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The Duel

3 Keys to Victory for the Vikings in the Wild Card Game

By Zach Brunner

Adam Thielen is one of the Vikings' keys to victory this week.
Adam Thielen is one of the Vikings' keys to victory this week. / Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
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In the NFC Wild Card Round, the Minnesota Vikings hit the road to face the New Orleans Saints, hoping to pull off another notable playoff victory over Drew Brees and his squad. Currently, the Vikings are 7.5-point underdogs on the road, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

However, Minnesota is talented enough to compete with just about anyone. With that in mind, here are three keys to victory for the Vikings against the Saints on Sunday.

1. Get Pressure on Drew Brees

Danielle Hunter leads the Vikings with 14.5 sacks.
Danielle Hunter leads the Vikings with 14.5 sacks. / Harry How/Getty Images

The Vikings cannot allow Drew Brees to see a clean pocket all game, like many teams have done this season. The Saints quarterbacks have only been sacked 25 times this season (T-No. 3 in NFL). However, Minnesota has a number of talented pass-rushers, averaging a combined 3.0 sacks per game (T-No. 5 in NFL). If they can put pressure on Brees, the Vikings have a chance to slow down the Saints' offensive attack, which could give Minnesota a chance to pull off the upset here.

2. Get Adam Thielen Involved Early

Adam Thielen has totaled 334 receiving yards in the last three games with the Saints.
Adam Thielen has totaled 334 receiving yards in the last three games with the Saints. / Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Adam Thielen is back after a long absence due to injury, but he has not been utilized much since his return, totaling three catches in two games. The Saints have a terrific cornerback in Marshon Lattimore, but he will likely be matching up with Stefon Diggs on the outside, leading to Thielen seeing a better matchup. The Saints have allowed 953 yards to wide receivers over the past five games (fourth most in NFL). For the Vikings to put up points against the Saints, Thielen needs to be a big part of the plan, and he's more than capable of carving up this defense, totaling 334 receiving yards over his last three games against New Orleans.

3. Dalvin Cook Needs to be Effective

Dalvin Cook has totaled 1,654 yards this season.
Dalvin Cook has totaled 1,654 yards this season. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

If not for the historic season Christian McCaffrey put together, we would have been hearing more about Dalvin Cook, who is the focal point of this Vikings' offense. He has averaged 118.1 yards from scrimmage per game this season, and he will likely have to put together another solid outing against New Orleans. While the Saints have had some great performances against running backs this season, they haven't been as good lately, allowing 121.4 yards from scrimmage per game to running backs over their past five. Cook hasn't seen a snap share above 50 percent since Week 12, but he was able to log full reps in practice this week, and he'll need to be both healthy and effective for Minnesota to pull off the upset on Sunday.

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