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00:00We are Fox Sports!
00:06Fox Sports welcomes you to the following presentation of the National Football League.
00:16Getting set to go in the Big Easy and so is Justin Jefferson at a homecoming.
00:21Christina Pink has more.
00:23Well yeah, Adam, there's no place like home, but you don't have to tell back to Justin Jefferson.
00:27He came out and tested that ankle early, and let me tell you, there was nobody with a bigger smile
00:31coming off the field.
00:33He told me he'll probably have friends, family, and his entire hometown of St. Rose in the building tonight.
00:38He also said, I'm excited to play in front of a packed house.
00:41The last time he was here, there were limited fans in 2020, so today he plans to put on a
00:45show.
00:46That'll look like a little gritty in the end zone.
00:48Of course, in 2020 as a rookie, the only trip to the Superdome.
00:53Now his head coach, Kevin O'Connell, one of three unbeatens left, along with the Kansas City Chiefs, who are
01:00off this week.
01:01And of course, you'll see in the late window on Fox, the San Francisco 49ers on the road against the
01:07rating Super Bowl champion.
01:08Saints on a three-game homestand have lost the first two.
01:12Very difficult game and a poor showing against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night football.
01:17They try to bounce back.
01:22Daniel Carlson boots it away.
01:24Miles Price has a punt return touchdown already this year.
01:27His kick return will take him past the 25-yard line.
01:31Isaiah Stalbert, the special team's maven for New Orleans, will make the stop.
01:36And here is Kyler Murray.
01:37Just one touchdown in his first 71 pass attempts with the Minnesota Vikings.
01:41Of course, had the concussion right out of the gate in Week 1, hasn't had a ton of time, but
01:46saw good things in the second half in the win against Miami last week.
01:49Yeah, I think he's just finding his rhythm.
01:51I think it's important early on in this game just to get him some easy completions, get him comfortable in
01:56the pocket,
01:56and certainly get some more time with Justin Jefferson, whom he's only had eight pass plays with so far this
02:02season.
02:02Only 19 snaps on the field together.
02:06Aaron Jones trying to pick up where the Falcons' rushing attack left off.
02:10He picks up six on the opening play.
02:13Odell Beckham Jr. was signed.
02:15He's inactive.
02:15Jordan Addison is out with a hamstring injury.
02:18It is Jefferson back in the lineup.
02:20This is a big day for Ryan Vandermark and Joe Huber.
02:23Two key injuries on the left side against the Saints defense.
02:25Yeah, really interesting to see what happens with this left side,
02:28especially with one of the best pass rushers in football in Chase Young licking his chops over there.
02:33He's on the top side of that New Orleans formation.
02:36On second down, it's Kyler Murray.
02:39Underneath is where T.J. Hawkinson did a lot of damage.
02:42His 13 catches against Miami last week to tie a career high.
02:46He's got the first down.
02:50Flag is thrown on that last place.
02:53You see the Saints defense, both Vernon Braun and Nathan Shepard dealing with illness, they're out.
02:58No Caden Ellis today, because he's got a calf injury.
03:03There's no foul on the play.
03:05Timeout for an injured player.
03:06And it is T.J. Hawkinson that is down at the 13-catch performance against Miami.
03:12He is down at the first catch of the day today.
03:15It's big time.
03:18T.J. Hawkinson was given some thumbs up and daps on his way to the sidelines.
03:22There's a thumbs up after he landed on his helmet.
03:25Getting the first down on his first catch of the day, right into the turf here at the Superdome.
03:31He was able to jog off the field.
03:34Gavin Bartholomew, playing his fifth NFL game, had a catch last week, the first of his career.
03:38He's in there, tight end.
03:45First and 10 for the 41, and right back to Aaron Jones.
03:52Short gain as we check in with Christina Pick, KP.
03:54So, T.J. Hawkinson made a quick trip to the blue tent and then went to the locker room.
03:58He is questionable right now.
04:00They are evaluating him for a concussion.
04:02With an OKP in Ben Yerosik, who is off IR with an ankle injury the first four games.
04:07He checks in at tight end for Bartholomew.
04:10So, a lot of weight on a couple of guys that have played 16 combined games in the NFL with
04:15Hawkinson down right now.
04:16Yeah, that would be a huge loss for this Vikings defense or offense early on, as he was certainly Kyler's
04:22most trusted weapon at this point.
04:2323 catches to lead the way for Minnesota.
04:27Safety blitz coming.
04:28Murray gets rid of it.
04:29And it is the tight end in Ben Yerosik.
04:31Just the third NFL catch of his career.
04:33And he picks up a first down into New Orleans territory.
04:44So, you watch Yerosik right here.
04:47Good anticipation by Kyler Murray.
04:48That's one of his strengths in the passing game.
04:51And again, being able to find completions like that for him.
04:53Get him comfortable in the pocket.
04:55He can low plate the ball well, especially in the middle of the field.
04:59But with Hawkinson down, you wonder how much of the use of these tight ends is going to be affected
05:04as this game progresses.
05:09Max Bredesen, the fullback, is in.
05:12Big to Jones.
05:13Murray pumps and throws and has an open man downfield.
05:16It is Ty Felton.
05:19Secondary man out of Maryland with his second catch of the season.
05:22And it picks up 23 yards, the longest play of his NFL career.
05:29Now, this was impressive by Kyler.
05:30Watch him.
05:31He wants to get the ball to Justin Jefferson into the boundary.
05:33He's not open.
05:35Does a nice job of just resetting his feet and getting to the second progression, which is Ty Felton on
05:39this corner route.
05:41It's a really good early rhythm and flow by Kyler Murray.
05:47And a concussion protocol in the first quarter of his first game with the Vikings.
05:52Had a slow start last week against Miami, but was able to finish strong.
05:59Up and again, under pressure.
06:01And he's going to get swallowed up by the returning Carl Granderson.
06:04Boy, did the Saints defense miss him on Monday night against the Falcons.
06:08He has the sack his second of the year.
06:10Yeah, Granderson is a key component of this defense.
06:13Plays this outside linebacker, but really a pass rusher position.
06:17He's rushing the passer quite a bit, but he's as good in the run game as he is in the
06:21pass game.
06:22Probably a guy who doesn't get the credit he deserves.
06:24In fact, if you just look at his total sack numbers, they're the same as Chase Young.
06:27Obviously, Chase Young having a tremendous season this year,
06:30but Carl Granderson is as important a piece to this defense as anyone.
06:34These guys have combined for more than 70 sacks in their NFL careers.
06:38Underneath, this is Gavin Bartholomew, the other tight end,
06:41getting a lot of that lost yardage back.
06:43And he's able to set up a third down and manageable situation.
06:47Yeah, that's a really good job by Kevin O'Connell,
06:50just to get them back into a third and manageable situation.
06:54And again, just the confidence that he shows in these tight ends.
06:57T.J. Hockinson goes down a few plays to go.
07:00Gavin Bartholomew comes in, makes a catch there.
07:02Ben Eurosek made a catch earlier in this drive.
07:05So their ability to use all of these weapons,
07:09especially with the attention that's going to go to Justin Jefferson.
07:12Let's see what the third down plan is going to be for him by this Saints defense.
07:19Here's Justin Jefferson right there in the slot.
07:22On third and seven, flag gets thrown, ball gets thrown right on cue.
07:26Here it's Jefferson.
07:27We'll have to check the penalty flag on the far side of the field.
07:32Murray's frustrated after the 10-yard pickup.
07:38Illegal formation.
07:40Offense number 72.
07:42Five-yard penalty.
07:43Third down.
07:44This was a problem last week as well.
07:47Eleven penalties against Miami.
07:49Eight on the offense.
07:50Six on the offensive line, including an illegal formation.
07:54So Vandermark there is the left tackle position.
07:58At times, those guys will line up just a little bit deeper.
08:02They're looking for every edge possible,
08:04especially with a pass rusher like Chase Young,
08:06to be able to kick back and get themselves in a position to anchor.
08:09And at times, if they line up too deep,
08:12they're going to get called for it.
08:13Got to be up on the line of scrimmage.
08:15They don't want to let tackles get a head start.
08:19Third and 12.
08:20Murray has to get rid of it.
08:22He finds DeMond Claiborne, the rookie.
08:24And he'll take it down to the 21s
08:26to set up a field goal drive about 39 yards.
08:32Yeah, unfortunately for the Vikings,
08:34this has been a bit of their Achilles heel.
08:36They've been able to drive the field at times,
08:38but getting in the end zone has been a bit of a problem.
08:41Just one offensive touchdown in their last three games.
08:44Will Reichard has outscored the Minnesota offense
08:48this season by himself.
