National Football League

Why the Saints will beat the Vikings

Published Dec. 14, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

My friend Peter Schrager is in denial. He actually thinks he won his upset special last week, picking the Panthers over the Falcons. Last Friday, he emailed me a copy of a Falcons message board chat, where they were scolding noted scribes like Schrager and Peter King for picking the Panthers. When Carolina led big early in the game, he roasted me on Twitter (I’m a loyal follower of @pschrags) for writing last week that the Falcons had a zero percent chance of losing to the Panthers.

Well, Peter Schrager is at it again. He doesn’t respect the Saints. He smells an upset special with the Vikings slaying the dragon.

Let me try this again this week.

There is a zero percent chance the Saints lose to the Vikings.

It’s a Dick Stockton and John Lynch special on the NFL on FOX this week.

This game means too much to a superior New Orleans squad. They are locked in a battle with the 49ers for the crucial No. 2 seed in the NFC, which equals getting a bye in the postseason. There’s no chance the Saints are overlooking the 2-11 Vikings. Sure, the 10-3 Saints have lost all three games on the road this year. But they’ve been on fire, winning five straight games. And please don’t shower me with “ifs” and “maybes” about Adrian Peterson suiting up and rumbling against the Saints. Even if he plays, Peterson is clearly not 100 percent.

Christian Ponder? Joe Webb? I laugh at you, Peter Schrager. Gregg Williams will be thinking of you and laughing, Peter Schrager, as he draws up blitzes against the Vikes inexperienced quarterbacks. And Drew Brees laughs at you, Peter Schrager.

I read my colleague Alex Marvez on FOXSports.com, and his brilliant work on Brees’ potential to shatter Dan Marino’s yardage record this season. The Vikings pass defense is pitiful. Brees leads the NFL with 4,368 yards. That’s the most in league history in 13 games of a season. Drew Brees has 10, 300-yard pass games this year, tied for most in a season. Tell me when to stop with the nuggets of domination, Peter Schrager? He has 20 or more completions in 33 straight games, an NFL record. Brees has a touchdown pass in 40 straight games, second best streak in NFL history. Oh by the way, Brees mesmerized the Vikings in the NFC title game a few years ago when he threw for 434 yards and four touchdowns and no picks. Marques Colston registered 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week. Expect more of the same. Jimmy Graham wasn’t 100 percent last week. He will torch the Vikings defensive backfield. Darren Sproles is going to go off.

I give you credit, Peter Schrager. You are a real man, taking a major flyer on an upset special. Good luck. You will need it. Brees 41…Vikings 17.