Game Preview
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
monday, october 6, 2008 - 8:30 pm
*Brees, Saints hope to remain unbeaten at home*
Minnesota (1-3) at New Orleans (2-2), 8:30 pm EDT
NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints seek to stay unbeaten at home when they host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
Brees leads the Saints' top-ranked passing attack, completing over 72 percent of his passes for 1,343 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions this season.
With his top two receivers and starting tight end sidelined, Brees passed for 363 yards and three scores with one interception in last Sunday's 31-17 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers.
Brees used the receiving trio of Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, who combined for 10 catches and 281 receiving yards, to help New Orleans snap a two-game losing streak.
"We wanted to get back on track," Brees said. "San Francisco was playing as good as anyone in the league, so we had our work cut out for us. I felt like we played a great all-around game."
"I'm pleased with our effort," Saints head coach Sean Payton added. "I thought that we played inspired. I thought our guys played hard on both sides of the ball."
New Orleans also received a boost from Deuce McAllister, who saw his first significant action and rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. It was McAllister's first score since December 24, 2006.
It will only get harder for McAllister, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered early last season, against the Vikings.
Minnesota, which has had the top-ranked defense against the run over the past two seasons, is holding opponents to less than 72 yards per game.
Reggie Bush will have a tough time finding holes against the Vikings stout defense. Bush, who constantly looks for the big play, will likely struggle against the disciplined front seven.
New Orleans also likely will have trouble stopping the run. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson, last season's rushing leader should have success against a Saints defense that has surrendered 122.8 rushing yards per game.
Peterson currently ranks second in the NFL with 420 yards and has scored three of club's five offensive touchdowns.
The reigning Rookie of the Year Award winner, Peterson collected 80 rushing yards and two scores but lost a fumble in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans.