Rams vs. Vikings: Full Minnesota Game Preview
The Minnesota Vikings' (5-2) ability to defend their home field will truly be put to the test when the St. Louis Rams (4-3) and their suffocating defense invade TCF Bank Stadium this Sunday.
Between their roster structures and how they are viewed league-wide, there are plenty of similarities between these two teams.
Minnesota and St. Louis both play old school football, attempting to win games with elite defense and a sound rushing attack. Furthermore, the Vikings and Rams have recently lived in the shadow of a pair of consistent postseason contenders dwelling within their respective divisions—the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
This year, however, both organizations appear poised to make a run at overthrowing their "big brother" and reach the postseason for the first time since 2012 (Minnesota) and 2004 (St. Louis), respectively.
In what may prove to be a passing of the torch matchup, Adrian Peterson will attempt to guide the Vikings past rookie phenom Todd Gurley and the Rams in a contest that has the appearance of being a hard-nosed defensive battle from start-to-finish. Additionally, the result of this game could carry weight down the road as a tiebreaker if both teams finish the season with the same win-loss record.
Eight years ago, Peterson rushed his way to a record-setting 296 yards against LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers, dethroning the NFL's record holder for rushing touchdowns in a single season as the league's best running back. Sitting in a similar position against St. Louis on Sunday, Minnesota's young defense will look to put Gurley's inauguration on hold for at least one more season.
Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Time: Noon CT/1 p.m. ET
TV: Channel 9 Fox KMSP (Local)
Week 8 Results and Recap
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The game took a full 60 minutes to decide, but when the dust had settled, the Vikings had claimed their fifth win of the year over the Chicago Bears by a final score of 23-20 at Soldier Field this past Sunday.
Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offense struggled early on, allowing the Bears to open up a quick 3-0 advantage on a long 55-yard field goal by kicker Robbie Gould.
Unable to respond on offense, Minnesota's special teams came to the rescue.
Marcus Sherels returned a Pat O'Donnell punt for a touchdown following a failed offensive possession for Chicago. The 65-yard score gave Minnesota a four-point lead, one that kicker Blair Walsh would add to with his first of three field goals shortly after.
With little time remaining in the first half, Bridgewater—attempting to work the ball down field—forced a third-down pass attempt to rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs, which Chicago cornerback Kyle Fuller intercepted. Jay Cutler made the Vikings pay for the turnover, responding quickly with a 19-second drive that resulted in an Alshon Jeffery touchdown.
After sputtering a bit prior to the late first-half score, the Bears offense came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. On its opening drive of the second half, Chicago hit another field goal to open up a three-point advantage at 13-10.
However, Gould—who had previously converted back-to-back field goal tries—missed wide on a 51-yard attempt on the next Bears offensive possession, allowing Walsh to tie the game at 13 apiece early in the fourth quarter.
With time beginning winding down, Cutler led a 14-play, 74-yard drive ending with him calling his own name on a four-yard rushing touchdown to give the Bears a 20-13 lead.
The Soldier Field curse appeared destined to continue following a Pernell McPhee sack on the first play following the Cutler touchdown, but Bridgewater and Co. responded with a game-tying seven-play, 84-yard touchdown drive.
Bridgewater, after struggling throughout the vast majority of the game, found Diggs for a 40-yard touchdown, tying the game back up at 20.
With a little help from a Jeremy Langford third-down drop, the Vikings defense forced a Bears punt, allowing their offense a chance to win the game in the its closing minutes. Wide receiver Charles Johnson made the play of the day on a 35-yard catch, stepping in front of Bears safety Antrel Rolle on a pass that could have been easily intercepted.
Adrian Peterson rumbled Minnesota into field goal range, and Walsh connected on a game-winning 36-yard field goal to push the Vikings past their divisional rival and move them to within one game of the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers, following their 29-10 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | DIF | GB |
| Green Bay Packers | 6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | +44 | — |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5 | 2 | 0 | .714 | +25 | 1 |
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 5 | 0 | .286 | -62 | 4 |
| Detroit Lions | 1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | -96 | 5.5 |
News and Notes
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Mike Zimmer's Four Levels of NFL Learning
Minnesota's head coach has been around the block a few times, and he apparently has developed a basic system for learning how to win throughout his NFL career. According to Ben Goessling of ESPN, Mike Zimmer released his four-step process to win at the NFL level earlier this week.
