ITS GAME TIME – Week 5 Preview Vikings at Rams

It’s Week 5, and the Vikings are 4-0.  They will be going into St Louis to face the Rams, who have lost all 4 of their games this year, as well as their last 10 games of last year.  The Rams are struggling heavy on offense.  Their defense, despite what the stats look like, isn’t really as bad as it looks, but their offense fails to stay on the field long enough for the defense to rest, and the offense consistently gives opposing teams good starting field position.  The Vikings are hoping to take advantage of that fact.

Here are some interesting points about Sunday’s game.

• This is the first time that the Vikings have started 4-0 since 2003 (they actually started 6-0 that year, even though they finished 9-7).
• This is Brett Favre’s 3rd time starting at 4-0 (the last time was in 2007, when his Packers finished 13-3).
• Brett Favre has never had a 5-0 start in his career.
• The Vikings offense is ranked 4th in the league averaging 29.5 points per game
• St. Louis has scored a TOTAL of 24 points in their first 4 games (ranking last in the league)
• The Rams have given up an average of 27 points per game
• The Rams have given up an average of 135 rushing yards per game so far
• The Rams have given up an average of 224 passing yards per game
• The Rams starting QB Marc Bulger will likely sit out due to injury, and Kyle Boller will play
• The last time the Vikings played the Rams was in 2005.  The Vikings won 27-13
• The last time the Rams beat the Vikings was in 2003.  The Rams won 48-17

The Minnesota Vikings at The St. Louis Rams

I have to be honest, the Vikings should annihilate the Rams.  It shouldn’t even be close.

But that makes me a little nervous.  Maybe I remember the fact that both the Browns and the Lions who should’ve been totally outplayed by the Vikings led their respective games against Minnesota at half.  Minnesota has a tendency to make games that shouldn’t be close into games that are close.  (See both of the Lions games from last year).

I’m hoping that the Vikes prove me wrong and they come out firing.  I’d love to see them up by 21 at half, and I’d love to see Tarvaris Jackson mop up the game in the second half.  There is really no reason this SHOULDN’T happen.  The Vikings just need to make sure that it DOES happen.

Here are my keys to a Vikings victory.

-The Offensive Line needs to play well

They played great on pass protection last week.  Favre had all kinds of time.  I want to see that again, but this week they also need to start opening holes for Adrian Peterson.  There’s a chance that Phil Loadholt might not play at RT this week.  Usually losing a rookie lineman wouldn’t be that bad, but I’m not looking forward to watching Ryan Cook play.  Maybe it’ll be Hicks instead.

-No Turnovers

The Vikings have been doing great so far with managing their turnovers, but the reason I’m mentioning it here is that the way I see it, if Minnesota controls the ball, they shouldn’t have any problems.  I really think that the only chance the Rams would have is if we gave them too many easy chances because of fumbles or interceptions.  If the Vikings play smart ball, they’ll be just fine.

My Prediction

I am predicting another big game for Jared Allen, 200 yards from Favre, a good outing from Peterson, and a 35-14 Vikings win.

Related posts:

1. Week 5 Recap: The Vikings roll over the Rams 38-10
2. ITS GAME TIME – Week 6 Preview Vikings vs Ravens
3. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 11 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Seattle Seahawks
4. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 10 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Detroit Lions
5. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 15 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings at The Carolina Panthers