Minnesota Vikings: One Player from Each 2011 Opponent That Will Cause Problems

Minnesota's schedule this season features some really good opponents and some not-so-good opponents.  Regardless, all of the teams have at least one player on their roster who could cause problems for the Vikings in their match-up.

Some of the following players on the list will be bad news for every team they play because they are just that good, while others could have exceptionally good games specifically against the Vikings due to some of Minnesota's weaknesses which could be exposed.

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

The Vikings secondary is coming off of a 2010 season in which they battled injury all year long, and they enter the 2011 season with starting spots still up in the air.  Due to these two factors, the Vikings' ability to defend the passing game this year could be very questionable—especially early on.

Because of this, San Diego Chargers' star tight end Antonio Gates could cause some serious problems for the Minnesota Vikings in Game 1 of the regular season.  Gates lead the NFL's tight ends in touchdown receptions with 10 last year, along with Rob Gronkowski and Marcedes Lewis.

If the Vikings aren't careful, Philip Rivers could connect with Gates for a couple touchdowns.

LeGarrette Blount, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Undrafted in 2010, LeGarrette Blount was one of the surprisingly successful rookies last season, rushing for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns.  Only one other undrafted running back in NFL history has ran for 1000 yards in his rookie career.

With the Vikings defensive line having a different look this season, new starters Brian Robinson and Remi Ayodele's abilities to defend the run will be tested early by Blount in Game 2 of the season. 

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

Ndamukong Suh was the 2010 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, leading all defensive tackles with 10 sacks last season.  Suh is a force to be reckoned with who won't be stopped by many teams this year, likely including the Vikings.  

The offensive line was one of the Vikings' biggest weak spots last season, and thus far through training camp, it still appears to be struggling.  Bryant McKinnie, who was released by the Vikings at the start of training camp, was replaced by Charlie Johnson, who still seems to be adjusting, and right guard Anthony Herrara is just now returning to practice following ACL surgery.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs' wide receiver Dwayne Bowe lead the NFL in touchdown receptions last season with 15. Averaging 16.1 yards per catch in 2010, Bowe has the ability to slice through defenses and sneak behind safeties for big plays.

With the starting strong safety position still up for grabs, Minnesota's secondary will have to bring its A-game to prevent Dwayne Bowe from causing major damage.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Just like wide receiver Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs could cause problems for the Vikings, Larry Fitzgerald could cause the same problems.  Although Fitzgerald's touchdown production dropped off a bit last year due to the Cardinals lacking a true quarterback, with the teams acquisition of Kevin Kolb, Fitzgerald will look to have a huge season this year.  If the Vikings don't defend Fitzgerald properly, they risk falling victim to one of his offensive onslaughts.

Brian Urlacher, Chicago Bears

Following an injury which sideline him for most of the 2009 season, Brian Urlacher returned in 2010 and looked like the Urlacher of old, recording 125 tackles.  Post lockout, Urlacher claims to feel as good as ever.  A mainstay on the Bears' defense, a healthy Urlacher is consistently one of Chicago's biggest defensive threats.  If anyone can cause problems for the Vikings, it will be this guy.

Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers

Clay Matthews was a defensive beast last season dominating opposing teams' offensive lines and finishing the year ranked fifth in the NFL for sacks with 13.5.  Matthews was the most outstanding player on a very good Green Bay Packers defense which helped lead the team to the 2010 NFL Super Bowl Championship.

Matthews is one of the best linebackers in the NFL and not only is he good, but he is tough.  He recently admitted that he finished the season last year with a stress fracture in his left shin.

With the Vikings offensive line being one of their greatest weaknesses and the starting right guard position still unsettled, a healthy Matthews could cause some serious problems for Minnesota during their two matchups this season.

Offensive Line, Carolina Panthers

Most people are probably thinking, "the Panther's offensive line?"  No, no one has forgotten that Carolina went 2-14 last year, but they also played a lot of the season without some of their critical players on the offensive line. Starting left guard Travelle Wharton and starting left tackle Jeff Otah both missed the duration of 2010 with injury, but the guys who did participate on the offensive line last season were impressive to say the least.

Although it may have slipped some people's minds, in 2010 Panthers' center Ryan Kalil made it to his second consecutive Pro Bowl along with left tackle Jordan Gross who, coming off of a broken leg in 2009, was selected to his second career Pro Bowl.

Not to mention the Panthers' star running back DeAngelo Williams returns this season after missing 2010 with a foot injury.  With these guys blocking for Williams, as well as quarterback Cam Newton—who also loves running the ball—they could pose a serious threat for other teams, including the Vikings.

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden had a breakout season last year for the Oakland Raiders after rushing for 1,157 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010, as compared to 357 yards and just one touchdown in 2009.  He also was one of the tops backs in the NFL statistically in yards per carry, averaging 5.2 per.

After missing a few weeks of training camp with a minor injury, McFadden is back in practice and looking as good as ever.  He appears poised to build on his excellent 2010 season and have another impressive season in 2011.

With the Vikings losing Pat Williams and star run stopper Ray Edwards from their defensive line, McFadden will be a test for the new guys.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Already a great quarterback in the NFL, Matt Ryan has more offensive weapons than one quarterback could even know what to do with this season.  Between Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez, and rookie Julio Jones, Ryan will have plenty of places to distribute the ball and spread it out.

Not only could the Vikings struggle, but stopping the Falcons offensively is going to be a big task for any team's defense this year.

Von Miller, Denver Broncos

Let's face it, not many teams are going to struggle with the Denver Broncos this season simply because they are not going to be very good.  Offensively, the guy slated as their starting quarterback was scheduled to be traded before the season began, they don't have a whole lot of weapons, and their running game consists of the underachieving Knowshon Moreno and a post-prime Willis McGahee. After a 4-12 season, Denver is still very much rebuilding.

However, the bright spot for the Broncos this season could be their defense and rookie linebacker Von Miller.  Selected by Denver as the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, Miller recorded an outstanding 27.5 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss during his last two college seasons at Texas A&M. A superb run stopper, Miller is the odds-on favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

As we all know, Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL; therefore, he will wreak havoc on a number of teams this season. The past two years Brees has particularly had the Vikings number.  

With the unmatched ability to pick apart opposing teams defenses, Brees will attack Minnesota's secondary and look to find weakness in the inexperienced corners and safeties.

DeAngelo Hall, Washington Redskins

Named the 2010 Pro Bowl MVP, DeAngelo Hall remains one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.  A ball-hawking 3-time Pro Bowler, Hall ranked 5th in the NFL last season with 6 interceptions to go along with 95 tackles.

Hall is already making noise in the preseason, having recorded a 52-yard pick six after intercepting Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the Washington Redskins third game.