Overview:
The Vikings welcome home one Randy Moss. Well, that may be an overstatement. What is true is that the 49′ers appear to be one of the best teams in the NFL while the Vikings appear to be part of the lower third. This one could get ugly for the home team.
5 Keys to a 49′ers Win:
1. Take advantage of the Vikings’ secondary. The back 7 of the Vikings has shown a dramatic inability to cover any wide receiver on deep out routes. Getting behind the secondary should be no problem. And it could be really easy to…
2. Get Moss involved early. I know Randy isn’t what he used to be, but he loves to show off. This being his old stomping grounds I’m certain he’ll be interested this week. Bad news for a fan base that still – by and large – loves him. Don’t be surprised to see him jump into the stands after he scores (note I didn’t say “if”). Early scoring also helps…
3. Make Adrian Peterson irrelevant. If the Vikings get behind early they will be forced to try throwing the ball downfield. With Jerome Simpson’s suspension extending through this game, that’s a no-win proposition. There’s only one legitimate weapon receiving the ball right now and I’m certain the Niners have a game plan to….
4. Eliminate Percy Harvin’s YAC. Let’s face it. There is no one else to fear in the Vikings’ passing game. Dink and dunk may move the ball against the Jags and Colts but the Vikings will need to stretch the field. Eliminate the only option to do that and the Niners will be able to…
5. Run out the clock. Jared Allen is so hungry for a sack he is susceptible to runs to that side of the defense. Frank Gore could have a huge day – especially with yardage in the second half. This one should be pretty easy.
5 Keys to a Vikings Win:
1. Production from the defensive line. So far this season, the Vikings have had only one sack by a defensive lineman – and that was against a decimated Colts offensive line. This was supposed to be a strength on a rebuilding team. Unless they bring their production up to par and put pressure on Alex Smith, they will not be able to…
2. Generate turnovers. Last year the Vikings had zero interceptions through the first 11 games. They are on a pace to match that. The only way they can get through with their second home victory is to get the ball from the other team. If they can manage that, they might be able to…
3. Dominate the time of possession. Weaker opponents beat stronger ones in the NFL by playing an advanced form of “keep-away”. The longer the Vikings hold the ball, the less time the 49′ers have to score. With the Niners being a methodical offense rather than a quick-strike, this can be very effective. As long as they…
4. Cover Vernon Davis. Yes, I know the Niners have other weapons (see above). But Vernon Davis provides the most difficult match-up for a Vikings defense that will be dealing with myriad difficult match-ups. Too fast to be covered by a linebacker and too big and tall to be covered by a small cornerback, this is the one player who shapes up to have a monster afternoon. That is, unless the Vikings…
5. Get lucky. Last week, one of the TDs the Vikings scored was a tipped ball from their tight end to a wide receiver standing in the end zone. Three years ago, Brett Favre put some guy named Greg Lewis into the highlight reels against these (relatively) same 49′ers. The men in purple will need something along those lines this week as well or they will end the day at 1-2.
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