Vikings vs Falcons Preview
From ESPN Insider at http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/scouting?gameId=251002001
The Falcons are quick and athletic up front, but they lack ideal bulk and strength when forced to anchor on a consistent basis versus run-dedicated teams such as their last two opponents, the Seahawks and Bills. The Vikings would like to attack a Falcons' defense that has looked vulnerable with 335 rushing yards allowed in the past two outings, but a patchwork offensive line may prevent them from doing so.
LDC DeAngelo Hall turned in another brilliant performance versus the Bills last week and is quickly emerging as one of the league's elite man-to-man cover corners. With all the pressure that the front four gets and with Hall locking down one third of the field in coverage on his own, the Falcons have lots of flexibility in terms of mixing up coverages, loading up the box versus the run and blitzing from all different angles with the rest of their linebackers and defensive backs.
Culpepper is coming off his breakthrough performance versus the Saints last week, but the Vikings need to be careful not to put him in too many vulnerable positions against this attacking, opportunistic Falcons defense, especially early in the game. Prior to last week's game, Culpepper threw zero touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. He seemed to find his rhythm and settle into a comfort zone last week, but he will face much more pressure this week, especially with communication issues promising to be a problem with five different linemen rotating in at two different spots. WR Nate Burleson is not expected to return this week, leaving Culpepper with Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, Troy Williamson and Koren Robinson as his top-four receivers. Taylor came up big last week but he lacks the speed and explosiveness to match that performance versus Hall.
The one weakness this group will continue to have, however, is stamina. The Vikings rely on their defensive front to make plays on the move in a one-gap approach. When fresh, this unit can be extremely effective, as it was last week. However, if the opponent is patient and is able to keep the Vikings on the field for an exorbitant amount of time, athletic defensive linemen such as DT Kevin Williams and DE Kenechi Udeze become far less productive because they can't run around blocks. As a result, look for the Falcons to feature their running game even more than usual on Sunday. With the trio of Vick, Dunn and Duckett coming after them down after down, it will be difficult for the Vikings to remain stout.
The Vikings lost backup FS Willie Offord to a knee injury last week when he was filling in for injured starter Darren Sharper, but the team is hoping that Sharper makes a successful return to the lineup this Sunday. If that's the case, the Vikings will have the personnel with Sharper and Chavous to aggressively support the run while still being able to keep seam-stretching TE Alge Crumpler under wraps in the passing game. However, if Sharper can't go, or if either of the Vikings' starting safeties become too immersed in run support, Crumpler can become a huge factor for the Falcons' offense.
The Vikings pass rush got to Saints QB Aaron Brooks three times last week but it will be an entirely different approach this week, as the normally aggressive defensive front will need to play with more discipline and gap-control. If it fails to do so, especially with the Vikings playing more man-to-man coverage with defenders turning their backs to the line of scrimmage, Vick's running ability could prove to be fatal.
Why To WatchSunday's matchup between the Vikings and Falcons is an important game for two teams that entered the 2005 season with the highest of expectations. If the Vikings are to pull to .500 after an 0-2 start, QB Daunte Culpepper must build on the momentum of his three-touchdown, zero-interception performance last week. Minnesota also needs the big plays to continue on defense, but it can't come at the expense of breaking contain versus explosive QB Michael Vick. With the Buccaneers off to a perfect start in the NFC South, the Falcons can't afford to stumble. A heavy dose of Vick, Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett on the ground gives Atlanta its best chance to fend off a dangerous Vikings team that has their backs against the wall.
When the Vikings have the ball
Rushing: RB Mewelde Moore made the most of his starting opportunity last week by providing the Vikings with their first 100-yard rushing performance of the season with 101 yards on 23 carries. However, while the performance was certainly an upgrade, there are still many issues regarding the Vikings' running attack moving forward.
For starters, Moore is an undersized back with a history of durability issues that could prevent him from carrying a full-time load throughout the course of the season. Michael Bennett simply has not been effective and his role has been reduced to the point that he only saw two fourth-quarter carries in last week's game. The other problem is inconsistency along the offensive line. Things have gotten so bad that coach Mike Tice has resorted to a rotation at the OC position between Melvin Fowler and Cory Withrow, and at the right guard position between rookie Marcus Johnson, Adam Goldberg and Anthony Herrera.
For starters, Moore is an undersized back with a history of durability issues that could prevent him from carrying a full-time load throughout the course of the season. Michael Bennett simply has not been effective and his role has been reduced to the point that he only saw two fourth-quarter carries in last week's game. The other problem is inconsistency along the offensive line. Things have gotten so bad that coach Mike Tice has resorted to a rotation at the OC position between Melvin Fowler and Cory Withrow, and at the right guard position between rookie Marcus Johnson, Adam Goldberg and Anthony Herrera.
The Falcons are quick and athletic up front, but they lack ideal bulk and strength when forced to anchor on a consistent basis versus run-dedicated teams such as their last two opponents, the Seahawks and Bills. The Vikings would like to attack a Falcons' defense that has looked vulnerable with 335 rushing yards allowed in the past two outings, but a patchwork offensive line may prevent them from doing so.
