Hey Vikings fans!
It’s about time for the Week 7 game as our Minnesota Vikings head to Pittsburgh to play the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
This is going to be another tough game for the Vikings, and it’s right smack in the middle of probably the toughest 3 game stretch that the Vikings have all year.
The Minnesota Vikings at The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Vikes narrowly escaped Baltimore last week, and if they play like that again, I have a feeling that the Steelers are going to eat them for lunch.
It certainly doesn’t help matters much that the Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield is doubtful for the game. When Winfield went out last week, our secondary went downhill fast. Karl Paymah is already a good special teams player, but he has a long way to go before he can be a great corner.
I’m personally hoping that Benny Sapp moves to the corner spot, and rookie Asher Allen takes over the nickel back position. Sapp doesn’t play at the level that Winfield does, but his athleticism keeps him in a lot of plays. I think he’s better at covering receivers than Paymah appears to be. The question that is apparently going around the Vikings camp right now is whether Sapp is more valuable in his nickel position against the slot than he is on the corner. If they decide that Sapp is better in the slot, Paymah will probably get the nod over Allen, as apparently he’s more reliable in the corner position. If Sapp gets moved, though, I think we’ll see Allen get a good amount of playing time as the third DB.
Here are the Viking Ship Keys To Victory:
-Putting Pressure on Roethlisberger
Big Ben has been sacked 16 times this season. Only 6 QBs in the league have taken more sacks. Roethlisberger likes to stay in the pocket longer than a lot of QBs, trying to let plays develop down field. With our defensive backfield banged up, the Vikings can’t afford to give Ben time. If Joe Flacco passed for almost 400 yards, Roethlisberger has the potential to carve Minnesota to pieces. Big Ben passed for 417 yards last week.
The Vikings defense is tied for 1st in the league with 21 sacks. They need to keep that pressure up this week, and pressure Big Ben all day if they want to be able to keep him from moving the ball.
-The Vikings need to force turnovers.
Another set of stats that the Vikings need to capitalize on is the turnover ratios for each team. The Vikings are currently tied for second right now with a +8 turnover ratio. The team has 6 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries, and has only given the ball away 4 times in the first 6 games. On the other hand, there are only 5 teams worse than Pittsburgh when it comes to turnover ratio. They currently sit at -4, forcing 8 turnovers themselves, but losing 6 fumbles and throwing 6 interceptions.
If the Vikings can win the battle of the turnovers Sunday, that will go a long way toward winning the game.
-The Vikings need to keep their foot on the gas
I would love to see the Vikings come out strong against Pittsburgh and then FINISH the game strong. No more of this getting up big then giving the Steelers a chance at the end like they did with the Ravens and the Packers.
My Prediction
I think the Vikings are going to struggle with Pittsburgh. Since they’re doing so well, I’m going to give them the win, but just barely. I’m predicting 30-28, with 4 sacks for the team (1 by Allen), and 95 yards rushing by Adrian Peterson.
Related posts:
- IT’S GAME TIME – Week 8 Preview: Vikings at Packers. Favre’s first time at Lambeau
- IT’S GAME TIME – Week 10 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Detroit Lions
- IT’S GAME TIME – Week 12 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs the Chicago Bears
- IT’S GAME TIME – Week 14 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Cincinnati Bengals
- IT IS GAME TIME – Week 2 Game Preview – Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
