Vikings Preview: A Must Win in The Dome

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off the bye week energized and in the mood to win. There are a lot of interesting prospects to a game that matches two underachieving 3-4 teams. For instance, Jared Allen, the Vikings expensive summer signing is going to be going up against a rookie Duane Brown. On paper it looks like Allen should have a field day, but Houston is good in the three-step drop offensive scheme, which will surely be in affect on Sunday. Allen is convinced that the key is not his matchup, but the team's ability to stop the run. "It's going to come down to stopping the run, forcing them into third-and-long and then I can get after it. If we can do that and get some one-on-ones, obviously, I like my opportunities," he told the Star Tribune.

One of the key things to watch in Sunday's game will be the special teams play, especially on the Vikings side. After the botched punt, and the unlucky, but avoidable muffed punt that took place at Soldier Field two weeks ago, the Vikings must get their ducks in a row. They are last in punt return yardage allowed, and face the leagues second highest return yardage average in Jacoby Jones. Who is second of course to Reggie Bush, who created much folly in the Vikings punt return coverage in the Monday night game in New Orleans.  

Offense: The story remains the same. The Vikings must be able to throw the ball down the field affectively, and statistically, start converting on third and long. Gus Frerotte must show the icy veins he's shown in last minute drives against New Orleans and Detroit throughout an entire game. He threw some inexcusable interceptions at Chicago due to sheer lack of accuracy. If he can complete 60% of his passes on the day (especially in the 15-30 yard category) it should give Adrian Peterson the ability to grab significant chunks of yards on the ground. Play calling has to become more consistent, it's starting to look like the first two drives offensively are completely scripted. Throwing, throwing, and throwing. Adrian Peterson is the NFL's second leading rusher for a reason. How about Throw, Run, Throw on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd downs? I am disturbed by the trend Childress has gotten into of throwing on 2nd and 6 or 7. I understand this if 80% of the leagues quarterbacks are taking snaps from Matt Birk, but you have an aging journeyman taking the snaps, a quarterback who's accuracy isn't exactly guaranteed. Running on 2nd and 6 or 7 would give you the option of throwing just about anything on 3rd and short, or the ability to (gasp) run the ball once more.

Defense: Stop Andre Johnson. The Vikings secondary should be talented enough to stop the Houston pass attack enough times to give the offense a shot to put up a significant amount of points. As we learned in Chicago during the last game, a shootout scenario does not benefit the Vikings. Obviously stopping the run is also key, and I would venture to guess that the Vikings front line will be in Schaub's face for most of the game. The Vikings are certainly due for an outstanding defensive performance again, one that betters the one in New Orleans (since 21 points of that game came from "teams").

Special Teams: Obviously I outlined the keys in my opening statements, but the key to this game on special teams for the Vikings is going to be to break even. If they can swarm Jones on punt returns just half of the time, and give their defense decent field position, the Vikings should feel like they won on special teams. And typically, when the Vikings when at special teams, they get the win that matters most.

The Vikings are 4.5 point favorites. I think homefield advantage will carry them through to a solid victory. If they can win this game, they'll get back to 4-4. With Green Bay playing the undefeated Tennessee Titans, the Vikings have a shot getting level with the Packers once again. The Bears host the Lions, it doesn't take a genius to see who's going to win that one. It's imperative that the Vikings do not look ahead to the next week's clash with the Packers at home, doing that may end with a Houston victory, which would limit the ability for the Vikings to make the playoffs.

Prediction: Vikings 35-24