"First you learn how to compete, then you learn how to win, then you learn how to handle winning, and then you learn how to be a champion," Zimmer said.
He also went on to diagnose where the Vikings currently are in this process.
"So we’re somewhere in that stage of learning how to win and learning how to handle winning," he said. "But we’re still young. These are things that we have to understand."
The Vikings have certainly begun to turn some heads this season, not only finding a way to win the games they are expected to, but also contending in matchups few believed they had a chance in (see Vikings-Broncos).
Minnesota has a chance to take a strong step toward level three of the Zimmer blueprint to winning with a victory over St. Louis this Sunday.
Adrian Peterson Wants to Play 10 More Years
The term "not human" has been thrown around quite a bit over the course of Peterson's illustrious career, and the Vikings running back is planning on defying odds for a long time—another decade to be exact. According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Peterson has his sight set on playing in the NFL for 10 more years.
“If God’s willing, 10 more years,” Peterson said Wednesday regarding the duration of his career. “If God’s willing, I’ll just be able to walk away from the game at the highest level whenever I decide.”
Peterson, who turned 30 this past March, faced plenty of scrutiny during the offseason due to reaching the magical age when running backs tend to decline. Based on his current plan, he would be 40 at the time he decides to retire. For a basic reference point, Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith—who played in 226 games throughout a 15-year career—retired at the age of 35.
While it would be somewhat of a miracle if Peterson was still playing in the NFL at the age of 40—let alone at a high level—betting against him has made many look like fools in the past.
Despite issues with consistency and a clear inability to run the ball out of the shotgun formation, the Minnesota running back still ranks third in the NFL with 633 rushing yards to date this season. Peterson has shown some signs of slowing down during ninth season, but he clearly still has enough left in the tank to be successful for at least a few more seasons, barring (another) catastrophic injury.
Vikings-Packers Game Flexed to Late Afternoon Start
When a team wins 5-of-6 games and loses the other by only three points on the road against the 7-0 Broncos, people tend to notice. According to Goessling, the NFL has flexed Minnesota's Week 11 matchup with Green Bay to a 3:25 start time, highlighting the matchup on national television.
The last time the Vikings were in the spotlight did not go so well, as the San Francisco 49ers destroyed Minnesota 20-3 at Levi's Stadium during Week 1 on Monday Night Football. With that said, the Vikings have grown considerably since then and appear ready to, at the very least, challenge the Packers for the NFC North crown.
Minnesota will play St. Louis and the Oakland Raiders while Green Bay will square off with the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions over the next two weeks, which has the potential to result in a pair of 7-2 teams going head-to-head for the top spot in the North.
Bonus News and Notes
The following list is composed of general team information, updates and matchup-specific statistics relating to Minnesota's Week 9 contest with St. Louis:
- Ex-Vikings Linebacker Fred McNeill Dies — Charley Walters, Pioneer Press
- A Brief Look at Vikings-Rams History — Christopher Gates, Daily Norseman
- Chemistry Building Between Everson Griffen and Tom Johnson — Mark Craig, Star Tribune
- Vikings Focusing on Improving in the Red Zone — Tim Yotter, Scout.com
- Adrian Peterson vs. Todd Gurley — Ben Goessling, ESPN
- Teddy Bridgewater Hits the Reset Button — Chris Tomasson, Pioneer Press
- Vikings-Rams Matchup Index — CC Norseman, Daily Norseman
- Vikings Closing Gap on Packers — Austin Belisle, NFC North Barroom
- Getting to Know G.U.M.P. — A.J. Mansour, Vikings Journal
- Vikings "True" Strength of Schedule — Arif Hasan, Daily Norseman
Latest Injury News
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| Player | Position | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Stefon Diggs | WR | Hamstring |
| Rhett Ellison | TE | Concussion |
| Joe Berger | OC | Chest |
| T.J. Clemmings | OT | Neck |
| Justin Trattou | DE | Foot |
| Everson Griffen | DE | Neck |
| Tom Johnson | DT | Knee |
| Sharrif Floyd | DT | Knee/Ankle |
| Anthony Barr | LB | Lower Back |
| Eric Kendricks | LB | Ribs |
| Audie Cole | LB | Finger |
The Vikings raised quite a few concerns when they released the first edition of their injury report on Wednesday afternoon.
