Thursday, everything changes. The Superdome lights dim. A banner drops. The Who Dat nation is transformed.

Gregg Williams exhibits a fanatical devotion to the concept of necessary roughness.

For all the time Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings have spent studying his fumbling problem, knowledge and strategy will mean nothing if he loses the ball this week in New Orleans.

In this Feb. 7, 2010, file photo, New Orleans Saints safety Chris Reis celebrates with teammates after recovering an onside kick to start the second half of the NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami.

METAIRIE, La. a * The Saints continue to adjust their roster to account for injuries, signing linebacker Danny Clark to help make up for the loss of Jonathan Casillas to a season-ending foot injury.

The New Orleans Saints defense tries to stop Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson during the NFC championship game Jan.

The New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings : a dream rematch in the marketing corridors of the NFL and in the minds of many football fans, but inside New Orleans' locker room? New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton has warned about getting too caught up in the hype and emotion of an NFC title game rematch.

Though the New Orleans Saints have the best defense in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers have the best defensive player in linebacker Jon Beason.

In the NFL, even traditionally sad-sack franchises like the New Orleans Saints can win the Super Bowl, as they did in February led by quarterback Drew Brees.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sounded almost disappointed Sunday that he won't get to go up against old friend and rival Darren Sharper when he faces the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night at the Superdome.