For the most part, the Saints did a good job of protecting Drew Brees this season, and he gets rid of the ball quickly, which always helps.
But now they’re facing a team that led the NFL with 48 sacks this season, and that’s not counting the six times they got to the Cowboys’ Tony Romo on Sunday.
The Saints have done a better job in protection against a 4-3 defense than a 3-4, and the Vikings run a 4-3, so that’s good news for them.
But their tackles, in particular Jermon Bushrod on the left, will need some blocking help (which he didn’t get in the Dec. 19 loss to the Cowboys). That might come in the form of a running back or tight end briefly blocking — or “chipping” — and then releasing to run a pass route.
One of their maximum-protection formations is three receivers with a tight end and a back looking to pick up a blitz if one comes.
Also key for the Saints will be containing the up-the-middle push of the “Williams Wall” — defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams — to allow Brees to buy time by stepping up in the pocket and find his receivers.
Go north-south, young man
Reggie Bush might not be an every-down back, but he’s a terrific luxury for the Saints. He’s coming off a game in which he ran as decisively as ever, torching the Cardinals for 84 yards on five carries with a touchdown and scoring another on an 83-yard punt return. When Bush runs forward with purpose, as opposed to bouncing laterally to try to find holes, he plays like the back everyone expected him to be coming out of USC.
Sharper image
Free safety Darren Sharper, formerly of the Vikings, sees the field on defense the way Brees sees it on offense. Sharper has remarkable range and is almost like a center fielder on the back end, using his instincts and playmaking ability to create turnovers.
He has had three interception returns for touchdowns this season and 11 in his career, second only to Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (12) in league history.
If Brett Favre makes a mistake, Sharper can make him pay for it.
Deep thoughts
Brees has a wealth of good receivers and he knows how to find the open man as well as anyone. The Saints want to stretch the field. A big play to speedster Devery Henderson would sure help. The knock on him has been his hands, but he made a beautiful adjustment to make a touchdown catch on a flea-flicker against the Cardinals.
Vikings at Saints
5:40 p.m. Sun., WFLD-Ch. 32
