Wildcard at Saints pre game

[Mothman]

Sadly, I agree that the NFL will do everything they can to make sure the Saints win this game. They definitely have darling teams.

I don't buy it. If the NFL cared that much about the Saints the latter wouldn't have missed out on a near-certain Super Bowl appearance last year on the late game non-call against the Rams.

[YikesVikes]

Sadly, I agree that the NFL will do everything they can to make sure the Saints win this game. They definitely have darling teams.

I don't buy it. If the NFL cared that much about the Saints the latter wouldn't have missed out on a near-certain Super Bowl appearance last year on the late game non-call against the Rams.

Makeup year to Saints fans?

[CharVike]

The Saints are 13-1 under the ref crew we are getting Sunday.

Oh god.

That's scary. We all know the calls will go there way regardless. But this just adds another layer to it. Home field and the refs in their pocket. They need a guy like you on the broadcast pointing this stuff out. The NFL would love that. A lot of people running to the phone about their bet after hearing it. Very good job and nothing I would even think about until now.

[Mothman]

Me neither. I think he's benefitted greatly from the presence of Kubiak and his posse. On the one hand, nothing ventured, nothing gained (I am not entirely against rolling the dice on a young, innovative, potential future star of a coach), but on the other... I just haven't seen enough from Stefanski to trust that he's worth the gamble. He's dropped the ball horribly in some huge games this year. As stated above, I also don't see evidence that the positive results on offense this year are directly/ mostly attributable to him, but rather to Kubiak and crew.

Well said. Kubiak has clearly been a key figure in the offensive improvements seen this season. Heck, I'm not convinced Stefanski checks more than the "young" box on the "a young, innovative, potential future star of a coach" checklist.

It's easy to say now, but Kyle Shanahan is the type of young guy I'd like to see us roll the dice on. He was even born in MPLS, so it would've been an awesome choice. But for all I know, Stefanski IS the next Kyle Shanahan.

If he is, history suggests he'll prove it after leaving the Vikings (like Dungy, Billick, Tomlin, etc.).

Honestly, I really wish Zimmer would get over the hump. I chose his photo for my avatar for this site because there's a lot I like about the guy. His excessively conservative ("Puckered up") style when we need to be loose and aggressive does drive me nuts though.

I wish he would get over the hump too but it really looks like he has a ceiling. I just don't see him leading the Vikes to a Super Bowl this season or in the future. If they gave him another 4 years I think they'd look an awful lot like the last 4 years: competitive, sometimes very exciting but ultimately, not championship-caliber.

[Maelstrom88]

Sadly, I agree that the NFL will do everything they can to make sure the Saints win this game. They definitely have darling teams.

I don't buy it. If the NFL cared that much about the Saints the latter wouldn't have missed out on a near-certain Super Bowl appearance last year on the late game non-call against the Rams.

The NFL wanted the Rams to succeed in L.A. more than the Saints to get another ring. Priorities.

[VikingPaul73]

I agree on the Zimmer "good but not great" ceiling. It's almost the worst position to be in, because it makes it so hard for the owner to pull the plug. I'd rather endure 1 or 2 seasons of Les Steckel than 10 seasons of 10-6 bubble teams and no super bowls.

I just can't see Wilf making any moves this offseason. If (and that's a HUGE if) he does cut Zimmer/Spielman loose, it won't be until next offseason when Cousins' contract is up. That would make the most sense. The D will be blown up at that point (age) and the new GM/HC can bring in the QB they want to start the rebuild.

I agree with the skepticism on Stefanski. I don't understand the hype at all. Wouldn't mind seeing him walk and Kubiak as OC next year.

Anyone watching the Gophers game? I am not a fan but am a Big10 guy (Illinois) so of course rooting for Gophers big time today. Seems like the calls are going against them. Hopefully they can pull this off!!!!

[Mothman]

I don't buy it. If the NFL cared that much about the Saints the latter wouldn't have missed out on a near-certain Super Bowl appearance last year on the late game non-call against the Rams.

