NFC Championship Saints Fan Diary: Vol. 4 - The Matchups

Today, it's time to look at the X's and O's behind the Saints matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. With the game a mere 2 days away, this running fan blog is the only thing keeping my sanity. Which matchups do I love as a Saints fan, which matchups am I worried about, and which matchups will decide who lifts the Halas Trophy Sunday night?

3 Good Matchups

1) Drew Brees v Vikings Pass D

-Last year, Drew Brees threw for 330 yards against this Vikings defense. If Brees gets the time to throw (more on that later), he could slice and dice an underwhelming Vikings secondary that was ranked 19th against the pass and only had 11 interceptions. As much as everyone says this game is meant for Favre's legacy, it means even more to Brees. This is the game that could finally vault Brees into where he belongs amongst elite QBs. I would expect Brees to come out at his best on Sunday and give the Saints a huge boost.

2) Reggie Bush v Whoever

-Bush had his breakout game against the Cards with over 200 total yards and 2 TDs including a scintillating punt return. Last year, the Vikes allowed 2 return TDs to Bush and almost a 3rd if he didn't stumble. The former Heisman Trophy winner is also running the ball as good as he has in his entire pro career. He's averaging 10.3 yards per carry in his last 5 games. His speed in the run game, catching the ball, and in returns is the x factor for the Saints. Bush has played his best in big games, which is a good sign for Saints fans.

3) Saints WRs v Vikings Secondary

-Do you sense a theme here where the Saints might have an edge in the passing game? Especially with Antoine Winfield well below his best, the Vikings secondary can't match up man for man with the Saints receivers. The Saints offense isn't built on featuring one receiver - one week it's Colston, then it could be Henderson or Meachem with a dose of Jeremy Shockey. The Vikings just don't have the personnel to cover all of these weapons. Again though, Brees will need time to throw, which leads us to....

3 Bad Matchups

1) Jared Allen v Jermon Bushrod

-Jermon Bushrod will need help. The 3rd year tackle has done an admirable job filling in for All-Pro Jamaal Brown this season, but he got abused by DeMarcus Ware late in the season. Ware had 2 sacks and a forced fumble against Bushrod. Now, he faces another premier pass rusher, and bear wrangler extraordinaire in Jared Allen. The eccentric Allen is another guy that you love to hate if he's not on your team. SI had a good feature on the Vikes sackmaster and how he turned his life around after a tumultuous career in Kansas City. The Saints could catch a break with Ray Edwards an injury doubt on the other side of the line, but this is still a defense that led the NFL in sacks. Bushrod and RT Jon Stinchcomb will have to come up big - and get a little help from backs and TEs to keep Drew Brees upright.

2) Garrett Hartley v Ryan Longwell

-If this game comes down to a kick, the Vikings will have a ginormous advantage. Ryan Longwell has kicked well in domes for a long time and he has good memories in the Superdome. In last year's game, Longwell made the game winner with 13 seconds to play. On the other hand, Garrett Hartley doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the clutch. He snap hooked a 37 yard FG to clinch home field against the Bucs. If this game comes down to a game-winning kick, a lot of prayers will go up from Who Dat nation.

3) Adrian Peterson v Saints Run D

-Yes, AP has really struggled recently. Yes, he has an issue fumbling the ball. Yes, he only had 32 yards on 21 carries in last year's meeting. But, did you see Tim Hightower run through the Saints D on the first play from scrimmage last week? The Saints and their 21st ranked run D would be susceptible to a team that would consistently hammer the ball on the ground. It's time for Adrian Peterson to play like the best running back in football.

5 Key Matchups

1) Favre v Sharper

-The media seem to have attached themselves to this particular matchup (probably because it involves Favre), but it is one of the key matchups. These two former teammates each play such a crucial role for their clubs. Sharper has been the face of the Saints resurgent defense that was 2nd in the league in takeaways. Shockingly, Favre has taken care of the ball this season by throwing a surprisingly low 7 INTs. If Sharper can just bait Favre into one or two bad throws, then we could see the Favre meltdown finally come (see his 6 INTs in the 2001 Div Round, 4 INTs in the 2005 Div Round, and 2007 choke against the Giants).

2) Sidney Rice v Jabari Greer

-Sidney Rice has been the revelation of the season for Favre and the Vikings. Coming out of South Carolina, he was a talented, but unheralded 2nd round pick. Now, he is the #1 WR on an NFC Championship team. His 3 TD receptions against the Cowboys will serve the Saints D notice. Waiting on the other end is a healthy Jabari Greer. Greer, a free agent pickup from Buffalo, has been just as important as Darren Sharper in remaking the Saints D. Greer's matchup with Rice is pivotal to slowing Favre and freeing up Saints blitzers.

3) Sean Payton v Brad Childress

-Well, these head coaches are both looking for their first Super Bowl appearance, but I'm not sure that either one necessarily inspires supreme confidence in their fanbases. Payton has worked wonders in New Orleans, but there is still the feeling that he might make a dumb call that could cost the Saints. Childress has trouble reigning in his star QB and has never seemed like filling the part of elite mastermind like Dungy or Belichick. Payton's superior game planning, offensive prowess, and NFC title game experience might give him the slight edge.

These are all really intriguing matchups, but none will have a bigger impact than the following matchups. The NFC Championship will come down to who wins the matchup between...

4) The Williams Wall v Jahri Evans, Jonathan Goodwin, and Carl Nicks and

5) Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, & Mike Bell v Vikings Run D

-The interior of the Saints offensive line vs the Williams Wall, and the ability for the Saints to run the ball, are the most important matchups in this football game. Evans and Nicks are two huge, young, punishing, and powerful guards that are road graders and excellent pass protectors. The underrated Goodwin was just named to the Pro Bowl at center. These 3 guys are a physical presence weighing in at 979 lbs!

Pat and Kevin Williams are the best DT combo in the league, and perhaps the last 1o years. They come into the ring at 628 lbs (although 317 for Pat Williams might be under by at least 40 lbs). The Vikes have the 2nd ranked run D in the league, but the Saints will have to try to attack the strength of the Vikings defense.

I realize that sounds crazy, and the Saints have a big edge in the passing game, but for New Orleans to succeed they must have balance offensively. In their more impressive wins this season, they consistently ran the ball well. Heck, they even outrushed the Jets in a Week 4 victory. Against Dallas, they were one dimensional with only 65 rush yards. But, last week against Arizona, they came out early pounding the rock and finished with 171 yards on the ground. They will need Thomas, Bush, and Bell to keep the offense ahead of the chains, slow down the Vikes pass rush, and give the Saints balance.

History says that this is the key matchup as well. Against the Bears in the 2006 NFC title game, the Saints were in prime position to take the lead in the 3rd quarter. The Saints had gone from 16-0 to 16-14 and were marching to the Bears 29 with a nice mix of pass and run. Then, three incompletions later, Billy Cundiff missed a FG. The Saints never got back into the game and were blown out in the 4th quarter because they abandoned the running game. If the Saints want to win on Sunday, they have to be willing to run the ball to win.

With all of these interesting matchups all over the field it should be a fantastic NFC Championship game. I just hope I will be able to tell you about the experience of what it feels like as a fan to finally go to the Super Bowl on Monday...