Key contributors Anthony Barr (lower back), Eric Kendricks (ribs), Stefon Diggs (hamstring) and Joe Berger (chest) all were not practicing in addition to Sharrif Floyd (knee/ankle) who has sat out the past two weeks.
Audie Cole (finger), Everson Griffen (neck), Tom Johnson (knee) and Justin Trattou (foot) were also practicing on a limited basis. T.J. Clemmings (neck) and Rhett Ellison (concussion) also made the team's official injury report but practiced fully on Wednesday.
In total, 11 different players on the Vikings' roster currently are dealing with a variety of different medical ailments, which could factor into their usage this coming weekend. As Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes, five Vikings starters sat out the first day of practice this week:
"Five #Vikings starters sat out practice today: Stefon Diggs, Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Joe Berger and Sharrif Floyd.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) November 4, 2015"
Given the tough, physical matchup Minnesota is in store for against St. Louis this weekend, this is not the most encouraging sign. However, there has been no indication that any of the specified players will be inactive this coming weekend, with exception to Floyd.
The Rams, however, are also facing a number of injuries, many of which concern players just as vital to the success of their team as the ones the Vikings have listed.
Starting defensive ends Chris Long (knee), who has missed the previous two games, and Robert Quinn (knee) both did not practice on Wednesday. William Hayes (thigh), who has played very well in relief of Long, also was sidelined due to injury.
Other St. Louis starters currently dealing with injuries include right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) and T.J. McDonald (foot).
How the rest of the week plays out will be key to determining just how hampered these two teams are by injuries, but both Minnesota and St. Louis are likely to be without at least one key starter apiece in Floyd and Long.
Injury information courtesy of Vikings.com.
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Key Matchups
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Vikings Offensive Line vs. Rams Defensive Line
Few would argue that Minnesota's greatest weakness over the first half of the NFL season was its offensive line. Correspondingly, St. Louis has built its reputation as a defensive powerhouse based on the play of its interior defensive linemen, namely second-year defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams' expected starters along their defensive line this week—Donald (28), Michael Brockers (8), Robert Quinn (20) and William Hayes (17)—have recorded a collective total of 73 pressures so far this season. In addition to this quartet of pass rushers, defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who Vikings fans should remember as Ndamukong Suh's wrecking mate with the Lions, has also totaled six pressures this season.
Minnesota's offensive line, on the other hand, has allowed 75 pressures and recorded a pass-blocking efficiency rating of 75.7, which comes in at No. 23 in the league.
The Vikings front-five will face their toughest battle yet when the Rams come to town this Sunday, and that is saying a lot considering this group has already gone up against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos.
Simply put, how well Minnesota is able to protect Teddy Bridgewater and open lanes for Adrian Peterson will play a vital role in deciding the outcome of this game.
WR Stefon Diggs vs. CB Janoris Jenkins
Stefon Diggs has been an absolute force through his first four NFL games, totaling 25 receptions, 419 receiving yards and two key touchdowns for a very pedestrian Vikings aerial attack. After going up against top-notch cornerbacks Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and Darius Slay in recent weeks, the 21-year-old rookie will face another tough test in St. Louis' Janoris Jenkins.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins is the No. 7 ranked cornerback in the NFL this season, grouped in with household names such as Harris Jr., Tyrann Mathieu and Josh Norman—Minnesota's Captain Munnerlyn ranks No. 8.
To date, Jenkins has allowed a catch percentage of 67.4, one touchdown, 277 yards and an opposing quarterback rating of 72.5. He has also turned in a pair of interceptions to help lead a vastly improved Rams defensive secondary.
