EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- A week has meant a big difference for the Minnesota Vikings. They're hoping another week provides another dramatic turn.
Minnesota was riding high after a season-opening win at St. Louis. The offense was efficient. Cordarrelle Patterson was explosive and coach Mike Zimmer's defense was showing signs of a turnaround.
Then off-the field-issues hit. Adrian Peterson was charged with injury to a child and had to travel to Texas to turn himself in. He was deactivated, missed last week's game, then reinstated and eventually asked to leave again, being placed on the commissioner's exempt list. News of another legal issue arose for Jerome Simpson and he was released.
On the field, the Vikings slipped in a disappointing home loss to New England. Linebacker Chad Greenway broke his hand and his status for Sunday is uncertain.
Minnesota travels to New Orleans this week, hoping to leave the distractions behind. Here are five things to watch for the Vikings on the field:
1. Peterson's replacements
A big question again this week is replacing Peterson, on the field. Last week's results were a team effort of 19 carries for 54 yards, just 2.8 yards per carry. Matt Asiata should get the start again and needs to improve on his 13 carries for 36 yards last week. Rookie Jerick McKinnon, an athletic standout, should see the field more. He only touched the ball four times last week, taking two runs and two catches for 12 total yards.
There might be chance for Minnesota to run the ball if the score is kept close. The Saints have allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game and a 4.5 yard per carry average. Of course, the Vikings trailed by double digits so quickly last week, the running game became an afterthought.
2. Patterson's role
Perhaps the most surprising on-field aspect of last week was the lack of carries for Cordarrelle Patterson. Just a week earlier he had taken three carries for a team-high 102 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown. He didn't carry the ball once in last week's loss. Without Peterson's game-breaking ability, Minnesota needs Patterson more than ever. In many ways, it's now Patterson's offense.
Zimmer said it's difficult to get the jet sweeps -- which had been so effective a week earlier -- to work against a 3-4 defense, in particular with the way the Patriots were lined up last week. The Vikings ran one sweep. Jarius Wright took the handoff and lost five yards.
This week, Minnesota will face another base 3-4 defense with New Orleans. Patterson might not be able to sweep his way to success, but the Vikings should be focused on getting the ball in Patterson's hands in some ways. Last week, he had four catches on seven targets for 56 yards.
3. Delivering the ball
Patterson should have chances, as well. While the Saints' defense has been generous against the run, its offered little resistance to opposing offenses. New Orleans has the league's worst pass defense. It's allowed 323.5 passing yards per game and a 65.5 percent completion rate. The Saints have just two sacks and haven't had an interception yet this season.
The last statistic might be music to Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel's ears. Last week's loss to New England turned lopsided because of four interceptions. Cassel finished 19 of 36 for 202 yards and those four interceptions. He held the ball too long at times and was sacked six times too.
If Minnesota wants to be successful offensively, Cassel can't turn the ball over. A bit more responsibility is on Cassel's shoulders without Peterson. But Cassel's first task is the same as it always has been: protecting the ball.
4. Special teams support
Uncharacteristic last week were the special teams mistakes by the Vikings. A blocked field goal ended up being returned for a touchdown. Minnesota had nine men on a punt return, which ended up being down by New England on the 4-yard line, and Patriots returner Julian Edelman exploited the coverage unit with a 34-yard return.
Enter Mike Priefer, the Vikings' special teams coordinator after serving a two-game suspension. Minnesota has featured some of the league's most consistent special teams under Priefer's guidance and he'll try to reverse the issues that led to last week's breakdowns.
The return comes at a key time. New Orleans features young, unproven return men in Brandin Cooks and Travaris Cadet. But Cooks and Cadet are both fast, shifty and dangerous.
5. From Brady to Brees, Gronkowski to Graham
The task for the defense doesn't get any easier. It might just be tougher. Minnesota goes from facing a likely Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady and his biggest weapon in tight end Rob Gronkowski to Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham. And this time, the Vikings will be on the road facing the Saints in the Superdome, where the home team has won eight games in a row.
New Orleans is 37-11 at the Superdome since 2008, the league's third-best home record in that span. Brees and Graham are a big reason why. Like Brady, Brees is carving out a potential Hall of Fame career. Brees is shorter than Brady, but he moves around the pocket better and buys himself time. And Brees loves to go downfield.
Gronkowski and Graham are the standard bearers for the new crop of tight ends in the league. Gronkowski is big and agile. But Graham is bigger and probably quicker. Graham, at 6-foot-7, is a mismatch for defensive backs and he's too fast for linebackers. Graham already has 18 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns this season.
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