Fleur-de-Links, October 26: Saints & Vikings a bout of NFC Heavyweights

Saints News:

Forgive and forget: New Orleans still embraces Marcus Williams after ‘Minneapolis Miracle’ – The Athletic
With the Saints heading back to Minnesota this week, here’s how the team, its fan base and Williams himself is dealing with the memory.

Saints Film Room: How to crash the party of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen – The Athletic
New Orleans heads back to Minnesota, a year wiser and seeking a different outcome.

Expert Picks: Forecasting the Vikings-Saints Rematch
Minnesota Vikings Latest News

Lunchbreak: Vikings, Saints Listed Among NFL’s Best Week 8 Matchups
Minnesota Vikings Latest News

SI.com: Eli Apple trade opens New Orlelans Saints’ defensive playbook
SI.com's Andy Benoit gets the vision behind the New Orleans Saints trading for New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple.

Saints may not be done making moves | wwltv.com
The draft capital they parted with to bring Apple on board — a fourth-round pick next year and a final-round selection the following year — really isn't that valuable.

Saints players react to Eli Apple trade
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The Saints have factors in their favor vs. the Vikings | The Sun Herald
The New Orleans Saints travel to play the Minnesota Vikings as slight underdogs, but the numbers show the Saints have a good shot.

Miracle redux: Saints downplay revenge, Vikes ready for best
The Minnesota Vikings screamed at Stefon Diggs to step out of bounds once he secured the leaping catch at the sideline , seeking to stop the clock for a long field goal try just after the New Orleans Saints had taken a late lead in their NFC divisional-round playoff game last season . Diggs spun around

Vikings' defense preparing for Saints, Brees 'indiscriminate' attack - NFL Nation- ESPN
The Vikings are banged up in the secondary and probably will start a rookie CB against the daunting prospect of Drew Brees.

Did you see that? Saints-Vikings kicking games to feature first-ever 'tracer' this week | Saints | theadvocate.com
There will be a new twist for television viewers watching the Saints play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing | Saints | theadvocate.com
Vonn Bell asks Tre’Quan Smith the same question every week.

Joe Flacco had weirdest post-game talk with Saints coach Sean Payton
Whatever you thought happened after the final whistle of a game, you definitely didn't expect mattress shopping stories, did you?

NFL News:

Week 8 NFL score predictions - Guide to best games, fantasy outlook, more - 2018
Winners and projections for every matchup, plus fantasy nuggets to get you through the weekend. Catch up on Week 8 here.

How the Players Coalition and NFL are making progress together - NFL.com
Two-time Pro Bowler Takeo Spikes explains how the Players Coalition and NFL are working together to solve substantive issues and improve communities.

NFL fires official Cruz for performance-based reasons - NFL.com
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, the league fired official Hugo Cruz. Cruz, who was a down judge, missed a blatant false start call in Chargers-Browns during Week 6.

DeAndre Hopkins on non-catch: I'm going to count it - NFL.com
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins had an unbelievable catch in Thursday night's win over the Dolphins. Problem is, it wasn't ruled an official catch. Hopkins was flagged for pass interference.

Chiefs' potent offense leaving opponents 'drained' - NFL.com
We knew the Kansas City Chiefs' offense was good. But are the Chiefs so dominant that they can affect games they're not even playing in?

Eric Reid grievance against Bengals denied by arbitrator - NFL.com
The NFLPA's grievance filed on behalf of Eric Reid regarding his free-agent visit to the Cincinnati Bengals has been denied by an arbitrator.

Colts DROY candidate Darius Leonard fueled by slights - NFL.com
Many questioned the Colts when they selected Darius Leonard out of South Carolina State in the second round of the 2018 draft. Six months later, he might be the best defensive rookie in the NFL.

NFL trade rumors: Dolphins moving DeVante Parker? Raiders dealing Karl Joseph? Latest on Steelers' Le'Veon Bell | NJ.com
The NFL trade deadline is coming up on Oct. 30, and contenders around the NFL will likely be actively seeking help on the open market. Some teams expected to be active include the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, On the flip side, the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos are among the teams many expect to sell of players for future draft assets. Here's a look at the latest rumors leading up to the trade deadline, including about Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. Jon Gruden, Howie Roseman and Bill Belichick are executives expected to take center stage during the next few days across the NFL.

What is the NFL Saying About Derwin James?
Memorable comments from around the league about Derwin James.

Injury roundup: Jets place RB Bilal Powell on IR - NFL.com
The injury-ravaged New York Jets offense took another hit on Wednesday. The team placed running back Bilal Powell on injured reserve after he suffered a neck injury Sunday.

LSU/CFB News:

College football picks Week 9: Expert predictions for Saturday | SI.com
There are only three games between Top 25 teams in Week 9, but they are doozies.

Skeptics, LSU may finally give Alabama betting value | AL.com
Alabama opened -14 against LSU at BetOnline. Even a half-point line move to under two touchdowns could give Bama bettors great value.

LSU deserves poll ranking, but it’s time for bettors to fade Tigers | nola.com
Tigers have pulled three upsets, all against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 10 at the time.

LSU vs. Alabama is primetime for Baton Rouge law enforcement | SI.com
SI spent an entire Saturday following law enforcement officers as they worked an LSU home game—and braced for The Big One against Alabama.

LSU's Garrett Brumfield might be ready to play vs. Alabama after all, coach Ed Orgeron says | LSU | theadvocate.com
It turns out LSU might get one of its best offensive lineman back for the Alabama showdown after all.

Replacing Devin White: How LSU can fill role -- for a half -- against vaunted Alabama | LSU | theadvocate.com
How will LSU replace Devin White in the first half against Alabama?

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