The Latest Chapter in the Vikings/Saints Rivalry
The NFC North has some fierce rivalries but for the Minnesota Vikings, it doesn’t come any more heated than a game with the New Orleans Saints. The animosity stems from the controversial NFC championship game in 2010, which was the first of three big playoff meetings. The latest chapter in the Vikings/Saints rivalry will be written as the two teams meet at US Bank Stadium for a Week 10 matchup that promises to be pivotal in the fortunes of each team’s season.
The Latest Chapter in the Vikings/Saints Rivalry
In a strange twist of fate, for the second week in a row, the Vikings take on the current leaders of the NFC South, who happen to have an identical record (5-4) to them. It’s an important game for both as the Vikings will hope to prove last week’s heroics wasn’t a one-off and the Saints will want to consolidate their newly found position at the top of the division.
The Vikings will roll with Joshua Dobbs as the starting quarterback for the first after he came off the bench to guide the Vikings to an incredible win last week. Rookie QB Jaren Hall has been ruled out of the game, as has Justin Jefferson, who was originally listed as questionable on the injury report. T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and K.J. Osborn (concussion) are also listed as questionable – Hockenson told the media that he expects to play.
History of the Rivalry
For the most part, Minnesota has dominated the rivalry leading the series 24-13, including 4–1 in the playoffs. However, the Saints won the biggest game between the two teams. The infamous 2009 NFC championship game, for a franchise that has a long history of disappointment, for many fans this is the one that stings the most. Despite all the controversy that surrounded the Bountygate scandal, it was still a game the Vikings could and probably should have won. New Orleans went on to win the Super Bowl and kickstarted a resurgence of the Saints under Sean Payton and Drew Brees which included four straight wins over the Vikings.
That run came to an end in the 2017 season when the Vikings beat the Saints twice, first in the regular season and then in the divisional round of the playoffs thanks to the Minneapolis Miracle. Stefon Diggs’ walk-off touchdown for the win is my favorite moment of a Vikings fan, many Vikings feel the same. Since that game, the two teams have shared the victories from four games, including another playoff win for Minnesota, with Kyle Rudolph catching the game-winner in overtime. Christmas Day of 2020 was one for Vikings fans to forget as Alvin Kamara scored six rushing touchdowns to help the Saints top 50 points in a crushing win.
The most recent contest came last season when the rivalry went international as the two teams met at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. A Greg Joseph field goal put the Vikings ahead with seconds remaining. However, there was enough time for the Saints to set up a field goal attempt of over 60 yards. Wil Lutz stuck the ball sweetly only to strike the goalposts not once but twice. The double doink saw the Vikings win in dramatic fashion.
The 2023 Meeting
The 38th meeting between these two teams promises to be as close as last season. The Saints aren’t the team they were during the prime years of the Payton and Brees era. However, they are still a tough football team that will always be competitive on both sides of the ball. Their defense will be sure to test Dobbs and they have weapons on offense to trouble the Vikings.
The fitness of Hockenson and Osborn will be a big factor for Minnesota, losing both might be a step too far for this offense to overcome. The good news is Christian Darrisaw is back at left tackle to help Dobbs try and reproduce some of that magic from last week in Atlanta.
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