VIKINGS vs. SAINTS<\/strong> Favre has done it mostly on his own this year but he won\u2019t be able to in this game. Unless he gets some help from Peterson, Favre could be ending it on a sour note once again.<\/p>\n Vikings offense versus Saints defense<\/strong><\/p>\n The Vikings need Peterson in this game. On the year, he has 18 touchdowns but that stat couldn\u2019t be more misleading. He only has three 100-yard rushing efforts this year and none in his last eight games. If the Vikings want to win on the road in the NFC Championship game, it has to be a team effort.<\/p>\n The Saints defense is nothing special and if Peterson can get going, the Vikings will be able to control the clock, keep the Saints offense on the sidelines and pound away. If it\u2019s pass, pass, pass, things could get messy for Minnesota.<\/p>\n Saints offense versus Vikings defense<\/strong><\/p>\n In Minnesota\u2019s last three road games, the Vikings defense was shredded by the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. That\u2019s great news for New Orleans.<\/p>\n The Vikings were 9-0 at home this year and just 4-4 on the road. On top of that, they struggled against prolific passing offenses and the Saints might have the best passing weapons they have seen to date. Antoine Winfield, who is the Vikings best cover corner, is banged up and is playing very sparingly. Not that the Vikings had the parts to matchup to begin with but now they are even worse off.<\/p>\n Outlook & Pick<\/strong><\/p>\n The Vikings haven\u2019t had Peterson\u2019s help against worse opponents so it\u2019s hard to predict that he shows up on Sunday. If he doesn\u2019t, it will be the Brett Favre show once again but this one will be the horror show.<\/p>\n Without a running attack in a game where the Vikings will need steady points, expect Favre to have his typical gunslinger mentality and end up with a pair of interceptions.<\/p>\n The Saints will cruise in this one while the Vikings will start the Favre retirement speculation.<\/p>\n
\nTime:<\/strong> Sunday 6:40 ET
\nVenue<\/strong>: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans
\nMoneyLine<\/strong>: Vikings +160 (-110) \/ Saints -190 (-110)
\nSpread<\/strong>: Saints -3.5
\nOver\/Under<\/strong>: 53<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n