After a tumultuous week in Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings (5-2) return home to the beautiful US Bank Stadium to face off against a divisional rival, the Detroit Lions (4-4) this Sunday. After starting the season 5-0, the Vikings suddenly find themselves struggling, losing two straight games after their Week six bye. The team must also face the additional setback of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s midseason resignation. The team maintains a one game lead in the division, but the Purple and Gold need a win this week if they want to maintain their place atop the division.
Minnesota Vikings Week Nine Keys to Victory
Piece Together Some Pass Protection
At the beginning of the off-season Matt Kalil, Alex Boone, John Sullivan, Brandon Fusco, and Phil Loadholt were the starters for Minnesota along the offensive line. At the beginning of training camp Loadholt retired, handing the starting right tackle job to Andre Smith. Michael Harris, who started every game for the Vikings at right guard a year ago, was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list at the start of camp. He was unable to compete for his old job.
John Sullivan, unable to return to his Pro-Bowl form following last year’s back surgery, was cut before the season started, making Joe Berger the starting center for the second year in a row. Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a hip issue after the second game of the year, and Andre Smith was put on injured reserve after the fourth. Now, Alex Boone is not practicing due to a concussion. Of the five guys penciled in as starters in the off-season, only Fusco is fully healthy, and his play has been sub par at best. All season, both the pass protection and run blocking have been major issues for the Vikings. But over the last two weeks, the play of the front five took such a dip that the team has been unable to overcome it.
Against the Philadelphia Eagles (4-3), the three man tackle rotation of T.J. Clemmings, Jeremiah Sirles, and Jake Long gave up six sacks, and were primarily responsible for quarterback Sam Bradford‘s four fumbles and one interception.
Last Monday night, in their embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears (2-6), the line gave up five more sacks, and often seemed to be lacking intensity.
Not only has the line been giving up sacks, but it has been giving them up in situations when the pass protection really needs to hold up. If the team cannot find a way to keep Bradford clean in the pocket, they will be hard pressed to keep their quarterback healthy or even win another game this season.
A Seamless Transition of Powers
After Norv Turner’s unexpected resignation Wednesday, it was quickly announced that tight end coach Pat Shurmur would be taking over as interim offensive coordinator and play caller. The choice is logical, given Shurmur’s experience as Sam Bradford’s offensive coordinator with the Saint Louis Rams and the Eagles. Shurmur’s west coast and spread offense influences may help him to get the most out of the offensive players in a way Turner’s scheme could not. Shurmur suggested that he will not be revamping the offense and play book, but his experience and mentality will undoubtedly change the way plays are called in the huddle.
With less than a week for Shurmur to prepare for his first game as coordinator, it will be important for the players to focus on executing the game plan, rather than worrying about the change at play caller.
Rebounding on Defense
So far, through seven games, the Vikings defense is first in points per game allowed (14.9), first in total yards allowed (2,080), and second in yards allowed per game (297.1), just a tenth of a yard per game behind the Arizona Cardinals. Despite this, the last two games have been the team’s worst, allowing 23 points to the Eagles (one touchdown was scored on a kick return by recently cut receiver Josh Huff) and 20 to the Bears. The team also only has one sack and and four turnovers in those games, while they came up with 19 sacks and 12 turnovers over the first 5 weeks.
One of the biggest problems for the Vikings last week was the run defense. Bears rookie running back Jordan Howard racked up over 200 total yards and a touchdown, including a 69-yard run in the first quarter. One big reason for the poor play against the run was the injury to starting Safety Andrew Sendejo, who has been enjoying a career year but has not played since being injured on a interception return against the Eagles. It appears Sendejo will be back this week, and his presence, along with Harrison Smith’s, should help prevent any long runs for Theo Riddick or other Lions backs. Another issue for the Vikings on Monday night was tackling in the run game. Howard said after the game that the Vikings were only interested in stripping the ball, not making the tackle. This week the defensive line will need to get a push in both the passing and running game, and they must make sure to wrap up the ball carriers before going for the strip.
Another important part of defensive success Sunday will be the play of Anthony Barr. After a great 2015 season, Barr has not been standing out snap after snap in the way Vikings fans all know he is able to. With Eric Kendricks dealing with a concussion, and his availability up in the air for Sunday, Barr must step up his play, especially in the open field and in coverage against Lion’s tight end Eric Ebron.
The last, and perhaps most important, piece on defense this week will be corner Xavier Rhodes. Rhodes has been enjoying the best year of his career, largely shutting down the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, and Alshon Jeffery. He has already picked off opposing quarterbacks twice, doubling his career interception total, and appears to be the next shut-down corner in the NFL. Rhodes’ continued great play will be needed against the explosive Lion’s passing game featuring Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, and Anquan Boldin.
Big Plays from Special Teams
Over the first five games of the year, the Vikings scored two touchdowns, forced a turnover, and had great coverage on punts and kicks across the special teams. Over the last two weeks, Minnesota allowed their first return touchdown since 2011 and have muffed a punt. With an offense that relies on good field position and ball control, big plays from special teams are vital towards winning. This week the Vikings will need another big return from Marcus Sherels or Cordarrelle Patterson along with excellent coverage on punts and kicks throughout the game.
Get Loud!
This will be the Viking’s first home game in a month, and it could not come at a better time. Undefeated at US Bank Stadium, the team and fans have created a incredible home field advantage with a stadium so loud the home team cannot always hear their own calls.
Facing Matthew Stafford, who has been enjoying one of his best seasons, the Vikings need their fans to be deafening. Whether with the Skol Chant, the Gjallarhorn or simply with screaming fans, the stadium should be loud enough to be heard in Green Bay.
Conclusion
The Vikings need to get back on track this week with a win. With play making defense and special teams, protection need only be average for the Purple and Gold to walk away with the win. This is a must win game for the Vikings, and if the team can play the way they did the first five games of the season, there is no reason to believe they will not win it. Skol.
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