Saints–Vikings rivalry

New Orleans Saints–Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints Minnesota Vikings
First meeting	October 13, 1968 Saints 20, Vikings 17
Latest meeting	December 25, 2020 Saints 52, Vikings 33
Next meeting	2022
Statistics
Meetings total	36
All-time series	Vikings 23–13
Postseason results	Vikings, 4–1
Largest victory	Vikings, 45–3 (1988)
Longest win streak	Vikings, 6 (1970–76)
Current win streak	Saints, 1 (2020–present)

The Saints–Vikings rivalry is a rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings.^[1][2][3][4]

The Vikings have dominated most of the series. However, the resurgence of the Saints under Sean Payton and Drew Brees made the organization competitive with the Vikings. Games between these two teams have been consequential both in the regular-season and playoffs for the NFC. Due to constant playoff matches between the two teams, the rivalry has become noteworthy in the last twenty years.

The Vikings lead the all-time series 23–13. The two clubs have met five times in the playoffs, with the Vikings holding a 4-1 record. In the series, the Vikings won 20 of the first 27 games (.741) through 2009. Since 2009, the Saints have won six of the last nine games.

Notable moments and games[]

• In 2001, the 10–6 Saints traveled to Minnesota for a playoff game against the 11–5 Vikings. Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper threw for 302 yards as the Vikings defeated the Saints 34–16.
• In 2002, the 4–10 Vikings played the 9–5 Saints in a must-win game for the Saints. The Vikings would score with five seconds remaining on a Culpepper touchdown to Randy Moss and would go for two instead of kicking the extra point for a tie. The Vikings would win 32–31 and the Saints would go on to miss the playoffs in part because of this loss.
• In January 2010, the 12–4 Vikings traveled to New Orleans to play the 13–3 Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Despite dominating the Saints in terms of total yards, time of possession, first downs, and other key stats, the Vikings committed five costly turnovers (including three from quarterback Brett Favre), and the Saints managed to hold on for a 31–28 overtime win. ^[5] This game was pivotal in the eventual changing of the league overtime rules, as the Vikings did not get a chance to score in overtime after the Saints.^[6] Additionally, the Saints organization was criticized for the volume and intensity of hits on Favre in Bountygate.
• In 2010, the Vikings traveled to New Orleans for a rematch of the NFC Championship game in one of the most anticipated games of the season. In an ugly game, the Saints once again prevailed over the Vikings, this time by a score of 14–9. The Vikings season would spiral out of control as they fell from 12–4 to 6–10, which included head coach Brad Childress being fired mid-season, the Metrodome collapsing mid-season, and the lackluster play from Brett Favre in what was his final season in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Saints finished 11–5 (second in the division behind the 13–3 Falcons), and went on to lose to the Seahawks in the Beast Quake game.
• In the 2017 playoffs, the Saints traveled to Minnesota for an NFC Divisional Round Game. The Vikings jumped out to a 17–0 lead, controlling all key stats. However, the Saints mounted a second-half comeback and eventually took a 24–23 lead with under a minute to play. With ten seconds left, Vikings quarterback Case Keenum completed a pass to Stefon Diggs, who evaded a tackle attempt by Saints safety Marcus Williams and took the ball into the endzone for a walk off touchdown. This became known as the Minneapolis Miracle.
• In 2019, the 10–6 Vikings traveled to New Orleans as heavy underdogs in an NFC Wild Card Game. Although the Saints jumped out to a quick 3–0 lead, the Saints struggled to muster the kind of offense they were known for in 2019. The Vikings at one point led 20–10 before the Saints forced overtime on a last-second field goal. In overtime, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins led the team on a drive that resulted in a touchdown to Kyle Rudolph.
• In 2020, the Vikings played in New Orleans for a Christmas Day match-up. With the score 31–27 after three quarters, the Saints scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull away 52–33. This game represented the worst Vikings' defensive performance in franchise history as they gave up 583 yards of offense to the Saints and allowed Alvin Kamara to tie the NFL record for touchdowns in one game (6). This game eliminated the Vikings from playoff contention.^[7]

Game results[]

See also[]

• Minneapolis Miracle
• New Orleans Saints bounty scandal

References[]

Further reading[]

• Glennon, John (November 19, 1995). "Cold war revived". Sun Herald – via Newspapers.com.
• Foote, Kevin (January 11, 2018). "Vikings are always there". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana – via Newspapers.com.