NFL 2010 Kickoff - Minnesota Vikings Vs. New Orleans Saints: preview and what to watch for (video)

~ Minnesota Vikings Vs. New Orleans Saints

~ September 9, 2010 8:30 PM Eastern on NBC

~ Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

Check out my interview from Wednesday on Sports Talk with Richard Cross where I talk up the Saints and the big game with the Vikings. Fast forward to the 45 minute mark to hear my time on Sports Talk.

Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come.

We are now in the witching hour and the beginning of the 2010 New Orleans Saints' season is almost upon us. Actually, since our boys are the defending Super Bowl Champions, then that means the beginning of the entire 2010 NFL Season is almost upon us. It all starts in the Superdome and against one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of professional football.

We have all waited for this day since February 7, 2010. That itself is a date which will be enshrined in the memories of all those that watched the Saints head into Miami and watch them defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. No-one will ever forget the glory that came upon us all as Drew Brees mastered his craft, as Jeremy Shockey fell into the end zone, and as Tracy Porter sprinted down the field pointing at the entire "Who Dat Nation."

But the time has come for another day. It's not time for the Saints to step out there and make sure Brett Favre hits the ground and hits the ground hard, but that is all part of the game. It's not just time for the banner to drop representing the first Super Bowl title in the history of the franchise. It really isn't even time for the Saints to go out there and "defend their title."

No.

The time has come for the Saints to head out onto the field in 2010 and win a Super Bowl. Yes, it will be their second and could possibly even end up as their second in a row. But the objective of this season is only one and it's to win the Super Bowl. The journey to get there though begins on Thursday night and it will start with playing flawlessly against a very good Vikings team.

New Orleans is going to have to be on top of their game in every aspect imaginable to walk out of the Superdome on Thursday night with a 1-0 record. Favre has returned for a twentieth season in the NFL and he is looking to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl title. He's going to attempt to do that with one of the best running backs in the league in Adrian Peterson and with the help of a tremendous defense which is strong at all positions. This is not going to be a walk in the park for the boys in black and gold.

Let's take a look at the things that matter and what to watch for:

~ Running back Chris Ivory and linebacker Stanley Arnoux are both out and not going to be active for the game. In what has become a veritable "running back hell" this preseason for the Saints, their third running back is out at least the first game. Look for Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush to get plenty of touches while newly acquired DeShawn Wynn gets his hands on a carry here and there as well to mix things up.

Arnoux is a big-time blow that combined with the loss of Jonathan Casillas to injured reserve (IR) could look really bad for the Saints' defense. But don't sell defensive coordinator Gregg Williams short because you know he has some tricks up his sleeve. Not to mention that there is still a linebacking corps of Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, Jo-Lonn  Dunbar, newly signed Danny Clark, and the now moved from defensive end Junior Galette. I don't think the injuries will hurt the Saints in any real way.

~ The absence of Darren Sharper in the secondary is one that we must all look at closely because he played a main role in keeping Favre in check during the NFC Championship Game. He played the spy in the secondary and made sure that the long ball didn't happen. Now we will see a combination of Usama Young and the transitioned Malcolm Jenkins. Believe it or not, I have all the faith in the world in both of these guys and feel as if they will do more than an adequate job of spying on Favre.

Let's not forget that the Vikings will also be playing with a severely depleted group of wide receivers with Favre's favorite weapon, Sidney Rice, on the shelf for at least half of the season. Then the Vikings went out and signed Javon Walker for some veteran leadership and skill, but then cut him at the end of the preseason. The Viking receivers will have issues getting past Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer alone and if they do, then Jenkins, Young, and Roman Harper will be there to pick up the slack.

~ Keeping Drew Brees "clean" is a job that the offensive line, running backs, and tight ends must focus on throughout the entire game. In no way will I assume that the Vikings defense is going to attempt revenge on Brees for the incidences that went on with Favre last year, but one never knows. Even if they weren't looking to be vicious and take out the Super Bowl MVP, Brees needs time in the pocket to find his receivers and make the most of every opportunity. That brings me to my next point.

~ Speaking of making the most of every opportunity, the Saints need to focus on leaving no points out on the field. Last year they achieved victory with a field goal in overtime. The Saints also caused five turnovers. Five turnovers and they only won by three points. Think about that stat for a second because it is an important one. When the ball is in the hands of the offense, then New Orleans must focus on making it down the field and scoring. Rather obvious though isn't it? There's more to it.

Field goals are not going to cut it. If the Saints have an impressive drive or get down into the red zone and end up settling for a field goal, then that is leaving points out on the field. With someone as dangerous as Favre behind the other offensive line, he can be given no breaks. Points need to be scored and a lot of them so that "Captain Comeback" doesn't get a chance to have us all on the edge of our seats once more.

~ Favre's ankle...oh my goodness, Favre's ankle. There are so many things that could hinge just on how healed his ankle really is. If the Saints can build a big lead or if Peterson has issues holding onto the ball again, then the Vikings are going to have to turn to their passing game. The more Favre has to drop back and throw then the more pressure and stress he'll be putting on that injured ankle. And no I'm not saying this to be "dirty," but the Saints need to get after Favre and hit him often and hard.

We all saw what happened when Favre was injured and pressured. He made mistakes and one of those mistakes actually helped send that game to overtime. Expect Gregg Williams to send just about everything he has at the Vikings' offensive line and try their best to get at the #4 in purple. It's going to happen eventually, but will it work? Only time will tell.

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There isn't much else to say everyone. Game time is almost upon us and the Saints are in my eyes, prepared to take on the challenge of winning the Super Bowl this season. Everything starts on Thursday night in the Superdome and we as the Who Dat Nation know what we must do.

We must be loud.

We must support our team.

We must bleed black and gold.

We must...get crunk.

And for those of us all that don't know exactly what to do right before the game and right after the coin toss, then check out the video below so Drew Brees can explain it to you in full.

Prediction: Saints 35 - Vikings 24

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