I alluded to some reasons i liked the Vikings play last week -everybody is talking about Allen and Edwards off the edge but the key to the game upfront is the two tackles the Williams boys. I have watched the game 3 times now and and against a excellent large blocking line just bulldozed over them play after play- they took up 4 to 5(including a back) blockers up quite often.Thus the ends and blitzers(how few times they did) wer cut loose. Know will this happen again- i believe it will - you have 2 pro-bowl dominate tackles that at times this year decided to not put there best foot forward - well i say they do -the Williams boys were challenged and told they were the key to getting to the Superbowl. They are best friends and believe by what I have read that they want to dominate -there are no better 2 tackles combos- period. Brees has only been sacked 20 times BUT THEY HAVE PLAYED AGAINST THE 24TH EASIEAST SCHEDUELE AGAINST THE SACK. now do i think he gets sacked 6 times no way but i do think the vikings are able to pressure thru the tackles leaving the ends to do there thing thus leaving a extra blocker in on passing downs. The vikings left 6 to 7 in coverage last week due to the play of the d line -this is the first big key in my eye having extra men in read coverage either rush or pass not having to take chances with to many blitzes and not keeping the middle of the field open. I believe it happens. Secondly does mn shut down the run and does no shut down the vikings run. everybody is talking about how the vikings are not running the way they should WELL THEY PLAYED THE #3 overall rush d scheduele this year and still were 12TH in the league in Rushing Meanwhile teams that ranked in the bottom third in the league in rush d they played ALA SAINTS (20TH) the vikings ranked 3rd in rushing - The saints have shown there rush d is really bad and believe me these numbers would be much worse if teams didnt have to abandon the run against them. they have taken alot of big leads. Alot of teams do not even try to run against the vikings -least amount rush attemps against 357 -teams just cant run against them- Will the saints stop AP and taylor this week -why would they -every good rushing team ranked in the top 15 there numbers are alarming- 162 YPG WITH A 6.2 YPC AGAINST:scared when in this senario there 29th in the leage against the run- Well the last arguement is the Vikings are a average road team on the surface very accurate statement- but not playing on the funny stuf- and indoors they are 11-0 and 8-3 Ats - there numbers are almost identical in those games the drop-off comes in outdoor games -SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY IT SHOULDNT MATTER WELL IT ALWAYS DOES.Some teams that play on grass dont play well in domes and vice versa -some domed teams or warm weather teams do not play well in the cold some teams do not travel cross country well- this does matter. LAstly the only 2 team NO played this year that had even close to a well rounded team were the cowboys and patriots but the patriots are not a running team they got beat soundly by the cowboys the Cowboys gave the blue print to beat these guys run the ball and put be able to pressure without blitzing leaving plenty in coverage-None of this happens if the Saints take a big lead i just do not see that - Vikings o wise are an elite team d wise they are way more proficient than the Saints- Lastly no kicker sucks if they are held to fgoals on drives can he meet the task. One more thing lined opened at 4.5 at has gone thru 4 a key number with 53% to 47% action on vikes the big boys like the 4.-- VIKINGS BY 7
:shrug:
Hello Thunder...
In the interest of fairness to both teams here as well as anyone reading your analysis, it should be pointed out that the supposed great offensive line from Dallas that was "bulldozed" by the Vikings last week had given up 36 sacks to opponents prior to playing against Minny...
...the Dallas offensive line was actually ranked a middle of the road 17th in the league in sacks allowed and playing on the road in a loud dome made them that much worse.
In contrast the Saints had only given up 21 sacks all season long prior to last week against Arizona and when the smoke cleared gave up ZERO sacks against a Cardinal defensive team that had tallied 48 sacks up to that point in time...
...as a side note the Viking defense had totaled 47 sacks for the season before playing Dallas, needless to say, if Arizona couldn't get to Brees how in the world is Minny going to do it?
As far as strength of schedule goes, the Vikings actually played the NFL's 27th hardest slate of games while the Saints played the league's 26th ranked schedule.
Personally, I think Favre will once again try to play the role of a "hero" by taking wayyyyy too many chances and by games end toss a couple of costly INT's and/or fumble a couple of times....just sayin'.
Good luck and take care my friend..
DD
:SIB
