We all know what happened in the Divisional Playoff game last season. For the Saints however http://www.saintsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-terron-armstead-jersey , the more important thing tonight was to try and keep their one game lead in the NFC South over the 5-2 Panthers, in the very competitive NFC conference.Here’s how the game unfolded:1st HALFWinning the toss, the Vikings deferred and the Saints started with the ball. New Orleans came out firing on all cylinders, with Sean Payton drawing from his trick-play box early and often, using Taysom Hill and even Teddy Bridgewater on one play. The Saints would find the end zone easily on an Alvin Kamara run to take a 7-0 lead. The Vikings would get in the act as well, Kirk Cousins finding Stefon Diggs for a touchdown to tie the game at seven.After the Saints went three-and-out on their next drive, the Vikings would once again drive 81 yards into the end zone with a rushing touchdown by running back Latavius Murray. A missed extra point by Dan Bailey would give the Vikings a 13-7 lead with 11:57 left in the half.The Saints would once again put a dent on the scoreboard, with a Wil Lutz 52-yard field goal reducing the Vikings’ lead to 13-10. The drive was marked by a big drop on third down from a wide open Alvin Kamara. On their next drive, the Saints would start marching into Vikings territory, when a pressured Drew Brees would unfortunately throw his first interception of the year, a ball intended for Michael Thomas that was picked off by linebacker Harrison Smith.The Vikings would then move the ball with ease into Saints territory, looking as though they were ready to take a 20-10 lead, when P.J. Williams would somewhat atone for his coverage sins, forcing a fumble by Adam Thielen, which was returned deep into Vikings territory by cornerback Marshon Lattimore. A Vikings unsportsmanlike penalty and two-plays later, Alvin Kamara would leap into the end zone Cameron Jordan Jersey , giving New Orleans a 17-13. A sudden and unexpected change in momentum had the Saints leading by four at halftime, rather than trailing by 10.2nd HALFThe Vikings would start the half with the ball, but a 4th and 1 gamble at their own 45-yard line would result in a pass break-up by Marshon Lattimore, on a pass intended for wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. New Orleans, having the ball at Minnesota’s 45-yard line, would only be able to muster a field goal, however increasing their lead to 20-13.On the Vikings’ next drive, P.J. Williams would continue his atonement party, picking off Cousins and returning the interception for a touchdown, giving the Saints a two touchdowns lead at 27-13.Minnesota’s next drive would end in a punt after a beautiful sack of Kirk Cousins by Sheldon Rankins on a three-man rush. The Saints would then take the ball and methodically drive it down the field, using some clock in the process and eventually settling for another field goal by Wil Lutz, a 42-yard this time, to take a 30-13 lead.The Vikings would not simply roll over for the Saints and would use a long drive that resulted on a 4th and goal touchdown pass from Cousins to Adam Thielen, to trim their deficit to 10 at 30-20, with less than five minutes left in the game.With Minnesota trailing by 10, the Vikings elected to go for an onside kick Authentic Vonn Bell Jersey , which sailed over the heads of the Saints’ Hands Team and went out of bounds. The Saints would milk the clock, forcing the Vikings to use all their timeouts. New Orleans would go into the two-minute warning with a 30-20 lead. Minnesota would get one last possession, but without timeouts, the VIkings would run out of time The Saints are 6-1, still alone atop the NFC South and they are winning in a rarely seen methodical fashion. This team is now winning in multiple ways. That’s a great sign.Saints Win, Saints Win!***Here’s a quarter by quarter timeline of the game:1st QuarterVikings win the toss and deferSaints start from their 20-yard line after a Taysom Hill returnTaysom Hill finds Michael Thomas for a deep 44-yard pass in the red zoneAlvin Kamara rushes into the end zone for a touchdownNO: 7 - MIN: 0Vikings start from their 9-yard lineVikings run the ball successfully and get into Saints territoryP.J. Williams gets roasted by Stefon Diggs and Vikings get into the red zoneVikings go for it on 4th and goal and Stefon Diggs for a touchdownNO: 7 - MIN: 7Saints take over at their 25-yard line after a touchbackSaints go three-and-out and puntVikings take over at their 19-yard lineMinnesota is moving the ball as the quarter ends2nd QuarterVikings easily get into Saints territoryVikings get into the red zone on a flea flicker from Cousins to Adam ThielenP.J. Williams commits a pass interference in the end zoneLatavius Murray leaps into the end zone for a touchdownDan Bailey misses the extra pointNO: 7 - MIN: 13Saints take over at their 31-yard lineSaints get into Vikings territoryAlvin Kamara drops a wide open pass on third downWil Lutz kicks an makes a 52-yard field goalNO: 10 - MIN: 13Vikings start from their 25-yard lineVikings stall at their 40-yard line and are forced to puntSaints take over at their 33-yard lineSaints get into Vikings territory on two runs by KamaraDrew Brees throws his first interception of the season to Harrison SmithVikings are marching as the two-minute warning hitsVikings get into Saints territory on the strength of Kirk Cousins’ armVikings get into the red zoneAdam Thielen fumbles and Marshon Lattimore returns it into Vikings’ territoryBrees finds Kamara for a pass down to the one-yard lineAlvin Kamara rushes into the end zone for a touchdownNO: 17 - MIN: 133rd QuarterVikings start at their 25-yard lineVikings go for it on 4th and 1 near midfield and Marshon Lattimore breaks up the passSaints start at the Vikings’ 45-yard lineSaints get into the red zone on a screen play to Mark IngramSaints stall in the red zoneWil Lutz makes a 42-yard field goalNO: 20 - MIN: 13Vikings take over at their 25-yard lineVikings get two first downs and get near midfieldP.J. Williams picks off Cousins and returns it for a 45-yard touchdownNO: 27 - MIN: 13Vikings take over at their 20-yard lineVikings get into Saints territorySheldon Rankins sacks Kirk Cousins, forcing the Vikings to puntSaints take over at their 16-yard lineSaints are moving the