This season – as well as giving a consensus on all the matches – we’ll be taking a closer look at a few matches a week. I picked this match early on, Andrew and Graham will look at different matches later on this week.

What a way to open the new season! The Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints in a repeat of the NFC Championship match last year and a match which really was the definition of ‘epic’. It had everything… even overtime. So I think it is fair to say that as neutrals all of us at Mac are looking forward to seeing how this one plays.

You’ll have to excuse me, but it has been many months since I have written a prediction article! Let’s start by having a look at the Saints…

By now I think the whole world knows of the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV winners. It was a fantastic battle between the Colts and the Saints. I was lucky enough to watch it in a Sports Café local to me with a dozen or so friends. The atmosphere was electric, and of course everyone (bar a few Colts fans) was cheering for the Saints to win, brilliant night. Drew Brees proved he is deserving of being arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the league today.

3! 4! Win! Some More!

Since that day there haven’t been many changes to the team. The players who haven’t made the final 53 man roster don’t surprise many, and there have not been any notable trades in, or out. The only thing of note is that Darren Sharper is on the PUP list keeping him out for at least the first 6 games. Keeping the core of the Super Bowl winning team is definitely a huge plus. They guys know and trust each other, they’re fresh from winning the grand prize and I feel that they will continue as they finished the season… with momentum and belief.

The Vikings were so close yet so far from a Superbowl appearance. As if it was written in the stars, Brett Favre, in what was thought was his final season, threw an interception in the 4th quarter on what had the potential to be the game winning drive. He took a beating that game too. The Saints’ defence got some beastly hits in, no doubt that will still be in his mind. This is a new season though, and yes he has come back (as if you thought he wouldn’t!). Favre will be without his main target for at least the first half of the season – Sidney Rice is out after a hip operation. Percy Harvin has suffered this off-season with migraines. I hope he is feeling well enough to play on Thursday. He is an exciting player.

Adrian Peterson is still number 1 in Minnesota however, and I can’t see that changing. He is their impact player, the guy who they can give the ball to and know they will get yards. They have also brought in Greg Camarillo from the Miami Dolphins, a solid receiver who should slot nicely into the Vikings offensive playbook.

All in all, it will be a very exciting game. As to who will win? I’m going to have to throw my hat into the Saints corner.

If you’re skimming this: Saints to win.

Image Credit: Derek Bridges