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Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints quarterback Tyler Shough’s 14th career start will be among the toughest tests of his young career — and he knows it.
“There is going to be times where Minnesota is going to get us,” Shough said this week after studying the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense, which ranks first in the NFL in sacks with 16.
“They are going to make good plays,” Shough continued, “but we cannot let that compound into another play.”
New Orleans (1-3) is desperate to close out a three-game homestand with a victory after dropping its previous two games, the latest in lopsided fashion to rival Atlanta last Monday night.
A victory over the Vikings (4-0) on Sunday in the Superdome could go a long way toward restoring confidence in the direction the Saints are headed under second-year coach Kellen Moore.
All the Saints have to do is figure out how to score on a Minnesota defense that has allowed an NFL-low 12.8 points per game.
“It’s going to be a really good challenge,” Shough said. “We get a really good chance to kind of show what we can do.”
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores said the key to his unit’s success has been his personnel.
“It’s their defense, not mine,” Flores said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who get it, and we’re all working together.”
Linebacker Blake Cashman gives Flores credit for being innovative and increasing the roles of players who show they can handle that.
The result is not only frequent blitzing, but pass-rush schemes that are disguised and can feature a variety of players.
“It’s obviously a great scheme and they also have great players that understand what is being asked of them,” Saints guard David Edwards said. “The stress comes with identifying who’s coming.”
Meanwhile, Edwards, who spent the previous three seasons with the contending Buffalo Bills and was part of two Super Bowl teams with the Los Angeles Rams before that, said he has been gratified by the Saints’ response to their poor showing against the Falcons.
“The message hasn’t changed. The process hasn’t changed — and that’s the hallmark of a winning operation,” Edwards said. “Games like that may happen, but it’s your response and your approach to the next week that matters.”
Similarly, Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson said his team is trying to guard against complacency after coming out of the gate fast.
“You can’t get too high on your high horse or else you get humbled really quick,” Wilson said. “We have to be really critical of ourselves, especially in times like these.”