Chicago respected Diggs' talent enough to have its best cornerback (Kyle Fuller) shadow the young receiver all afternoon, and St. Louis likely will do the same with Jenkins.
With Peterson set to go up against arguably the best defensive line in the NFL, Minnesota will likely be forced to find a way to move the ball through the air. The Vikings will need its young rookie out of Maryland to respond with another strong showing this weekend, or it could be lights out for Minnesota's offense.
DE Everson Griffen vs. LT Greg Robinson
As it turns out, Minnesota boasts a fairly strong defensive line as well. This group is headed by physical marvel Everson Griffen, and the team's sack leader will have a great opportunity to add to his total against a less-than-spectacular Rams offensive line on Sunday.
According to Pro Football Focus, the greatest weakness along the Rams' front-five is second-year left tackle Greg Robinson, who has allowed quarterback Nick Foles to be pressured 15 times so far this season. Griffen, who has become one of the league's best at his position, has already forced 28 pressures to date this season, including 4.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits.
Foles has not exactly been the pinnacle of quarterback success during his short tenure with the Rams, and Minnesota's ability to shake him up with consistent pressure could lead to a one-dimensional St. Louis offense. Given the favorable matchup against Robinson, pressuring Foles will hinge on a strong performance by Griffen.
Matchup X-Factors
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Vikings X-Factor of the Week: WR Jarius Wright
With the emergence of Stefon Diggs, the preseason hype surrounding Charles Johnson and the (embellished) reputation of Mike Wallace, people tend to forget about Jarius Wright. Well, people outside the Vikings organization at least, given his contract extension this past offseason.
Despite his production coming in spurts, Wright has been a very solid piece of the Vikings offense over the past few seasons. In fact, he was quietly second to Greg Jennings (742) in receiving last season, finishing the year with 42 receptions and 588 yards.
If there is a weakness in the Rams defense—something that one would be hard-pressed to find—it is in their linebackers' ability to cover, and second-year slot cornerback Lamarcus Joyner.
According to Pro Football Focus, Joyner, who is having a very solid season, has allowed 26 receptions on 33 targets (78.8). Further, the trio of Janoris Jenkins (119), Trumaine Johnson (158) and Joyner (166) have allowed a total of 443 yards after the catch this season—an area that Wright specializes in.
Given the need to get the ball out of Teddy Bridgewater's hands quickly, Wright should have a key role in Minnesota's game plan this Sunday, making him the team's X-factor of the week.
Rams X-Factor of the Week: WR Tavon Austin
St. Louis has struggled to find a way to get the ball to the elusive Tavon Austin in recent years, but the dynamic slot receiver has seemingly found a home in Frank Cignetti's offense.
Austin is an X-factor by every stretch of the term, as the Rams use him in a number of different ways out of a variety of formations. The way he is utilized in Cignetti's offense may best be likened to the way former Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave used Percy Harvin and Cordarrelle Patterson in the past.
Minnesota will need to have an eye on Austin at all times, as he is always a threat to explode for a long touchdown—something that could very well prove to be the difference in a defense-heavy matchup.
Prediction: Vikings 16, Rams 12
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Last week the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants put together an offensive showing for the ages, with the Saints kicking their way to a 52-49 victory in the closing moments.
This week's matchup between the Vikings and Rams may very well prove to be the exact opposite—an old school, hard-fought defensive battle with touchdowns being more scarce than food on the Oregon Trail.
Both teams boast well-rounded defenses with high-profile players at each level, and offenses built around talented running backs. Additionally, neither team has moved the well effectively through the air, which should make long touchdowns a rarity, if not a non-factor all together.
Given the narrative surrounding this matchup and the statistics that support it, I am predicting a low-scoring affair that yields just one touchdown.
With Blair Walsh kicking well and the Vikings playing on their home turf—a place they have been excellent at this season—Minnesota edges out St. Louis by a final score of 16-12, giving the team a legitimate shot to tie the Green Bay Packers atop the NFC North division this Sunday.
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