The NFL wanted the Rams to succeed in L.A. more than the Saints to get another ring. Priorities.

I'm curious: if you think it's that rigged, why watch at all?

[Maelstrom88]

The NFL wanted the Rams to succeed in L.A. more than the Saints to get another ring. Priorities.

I'm curious: if you think it's that rigged, why watch at all?

I've sunk too many years in at this point. I think all sports are rigged to a certain extent. They all have teams that they would prefer to win because it leads to more merchandise being sold and better ratings. I think the teams that aren't the league darlings can overcome it but they have to dominate.

[VikingPaul73]

The NFL wanted the Rams to succeed in L.A. more than the Saints to get another ring. Priorities.

I'm curious: if you think it's that rigged, why watch at all?

think about the popularity of WWE !!!!

[Bowhunting Viking]

I have said it here before, and stand by it 100%, but the during the Bountygate game, the NFL wanted the feel good Katrina story to happen so bad that it was clearly evident that Pete Morelli and his crew were doing everything in their power to assure the Saints a win.
I've heard Rich Eisen call it the Game of the Ghost calls a few times on the NFL Network.
I know ppl blame Favre and the int, but without Petey and his crew it wouldn't have come to that.
Won't even get started on the plays or I'm gonna get pissed on New Years day. Lol.
So since then anytime I see Peyton and the Saints on the end of a bad call I LOVE it.

[Mothman]

I've sunk too many years in at this point. I think all sports are rigged to a certain extent. They all have teams that they would prefer to win because it leads to more merchandise being sold and better ratings. I think the teams that aren't the league darlings can overcome it but they have to dominate.

I understand. It can certainly feel that way at times. Sometimes I think that's just due to human error and our own perceptions but there are definitely officiating calls that make you go "Hmmm".

[Mothman]

I'm curious: if you think it's that rigged, why watch at all?

think about the popularity of WWE !!!!

Good point!

[StumpHunter]

Two predictions for this game, a positive and a negative one.

Positive:
Defense steps up, forces a lot of 3rd and longs and punts and holds arguably the best offense in the NFL to 23 points.
The offense does a decent job of keeping the D off the field. Dalvin comes back with fresh legs and just gauges the Saints D. The short passing game is working and it eventually opens things up over the top. We score 20 and fail to make a 40 yard FG to tie it at the end.

The Negative Prediction:
The D gives up a TD drive early but settles in and starts to slow the Saints down, holding them to 23. The Saints run game gets going on the back of Murray and Kamara late after the D has been on the field for the majority of the game. Punt returns are a problem, the Saints have a really good guy back there and he is killing teams. Offensively the Saints take away the run game, we start checking down early and often, and a lot of short drives ensue. The Vikings score 20 eventually, after they get down two scores late in the 4th.

[CharVike]

I've sunk too many years in at this point. I think all sports are rigged to a certain extent. They all have teams that they would prefer to win because it leads to more merchandise being sold and better ratings. I think the teams that aren't the league darlings can overcome it but they have to dominate.

I understand. It can certainly feel that way at times. Sometimes I think that's just due to human error and our own perceptions but there are definitely officiating calls that make you go "Hmmm".

You guys bring up some good points about the darlings. Like the Cowboys. Who would want to watch that snooze feast. The officiating has been a big deal since day one. Look at all these rules now. I don't even know how the refs keep up. Basically you can call pass interference anytime you want to. I think rules now change through out the year. That adds more to it. And this replay after everything slows it up big time. Plus I'm sure the refs don't like it. It's not an easy job.

[Laserman]

offensively, give the ball to cook, roll out on play action, and use the screen game. Defensively Zimmer needs to double team thomas all day plus line up in the face of each receiver and distrupt their timing with as much violence as they can without a flag. No reciever should get a free release and should be hit before they start their route. If Zimmer doesn't so this we are meat. Brees will destroy out defense