Handling Adjustments & Facing ‘New’ Orleans

1. Travel and adjustments

The contrasts between the teams’ approach to playing in London began at the start of the week.

New Orleans opted to leave directly from its Week 3 road game at Carolina and arrive Monday.

Minnesota opted to stay put after hosting Detroit and is scheduled to leave Thursday evening with an anticipated arrival of 8 a.m. or so in London, which would be 2 a.m. (Central Time).

Vikings Executive Director of Health and Performance Tyler Williams spoke with Twin Cities media members Wednesday to provide details of the Vikings process. Williams made four trips to London Games during his time with the Rams (two were full-week excursions and two were more like the schedule the Vikings are doing). Be sure to check out Williams’ insights as relayed by my colleagues Lindsey Young and Sam Thiel.

2. What’s new in New Orleans

Vikings receiver and Louisiana native Justin Jefferson was 7 years old the last time Minnesota played a New Orleans team without Drew Brees at quarterback and Sean Payton as head coach (a 33-16 win by the Vikings on Sept. 25, 2005).

Minnesota Head Coach Kevin O’Connell was a sophomore at San Diego State when that one kicked off.

Brees and Payton were a combined 5-2 in regular-season contests against the Vikings but 1-2 in postseasons during their time together.

Now Dennis Allen is leading the Saints, and former Buccaneers No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston is the starting QB.

Winston has unleashed some big throws, as highlighted by Pete Bercich for Vikings Entertainment Network this week, but he also leads the NFL with five interceptions. He is 73-for-115 (63.5 completion percentage) for 858 yards with four touchdown passes and a passer rating of 79.5 on the season.

Winston did not practice Wednesday because of back and ankle injuries, but he said he expects to be back on the field Thursday and play Sunday.

Keep an eye out for rookie receiver Chris Olave, who leads the Saints with 17 catches for 268 yards (15.8 yards per reception). Olave has joined fellow former Ohio State WR Michael Thomas (16 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns) and Jarvis Landry (13 for 161) as the top threats. Thomas (foot) and Landry (ankle) did not participate Wednesday.