08:50He has scored 42 points.
08:52The offense has scored 36 this year.
08:56And he has been the de facto MVP of this team.
09:00All five field goal makes last week for all 15 points.
09:07And he continues to be perfect.
09:09That is now 57 straight kicks made.
09:12Going back to week eight of last year,
09:14field goals and VATs.
09:15Vikings get a triple to start the day.
09:18And by Geico.
09:20We don't fumble the ball.
09:23We're one and three.
09:24That's just what we are.
09:25And we've got a lot of work to do.
09:27Everyone's disappointed.
09:28We just got to get better.
09:29These are opportunities for us to come together
09:30and find a solution.
09:31And we've got to find a way.
09:34Came back from down 21-0 in week one
09:36against Detroit.
09:37Forced overtime.
09:38Went for two.
09:39Couldn't get it.
09:39Came back from a deficit of 11
09:42to beat Baltimore week two.
09:44Blew an 11-point lead against the Raiders.
09:46And then last week was dreadful for Kellen Morris.
09:48Crew 24-7 down at halftime.
09:50They saw Bajon Robinson run all over them
09:53and try to improve in the third game
09:55of this three-game homestand.
09:58Meanwhile, the Vikings with four wins
09:59to start their season.
10:01Nine straight wins for Minnesota.
10:02Going back to the five in a row they won
10:04at the end of last year.
10:07Marion Brown, the speedster out of LSU.
10:09Into the teeth of the special teams
10:11and pass to Tony Conn.
10:13That's where Tyler Shuck will set up Shupp.
10:18Did I say Shupp?
10:19Yeah.
10:19Tyler Shuck will set up Shupp
10:21having thrown the ball a lot.
10:23Part of that is just situational.
10:24They've been trailing a lot.
10:26He's stood in there
10:27and delivered nine touchdown passes
10:28on the season.
10:29See, look, I've been really impressed
10:31with his composure, his poise.
10:32You know, they've had to throw it a lot.
10:33You know, playing a lot of catch-up
10:35in these games.
10:35But he continues to stand firm in the pocket,
10:38deliver the ball.
10:38They just need to find more consistency
10:40and certainly against this defense.
10:42They do not want to get into a pass-heavy
10:44situation against them.
10:45Well, the pressure immediately
10:46gets there from Cashman.
10:48He got it to Kamara
10:49and Van Kinkle was right there
10:51ready for a loss of six yards
10:53on the first play.
10:56Here are the skill position, guys.
10:58There's a lot of weight
10:59on these offensive tackles.
11:01Remember, Kelvin Banks is on IR.
11:03Awesome Richards on the left.
11:05Taliesse Fouaga on the right
11:06dealing with this Minnesota pressure look.
11:08Yeah, and that's why
11:10you have to stay ahead of the chains,
11:11which, you know,
11:12a five-yard loss to start this game
11:13is not what they envisioned,
11:15but try to get half of it back.
11:16They'll run it with Kamara.
11:18Decent run.
11:19Isaiah Rogers trips him up.
11:20It'll be third down and nine.
11:22You know what the philosophy is.
11:24They blitz 70% of the time.
11:26They blitz on early downs.
11:28They drop back on third.
11:29They blitz you getting off the bus.
11:31Exactly.
11:32Yeah, that's what they want to do.
11:34And look, when it's not blitz,
11:35it's the illusion of blitz.
11:37It's everyone walked up,
11:38and then they'll bail out of there
11:39and it's only four guys rushing,
11:40but you're already sped up
11:41as a quarterback.
11:43The receivers are probably running sights
11:45and all of a sudden
11:46they're just tackling you
11:47in front of the sticks
11:47and they're off the field.
11:49At this third and long,
11:50they bring pressure on Shuck,
11:52stands in,
11:53looking for Bailey
11:53and it's fourth down.
11:55A three and out
11:56right out of the gate
11:57for the New Orleans offense.
12:00Yeah, and look,
12:01they did exactly what
12:02you cannot do
12:03against this defense,
12:04which is
12:04get a negative play
12:06to start the game
12:06and then all of a sudden
12:07you're in a third and ten,
12:08which this defense
12:11averages
12:12third and 8.7 yards,
12:14which is by far the most
12:15of any defense,
12:16and they're only giving up
12:1710% conversion on those.
12:20So,
12:21if that's a world
12:21you're going to live in
12:22against these guys,
12:23it's going to be
12:23a very long day.
12:25So a three and out to start,
12:26and the former Minnesota Viking
12:28and
12:30Tulane Greenway
12:31here in New Orleans,
12:31Ryan White
12:32will boot it away.
12:33Miles Price
12:34had the punt return
12:35touchdown against
12:36Tampa Bay two weeks ago.
12:38That was a punt of 56,
12:40but a solid return
12:41to take it to about
12:42the 31-yard line
12:44for Miles Price.
12:45The only return touchdown
12:46of the NFL
12:47in the first month
12:48belongs to Price.
12:49We're here
12:50in the beautiful
12:51to the NFL,
12:52even with the offense
12:53struggling,
12:54you know it's defense
12:55and special teams
12:56so far that has gotten
12:57the Vikings to this point.
12:58Yeah, and look,
12:59offensively,
12:59a lot of times
13:00you're going to call
13:01the game as a play caller
13:02for Kevin O'Connell
13:03based on what's happening
13:04with the rest of your team.
13:05With the defense
13:06playing so good,
13:07they haven't had to
13:08take a lot of chances
13:09offensively.
13:09Now, has it been
13:10what they want?
13:11No.
13:11They can run the ball better,
13:12they can find
13:13some more explosive plays,
13:14but even though
13:15they're 31st
13:16in total offense,
13:17they are 4th
13:17in title possession,
13:19and they're taking
13:19care of the football,
13:20which are ingredients
13:22for success.
13:23Only two turnovers
13:24so far between
13:24Kyler Murray
13:25and Carson Wentz.
13:27Aaron Jones
13:28makes the catch.
13:29Good play by
13:29Danny Stutzman,
13:30who's making
13:31his second NFL start.
13:33He's there last week
13:34for the injured
13:34Caden Ellis.
13:35He's in there today
13:36for Ellis again.
13:38Yeah, really miss
13:39Caden Ellis.
13:40He's a very versatile player,
13:41veteran guy,
13:41started his career
13:42here in New Orleans,
13:43has been with Atlanta
13:44for the last four years.
13:46A guy who really
13:47does everything,
13:48kind of a quarterback
13:48for the defense,
13:49but starts to play
13:50well so far.
13:51There's another coach
13:52with Ty Felton
13:53to help set up
13:54a third down and medium
13:55as we check in
13:56with Carissa Thompson
13:57for a game break
13:58presented by Burger King.
13:59Thanks so much, Adam.
14:00Crazy finish in London.
14:01Eagles down two
14:02to the Jacks.
14:03Jake Elliott puts it
14:04through from 48 yards
14:05to put Philly up one
14:07with eight seconds left,
14:08but oh wait,
14:09the game's not over
14:10after a long kickoff
14:11return by the Jacks.
14:12Cam Little comes out
14:13with one second left
14:14through the uprights,
14:1557 yards out
14:16for the win.
14:17Jacks hold on,
14:1819-17 over the Eagles.
14:21That guy's in field goal range
14:22off the bus.
14:23How Cam Little
14:25what a finish
14:27across the pond.
14:28On third and five
14:29for Kyler Murray.
14:30Quick throw to a tight end
14:32in Gavin Bartholomew
14:34who has more catches
14:35in this first quarter
14:36than he did
14:36in his first four games.
14:39First down.
14:40And that's eight
14:40consecutive completions here
14:42for Kyler Murray.
14:43Eight of eight
14:43with six different receivers.
14:45Two to Bartholomew,
14:47you know,
14:47finding these tight ends
14:48who are coming in
14:48in the absence
14:49of T.J. Hawkinson now.
14:51But Kevin O'Connell
14:52doing a great job
14:53of putting Kyler
14:54in positions
14:54where ball's coming out
14:56quickly,
14:57finding this early success,
14:58building confidence.
14:59A lot of times
15:00you can just get
15:01that first first down
15:02creates a rhythm
15:03and tempo
15:03for the offense.
15:08On the 43,
15:09Aaron Jones.
15:11A little muscle ahead
15:11for about three
15:13into Camp Jordan.
15:14This is still
15:15a very heavy run group
15:16on first down.
15:17Minnesota runs the ball.
15:18off and on first down
15:19to try to get them
15:20into good positions
15:21to give some rhythm
15:23to Murray.
15:23And so far,
15:24you're starting to see
15:25a little bit of it
15:25going back to last week.
