The New Orleans Saints need badly to get back on the winning track, and in Week 5, they'll have the chance to do that against a Vikings squad that is yet to lose in the 2026 season. Simple enough, right?
But how does Deuce McAllister see that happening? It starts in the trenches, particularly on offense, against a Minnesota group that's currently No. 1 in scoring defense and has blitzed on nearly 70% of its snaps to this point.
“This will be a physical, bounceback game," Deuce told Steve Geller on SportsTalk. "That’s what this will be. You’ve got to power up.”
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It's also a game that could potentially be swung by a few explosive plays. As elite as the Vikings defense has been, the offense is on the opposite end. They've gone 32 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown and the Kyler Murray led offense ranks dead last in passing yards per game (156).
Making the Vikings pay for their blitzes could be the key, but to this stage not many teams have been able to do that.
"You’re going to have to be smart. … It’s a test trying to decipher where the blitz is coming from, but in doing so you’ve got to be able to be explosive, because you can’t just allow them to continue to blitz and you just pick up 3 yards, 4 yards," Deuce continued. "At some point you have to hit them with that’s a 60-yarder, that’s a 70-yarder.”
The final key? Maximizing your opportunities on special teams. Minnesota beat the Dolphins last week with five field goals. Meanwhile the Saints special teams have been shaky the last two weeks with a missed field goal and blocked PAT.
"The two things that have to be elite, you’re talking about field goal kicking and covering punts and kicks. … The Vikings have a dude back there,” Deuce said.
The "dude" is WR Myles Price, who currently leads the NFL in punt return average (20.1) and has already brought one back for an 86-yard TD. He also ranks third in the NFL in kickoff return average (30.2), and has a 68-yard return to his credit already this season. Oh, and their kicker Will Reichard is 12-for-12 on the year. Minnesota has been maximizing their edge on special teams. The Saints will need to do that as well.
The Saints (1-3) host the Vikings (4-0) at noon Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
