EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - MAY 3: Helmets belonging to the Minnesota Vikings are seen during a rookie minicamp on May 3, 2012 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)Ahead of their big game against the New Orleans Saints and the high-octane passing attack of Drew Brees, the Minnesota Vikings took a serious blow to the secondary.
Hours before the game, Minnesota announced that Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Rhodes is a two-time Pro Bowler and was named First-Team All-Pro last season as the Vikings finished with the No. 1 defense in the league.
The Vikings CB has missed only five games in his NFL career to this point.
#Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes has been optimistic about playing tonight on an ankle injury. But he’s officially out. Warmups must not have gone well
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2018
ESPN’s computer model narrowly predicted that the Vikings would win.
The Vikings are in their first year with QB Kirk Cousins at the helm. Despite winning once in their first four games, the team has now won three games straight.
The Saints, as always, have relied heavily on their passing game with QB Drew Brees having a career year. Since losing their opener to the Buccaneers, the team has won five straight – going 3-0 on the road in the process.
The Vikings and the Saints are set to kick off at 8:20 p.m. E.T. The game will be on NBC.