15:26Well, especially
15:27if you turn on the tape
15:28for Monday night
15:28and you saw the way
15:29that the Atlanta Falcons
15:30were able to run
15:30the football
15:31against this group.
15:32And the Saints
15:33are without
15:34Vernon Broaden
15:35and Nathan Shepard
15:36inside.
15:36Two of their starting
15:37tackles
15:38out because of illness.
15:40So,
15:40a little bit
15:41limited
15:42in regards to their depth
15:44up front.
15:45second and seven.
15:46Murray finds
15:47Justin Jefferson.
15:48First official catch.
15:50And Quincy Riley
15:50is there to swing him down.
15:52It'll be third down
15:52and two
15:53for Jefferson
15:55and the Vikings.
15:56One hundredth career
15:57NFL game
15:58for Justin Jefferson
15:59in his homecoming.
16:01Of course,
16:01went to St. Rose
16:02where
16:04he grew up
16:04about 20 miles
16:05up the river
16:06here in New Orleans.
16:08He was a high school
16:08quarterback at Destrehan
16:10until
16:10some injury issues
16:12and then all of a sudden
16:13his head coach
16:14Steve Robichaux
16:15moves him to receiver.
16:16He was a stud.
16:18He never went back
16:18to quarterback.
16:19Hey,
16:20all the great players
16:21just started off
16:21at quarterback
16:22at some point.
16:24Third and two.
16:30Riding the read.
16:31Keeping it.
16:32Murray pumping deep.
16:34Jefferson
16:34trying to get free.
16:35He does
16:36at the 30-yard line.
16:39First down
16:40on a 19-yard pickup
16:42for Justin Jefferson.
16:44Moves the chains.
16:49You know,
16:49this is interesting.
16:50In some cases
16:51on third and short,
16:53defenses will just
16:53do something
16:54completely different.
16:55In that case,
16:56they only rushed
16:56three guys.
16:57See,
16:58both outside linebackers
16:59dropped out,
16:59so what did that do?
17:00It just gave
17:00Kyler Murray
17:01a ton of time
17:02to survey the defense
17:03and allow these receivers
17:05to work over
17:06and even
17:07after initially
17:08the Saints
17:09had a pretty good
17:10coverage structure
17:11behind it.
17:13Three runs,
17:1511 passes,
17:16and Kyler Murray
17:17is 10 for 10
17:18so far.
17:19There's all the
17:20conclusions
17:21negated by penalty.
17:22Speaking of which,
17:23flag thrown
17:24as the play clock
17:25was winding.
17:31prior to the ball
17:32being snapped,
17:33timeout,
17:34Minnesota,
17:35this is their first
17:36charge timeout.
17:39So,
17:39Kevin O'Connell
17:40will have to burn
17:40one early.
17:44So,
17:45we'll be back
17:45after this.
17:49game is streaming.
17:50Do I have that?
17:51You need to
17:51download the app.
17:53Ha!
17:53Go figure.
17:54Football app.
17:55Football TV app.
17:57It's not coming up.
17:58Progressive can't
17:59save you from
17:59becoming your parents,
18:00but we can't save you
18:01money when you bundle
18:02home and auto with us.
18:03that's enough.
18:03Yeah.
18:10The holidays
18:11are so on.
18:13Get holiday decor
18:14as low as $10.
18:16Holiday deals
18:17happening now
18:18at Lowe's.
18:20Drew,
18:20Minnesota's got
18:21two backup tight ends
18:22for Hawkinson.
18:23No Addison today.
18:24No Odell Beckham Jr.
18:25How are the Saints
18:26going to defend
18:27Justin Jefferson
18:28with those parameters?
18:29Well,
18:29bottom line is
18:30Justin Jefferson
18:31is the big play threat
18:32that can beat you.
18:32So,
18:33if I'm the Saints defense,
18:34I'm thinking
18:34don't let their best
18:35player beat us.
18:36Let's make them
18:38complete 10 balls
18:39down the field
18:40in order to get
18:40them to scoring range
18:41because so far
18:42the Minnesota offense
18:43hasn't shown
18:44that they can score
18:45touchdowns.
18:45The one offensive TD
18:47in the last three games
18:48as you pointed out.
18:50Nice run here
18:50on first down
18:51by Aaron Jones
18:52who's had 20 plus
18:53touches
18:54in three straight games.
18:56Kevin O'Connell
18:56just as he did last year
18:57leading heavily on him
18:58and here comes
18:59Jefferson back in.
19:00So,
19:01to take that a step further,
19:02you know,
19:02how do you stop
19:03a guy like
19:03Justin Jefferson?
19:04Well,
19:04you're going to try
19:05to put a cap on him.
19:05You're going to try
19:06to put a safety
19:06over the top,
19:07contest him
19:08at the line of scrimmage,
19:09try to disrupt
19:10the timing of his routes.
19:12Now,
19:12that is going to open up
19:13opportunities for other guys.
19:14Other guys will be singled.
19:16Run game,
19:17how do you still get
19:18that eighth defender
19:19into the run fit,
19:21which in a lot of cases
19:22in this Brandon Staley defense,
19:23it's one of these safeties
19:25that is at,
19:25you know,
19:2610 yards off the ball.
19:27He just has to be
19:28aggressive to the run.
19:30Speaking of which,
19:31Jones,
19:32back-to-back carries,
19:33he moves the chains
19:34and into the red zone
19:35goes this Minnesota offense
19:37for only the ninth time
19:39this being game number five
19:40this year.
19:43Speaking of guys
19:44who have had to carry
19:44more of the load,
19:45Aaron Jones as well
19:46in the absence of Jordan Mason
19:48who they should
19:49hopefully get back
19:50in a few weeks here
19:51after the fractured thumb.
19:53But I think
19:54with the rhythm
19:56and timing
19:56of this passing game
19:57so far,
19:58obviously this is an offense
19:59that hasn't
20:00really leaned on that lately.
20:03But against the Saints defense
20:05that looks like
20:05they're going to give you
20:06some of those completions,
20:07that may be the formula today.
20:10There's Jones again.
20:12Another strong run
20:14on first down
20:14down to the 15-yard line.
20:18We approach two minutes
20:19to play this first quarter.
20:20The Saints defense
20:21gets off
20:22and has this cover three shell.
20:23Kyler Murray
20:24has seen a lot of that.
20:25That's why the dinking
20:26and dunking has
20:28been there
20:29for most of these games
20:30that he's seen.
20:31When the offense
20:31has been in a rhythm
20:32they've had to do that
20:33a little bit.
20:33Yeah, and what does
20:33the cover three shell do?
20:35Well, it gets you
20:35an extra defender
20:36down for the run
20:37which the Saints
20:38have obviously struggled with
20:39so you would expect
20:40them to do that.
20:40But what does it open up?
20:42Well, the seam throws
20:43are there
20:43and then a lot of times
20:44where you can blow
20:45the top off
20:46and bring these deep
20:46over outs
20:47but in the red zone
20:48it's a lot more shell.
20:5118th Minnesota play already
20:53and it's a screen pass
20:54for Miles Price
20:55and his first three career
20:58touches last week
20:59against Miami
21:00from the offensive end.
21:02He got very close
21:03to the line to gain
21:04which was the nine.
21:06And look, this has been
21:08just about as perfectly
21:09executed a game plan
21:10thus far
21:11for the Minnesota Vikings
21:13from the sense
21:14that you're trying
21:15to get your quarterback
21:16comfortable
21:16which they absolutely have.
21:18He's throwing completions
21:19all over the play
21:21and they're running
21:22the ball effectively.
21:23They're spreading
21:24the ball around
21:25to a lot of
21:25different receivers
21:27and tight ends.
21:29They just need
21:30to finish these drives
21:31in the end zone.
21:36See Kyler
21:37trying to get him
21:37set up on third down
21:39and one flag is thrown.
21:40They've already burned
21:41one time out
21:42on this drive.
21:43Second charge time out
21:44Minnesota.
21:46This will be a
21:4730 second time out.
21:48And look, I chalk that up
21:49to, again, Kyler
21:50only two full games
21:52he's played in this offense.
21:53And I know that
21:54especially when you get
21:55in these situations
21:56getting into the right play
21:57in the red zone
21:58is so important.
21:59It looked like Kyler
22:00was trying to get
22:01it orchestrated.
22:02This is a loud environment.
22:03If you don't have
22:04exactly what you need
22:05on third and one
22:06let's call it time out.
22:08Let's talk about it.
22:09Let's make sure
22:09we can continue
22:11this drive.
