NEW ORLEANS – The Vikings had the second-worst third-down defense in the NFL’s 12-team playoff field and were missing their top two slot corners heading into the loudest stadium in sports to face future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and his .790 completion percentage on third downs.
So what happened in the third-down tussle between Brees and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s allegedly outmanned, overmatched mutts on the other side of the ball?
Brees was dominated. He threw for 17 yards on third down. He averaged 3.4 yards with two first downs on 5 of 7 passing.