It doesn't figure to greatly resemble their last meeting.
When the Vikings beat the Saints in Week 1, the Saints were trying to find a role for ex-Viking Adrian Peterson and the Vikings were riding on the arm of Sam Bradford. Lead running back Latavius Murray was still hobbled by offseason ankle surgery, too, and rookie Dalvin Cook was setting the pace in the ground game.
Since then, Peterson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals and eventually put on injured reserve with a neck injury. Cook's season ended with a torn ACL, and the Vikings turned to a the duo of Murray and Jerick McKinnon on the ground. And, most important, Case Keenum has stepped in for Sam Bradford, who is just returning to the team after undergoing knee surgery.
Defensively, the Vikings have led the NFL in the least number of points and yards allowed. Behind All-Pro selections Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith, the pass-rushing of Everson Griffen and the dominant play of interior lineman Linval Joseph, the unit is the backbone of the team's success this year.
Meanwhile, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was let loose in Peterson's absence and has been dynamic ever since. Drew Brees is showing no signs of aging this season and the Saints defense, behind Cameron Jordan, is no longer a weak spot.