22:12But, again,
22:13some of those
22:13growing pains
22:15with new quarterback
22:16and a new offense
22:18still just trying
22:19to get a feel
22:20for how we're
22:21checking in
22:22and out of these plays.
22:23Third time
22:24in Kyler Murray's career
22:25he's playing
22:25in the Superdome.
22:26Lost in October
22:27of 2019
22:28with Arizona.
22:29Won the opening game
22:31last season
22:32in this place
22:32with two touchdowns
22:33no picks.
22:34Third and one
22:35from the nine.
22:41trying to keep
22:42the conversion
22:42and keep the offense
22:43on the field.
22:44That ball came out
22:45from Aaron Jones
22:46into the hands
22:47of Chase Young.
22:48One-handing it
22:49up the field
22:50across the 30-yard line.
22:53And the Saints
22:54get a red zone
22:55take away
22:55if it stands.
23:07Every turnover
23:08is reviewed.
23:09They will take a look
23:10but as it stands
23:11right now
23:12that ball was out
23:14and Chase Young
23:15takes it up
23:16for New Orleans.
23:19Christian Boyd
23:20ripped it out.
23:21Chase Young
23:22grabbed it
23:23and ran with it.
23:24And a key
23:26defensive stand
23:27by New Orleans
23:27in the red zone.
23:28Just the third
23:29turnover
23:30by the Vikings
23:31in the first five games
23:32and Tyler Shuck
23:33gets the takeover
23:34from his own
23:3434-yard line.
23:36Y'all waiting!
23:39Y'all waiting!
23:41Y'all waiting!
23:42Johnston in motion
23:44and a handoff
23:45for Kendra Miller.
23:47And they'll pick up
23:48a few.
23:49Back to the takeaway.
23:52Yeah, you see this here.
23:54Will Fries
23:55engaged
23:59with Christian Boyd.
24:00Christian Boyd
24:00does a great job
24:01getting his arm in there
24:03and just tugging
24:04on the arm
24:04of Aaron Jones
24:05Sr.
24:07Huge stop.
24:09Huge stop
24:10for the Saints defense
24:11that really
24:11have given up
24:13119 yards
24:14on the first two drives.
24:16That was an 11-play
24:17drive there
24:17and only three
24:19only three points
24:20total here.
24:20Back to back
24:21leads for the front
24:22for Jones.
24:23So Shuck
24:23and the Saints
24:24trying to take advantage
24:25and it's Chris Olave
24:26near midfield
24:27with his 36th catch
24:29of this young season.
24:31He moves the chains
24:32and moves us
24:33to quarter number two.
24:363-0 start
24:37for Minnesota.
24:38Key turnover
24:38for us by New Orleans.
24:45Coming left hand
24:47smashed up
24:47in their Monday night
24:48loss to Atlanta
24:49is limited on Wednesday
24:51practice the rest
24:52of the week
24:52said I just got it
24:53banged up in the game
24:54nothing different
24:54than anybody else
24:55is dealing with.
24:56It won't limit me
24:57but it has changed
24:58his approach
24:59handing the ball
25:00off a little.
25:05Flag is thrown
25:06before this play
25:07to start the second.
25:11False start
25:12offense number 87
25:14five yard penalty
25:16third down.
25:17No offense
25:17on the penalty.
25:19How does it affect you
25:20when you are trying
25:21to hand the ball off
25:22or take a snap?
25:23Yeah well
25:24the glove actually
25:25helps you with grip
25:26which is why
25:27he's wearing it
25:27obviously
25:28but it's
25:29the hard part
25:30is if you're having
25:31issues with
25:32like a left shoulder
25:33or left hand
25:34left thumb
25:35when you go to
25:36hand it to the
25:37running back
25:37a lot of times
25:38they grab your hand
25:38along with it
25:39causes a lot of
25:40discomfort and pain
25:41so at times
25:43you'll see him
25:43actually handing off
25:44with his right hand
25:46but he kind of
25:46just spins the ball
25:47around and keeps
25:48his left hand
25:49totally out of it.
25:50That looked like
25:51what he did right there
25:52when he handed it off
25:52to C.J. Donaldson
25:53his bare hand
25:54the right hand
25:55is the one
25:55that hands it off.
25:56Yeah and the hard part
25:57becomes when you're
25:58handing it off
25:59to your right
25:59so that's typically
26:00when you would extend
26:01your left hand out
26:02so a lot of times
26:04you know
26:04if you go with
26:05the right hand
26:05you've got to
26:05figure out
26:06well am I serving
26:07it on a platter
26:08or am I
26:09you know
26:10turning my thumb
26:11you know
26:11there's just
26:11it becomes a little
26:12bit clumsy.
26:16Now Kamara
26:17gets the handoff.
26:20Bury got really
26:21excited just thanks
26:22I think you saw
26:23exactly what you
26:24were talking about
26:24right?
26:25Yeah we'll call
26:25this the platter
26:26the platter handoff
26:27so watch what he does
26:28normally you'd hand it
26:29off with your left
26:29no he just kind of
26:32just lay it on a
26:33platter for the
26:34for the running
26:34back to take
26:35across his body
26:36here right
26:37right there
26:38because you'd
26:38usually hand that
26:39off with your
26:39left hand to your
26:41right with the
26:41running back coming
26:42off your right hip
26:43that time it was
26:44platter with the
26:45right hand.
26:45Exactly and again
26:46the risk is you put
26:47your left hand out
26:48there the running
26:49back grabs your
26:50hand and all of a
26:52sudden you know
26:52sets you back a
26:53little bit.
26:55A third down
26:56CJ Donaldson
26:57breaks a tackle
26:58trying to run
26:59hard which is
27:01what he's known
27:01for he'll get a
27:02couple of yards
27:03shy of the line
27:04to gain at the
27:0539.
27:06Fourth and two
27:06coming up.
27:08Yes I like the
27:09strategy here it's
27:10a lot of under
27:10center trying to
27:12pound the ball
27:13there's that
27:13right hand platter
27:15handoff again
27:16but again their
27:17ability to set the
27:18tone up front and
27:19get them into third
27:20manageable situations
27:21are pretty critical
27:22here.
27:22Here's fourth
27:23fourth and two.
27:25And they ran it
27:26on third down to
27:27set up fourth down
27:27and short
27:28there's seven
27:28of nine on
27:29fourth down
27:30they've had to
27:31go for it a bunch
27:32this year playing
27:32from behind.
27:38Got to time it
27:39up.
27:40Shot.
27:40Quick throw.
27:41Olave past the
27:42sticks.
27:42It's a first down.
27:45Big average at
27:46fourth down is
27:4754%.
27:47They're now
27:48eight of ten
27:49on the season
27:50pending a penalty
27:52flag which was
27:53thrown.
27:53Let's see if they
27:54picked that flag up.
27:55Looks like they did.
27:58saw some yellow on
27:59the field momentarily.
28:00It is a first down
28:01at the 37.
28:05Pressure coming.
28:06Donaldson helps
28:07pick up the rush
28:08and a deflection by
28:09Harrison Smith in
28:11front of Chris
28:12Olave.
28:12That's what the
28:1337 year old did
28:14last week against
28:15Miami to help seal
28:16the deal.
28:17Yeah and what's
28:18amazing they bring
28:18both inside linebackers
28:20which leaves a huge
28:21hole in the middle
28:22of the field but
28:22Harrison Smith has
28:24been playing this
28:24game for a long
28:25time and even with
28:26the speed threat
28:27that Chris Olave
28:28is he just has
28:29such a great
28:30ability to
28:30understand routes
28:32based on split
28:33based on depth
28:34and he just did a
28:35nice job of
28:36driving that and
28:37contesting the
28:38throw.
28:43five-man pressure
28:45swing it out for
28:46Camero and a short
28:48pickup for Alvin.
28:52And while we have a
28:53moment of game break
28:53with Carissa Thompson
28:54CT hello.
28:55Hello Adam.
28:56So the Packers who
28:57have struggled to find
28:57consistency on offense
28:59already up seven on the
29:00Bears when Marshawn
29:01Lloyd takes the handoff
29:02runs over the defender
29:03gets into the score.
29:04The Packers lead the
29:05Bears 14-0.
29:06Adam?
29:08Of course the
29:09Vikings trailed 22-10
29:11against Green Bay in
29:12the opening game.
29:13Murray was out.
29:14Carson Wentz helped
29:16the offense rattle off
29:1729 straight points to
29:18win that game.
29:19Third and 11.
29:20So honestly third and
29:2111 I'm not even
29:22thinking first down.
29:22I'm thinking just
29:23don't take a negative
29:24play.
