{"id":5432,"date":"2016-11-04T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2016-11-04T16:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=5432"},"modified":"2016-11-04T12:33:01","modified_gmt":"2016-11-04T16:33:01","slug":"minnesota-vikings-week-nine-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/11\/04\/minnesota-vikings-week-nine-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Vikings Week Nine Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a tumultuous week in Minnesota, the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings<\/strong> (5-2) return home to the beautiful US Bank Stadium<\/strong> to face off against a divisional rival, the\u00a0Detroit Lions<\/strong> (4-4) this Sunday. \u00a0After 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\u00a0Norv Turner’s\u00a0<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

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

Piece Together Some Pass Protection<\/h3>\n

At the beginning of the off-season Matt<\/strong> Kalil<\/strong><\/a>, Alex<\/strong> Boone<\/strong><\/a>, John<\/strong> Sullivan<\/strong><\/a>, Brandon<\/strong> Fusco<\/strong><\/a>, and Phil Loadholt<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>were the starters for Minnesota along the offensive line.\u00a0At the beginning of training camp Loadholt retired, handing the starting right tackle job to Andre<\/strong> Smith<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0Michael Harris<\/a><\/strong>, 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. \u00a0He was unable to compete for his old job.<\/p>\n

John Sullivan, unable to return to his Pro-Bowl form following last year’s back surgery, was cut before the season started, making\u00a0Joe Berger<\/a><\/strong> 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\u00a0Fusco 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.<\/p>\n

Against the Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong> (4-3), the three man tackle rotation\u00a0of\u00a0T.J. Clemmings<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Jeremiah Sirles<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Jake Long<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>gave up six sacks, and were primarily responsible for quarterback\u00a0Sam Bradford<\/a>‘s\u00a0<\/strong>four fumbles and one interception.<\/p>\n

Last Monday night, in their embarrassing loss to the\u00a0Chicago Bears\u00a0<\/strong>(2-6), the line gave up five more sacks, and often seemed to be lacking intensity.<\/p>\n

Not only has the line been giving up sacks, but it has been giving them up in situations when the pass protection really needs\u00a0to 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\u00a0or even\u00a0win another game this season.<\/p>\n

A Seamless Transition of Powers<\/h3>\n

After Norv Turner’s unexpected resignation Wednesday, it was quickly announced that tight end coach\u00a0Pat Shurmur<\/strong> 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\u00a0Saint Louis Rams\u00a0<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Rebounding on Defense<\/h3>\n

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\u00a0Arizona Cardinals<\/strong>. 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\u00a0Josh Huff<\/a><\/strong>) 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.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest problems for the Vikings last week was the run defense. Bears rookie running back\u00a0Jordan Howard<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong>, 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\u00a0Harrison Smith’s<\/a><\/strong>, should help prevent any long runs for\u00a0Theo Riddick<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>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.<\/p>\n

Another important part of defensive success Sunday will be the play of Anthony Barr<\/a><\/strong>. After a great 2015 season,\u00a0Barr has not been standing out snap after snap in the way Vikings fans all know he is able to. With\u00a0Eric Kendricks<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The last, and perhaps most important, piece on defense this week will be corner Xavier Rhodes<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0Rhodes has been enjoying the best year of his career, largely shutting down the likes of\u00a0Odell Beckham Jr.<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0DeAndre Hopkins<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Alshon Jeffery<\/a><\/strong>. 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.\u00a0Rhodes’ continued great play will be needed against the explosive Lion’s passing game featuring\u00a0Marvin Jones<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Golden Tate<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0and\u00a0Anquan Boldin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Big Plays from Special Teams<\/h3>\n

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. \u00a0Over 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\u00a0Marcus Sherels<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Cordarrelle Patterson<\/a><\/strong> along with excellent coverage on punts and kicks throughout the game.<\/p>\n

Get Loud!<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Facing\u00a0Matthew Stafford<\/a><\/strong>, who has been enjoying one of his best seasons, the Vikings need their fans to be deafening. Whether with the Skol Chant, the\u00a0Gjallarhorn or simply with screaming fans, the stadium should be loud enough to be heard in Green Bay.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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