{"id":2278,"date":"2016-09-22T11:54:06","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=2278"},"modified":"2016-09-22T11:54:06","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:54:06","slug":"minnesota-vikings-week-three-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/22\/minnesota-vikings-week-three-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Vikings Week Three Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

After their impressive win against the\u00a0Green Bay Packers<\/a><\/strong>, the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> <\/strong>(2-0) hit the road to face\u00a0the defending NFC Champions. Last week, <\/u>Cam Newton<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0<\/strong>Carolina Panthers<\/strong><\/a> (1-1)\u00a0destroyed the San Francisco 49ers, 46-27. Minnesota\u2019s fifth-ranked defense must find a way to slow last season’s top-ranked offense.<\/p>\n

The Panthers are not a one-trick pony. Last week, Newton threw for 353 yards. Twelve of his 24 completions went to his twin towers, tight end\u00a0Greg Olson<\/a><\/strong> and wide receiver\u00a0<\/u>Kel<\/a>vin Benjamin<\/a><\/strong>. The two 6\u20195 pass catchers both put up over 100 receiving yards. Running Back\u00a0Jonathon Stewart<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0was out, but the Panthers running game continued to roll.\u00a0Fozzy<\/a><\/strong> Whittaker<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0gained 100 yards on 16 carries, averaging 6.3 yards a pop. Shaun O\u2019Hara<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0analyst for the NFL Network<\/a><\/strong>, proclaimed that Carolina took top offensive line honors\u00a0for Week Two. Facing a team with top-ten placings in both offense and defense, Vikings coach\u00a0Mike Zimmer<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0joked about dreading this week’s game-planning during Monday’s press conference.<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings Week Three Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

The last time these two teams played was November 30th<\/span>, 2014, when the Vikings thumped the Panthers, 31-13. Since that game, both teams have shined (albeit one significantly brighter than the other). Carolina has won 22 of its last 25 games, including 14 straight wins at home.\u00a0During that same time period, the reigning NFC North Champion Vikes went 15-8.\u00a0Despite the undefeated start in 2016, Minnesota will have its work cut out for them in Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Establish an Interior Running Game<\/h3>\n

Atrocious offensive line play continues to plague the Vikings, and remains an important key to victory for a second straight week. The “Minnesota Moving Company” ranks dead last in rushing offense and shows no signs of improvement. Tackle\u00a0Matt Kalil<\/a><\/strong>, now on injured reserve, seems to have more hip issues than George and Barbara Bush combined. The two free agents brought in to solidify the line have yet to do so. That\u00a0smash-mouth attitude\u00a0<\/u>Alex\u00a0Boone<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0promised to bring remains undetectable.<\/p>\n

The Carolina defensive line is considered top shelf. Their pass rush is extremely good. Deficiencies in stopping the run, however, do exist.\u00a0Charles Johnson<\/a> <\/strong>and Kony Ealy<\/a><\/strong> are excellent defensive ends. Their defensive tackles, Star Lotulelei<\/a><\/strong> and Kawann Short<\/a><\/strong>, while good pass rushers, are not dominant run stuffers.<\/p>\n

Joe Berger<\/a><\/strong>, Brandon Fusco<\/a><\/strong> and Boone must dominate against the Panther defensive interior. Should the Vikings become one-dimensional, the “Cats'” fierce pass rush will make them pay. Bradford was sacked four times and took\u00a0ten hits against Green Bay. There is little evidence to suggest the Vikings offensive line will fare any better if they cannot move the football on the ground in Week Three.<\/p>\n

Win the Turnover Battle<\/h3>\n

Last week, Newton threw an interception, placed two passes right in the hands of defenders that were dropped, and lost a fumble. It’s critical that the Vikings capitalize on the errors of the Panthers\u2019 quarterback.<\/p>\n

The Vikings currently rank second\u00a0in turnover differential at plus-five. Their only turnover was an Andrew Sendejo<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0miscue where he picked up a fumble\u00a0and\u00a0lost it moments later. Conversely, the Panthers are a plus-one; they forfeit the ball\u00a0nearly as much as their ball-hawking defense takes it away.<\/p>\n

The Vikings missed three opportunities to come up with Packer fumbles.\u00a0Cris Collinsworth<\/a>, NBC Sunday Night Football<\/strong> Analyst, suggested that Zimmer conduct fumble recovery drills all week. Hopefully, Coach Zimmer did just that. Any lost opportunities against the Panthers could\u00a0doom the “Purple and Gold.” If the newest version of the Purple People Eaters<\/em> secures\u00a0fumbles and interceptable balls, they will snatch another improbable victory.<\/p>\n

Torch the Rookie Cornerback<\/h3>\n

The Panthers opted not to re-sign Josh Norman<\/a><\/strong>, putting their faith in a rookie. James Bradberry<\/a><\/strong> continues his crash course in becoming an NFL cornerback this Sunday. Against the 49ers, Bradberry looked confused and distracted, giving up a 28-yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0Torrey Smith<\/a><\/strong>. Bradberry discusses his learning curve below:<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing has come easy. It\u2019s been difficult for me to continuously learn the playbook and make sure I\u2019m doing my job at all times.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Vikings must design plays to\u00a0draw single coverage from Bradberry. In his first Vikings start, Bradford lit up more experienced corners. Despite taking brutal punishment behind a porous offensive line, he continuously delivered strikes. He\u00a0got\u00a0the ball\u00a0out quickly and showed effectiveness\u00a0despite extreme pressure. Bradford needs to do all of this–and probably a little more–to put up big numbers\u00a0against\u00a0the rookie and come out of Charlotte with his second win of 2016.<\/p>\n

Bradberry will square off against a good Viking receiving corps. Stefon Diggs<\/a><\/strong> earned\u00a0NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his Week Two performance.\u00a0He needs to provide an equally-impressive encore for the Vikings to have a chance. Adam Thielen<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0continues to produce big third down catches in critical situations. Look for\u00a0Laquon Treadwell<\/a><\/strong> to make some plays, as he likely spells an ineffective Charles Johnson<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings win this game if they can do three things. First, run the ball\u00a0effectively without an injured Adrian Peterson<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong>Second, secure the gifts that Cam Newton provides to them. Most importantly,\u00a0make Panthers fans long for\u00a0Josh Norman as they watch their rookie cornerback unravel. Sunday can’t arrive fast enough.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n