The New Orleans Saints finished the 2019 regular season with a stellar 13-3 record. However, because of the success of both the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, the Saints were unable to secure a bye in the first round of the playoffs and will now be hosting the No. 6 seed Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

Even so, with all things considered, it was undoubtedly yet another successful season for head coach Sean Payton and Co.

Despite missing out on a first-round bye this time around, the Saints continue to serve as one of the most — if not the most — dangerous teams in the entire NFL, let alone the NFC. Although the 49ers and Packers finished ahead of the Saints in the standings, respectively, New Orleans has a good shot at winning a Super Bowl title after being snubbed by the officials last season.

To do so, they must answer a few questions, however.

3. Can Alvin Kamara turn on the jets in the postseason?

Although still impressing and showing flashes of greatness throughout the regular season, Saints running back Alvin Kamara encountered a bit of a down season by his standards. Even so, he is still one of the most dangerous tailbacks in the league, possessing speed and quickness and the ability to make a difference in all facets.

If the Saints have any hope of reaching the Super Bowl, Kamara will need to turn on the jets come playoff time. Not only will he have to have a breakout postseason effort, but he will need to be consistent.

2. Can Michael Thomas sustain his level of success?

In 2019, receiver Michael Thomas strung together one of the best single-season performances in NFL history. However, it remains to be seen as to whether Thomas can continue his outstanding production into the postseason, considering how great it was and Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's penchant for shutting down receivers.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
JC Latham (Alabama), Chris Braswell (Alabama not Jaguars), Cornelieus Johnson (Michigan) in action behind a New Orleans Saints logo with a 2024 NFL Draft background.

Dylan Bruton ·

Throughout all 16 regular-season games in 2019-20, Thomas posted a whopping 149 receptions for 1,725 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. His nearly 150 receptions are a new single-season NFL record as well.

1. Can the Saints' defense slow down the prolific offenses of the NFC?

While the  Saints notably possess one of the top offenses in the NFL, the NFC is currently home to some seriously talented groups on the offensive side of the football. In addition to the Saints, the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings all house incredibly prolific offensive attacks that the New Orleans defense will have no choice but to shut down when the time comes.

Although currently injured on just about every front, both the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles have the potential to take things up a notch on offense as well. Due to the loaded nature of the NFC, quite literally every playoff game that the Saints will have to play leading up to a possible Super Bowl berth will feature a top tier offense, which will prove to be a massive test for the team's defense.