Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts: 5 Keys to the Game for the Vikes

Week 2 sets up much like Week 1 did for the Minnesota Vikings.

This Sunday's game features two very young teams with head coaches with limited experience and unproven quarterbacks.

Both teams owned top-three picks in the 2012 NFL Draft and weren't expected to make the playoffs prior to the 2012 season.

All of that still is true just one week later, which makes this a very winnable game for both teams.

If Minnesota is to win Sunday, these are five things it will have had to do to start 2-0 for the first time since 2009.

5. Start Quickly

In 2011 the Minnesota Vikings infamously blew three straight double-digit first-half leads to open the season. Minnesota already insured that didn't happen again in 2012.

But in this game, it will be important for the Vikings to start the game off right.

This will be an emotional game not just for the Indianapolis Colts but for their fans too. It is the first home game for rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, who is the primary reason the franchise released future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning (a move that isn't earning rave reviews from the fan base).

If the Indianapolis fans get a quick score or forced turnover from their team, then this game could unravel for Minnesota quickly. Luck isn't your typical rookie quarterback and could get on a roll.

And if the Vikings get too far behind early, it's not like they have a proven track record to lean on to get back into the game. (Yes, I am aware that the team came from behind to tie the game with 14 seconds left and win in overtime, but that was one game.)

4. Provide Christian Ponder with Adequate Protection

In his first start as a non-rookie, Christian Ponder performed admirably. He completed 20 of 27 passes (74-percent completed) for 270 yards with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions.

It wasn't an amazing performance, but he finished with a 105.5 passer rating, quarterbacking the drive that enabled Blair Walsh to boot a 55-yard field goal as regulation time expired.

But it's not like that performance answers all the questions about Ponder and whether he can become a solidified franchise quarterback. He's still a young player learning his position.

The offensive line provided him with adequate protection throughout the day, allowing just two sacks and one quarterback hit. But given the inconsistency of Ponder (based on last season and his preseason performances) and his offensive weapons, he'll continue to require as much time as possible to operate.

Indianapolis isn't known as a superpower defensively, as demonstrated by the 41 points allowed to Chicago, but that doesn't mean Minnesota should relax.

Dwight Freeney, the best Indianapolis pass rusher, is listed on the Colts injury report with an ankle injury. His ability to play Sunday is unknown at this time. Coach Leslie Frazier admitted to the Indianapolis Star that Minnesota's strategy would change with Freeney out, but that doesn't mean protecting Ponder still isn't vital.

Give Ponder time, and he can find the open targets to move the offense down the field.

3. Get AP Going

In an amazing turn of events, Adrian Peterson had one of the best Week 1 performances by a running back. He rushed for 84 yards with two touchdowns less than nine months after tearing his ACL.

Needless to say, the Vikings had to be more than pleased with the productivity they received from Peterson out of the gate.

With the exception of 2009, since Peterson has been with the Vikings, they have relied on him and the running game to create offensive opportunities. That will continue to be the case in 2012 with Christian Ponder still developing as a quarterback. 

If Peterson gets going, that puts the defense on edge. When the defense focuses on Peterson's ability to turn any would-be one-yard gain into a 30-yarder, that loosens up the secondary for Ponder and the passing game, enabling the Vikings to effectively work in Toby Gerhart's smash-mouth style. When all of that's working well, the Vikings offense is at its best.

Get AP going, and the Vikings offense has its best chance to succeed. That is the case against any team in the league.

2. Secondary Needs to Play Better as a Unit

Minnesota's secondary entered Week 1 with the opportunity to redeem itself for an awful 2011 campaign. With three new starters since the Vikings ended their 2011 disaster, there was a great sense of optimism surrounding the unit entering 2012.

Week 1 proved that the unit still has a ways to go.

It allowed second-year QB Blaine Gabbert to pass for 260 yards with two touchdowns while completing nearly 60 percent of his passes (23-of-39), which included an awful play from third-year cornerback Chris Cook on Jacksonville's go-ahead touchdown with 14 seconds to play. 

It's a young secondary; three of its four starters are 25 years of age or younger. There will be growing pains, as demonstrated last week, but 260 yards to Gabbert will jump to 300 yards against Indianapolis rookie Andrew Luck, who is much better than the Jacksonville quarterback.

The Colts lack a strong running game. They have a meager offensive line and a running back who's better suited as a receiver than to battle through the middle of a defensive line, which means Indianapolis will rely on its passing game. Reggie Wayne is still a very capable receiver, and if Austin Collie can prove his concussions are behind him, he can still be dangerous too.

This game won't provide the type of challenge a battle against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers or Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions would, but this game will provide an even greater test than what was provided by Gabbert and the Jacksonville receivers.

The secondary needs to step its game up against Luck and the Colts, or Luck will approach rookie passing records.

1. Fluster Andrew Luck

In his NFL debut, Andrew Luck was flustered all day against the Chicago Bears pass rush. Chicago sacked the rookie three times and recorded five quarterback hits.

Chicago made sure it welcomed Luck to the NFL properly.

Luck finished the game with 309 yards and a touchdown, which are solid numbers—until you dig deeper.

Along the way, he completed a paltry 51.3 percent of his passes (23-of-45) with three interceptions. Of those 309 yards, 122 came in the fourth quarter when the Bears were up 34-14, which forced the Colts to go pass happy (19 of their 21 plays were passing that quarter).

Despite his below-average debut, Luck is still an elite rookie talent. He can play.

The Vikings have a strong pass rush that recorded an NFL best 50 sacks in 2011. With Jared Allen and Brian Robison manning the ends yet again in 2012, the Vikings should have another strong pass rush.

The defense recorded two sacks and seven quarterback hits in Week 1. That was against Blaine Gabbert, who still had a pretty stellar day. The Vikings need to rock Luck's world early and often to remind the rookie that this is the NFL.

If Luck is able to sit in the pocket and pick apart Minnesota's secondary, it will be a long day for the Purple and Gold.