29:24We'll get a little
29:25chunk here with
29:27Devon Vele and he
29:28takes it almost to the
29:30line to gain.
29:31Blake Cashman stops
29:32him a yard short so
29:33another chance to go
29:35for it on fourth and
29:35short here.
29:36Yeah really good job by
29:37the front and tight ends
29:39running backs just being
29:40able to give Tyler Shuck
29:42enough time.
29:42He knows the ball has to
29:43come out of his hands.
29:44Give them an opportunity
29:46to go get this first down
29:47but you're right on the
29:48edge of field goal range
29:49with that third and 11.
29:50So you know they're
29:51going to light you up.
29:52You know the last thing
29:53that can happen is for
29:53you to take a negative
29:54play.
29:55So it's actually just a
29:56really good execution
29:57getting the ball out of
29:57his hands and giving
29:58them a chance here on
29:59fourth down.
30:00If they choose to go
30:01for it might be an
30:02opportunity to take
30:03points if you want to
30:04just try to get him to
30:05jump off sides.
30:08They will go for it.
30:10Quick throw again and a
30:11good job and a tight
30:13window by Vele to hold
30:14on at the 23 yard line.
30:16That's good enough for a
30:17first down.
30:18So two fourth down
30:19conversions on this
30:20drive.
30:21Yeah Devon Vele has
30:22become their contested
30:23catch guy.
30:24They traded for him from
30:25Denver last year.
30:26Took him a little while to
30:27get going but you
30:28definitely feel the
30:29confidence and rapport
30:30between him and Tyler
30:31Shuck.
30:34And he's a great
30:35change up to Chris
30:36Olavius too who
30:37obviously gets a lot of
30:38looks and a lot of the
30:39downfield looks but
30:40Vele gets those big
30:42body matchups.
30:44Big conversion there.
30:45And now Kendra Miller
30:47again as he gets flung by
30:48Josh Metellus towards the
30:50sticks.
30:50A good gain of nine.
30:54No Ty Chandler, no
30:55Travis A-Chan, a couple
30:57of key running back
30:58injuries.
30:59Chandler of course the
30:59former Minnesota Vikings
31:00Viking.
31:02Kendra Miller coming off
31:04the ACL injury midway
31:05through last year.
31:06He is a key number two
31:07back behind Camaro
31:08right now.
31:09Right back to him.
31:10First down for Miller.
31:11And they're inside the
31:1210-yard line.
31:13It's first down and goal
31:14for New Orleans.
31:18Now this has been a
31:19really solid drive and
31:21answer by the New
31:23Orleans Saints offense
31:23especially coming off
31:25those two drives by the
31:27Minnesota offense and
31:28then they get the big
31:28turnover fumble by Chase
31:30Young when Minnesota
31:32was knocking on the
31:33doorstep.
31:34And I just like the mix
31:35of run and pass here.
31:37They've been able to
31:38convert a couple fourths
31:39and shorts.
31:41This is where it's good
31:42on good.
31:43Red zone offense against
31:45the best red zone
31:46defense in football.
31:47Saints have improved
31:48mightily in the red zone
31:50from last year to start
31:51this season.
31:52It is Miller slicing
31:53through down to the one.
31:56And look I would expect
31:57tempo get up on the ball
31:58run this ball again.
32:00You've gone three straight
32:01run plays and gotten
32:02chunks.
32:06Here they go.
32:06Quick sugar huddle.
32:08We're just going to try
32:09to catch him off guard
32:10here.
32:11Miller trying to hold
32:12down to the ball.
32:13He's fumbled twice this
32:14season but does have a
32:15rushing touchdown against
32:16Detroit.
32:18It's Miller.
32:19And a good job by Levi
32:22Drake Rodriguez.
32:24He's been a key piece of
32:26career high and usage so
32:27far this year up front.
32:28He gets the stop.
32:29Third and goal.
32:34Ryan Flores the defensive
32:36coordinator.
32:37His team has limited big
32:39plays.
32:40They have limited
32:40touchdowns.
32:41They have limited
32:42opportunities in this area
32:43of the field.
32:44And it's amazing.
32:45Two of 11 offenses are
32:46against these guys getting
32:48touchdowns.
32:50If you want to beat this
32:51team you're going to have
32:52to score touchdowns
32:52against them.
32:56Left back to Miller.
32:57He's in.
32:58Saints lead.
32:58Touchdown.
33:13To the strength of the
33:15offensive line are these
33:16interior three.
33:18That's David Edwards, Eric
33:20McCoy, Cesar Ruiz.
33:21Watch how they just cover up
33:23their guys especially there
33:24right at the one or two
33:25yard line.
33:26Just cover them up and allow
33:28you're running back to put
33:29his head down and go get
33:30you a touchdown.
33:31A really nice job especially
33:33running the football there
33:34late in that drive by the
33:36Saints offensive line.
33:38The sidewinder from Daniel
33:40Carlson to make it a 7-3 New
33:42Orleans lead on a 15-play drive
33:45that took more than seven
33:47minutes off the clock and
33:48ended with the fourth year
33:49man out of TCU punching it
33:51in.
33:52The biggest drive of the season
33:53for New Orleans and they get
33:55a touchdown against this
33:57Minnesota defense which has
33:58played 18 quarters.
34:00This is only the ninth quarter
34:02that Minnesota has allowed
34:03points.
34:04This is a big win for New
34:05Orleans in this first half.
34:06It absolutely is.
34:07Especially a great response,
34:08you know, coming off of those
34:09two drives by the Minnesota
34:10offense and then they get the
34:12big turnover so that shifted
34:13momentum and they certainly
34:15made the most of it.
34:15It required two fourth-down
34:16conversions but again, as far as
34:18situation where football goes,
34:20third down in red zone, this
34:21is good on good when it comes
34:22to Saints offense versus
34:23Vikings defense.
34:25Good return by Miles Price.
34:27Out across the 30-yard line,
34:29CJ Donaldson on the tackle.
34:32Rematch of last year's NLCS.
34:34This is going to be one of the
34:35best pitching matchups that a
34:36playoff game has ever seen.
34:38Last two American League Cy
34:40Youngs belong to Tarek Skubel,
34:41got traded to the Dodgers
34:43during the summertime.
34:45Jacob Mizorowski is the
34:46presumable Cy Young,
34:48award winner in the National
34:50League this year and a rematch
34:52of last year's LCS.
34:53Game one after football
34:54tonight, Dodgers and Brewers
34:56from what was a ruckus,
34:59Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
35:00American family field
35:01during the division series.
35:03Kyler Murray, the best start
35:05to a game in terms of
35:07completions in his NFL career,
35:0811 for 11 to eight
35:10different receivers.
35:16Former top 10 MLB draft pick
35:18hands it off for Aaron Jones,
35:20who's back out there after a
35:21good game and he's dealing
35:22with the knee injury, but he
35:24checked him out.
35:25He's good to go and he picks up
35:26six.
35:28Yeah, that's right.
35:29Look, the great equalizer in
35:30these games is your ability to
35:33score touchdowns in the red zone
35:34and take care of the football.
35:35You know, both of these first
35:36two drives by the Minnesota
35:37Vikings offense were really
35:39good.
35:39The first one, nine plays,
35:4056 yards, resulted in the
35:42field goal.
35:43That second drive, 11 plays,
35:4563 yards.
35:45Unfortunately, you turn the
35:47ball over, you don't get any
35:48points out of it, and
35:49despite the way you've played
35:50this game thus far, you're
35:52down seven to three.
35:59Vikings have not played from
36:00behind a ton this year, really
36:02since that week one first half
36:05against Green Bay.
36:06Two-yard pick up here is
36:07Kristen Miller making his second
36:10appearance in an NFL game.
36:11Excellent one-stopper at
36:13Georgia.
36:14Played just 25 snaps week one.
36:16He's their second-round pick.
36:18He's going to be a key with all
36:19the other injuries the Saints
36:20have up front.
36:21Absolutely.
36:21As we're watching this game
36:22unfold, this is going to be a
36:24bend-don't-break day for the
36:27Saints defense.
36:28Try to get them to go and
36:29sustain these 10-plus play
36:32drives, and at some point you
36:34get a penalty or you get a
36:35turnover, but make them go the
36:37distance.
36:39They're down and two, and Jones
36:41gets stuffed behind the line
36:43of scrimmage by a slew of
36:44Saints.
36:51Werner and Stutzman in on it
36:52first.
36:53Yeah, Stutzman is really the
36:54one who makes this happen.
36:56Watch how he just creates the
36:57stalemate and then allows
36:59Granderson to come in here and
37:01make the tackle and stop him
37:03short, but again, get him into
37:06as many third downs as possible,
37:07and eventually you get a stop,
37:09whether it's in the run game or
37:10you stop him with the pass or you
37:12get the turnover.
