2010-11 NFL: 10 Match-Ups To Watch In The Minnesota-Dallas Game
This weekend might just be the most important game of the first six weeks of the season..for Cowboys and Vikings fans that is. The game is sure to be very exciting as both teams boast rosters stocked with championship caliber talent, but a few of the match-ups seem to stand out from the crowd. Let's take a look at 10 match-ups from the game that are sure to shape the game.
10) Percy Harvin Vs. Terrance Newman
1 of 10
Harvin has proven to be a great weapon for Brett Favre when he is the second or third option in the passing game. In the first four weeks of the season, he was the first option due to the injury to Sidney Rice. With the trade for Randy Moss, the Vikings have been able to give Harvin more favorable matchups and less double teams.
However, the Cowboys have two Pro Bowl cornerbacks and, unlike the Jets, neither of them is coming off an injury. Newman will probably draw Harvin because he's a little smaller than Michael Jenkins who will draw the daunting task of covering Moss. If Newman is able to shut down Harvin, it's going to be that much harder on Favre because it will let the Cowboys rotate coverage to Moss's side even more. Simply put, Harvin has to produce for the Vikings to win.
9) Roy Williams Vs. Lito Sheppard
2 of 10
Williams has finally begun playing like the star wideout the Cowboys traded for and has made it that much harder for teams to consistently double team Miles Austin. At 6'3", his height is going to make it hard for any opposing secondary to cover him.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, Cedric Griffin has re-injured himself at exactly the wrong time. With him, the Vikes have a very solid secondary, but without him, they will struggle to keep up with the Cowboys who have three high quality receivers. Lito Sheppard will draw this matchup, and it's unlikely that he will shut Williams out all day. I fully expect Williams to get in the end zone at least once this week.
8) Jared Allen Vs. Tony Romo
3 of 10
For the most part, Jared Allen has been shut out of getting sacks this year, but he'll have a chance to rack up quite a few this game. The Cowboys lack an offensive tackle that is up to the level of Allen. His speed off the edge will allow him to get into the backfield at will, and the Cowboys are going to have to send an extra blocker his way on most plays.
When Allen does beat his man, and he will often, Tony Romo must be able to get away from him. Romo has a great ability to extend the play so this is going to come down to how many times he can make Allen miss. If Allen and the Vikes can get over six sacks on Romo, they should have a decent chance to win the game. This isn't out of the realm of possibility for this star-studded defensive line, but Jared Allen is going to have to step up if they want to get that W.
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7) Jay Ratliff Vs. Jon Cooper
4 of 10
One-on-one, Ratliff will dominate Cooper all day long, but he will also have to contend with either Anthony Herraera or Steve Hutchinson. If he can beat these guys consistently and get into the backfield, the Cowboys will have a field day and run all over the Vikes.
Cooper does draw a tough task in this one, but the coaches will give him as much help as possible. Sometimes though, he won't get much because of the Cowboys big, blitzing outside linebackers. If he can slow Ratliff down some on his own, the Vikings will be able to open up holes and slow those linebackers down.
6) Chris Kluwe Vs. Dez Bryant
5 of 10
Kluwe is one of the best in league's at pinning the opponent inside their own 20, but he doesn't get a lot of distance on his kicks. He's going to have to be super accurate against the Cowboys because their return game could create a short field for their potent offense.
Dez Bryant is one of the most electrifying young men in the game, and his return skills will be on show this weekend. He's already returned one punt to this house this season and could bring one back again this game. The Vikings have been decent in the return game so far this year, but have struggled in the past, look for Dez to try and exploit that.
5) DeMarcus Ware Vs The Vikings Third Down Running Back
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You had better believe that Ware is going to be coming on 3rd-and-long's. He's one of the best pass rushers in the league, and he's got to be salivating at the prospect of going after Old Man Favre. The Vikings will have to send extra blockers his way on passing downs, and usually, that's going to come in the form of a running back.
Unfortunately, the Vikings backs have struggled with blocking all season. Whether it be Adrian Peterson or Toby Gerhart, they have missed blitzers in every game, and unless they can drastically step up, Favre might be seeing a lot of Mr. Ware.
4) Adrian Peterson Vs. Keith Brooking
7 of 10
If the Vikings want to win this game, they must feed the beast that is Adrian Peterson. They need to keep the Cowboys potent offense off the field and that means a healthy dose of AD. I suspect that he will get at least 20 carries this week and should get 25+. However, he also has to be effective for him to deserve that many carries.
To get to the second level and produce drive sustaining runs, Peterson is going to have to get around the Cowboys middle linebacker, Keith Brooking. I can't see this as being a very big problem because I don't think Peterson has met a man that he can't beat on the football field. Look for AD to have a big day for the Vikes, win or lose.
3) Jason Witten Vs. Ben Leber
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Witten is Tony Romo's safety blanket, and he's going to need to catch his fair share of short yardage passes to keep Romo from getting sacked. His abilty to be an outlet for Romo will be key against a team that likes to get after the quarterback. If Romo can avoid hits and pick up quality yards from Witten, the Cowboys will be well on their way to winning.
Out of the three linebackers Witten will probably see Ben Leber most often because he's the best in coverage, but don't be surprised to also see Chad Greenway drawing coverage. If he's able to keep Witten covered and make sure he doesn't make big gains when he does get the ball, it will keep the Cowboys from making big plays out of what should have been sacks, which could be all the difference in this game.
2) Randy Moss Vs. Michael Jenkins
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Randy Moss has another week under his belt which is going to make him even more dangerous for the Vikes. Expect to see Favre to look to him even more this week and more of those looks turn into catches. I fully expect Moss to have a huge day in front of the home crowd, who is eager to see him back.
Jenkins doesn't quite have the height that Antonio Cromartie does and that could hurt him against the much taller Moss. However, he should be able to hang with his speed, which will help him to at least slow Moss down. Even though he is a Pro Bowler I don't think he's going to be able to keep Moss down for long...the only person who can do that is next on our list.
1) Brett Favre Vs. Brett Favre
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This game is going to come down to which Favre shows up today. If he plays like he has been and turns the ball over multiple times, the Vikings will lose. If he can regain the magic he had last year, even just a little bit, the Vikings have a great chance at bringing home a victory. It can't be stated enough; Favre must step up for the Vikes to have a chance this year and if he does they could make the playoffs even with their terrible start.
Prediction: Cowboys win 35-34
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