Passing: The Falcons are struggling to defend the run but they have become one of the riskiest teams in the NFL to throw against. Their defensive line is explosive and provides constant pressure. DT Rod Coleman was the dominant member last week with two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended, but the trio of Patrick Kerney, Chauncey Davis and Chad Lavalais also combined for two sacks.
LDC DeAngelo Hall turned in another brilliant performance versus the Bills last week and is quickly emerging as one of the league's elite man-to-man cover corners. With all the pressure that the front four gets and with Hall locking down one third of the field in coverage on his own, the Falcons have lots of flexibility in terms of mixing up coverages, loading up the box versus the run and blitzing from all different angles with the rest of their linebackers and defensive backs.
Culpepper is coming off his breakthrough performance versus the Saints last week, but the Vikings need to be careful not to put him in too many vulnerable positions against this attacking, opportunistic Falcons defense, especially early in the game. Prior to last week's game, Culpepper threw zero touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. He seemed to find his rhythm and settle into a comfort zone last week, but he will face much more pressure this week, especially with communication issues promising to be a problem with five different linemen rotating in at two different spots. WR Nate Burleson is not expected to return this week, leaving Culpepper with Travis Taylor, Marcus Robinson, Troy Williamson and Koren Robinson as his top-four receivers. Taylor came up big last week but he lacks the speed and explosiveness to match that performance versus Hall.
In order to gain some mismatches of their own, the Vikings will need to spread things out with three-and-four receiver sets. The Falcons will give No. 2 DC Jason Webster and nickel DC Allen Rossum safety help over the top, but at least Robinson, Williamson and Robinson can threaten Webster and Rossum off the line of scrimmage. Moore and TE Jim Kleinsasser are typically reliable receivers, but LBs Keith Brooking and Demorrio Williams have the athleticism and coverage skills to make it difficult on Culpepper when he's looking for an underneath outlet.
When the Falcons have the ball
Rushing: There was concern regarding Vick's strained hamstring entering last week's game, but 64 rushing yards on nine carries put that issue to rest. With Vick adding an extra element to an already versatile one-two punch of Dunn and Duckett at the running back position, it's fair to say that the Falcons have the most dynamic and explosive running attack in the NFL right now. Dunn continues to handle approximately twice as many carries per game, with the bigger, more powerful Duckett seeing a good deal of his carries in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Last week combined, Dunn and Duckett rushed for 172 yards on 27 carries (6.37 yards per carry)
The Vikings played the run much better last week, holding Saints RB Deuce McAllister to just 63 rushing yards on 14 carries. Playing more aggressively with DS's Corey Chavous and Willie Offord helped, as the eight-man fronts took away a lot of the cutback lanes that were hurting this unit in its first two outings.
The Vikings played the run much better last week, holding Saints RB Deuce McAllister to just 63 rushing yards on 14 carries. Playing more aggressively with DS's Corey Chavous and Willie Offord helped, as the eight-man fronts took away a lot of the cutback lanes that were hurting this unit in its first two outings.
The one weakness this group will continue to have, however, is stamina. The Vikings rely on their defensive front to make plays on the move in a one-gap approach. When fresh, this unit can be extremely effective, as it was last week. However, if the opponent is patient and is able to keep the Vikings on the field for an exorbitant amount of time, athletic defensive linemen such as DT Kevin Williams and DE Kenechi Udeze become far less productive because they can't run around blocks. As a result, look for the Falcons to feature their running game even more than usual on Sunday. With the trio of Vick, Dunn and Duckett coming after them down after down, it will be difficult for the Vikings to remain stout.
Passing: The Vikings finally took more chances with DC's Antoine Winfield and Fred Smoot in primarily man-to-man coverage last week, and it paid off. That is what Winfield and Smoot, specialize in. Winfield is a more versatile player but both of the Vikings' cornerbacks are more effective in single-man coverage -- and that's where their value lies. Look for the Vikings to show more of the same coverage looks this week with Winfield matching up against WR Dez White a good portion of the time and Smoot handling WR Michael Jenkins nearly as much.
The Vikings lost backup FS Willie Offord to a knee injury last week when he was filling in for injured starter Darren Sharper, but the team is hoping that Sharper makes a successful return to the lineup this Sunday. If that's the case, the Vikings will have the personnel with Sharper and Chavous to aggressively support the run while still being able to keep seam-stretching TE Alge Crumpler under wraps in the passing game. However, if Sharper can't go, or if either of the Vikings' starting safeties become too immersed in run support, Crumpler can become a huge factor for the Falcons' offense.
The Vikings pass rush got to Saints QB Aaron Brooks three times last week but it will be an entirely different approach this week, as the normally aggressive defensive front will need to play with more discipline and gap-control. If it fails to do so, especially with the Vikings playing more man-to-man coverage with defenders turning their backs to the line of scrimmage, Vick's running ability could prove to be fatal.
posted by Stew at 5:29 PM
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