ball as the quarter comes to a close4th QuarterSaints get into Vikings’ territory on a pass to Tre’Quan SmithSaints methodically drive the ball down the fieldSaints stall at the Vikings’ 25-yard lineWil Lutz makes a 42-yard field goalNO: 30 - MIN: 13Vikings take over at their 25-yard lineVikings get into Saints territoryMarcus Davenport reports his second sack of the gameVikings convert a 3rd and 17 and get into the red zoneOn 4th and goal, Cousins finds Adam Thielen for a touchdownNO: 30 - MIN: 20 Vikings try an onside kick that goes out of boundsThe Saints at their 43-yard lineSaints get into Vikings’ territory, forcing Minnesota to start using their timeoutsSaints face a 3rd and 10 in Vikings territory at the 2-minute warningSaints stall and are forced to punt with 1:15 left in the gameVikings take over at their 9-yard line with 1:09 left in the gameMinnesota runs out of time, as the clock expiresFinal Score: NO: 30 - MIN: 20Saints Win Saints Win!Saints vs Chargers Film Room: How the Saints offense came alive In the third preseason game we finally got to see Drew Brees and the offense come alive. They were able to get into the endzone 4 times (one being a pick six), and went 3 of 4 on two point conversions. They used a variety of passing and run plays to keep the LA defense humble and off balance. The first two point attempt was a success. The Saints line up with 11 personnel (one tight end and one running back)in shotgun formation. Thomas is split out wide at the top of the screen with Ginn and Carr lined up tighter to the line. Brees sends Thomas in motion pre-snap and snaps the ball as he is motioning towards him. This motion sets up the “tunnel Screen.”Wide receivers Ginn and Carr are responsible for blocking the defenders in front of them in order to set up the tunnel for Thomas to run through. Ginn does an adequate job at blocking the nickel defender and maintains inside leverage to push him out of the way. Carr is lined up with a linebacker over him and has trouble sealing him off. This is an area where Brandon Coleman’s blocking skills could be missed, and why many believe he will be back on the team when he is healthy. Thomas catches the pass in stride and dips his shoulder as he steps up field and breaks through a couple tackles to convert the two point attempt.The next play we are going to look at is Taysom Hill’s 11 yard rushing touchdown. Once again they line up with 11 personnel on the field in shotgun formation. They have a compressed trips bunch formation to the left and Lewis split out wide on the field side. In the bunch, Smith is lined up to the outside, Tight End Arnold is at the point, and Meredith is the inside receiver. Lewis runs a slant, which appears to be Hill’s first read. The safety sees the slant developing and drops down to prevent a completion. Hill then progresses to the bunch side of the formation. Arnold runs a spot route while both Meredith and Smith run curls. There seems to be some miscommunication on the play because they both break their routes in the same spot. It’s hard to tell who ran the wrong route without knowing the exact play call Youth Thomas Morstead Jersey , but it seems Meredith should have run a route towards the sideline. Or perhaps it was a pivot route but the jam on Smith at the top of his route caused the timing to be off, forcing the two receivers to bump into each other.After progressing to Vereen coming out of the back field, Hill scrambles to his left. The receivers go into the scramble drill and Smith does an exceptional job. He gets open running towards the sideline, although it would have a been a tough throw for Hill to make running to his left. When Smith realizes Hill is going to scramble, he does a good job at blocking the cornerback covering him, opening up the sideline for Hill to score the touchdown.We got to see another peek into the Taysom Hill offensive playbook on the two point attempt the next play. The Saints line up in their 11 personnel. Scott is in the back field lined up to the quarterback’s left, and Arnold is aligned at the wing. The Saints call a read option. Hill will read the defensive end (#97) and decide if he should hand the ball to the running back or keep it and run around the edge. The left tackle will allow the end to go unblocked as he works his way to he 3 tech defensive tackle. Arnold will go to block what’s known as “the most dangerous man” who is the safety in this play. The defensive end bites on the motion to the running back and crashes down along the line of scrimmage to make the backside tackle on the back. The edge is now open and Hill will keep the ball and take off, breaking the middle linebackers tackle attempt before crossing into the end zone. The final play came late in the game. Hill threw a touchdown pass to Smith who was able to find a soft spot in the zone defense. The Saints line up in 21 personnel (two running backs and one tight end) with Edmunds at the fullback position and Williams at halfback. Smith is out to the boundary side and tight end John Phillips is lined up inline. The Saints will run a passing concept known as “spot” or “snag” that gives the quarterback a triangular read. Phillips will run a corner route to the back pylon in the endzone, Edmunds runs a shoot route to the flat, and Smith will complete the triangle by running a mini curl towards the middle of the field. Not only does this play give the quarterback an easy progression, it is designed to put defenders in conflict. The linebacker (#50) is slowed down by the threat of the fullback running towards the flat which gives Smith just enough time and space to sit in the vacated zone and present himself to the quarterback. Hill spots Smith and fires a laser into a tight window for the touchdown. Hill continued to show progress and looked much more comfortable going through his reads in these last two preseason games. We also got to see some of the wrinkles that the offense would have with him under center. Tre’quan Smith continues to impress early into his rookie year, showing the savvy to know when to sit in a zone and when to turn into a blocker. He should be involved in this offense early and often. Sean Payton said the wide receiver depth chart was “written in chalk” so don’t be surprised to see Smith get more snaps than Meredith as he works to get up to speed with the offense.