37:12We've seen a little bit of
37:13each today.
37:14Three runs, three and out.
37:18Marion Brown back to return.
37:21Ooh, got close there.
37:23And it's going to be a much
37:25shorter punt than they expected,
37:27and Marion Brown is able to
37:28rescue it with a fair catch.
37:30Just a 40-yard punt.
37:32League average is 47.
37:33And the Saints, their defense
37:35comes up with a stop after the
37:37touchdown.
37:38The Vice with NFL Plus.
37:42Kellen Moore has coached 21 games
37:44for the New Orleans Saints.
37:46His teams have trailed at
37:47halftime in 18 of those 21 games.
37:51They've had to play from behind
37:52a ton.
37:53This would be quite the flip of a
37:55script for New Orleans, which has
37:57the rare lead in the first half
37:59and has six minutes and the
38:01football here in the second
38:02quarter from their own 21.
38:03And if there's a defense to do that
38:04against these guys, you certainly
38:05don't want to be playing from
38:06behind against this Vikings front.
38:10There's that serve of the ball
38:12up to Kendrick Miller.
38:13He gets stuffed by Jalen Redman,
38:15who has had a nice start to this
38:17campaign.
38:17It's a tackle for loss of two yards.
38:20Boy, Andrew Van Ginkle, we talked
38:22to him this week.
38:23He was very high in his praise for
38:25Redman.
38:25Yeah, Redman, former XFL player.
38:28He said he's certainly the most
38:29impactful defensive lineman on this
38:31team, and even when as far as to say
38:33this guy's going to be a household
38:34name before it's all said and done,
38:36he's that kind of player for this
38:38defensive front where typically a
38:40lot of the attention goes to the
38:42outside linebackers and pass rushers,
38:43but he's as good as anybody in the
38:45league.
38:49So the illusion of pressure, so
38:51Shuck pumps twice, looking for a
38:54window, and he's able to dump it
38:55off as he finds Noah Fant who
38:58auditioned this year.
38:59He did not play last week against
39:01Atlanta.
39:01He's back in the lineup today, and
39:03he picks up seven.
39:05Third and five coming up.
39:06This is what makes this defense so
39:08problematic.
39:08Watch Eric McCoy turn to this
39:10linebacker so he drops out and the
39:12other linebacker goes.
39:14They constantly will change who's
39:16coming based on wanting to try to
39:19get a running back matchup in
39:21protection.
39:21They just did it again with Eric
39:22Wilson.
39:23They get it on third down there, and
39:24Shuck puts it up for grabs with
39:26Patal Vele going up against a 5'10
39:29and Isaiah Rodgers.
39:31It ends up being incomplete.
39:36You watch what happens in the
39:37pocket here.
39:38Obviously, Shuck wanted to throw it
39:40early.
39:40Didn't like what he saw.
39:45It's a little bit of a shot there.
39:47Again, Vele his big target, but
39:49look, it's this zone defense with the
39:51pressure just allows the defensive
39:54secondary to keep their eyes on the
39:55quarterback.
39:56It's what allows them to get so many
39:57takeaways, so many turnovers.
39:59Yes, they're going to give you space,
40:00but they feel they can react with
40:02enough time given the fact that their
40:04defensive front will eventually get you.
40:08Boomer on the punt.
40:1060-plus back to Price.
40:12What a kick by Ryan Wright.
40:14But Price trying to take advantage of
40:16the coverage.
40:18And into New Orleans territory with
40:21outstanding return.
40:2561-yard move from Ryan Wright, but
40:29Miles Price flips the field and gives
40:31the Vikings scoring offense for a team
40:34that's 4-0.
40:35These are the fewest offensive
40:36touchdowns over the last almost six
40:38decades for teams that started 4-0.
40:42And then only the third team in NFL
40:44history got to go back any time you
40:46throw the year 1922 in there.
40:48The Chicago Cardinals, one of the
40:50franchises that have found the NFL.
40:53Third team can start 4-0 without
40:55scoring a touchdown in two of its
40:56games.
40:58Kyle Murray trying to change that.
40:59Miles Price flips the field to the
41:01plus 4-7 for Minnesota.
41:04And they're in shot position.
41:05Murray with the play action.
41:07Flag is thrown.
41:08Hasn't run a ton since that
41:10concussion in the opening game, but
41:12he's able to scoot ahead.
41:14We've got to check this marker and
41:15it seemingly is coming back.
41:20Holding.
41:22Offense number 72.
41:25Ten-yard penalty.
41:27First down.
41:28This is Ryan Vandermark.
41:30He's making his seventh career start
41:31from her Colt and Buffalo Bill.
41:33Yeah, not a great start for Vandermark.
41:36Got the offsides on the first drive,
41:38which kind of sent him back and made
41:40him kick a field goal.
41:41They're an obvious hold.
41:45Unfortunately, look, at times, at times
41:48you're going to have a guy beat you,
41:49but setting yourself back now first
41:52and 20, I think especially for this
41:54offense that is going to be in
41:55dink and dung mode, it's really
41:58problematic.
41:58You have a quarterback who can avoid,
42:00who can throw the ball away.
42:02You just can't afford those costly
42:04penalties.
42:04Aaron Jones gets blown up by Jonas
42:07Shaker.
42:08Read that perfectly.
42:10Pressure was coming.
42:11He got rid of it.
42:12Pete Werner was flying in.
42:14Yeah, Jonas Shaker is one of the key
42:15pieces of this defense.
42:17Played a lot more safety last year.
42:18He's in this big nickel position
42:20around the line of scrimmage.
42:21A lot of times you'll see him even
42:23at more of a linebacker position
42:25in the box.
42:27He's got pretty good ball production.
42:29A couple interceptions last year.
42:31Plays the run well.
42:35And now they've got this offense
42:37where they want him.
42:42Saints are pinning their ears back
42:45but they bring just four
42:46trying to get to Kyler Murray.
42:48He's able to escape initially
42:49and the throw for Jefferson
42:52is incomplete.
42:54Bought as much time as he possibly
42:56could after getting away from
42:58Christian Boyd
42:59but incomplete.
43:01Yeah, look, this is not the
43:03Minnesota Vikings game
43:04to drop back
43:05and take two hitches
43:06and hold the ball.
43:08But you get in these
43:09second and 20 situations
43:10and you feel like you're
43:11forced to go get a chunk.
43:14It's not fair to this
43:15offensive line.
43:17Kyler Murray's vision
43:18begins to kind of leak down
43:20to the pass rush
43:21and isn't able to get
43:23to some of those
43:23second and third progressions.
43:25They've got to find ways
43:26to stay on track here.
43:27Third and long,
43:27I'd expect to scream
43:28something that's not going
43:30to have him holding
43:30the ball too long.
43:32Blitz coming from New Orleans.
43:34Murray's got to go.
43:35That's going to be an easy
43:36holding penalty
43:37on Brian O'Neal.
43:39That was quite obvious
43:40even from up here.
43:44Ran out of bounds.
43:45I imagine they might
43:46decline this penalty.
43:50And force Minnesota
43:51to bring the punt unit out.
43:55Murray just had his first
43:56incompletion of the day
43:57after a 12-for-12 start.
43:59Best of his career.
44:00And now the penalty.
44:03Holding.
44:04Offense number 75.
44:06That penalty is declined.
44:08Fourth down.
44:10Brett Thorson,
44:11the rookie from Australia,
44:14will have to kick it away.
44:16This is pretty obvious
44:16on Cam Jordan.
44:18Pretty clear right there.
44:21I'll say it again.
44:22This is...
44:23You're going to need to play
44:24a bit of the field position game
44:25here today.
44:26You know,
44:26understand the job
44:27your defense
44:28is doing on the other side
44:30of the ball.
44:31You know,
44:31they forced two three-and-outs
44:33with this Saints offense.
44:34So there's going to be
44:35some of this back and forth.
44:36You play the field position game
44:37and at some point,
44:38you get a turnover,
44:40you get...
44:40You know,
44:41it's unfortunate
44:41they weren't able
44:42to take advantage
44:43of that great return
44:45by Miles Price
44:47that had him
44:47in the plus territory.
44:50Thorson boots it away.
44:53And a shorter punt.
44:54Fair catch single
44:55by Barion Brown.
44:59Three minutes to play
45:00here in this first half.
45:02Nobody's played more games
45:03in a Saints uniform
45:04than Cam Jordan.
45:08Collins in 1997.
45:10He's a phenomenal artist.
