor he is. ... He is going out there with a big chip on his shoulder, and I think he's thinking about legacy."
Brees, of course, dismisses such talk. The ultimate creature of habit and devotee of the preparation process, his sole focus is on the Vikings and this week's game plan. He can't see the forest for the pine needles and frankly doesn't care to.
"This is crunch time," Brees said Wednesday. "This is where you want to be playing your best. This is what you play the regular season for. You get paid to play the regular season. I'd pay it all back just to be in this position. This is where it's fun."
The Saints carried themselves with a quiet confidence this week. They understand the challenge ahead and are fully embracing it.
"This team is hungry," Morstead said. "Obviously, we're in the knockout stages of the season and that's exciting. But there's something to be said about being young, dumb and naive and just going out and doing your job and not make it any bigger than it is."
Added guard Larry Warford: "It's hard to get here, just to get into the playoff is difficult. It doesn't happen a lot. There's a lot of players in the league who have never even been in the playoffs. We have to seize this opportunity. It's one and done if you lose."
The New Orleans new year will certainly be happier one if the Saints can pull off the upset. With Brees under center, they always have a chance. A Saints win would be hell of a birthday gift for the city and its favorite son.
