Williams, Defense Chew Up Vikings

The game plan was simple--give Ricky Williams the ball and turn the defense loose.

That and John Carney’s five field goals lifted the New Orleans Saints to a 28-15 victory over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday.

“This was just what we were looking to do,” Saint defensive end Joe Johnson said. “It was important that we took charge and set the tempo for the game.”

Williams ran for 136 yards and a touchdown and had five receptions for 42 yards. He averaged 4.5 yards a carry, helping the Saints (2-1) chew up 32 minutes 34 seconds and keep the ball away from the Vikings (1-3).

“It’s a challenge for a defense to stop him coming through a hole,” Saint center Jerry Fontenot said. “He’s as strong a runner as I’ve ever been around.”

New Orleans harassed Minnesota’s offense throughout, forcing the Vikings into intentional grounding and delay of game calls.

What looked as if it would be a 52-yard touchdown by Cris Carter in the second quarter was thwarted when Saint cornerback Kevin Mathis stripped Carter on the three. Safety Sammy Knight recovered the ball in the end zone.

“He ran an out and up,” Mathis said. “I bit on it and I was beat. I knew I couldn’t tackle him before he got in the end zone, so I was just trying to get the football.”

The New Orleans defense even scored a touchdown when Darren Howard forced Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper’s fumble in the third quarter, and Chris Oldham returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.

The Saints were so dominating in the first half the Vikings had only nine yards rushing. Minnesota converted only one of eight third downs in the game and gained only 31 yards rushing.

“If we don’t run the ball, we’re in for a lot of days like this, where the defensive linemen can pin their ears back and come after us,” Viking center Matt Birk said. “It’s the story of our season. Too many mistakes to overcome.”

The Saints got three of their six sacks of Culpepper in the first quarter and intercepted him once. By halftime, New Orleans had held the football almost eight minutes more than Minnesota.

“It’s tough when they have a front four like that,” Culpepper said. “They’ve got a great defensive front. Everybody knows that. And they had all the lanes covered every play.”