Offense Needs to Step Up Against Lions

Well, the Viking's are in Detroit and ready to rumble. The Lions looked awesome offensively last week, as did the Viking's defense. However, the Lion's defense was shaky, as was the Minnesota offense.

What a match-up this should be!

The Viking's should be able to contain the Lion's to three scores, and maybe produce one or two of their own. This leaves the game in the air for the Minnesota offense. The game is up in the air for them to win or lose. If they can muster up even two touchdowns they should be able to come back home with a win. What do we need for that to happen, though?

Firstly, we need Peterson to follow up the great performance he had last week. He had over 100 yards, (including that fumble recovery, which I think was the highlight of the night for him.) Also, we need someone else to step up and make some plays. My preference would be Williamson, but Wade or Rice would do nicely. This shouldn't be all that hard to do, as the Lion's gave up over 300 passing yards to the Raider's last week, proving that their secondary is in shambles.

Our defense should be able to contain the mighty Lion offense. Tatum Bell averaged 5.8 yards per carry last week, which may force the Viking's to put more people in the box, thus leaving us more vulnerable to the long ball. With both DT'sWilliams basically taking on the run game themselves, this leaves DE's Udezi and Edwards free to make Kitna's life miserable, (and to force outside runners back inside to the black hole. Greenway needs to inprove this week, and I hope he lost all of his jitters in week 1. He needs to live up to the hype that is real NFL football. Look for Sharper, Griffith, and Winfield to play their hearts out.

Once again, this game is up in the air. It's all up to the Viking's, as this game could go either way. If the offense shows up, we should bag Detroit often and early. If the offense struggles, so struggle the Vikings.

Looking ahead to '08

Not discounting this season at all, (we still got a shot at 16-0, baby!), yet, but with the recent extension of Williams, I started looking to the future. Obviously our needs lie almost entirely in offensive line, wide receivers, and defensive backs. Let's start with the offensive line.

Max Starks, OL, Steelers
A top tackle with great size. He's listed at 6'7'' and 337, and he's only 25 years old. He'll be at the very top of the free agent class, and many teams will be interested, but if the Viking's could sign him to a long contract he could anchor the Viking's line for many years to come.

Alan Faneca, OL, Steelers
Another Steeler leaving Pittsburgh, Faneca is very unhappy about his contract. If he doesn't sign an extention soon, he may be the most coveted player in the free agent pool.

Reuben Brown, OL, Bears
Another great option, Brown has experience, but is rather old.

Defensive Backs

Domonique Foxworth, DB, Broncos
With the recent signing of corner back Bly, the Broncos really have no need for Foxworth except in the occational nickel formation. He's very skilled, fast, and young. He's only 24, so if the Viking's could pick him up, it would greatly boost a devastatingly average pass defense.

Mike Doss, DB, Vikings
Depending on how he does, the Viking's should try to resign him.

Wide Receivers

L.J. Smith, TE, Eagles
Very young with great skill, Smith will be deeply pursued this offseason, but with no real reliable

Viking's D beats out Falcons 14-3

Final score; 14-3, Vikings. (Oh, yeah, the Vike's offense added another 10 points to make it 24-3, but who's looking at that?)

Well, it happened. Joey Harrington was just plain old Joey Harrington. The Viking's sacked him six times, and got two interceptions returned for touchdowns. This game was a battle of field position, and for the five times Atlanta got the ball they had to start behind their 20-yard line. Once, they started at the three, but got to field goal range. (Their rookie kicker missed a 44 yarder - his first NFL kick) Atlanta got their only score on an easy field goal in the fourth quarter.

On the Viking side of the ball, things weren't as bright. Jackson had a decent fantasy day (if anyone actually drafted him) - going 13-23 with 163 yards and one touchdown, a gift from AD on a simple screen pass turned 60 yard TD run. Most of Jackson's completions were on basic flat outs, and the like. (Even though he sometimes threw the ball at some wideouts feet) When he did throw the ball down field he usually overthrew by 2 or 3 yards. Jackson will improve, and so will Chad Greenway.

When I attended the game I was wearing a Greenway jersey. I almost got booed...he was that rusty. He got frozen when decided whether to rush on a run play, or hang back on a pass play. He didn't read plays very well, and missed a few key tackles. I don't blame him (or my new jersery), as it's his first NFL regular season game. Look for him to improve.

Chester Taylor left the game in the first quarter with a bruised hip, now a strained oblique, but is expected to return in Detroit next Sunday.

I'll be back later this week with another update regarding the Lions game. Stay tuned!

Vikings Ready to Start Season Against Falcons

It's finally here. Thursday marks the beginning of the 2007-'08 season. The game between the Colts and the Saints should be a great game to watch not only because of the great teams, but also because of the fantasy inpact it has on basically everybody. But the game I'm more worried about is between the Minnesota Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons.

Both of these teams have serious QB issues. The Falcons, as you know, lost the face of their team when Vick was suspended for the season by Goodell. He will be replaced by Joey Harrington, a career backup. The Vikings, however, have a different scenario entirely. After Culpepper left for Miami, we put our trust and hope in the 'ol vet, Brad Johnson. Now that he's gone, we put our trust and hope in the rookie with good college stats, Tarvaris Jackson.

The Viking's QB situation is in pretty good shape because Jackson is strong and athletic, but just doesn't know how to play at the NFL to the best of his ability yet. The Viking's will try to hide it with their double-wammy backfield. In Taylor and Peterson the Vike's should succeed in that department fairly well...but you can't just run the ball the whole game. Jackson will be faced with third and long situations where his team is counting on him to deliver.

When the Falcon's have possession of the pigskin, seriously look for a Viking score. The Vike's had the number one rush defense last year with a blitz-tenative defensive coordinator in Mike Tomlin. Well, Tomlin's gone, and Leslie Frazier is ready to unleash his powerful defense. This should put tons of pressure on Joey Harrington to pass the ball, something he might not be all that comfortable doing yet. However, when he does throw, look for Atlanta's veteran recevers to make some highlight plays on Minnesota's average secondary.

When the Viking's have possession of the football, look for Bevell, (who is taking over playcalling this year), to attempt to establish the run game early. With both Taylor and Peterson and Minnesota's stacked offensive line, both RB's should have no problem running between tackles or making the turn upfield on the perimeter. However, Atlanta defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer knows of Minnesota's QB struggles and will throw all kinds of blitzs and pressure on Tarvaris, forcing him to throw the ball. Viking recievers are young but fast, so look for them to stretch the field and look for Jackson to make some deep throws early in the game. If there's nothing downfield for Jackson look for him to dump something to Taylor or Peterson underneath.

This game should be electrifying. It will receive national attention, as this is the 'Vickless' Falcons first regular season game. I will be attending this game, and can't wait. Go Vike's!