45:12Saw him live painting
45:14on Monday night
45:14and doing it for our guy,
45:16Drew Brees,
45:16who's about to be inducted
45:17into the Saints' ring of honor
45:19after being inducted
45:20into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
45:21in August.
45:23Proud and pal,
45:24happy for you.
45:24Thank you, brother.
45:26Frenchie,
45:26the king of Oak Street.
45:27Go see this gallery.
45:28Oak Street,
45:29Uptown New Orleans.
45:31On first down,
45:33C.J. Donaldson,
45:34not much there.
45:34Vikings only have
45:35one timeout
45:36plus the two-minute warning.
45:37Saints have all three
45:38of their timeouts.
45:40With a 7-3 lead
45:42late in this first half.
45:43And only three times
45:45in 21 games
45:47that Kellen Morris coached
45:49as he had a lead
45:50going into halftime.
45:52It's hard to believe,
45:53but look,
45:54I think it changes
45:55a little bit of the way
45:55that you call the game.
45:57Defensively,
45:58the Saints have stiffened up.
45:59And so you're almost using
46:01the Vikings formula
46:01against them.
46:02A little bit more conservative
46:03on offense,
46:04it seems like,
46:05because your defense
46:06is playing well.
46:07there's now Kendrick Miller
46:09who's got the long
46:10touchdown of this game
46:11trying to squeeze through.
46:13Vikings have one timeout
46:14left as we mentioned.
46:16Does not look like
46:17they're in a hurry
46:18to use it,
46:18so that'll take us down
46:20to the two-minute warning
46:20for the third down
46:21on the other side
46:22coming up.
46:26Brian Flores' defense
46:27trying to
46:30pick up the pace
46:31as Kendrick Miller
46:32and the Saints
46:33have the advantage
46:33in New Orleans.
46:35Two-minute warning,
46:36first half.
46:38Punch-out character.
46:40No question.
46:41That would have been
46:41a great model for it.
46:43He's ready.
46:44The Saints have
46:45third down and seven.
46:46Let's see what
46:46the Vikings defense
46:47looks like here.
46:50And a flag is thrown
46:51and a false start
46:53is going to push this
46:54back to third
46:54and longer.
46:58False start.
46:59Offense number 12.
47:01Five-yard penalty.
47:02Third down.
47:03That's an Olave penalty
47:04that pushes it back
47:05to third down
47:06and 12 now.
47:09Yeah, not the world
47:10you want to live in.
47:11Especially backed up,
47:13deep in your own territory.
47:16You know,
47:16this is where it's,
47:17hey, is it screen?
47:18Is it, you know,
47:18max protection?
47:20And maybe you try
47:20to push one beyond
47:21the sticks,
47:22but you just want
47:23to be careful
47:23because this is where
47:24the defense can get you
47:25in trouble.
47:28See Smith up at the line
47:29of scrimmage.
47:30He'll drop.
47:31Pressure come in.
47:33And Shuck gets rid of it.
47:34Johnson ends up
47:35stepping out of bounds
47:37as Eric Wilson
47:38was coming in.
47:39That's going to stop
47:40the clock and actually
47:41give Minnesota
47:42an opportunity
47:42to not have to use
47:43their timeout.
47:45Yeah, watch this.
47:46Eric Wilson's the one
47:47who comes free here.
47:48Honestly, it's just
47:48one more
47:49that they're bringing
47:50than you have to block.
47:52Running back comes
47:53across to block
47:54Josh Metellus.
47:56But again,
47:57this is where this defense
47:58gets you in trouble.
47:59They're going to find
48:00a free guy
48:01or the best
48:02pass rush matchup
48:05and just have you
48:06vulnerable
48:06and make it to where
48:07you got to get the ball
48:08out before you're ready.
48:09And that's when
48:10they get a lot
48:11of their costly mistakes
48:12and opportunities
48:13for their offense
48:13on the other side.
48:16The right boots it away
48:17and forces a Miles Price
48:19fair catch.
48:20Another strong punt
48:21of 54
48:22as the teams have traded
48:23back-to-back
48:24three and outs.
48:25Let's check in
48:25with Kurt and the boys.
48:26What's coming up?
48:30Shift!
48:30Shift!
48:31Shift!
48:31Shift!
48:32Red Dog 27!
48:33Red Dog 27!
48:34What are you guys doing?
48:35Set!
48:35Hut!
48:36Hut!
48:36Oh!
48:37We're celebrating
48:38Proxtober.
48:39Week 5, baby.
48:40What's the matter?
48:41Get up!
48:42Hut!
48:42Hut!
48:42Hut!
48:42Hut!
48:42Hut!
48:42We got plenty more
48:43to talk about.
48:44Not that.
48:44Highlights and analysis
48:45from around the league.
48:46It all comes up
48:47on the Verizon Halftime Show.
48:49Get out of here.
48:51Terry Bradshaw,
48:52Louisiana native
48:53and one of the public enemies
48:55from Minnesota Vikings fans
48:56after the victory
48:57in Super Bowl IX.
49:01Kyler Murray,
49:02one time out,
49:03trying to get it going
49:04and Miles Price
49:04drops that one
49:05in complete.
49:06It'll be second down
49:07with 104 ticks remaining.
49:09Saints still have
49:10all three of their timeouts
49:12with which to work
49:13if they can get some stops.
49:15Yeah, the Vikings
49:15started off this game
49:16really strong.
49:18119 total yards
49:19to the Saints.
49:19One yard
49:20after the first two drives.
49:22Got a field goal.
49:23Unfortunately,
49:23fumbled on the second drive.
49:24Since then,
49:25it's just been two three
49:26and outs,
49:27which unfortunately
49:27was their Achilles heel
49:29coming into this game.
49:33they've got to find a way
49:34to try to get some points
49:35here,
49:35especially with the Saints
49:36getting the ball
49:37to start the second half.
49:39Kyler Murray
49:40is able to find
49:41a connection
49:43and dive ahead
49:44by Miles Price
49:45who makes up
49:46for the drop,
49:47picks up nine,
49:48third down and short,
49:4990 seconds and counting.
49:54Yeah, this is when
49:55you'd love to...
49:57You're gonna have
49:58everybody at your disposal
49:59here.
49:59This isn't necessarily
50:00a, you know,
50:02Justin Jefferson matchup.
50:03I would expect
50:03the Saints to
50:04be doing everything
50:05they can to take him away,
50:07make some of these
50:08other guys try to beat you.
50:10They're taking a long time
50:10in the huddle here.
50:14Justin Jefferson
50:15at the top
50:16of the screen here
50:18with, of course,
50:19the safety over the top
50:20as you would expect.
50:21No Hawkinson,
50:22no Addison.
50:23It is one-on-one
50:25for Jefferson
50:26and he holds on
50:27against Kool-Aid McKinstry.
50:31LSU over Alabama
50:32for 21.
50:33Yeah, watch this.
50:34Kool-Aid McKinstry
50:35actually good technique.
50:36He's right there
50:37but honestly,
50:38just a great ball.
50:40No defense
50:41for a perfectly
50:42thrown football
50:42and that's exactly
50:43what that was
50:44from Kyler Murray.
50:45Brandon Staley,
50:46the defensive coordinator
50:46said, hey,
50:47Kyler Murray can still
50:48drive that thing in there.
50:49He did to Jefferson.
50:52Murray with pressure
50:53coming,
50:54he gets sandwiched down,
50:55has to take the sack
50:57and Minnesota's
50:58going to have to
50:59use a timeout.
51:00You got Chase Young
51:01and Carl Granderson
51:03flying in at you.
51:06Yeah, look,
51:06this is,
51:07this is a sack
51:07you really,
51:08really can't take.
51:10Second time
51:10we've seen this today
51:11and unfortunately
51:13it's,
51:13it's stalled
51:14their first drive
51:15and then
51:17again,
51:17really sets them
51:18back here
51:18but
51:21you know,
51:23for them to get
51:23something going here
51:24and try to get some
51:25points is pretty crucial.
51:26You know,
51:26you get these
51:27two-minute situations,
51:28it's the opportunity
51:29for, hey look,
51:30a lot of zone defense
51:30so opportunities
51:31to get Justin Jefferson
51:32and you on the same page
51:34create some opportunities
51:36there but
51:36again,
51:37I've been impressed
51:37with Kyler thus far
51:38but man,
51:38taking those sacks
51:39is something that can't happen.
51:40Yes,
51:41it's a formidable front
51:41but just find ways
51:42to get the ball
51:43out of your hand.
51:44Unfortunately,
51:4426 seconds right now
51:46and no timeouts.
51:48They're up,
51:49they're up against it.
