EAGAN, Minn. – The rare Christmas Day game between the Vikings (6-8) and Saints (10-4) will be broadcast nationwide, providing a possible form of togetherness for those who are unable to gather this year as they traditionally might.
Viewers coast to coast will be able to watch the game on FOX, and there are multiple options on the radio (we're partial here to the Vikings Radio Network for everyone within it), as well as a unique streaming opportunity.
NATIONAL BROADCAST TV
FOX (KMSP FOX 9 in the Twin Cities) and NFL Network
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. (CT)
Play-by-Play: Joe Buck
Analyst: Troy Aikman
Sideline: Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
ON MOBILE
Because this is a national broadcast, fans everywhere will be able to watch the game on their iOS mobile devices with the VIKINGS APP or VIKINGS MOBILE SITE (Safari browser only).
STREAMING:
Amazon Prime Video
Play-by-Play: Hannah Storm
Sideline: Andrea Kremer
New this year, Amazon Prime members can view the "Scout's Feed" featuring Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah and Joy Taylor.
LOCAL RADIO:
KFAN 100.3-FM and KTLK 1130-AM
Play-by-Play: Paul Allen
Analyst: Pete Bercich
Sideline Reporters: Greg Coleman & Ben Leber
Pregame Show: 1 p.m. (CT) with Mike Mussman
KFAN and KTLK are the flagship stations for the five-state Vikings Radio Network.
NATIONAL RADIO:
Westwood One
Announcers: Scott Graham and Ross Tucker
SATELLITE RADIO:
Minnesota: Sirius 82 and XM 226
New Orleans: Sirius 83 and XM 225
National: XM 88
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Click here for the full bevy of options that include over-the-air, cable, satellite, over-the-top and streaming methods.
VIKINGS POSTGAME LIVE
Because of the holiday, Vikings Postgame Live, presented by Mystic Lake, will air at 1:55 p.m. Monday. The show will feature expert analysis, highlights, Next Gen Stats and postgame sound from Head Coach Mike Zimmer.
COORDINATORS ON THE OFFENSE, DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS
Below are takeaways from Wednesday's media sessions with Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak, Co-Defensive Coordinators Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer, and Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Maalouf.
Kubiak on evaluating the Vikings offensive line
Minnesota's offensive line this season has had its ups and downs but has held its own to help the offense rank fifth overall in total yards per game (387.1) and fourth in rushing yards per game (4.92).
Kubiak was asked about specific stats or situations he uses to assess offensive line performance.
He said it's important to look at "everything" in evaluations.
"This is a stats-driven business; there's not any stat we can't go look at or see nowadays. Really, that's hard to answer," Kubiak said. 'We evaluate everything we do every day, every week, and when the season's over, you go back and you evaluate it again. But I think our guys have played well, they've played hard. Have we been perfect? No, none of us have been. And that includes this guy.
"You always strive for perfection, but I love the way our guys have hung in there this year. We've only had five guys play almost every step of the way ... except for the guard position, where we've had a few different people," he continued. "So I think that's the measure of a good offensive line too, when they're able to hang in there together for what is a very difficult season in the NFL. So we've been fortunate from that standpoint."
Kubiak also said he's proud of the way right tackle Brian O'Neill and center Garrett Bradbury have handled the "revolving door" at right guard. Pat Elflein, Dru Samia and Ezra Cleveland all have spent time there.
"I think they've handled it great," Kubiak said. "You sit there and think about Ezra being a rookie, starting seven games, and he's played well, so you've got to give those guys credit for helping him. But that's part of what we do, you know? It's going to happen in this league – you're going to have issues, you're going to have injuries, and guys are going to have to step in.
Patterson and Zimmer on the dual threat of RB Alvin Kamara and the Saints adjusting without WR Michael Thomas
Patterson: "[Kamara is] an extremely quick, athletic running back that has great feet. His running style is a lot like Dalvin [Cook]: He can make you miss; he can run you over, too, and then he does a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield. They can line him up like a wide receiver, he can run routes like a wide receiver, so he's very difficult to defend."
Zimmer: "And as far as without Michael Thomas, they'll put Kamara in that position, they'll put [tight end Jared] Cook in that position. They have weapons that can fill that role for them, and Brees is going to find those guys."
Zimmer and Patterson on how Drew Brees looked in his return last Sunday after missing four games
Zimmer: "I see the same Brees that I saw when I worked there. He's smart, very accurate. He hit a great deep ball against Kansas City last week, but he's an extremely intelligent quarterback and is going to get them in the right play. He's a future Hall of Fame quarterback and is going to be a great challenge."
Patterson: "He's extremely frustrating because he gets the ball out of his hands so fast and knows where to go with the ball. He knows how to get them in the right protection, in the right play, so he's still as great as he's always been."
Maalouf on Bailey's bounce back
After struggling in back-to-back games against Jacksonville and at Tampa Bay, Vikings kicker Dan Bailey made all three of his extra points as well as two field goals against Chicago.
The Vikings stayed committed to Bailey, and it was rewarding to see him bounce back with a solid game.
Maalouf wasn't surprised by the success.
"It was just typical Dan," he said. "He was fine. The same level-headed guy that we've had, and just out there during his work.
"He continues to work hard, and we continue to challenge him, and he continues to do his job," Maalouf added.
