Reprinted from VikingVigil.com
There are plenty of mismatches on paper as we go into this Week Three game, most of them in favor of the Panthers. Carolina's receivers are great; our secondary is not. Carolina's pass rush is great; our quarterback is not. Jeff King stinks; so does Shiancoe.
None of these matchups are as crucial, however, as the Carolina defensive line versus Chester Taylor. If you don't know already, Peterson is listed as questionable for this game and will be used on a limited basis, if at all.
The general reaction coming out of Minnesota has been a collective groan, but do we forget that Taylor is a great back? He doesn't have the AD factor that his younger counterpart possesses, but has managed just fine in tougher situations.
If Taylor can have a great game, I'll know that the Vikings did alright. If he can't get into a rhythm, then I doubt Minnesota put more than 10 points on the board. He is crucial to this offense every day, but even more so now that Frerotte is making his re-debut.
Just how will Taylor match up against the Panthers?
The first thing he will have to get through is his own offensive line. Obviously, the Purple People Eaters are without Bryant McKinnie at left tackle again, and it will show. Marcus Johnson and Artis Hicks will be used in his stead.
At 321 pounds, Johnson is a massive specimen. He lacks elite explosiveness, though, and he isn't a great run-blocker. Hicks is worse than Johnson overall, but it shows some skills at holding off the bull-rushes.
Sadly, Julius Peppers will line up opposite these two men and can turn some of his speed into great bull-rushes. When running the ball, my guess is that they will stay away from the left side as much as possible.
- Offensive Line
On the right side of the line sits Ryan Cook. As you know, he is new to this position and still has some work to do before he becomes one of the league's elite. He will match up against new Carolina acquisition Tyler Brayton.
Frankly, he is slow. He lacks the top speed needed to be a great pass rusher and the moves to counter whatever Cook sends his way. He will rarely be a threat in this game, assuming he plays.
He is currently listed as questionable, but I believe he will start and play the majority of the game. It is also safe to assume that when Taylor makes his horizontal runs, he will prefer to go right.
In the middle for the Carolina defensive line is Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis. Kemoeatu is a seven-year veteran and knows how to free things up for his linebackers. He won't have as direct an impact as other Carolina linemen will have, but he still is a massive force to be reckoned with nonetheless.
10 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mark Jones 9 months ago
Hey
I'm a panthers fan, and this article jumped out at me as a quick preview from a different point of view, which i like
it really gave me a good feel for viking fan's point of view.
i really liked it alot!
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Andrew Kneeland 9 months ago
Thanks, Mark!
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John King 9 months ago
Diggs has played surprisingly well and Johnson has played like garbage every opportunity he's gotten to answer one of your questions.
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Andrew Kneeland 9 months ago
Thanks! Every scouting report I could get my eyes on said Johnson was better than Diggs, so I was just wondering. Thanks for clearing things up.
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Sean O'Brien 9 months ago
Good article Andrew, this game will either solidify Carolina's spot as one of the top teams in the NFC this year or will mark the turnaround for a Minnesota team that has thus far struggled. Great analysis!
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al lowery 9 months ago
Chester taylor is 3 years removed from greatness and as everone knows runningbacks have a short shelf life, he came with quite a bit of tread already off his tires when he signed with the viks. I don't see him as doing much in this game. We held LT to less that 100 yards rushing and chester taylor can't even hold LT's gym bag. As far as thomas davis being a average LB, how bad would the viking fans like to pair him with EJ Henderson?
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Andrew Kneeland 9 months ago
Turns out Peterson played more than I thought. He had more carries than Taylor, but they combined for 121 yards.
And about Tomlinson; he's hurt. You held an injured LT to under 100 yards.
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adam oakes 9 months ago
Adrian Peterson...he has been the starter for a little while now ; )
Carolina's defense stopped the vikings for the most part but great job by the Vikings D to slow down these panthers!
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Andrew Kneeland 9 months ago
The main reason the Panthers lost is because their defense fell apart. And about Peterson; he was injured and listed as questionable. I realize he is the starter, but I expected Childress to take it easier on him and his hurt hamstring. I guess not.
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adam oakes 9 months ago
Alright just making sure you weren't getting your thought from the past or anything, I understand your reasoning now.
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