Halo

Mike Triplett - That point was truly driven home, though, when they watched the way their next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, dominated the Dallas Cowboys in a 34-3 rout in an NFC divisional playoff game Sunday in Minneapolis.

"We'll have our work cut out for us, " said quarterback Drew Brees, who pointed out that the Vikings had probably spent the last month answering many of the same questions about rust and momentum that the Saints were facing after both teams experienced a mini-slump in December. "But obviously they know what it's like to play at a high level.


"They were doing it all season long, and obviously they're hitting on all cylinders right now. It's gonna be a great game."


Once again, the Saints (14-3) and Vikings (13-4) have emerged as the two best teams in the NFC, and now they'll square off in the NFC championship game Sunday at 5:40 p.m. at the Superdome.


One of them will end a serious drought.


The Vikings haven't been to a Super Bowl in 33 years, and the Saints are one of five teams never to reach a Super Bowl.


This will be the first NFC championship game played in New Orleans, a city that has hosted more than its share of spectacular sporting events but none quite like this.


"Well, we'll just have two Super Bowls, that's all. One this week, then one two weeks after that, " Saints owner Tom Benson said. "I'm looking forward to it."


The New Orleans Saints knew it would only get tougher in the playoffs.

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