![Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com - August 10, 2017, Orchard Park, NY, New Era Field, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OC2OIWOOGI5A63TME3I2Z66LBU.jpg?&w=1080)
Adrian Peterson is back in town, and for all of the focus on his return, stopping Drew Brees might be the Vikings' biggest challenge. Their revamped offense, though, gets a chance to emerge from its preseason stupor against a Saints defense with eight new starters. Prediction: Vikings 20, Saints 17.
Three big story lines
Adrian's back
Peterson has shown a tendency to come into openers a little too amped up, so we'll see if his fervor against his old team is a good thing. Vikings defenders get to hit the player they were told not to touch during practice for years.
New-look line
The Vikings' starting offensive line didn't play a snap together in the preseason. Mike Remmers will have to handle Cameron Jordan, while the Saints figure to test how Riley Reiff and Nick Easton have jelled.
Cook's debut
The Vikings will show off Peterson's successor: second-round pick Dalvin Cook, who likely will be the team's primary back and should get plenty of work on zone runs and passes out of the backfield.