51:50They're going to have
51:51to find ways
51:51to get the ball
51:52out of bounds.
51:52If you do
51:54land one of these
51:54deep end cuts
51:55into the middle of the field,
51:56get up and clock it,
51:57you'll still have
51:57another opportunity.
51:58They're about 10 yards
52:00away from Will Reichert's
52:01comfortable field goal range.
52:02They'll go to Jefferson
52:03on the screen,
52:05multiple moves
52:06and he takes it
52:07down to the 36.
52:08They've got plenty
52:09of time.
52:09It is third down.
52:11They could take it down
52:12and spike it here
52:13and kick the field goal
52:15potentially.
52:17Yeah,
52:17this is,
52:19well,
52:19they just need to spike it.
52:20I think they're going
52:21to take it all the way down,
52:22spike it,
52:22they're in Reichert's range
52:25and they will go ahead
52:26and take
52:27what has been
52:27a common occurrence,
52:28another field goal try
52:29for Reichert
52:30who has not missed
52:31this year.
52:36Got a wild finish
52:37out in London
52:38where the Eagles
52:39made a field goal
52:40but Jacksonville
52:41used the timeout,
52:42still had eight seconds
52:43left,
52:43one play
52:43and then put it out
52:44there for Camp Little.
52:45These kickers these days
52:46can do it
52:48from just about
52:48anywhere on the field.
52:50So Minnesota bleeds
52:51every possible second
52:52they can
52:53and sets it up
52:54for Reichert.
52:58This will be a 54-yarder.
53:05He boots it
53:07and drills it again.
53:13Check the marker though
53:15and
53:17get a little salsa
53:18for the chippiness here
53:20at the end of this first half.
53:23But a couple of field goals
53:25for Reichert
53:26as we take a look
53:27at today's first half stats
53:28are brought to you
53:29by McDonald's.
53:31Your thoughts
53:31as we play the first
53:3230 minutes, Drew.
53:34Look,
53:35New Orleans had
53:35the one good drive
53:37the rest of the time
53:38the Minnesota defense
53:39had their number
53:40and yet
53:40scoring touchdowns
53:42is going to be the difference
53:42in this game
53:43as we can see.
53:44Drew's going to get
53:45honored at halftime.
53:46We're going to send you
53:46to Kurt Menefee
53:47in Los Angeles
53:48for the Verizon halftime.
53:49It's all yours, guys.
53:54Any pictures,
53:55descriptions,
53:55or accounts of the game
53:56without the consent
53:57of Venipel Productions
53:57is prohibited.
54:17Today's game flow
54:18presented by Progressive
54:20as our colleague
54:22and friend Drew Brees
54:23inducted into the
54:24Saints' ring of honor.
54:25You see the stats
54:26from the first half.
54:27Kendra Miller
54:28has the lone
54:29touchdown of the game.
54:30A couple of
54:30Will Riker field goals.
54:31One turnover
54:32by Minnesota
54:33in that first half.
54:34And down to the field
54:35we go in Christina Pink.
54:36KP.
54:36Well, hey, Adam.
54:37Yeah, it's been a slugfest
54:38so far.
54:39So when I talked
54:39to Kellen Moore,
54:40I just asked him,
54:40what do you need to see
54:41from your offense?
54:41He said,
54:42we just got to keep playing.
54:43We got to keep running
54:43the ball.
54:44At some point,
54:44we know one of these
54:45is going to pop defensively.
54:47He said,
54:47we got to keep attacking,
54:48keep playing relentless.
54:49He said,
54:50Kyler Murray's going to make
54:51some plays with his feet,
54:52but we can't give up
54:52some of those crambles.
54:53And we know
54:54what Kyler Murray
54:55is capable of
54:55at his best.
54:56He was sacked twice
54:57in that first half
54:58by Brandon Staley's defense
55:00and Kellen Moore
55:01for just the fourth time
55:03in 22 games
55:05as head coach
55:06is not trailing
55:07at halftime.
55:10Long touchdown drive
55:12ending in the Miller score.
55:13The other three drives,
55:15a few three and outs
55:16mixed in.
55:22Marion Brown,
55:24his 4-4 speed
55:25is one of the two
55:26back to return
55:27with Jaden Price.
55:34Will Reichert,
55:36who's produced most
55:37of the points
55:38for Minnesota this season,
55:40produced all six
55:42in the first half.
55:46With Jaden Price
55:47on the return.
55:50Torelli in a solid one
55:52out to a 40-yard line
55:54and that ball
55:54came out quick
55:55and Will Reichert
55:57believes that
55:57Minnesota's got it.
56:06And it is
56:08Minnesota football.
56:12Jake Golday,
56:13the rookie
56:14out of Cincinnati,
56:15has it.
56:16and look at the punch
56:18to knock it out
56:19of the hands of Price.
56:26That is a clean recovery
56:27and a cleaner punch.
56:36Excellent job
56:37by Jake Golday
56:38and Traiton.
56:39Beg your part,
56:40Jayshon Jones
56:41ends up recovering it
56:43for Minnesota.
56:44So disaster
56:45for New Orleans
56:46special teams.
56:47Minnesota continues
56:49to play well
56:50in special teams
56:51all season
56:52and they set up
56:53shop at the
56:54plus 37
56:55with a chance
56:55to take the lead.
56:59Toss play,
57:01trick play.
57:01Jefferson
57:02back to Murray.
57:03Leaking is
57:04Kevin Bartholomew
57:06and he could not
57:06get it.
57:10And he could not
57:14get it.
57:16I love the play
57:17design here.
57:18They set it up
57:19just the way
57:20they wanted.
57:21Last guy you think
57:22is going to get
57:22this trick play
57:23is Gavin Bartholomew.
57:24Maybe a play for
57:26TJ Hawkinson
57:27if he was in the game
57:28but those are the ones
57:29you've got to hit on
57:30especially for an offense
57:31that struggled to get
57:32these explosive plays.
57:35They haven't really shown
57:36that they've been able
57:37to move the ball
57:37all that effectively
57:38here over the last
57:39three or four drives
57:40so they need to be able
57:41to capitalize on those
57:42big play opportunities.
57:43Now Jones has nowhere
57:44to go as he gets
57:45swallowed up by Tyree Wilson
57:47and it'll be third
57:48down and long.
57:49It's a quick change
57:51trick play
57:52but as you mentioned
57:54TJ Hawkinson
57:55had to leave
57:55in the first half.
57:56He's unavailable
57:57the rest of the game.
57:58It's Bartholomew
57:59and Yurasik
58:00the two tight ends
58:01along with Bredesen
58:02the fullback
58:02for Kevin O'Connell.
58:03Yeah you're having
58:04to lean on some guys
58:04who typically wouldn't
58:06be in those situations
58:09and yet for an
58:09offense like this
58:10that has just been
58:12relying on one game
58:13and then just those
58:14kind of short completions
58:17you get in a situation
58:18like this
58:18even though you've got
58:19a great field goal
58:20kicker in Will Reichard
58:20you'd like to be able
58:21to find a way
58:21to get the first down.
58:23And now Murray's
58:24running for his life.
58:25A lot of pressure
58:26but there's the speed
58:27and a first down
58:28for Kyler Murray
58:29into the red zone
58:30for Minnesota.
58:32That quickness
58:33is still there.
58:34Year number eight
58:35for the former
58:36number one overall
58:37pick by Arizona.
58:3918 yard run
58:40for Murray
58:41his longest
58:42of the season.
58:43Yeah he can
58:44pick him up
58:44and put him down
58:45can't he?
58:45He just find ways
58:46to avoid
58:47and what's more
58:48interesting is what
58:49was happening
58:49down the field
58:50you had these
58:51defenders that were
58:52trying to decide
58:53am I coming up
58:53to stop the quarterback
58:54or am I going
58:56to cover
58:56you know these
58:57receiver weapons
58:58and they decided
58:59to plaster the receivers
59:01which opened up
59:02the opportunity
59:03for Kyler
59:03to go run
59:04and get the first
59:04down.
59:07Fresh center
59:07downs
59:08Aaron Jones
59:09gets hit hard
59:10by Carl Granderson
59:11off the edge.
59:12He has made
59:13a huge impact
59:14in his return
59:15to the lineup
59:15for New Orleans'
59:16defense.
59:17Yeah the key
59:17to this 3-4 defense
59:18is the ability
59:19to set the edge
59:20in the run game.
59:21They really missed
59:22Carl Granderson
59:23last week
59:24against the Falcons
59:25hence why they
59:26were able to have
59:26so much success
59:27against the Saints
59:28defense but not today.
59:29He has been
59:30an impactful player
59:33all day long.