The Vikings have been pointing towards this game all off-season after losing an incredibly hard fought war just months ago in the NFC Championship game won 31-28 by the Saints in overtime.  That game is the reason that Brett Favre came back because he didn’t want his career to end on that note.  Here is a look at the match-ups in this game:

When the Vikings have the football:  I look for the Vikings to come out running the ball on the perimeter of the defense.  Adrian Peterson will be attacking Saints’ OLB JoLonn Dunbar and Scott Shanle which will likely be a great match-up for the Vikings.  I also look for Brett Favre to keep the passing game short early in the game with WR Greg Camarillo and TE Visanthe Shiancoe being targets.  If the Vikings are successful at controlling the ball early I think they will then start throwing the ball down the field to Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian.

When the Saints have the football:  The Vikings are going to try to make the Saints offense one dimensional by taking away their running game.  The Saints will have a hard time moving the ball on the ground, especially inside with DTs Pat & Kevin Williams teaming up with inside linebacker E.J. Henderson.  Marques Colston, because of his size, will be a match-up problem for the Vikings’ defensive backfield.  I also see the Saints trying to use the TE to attack strong safeties Husain Abdullah and Tyrell Johnson. 

PREDICTION:  In the end I see Brett Favre getting his revenge.  VIKINGS 28, SAINTS 27