7 Minnesota Vikings Who Need To Step Up for Week 2

In Minnesota's season opener on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers, the Vikings were defeated 24-17, blowing a 10-point halftime lead and putting on a less than stellar offensive performance. Although running back Adrian Peterson ran for 98 yards, the running game was ineffective, and the passing game was nonexistent.

The Vikings' imbalanced offense made Peterson's job very difficult because the lack of passing success made the rush way too predictable. In order for Minnesota to improve in the weeks to come, it is absolutely necessary that it establish a throwing game. To do so, there are a number of players that are going to have to step up.

Donovan McNabb

In the Vikings' season opener, quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for a measly 39 yards on 7-of-15 passing, totaling one touchdown and one interception. Quite simply, this will not get the job done.

It is virtually impossible to win a game on just 39 receiving yards and even more difficult to rely on the running game if the passing game doesn't exist. With the Vikings blowing a 10-point halftime lead, McNabb had just two second-half passing yards.

McNabb didn't look to go downfield very often on Sunday and was unsuccessful on all attempts to do so. Instead, unclear whether it was by play-calling or his own decision, McNabb checked down almost every time to Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin for short gains.

The passing woes cannot be entirely blamed on McNabb, though. Both the receivers and offensive line need to step up as well. Receivers dropped balls that should have been caught on a few different occasions. McNabb's first play of the game was an intercepted pass at the line of scrimmage in which Chargers defensive end Shaun Phillips was allowed to get his hands up.

Then, during the fourth quarter, on what was possibly the most critical play of the game, the Vikings faced 3rd-and-8 and receiver Bernard Berrian had his defender beat downfield, but feeling the pressure, McNabb left the pass short.

Ultimately, the passing game relies on the quarterback, who is expected to lead the team.

Charlie Johnson

Charlie Johnson, the Vikings' replacement at left tackle for Bryant McKinnie, has to do a better job protecting Donovan McNabb's blind side.

During the game Sunday, McNabb's pocket collapsed on him a number of times, forcing him to scramble. Although McNabb was only sacked twice, he was hit five or six times.

Johnson started out slow in training camp, but according to the Vikings coaching staff, he is catching on. Although Johnson did not look great on Sunday, in his defense, he faced a very good Chargers defense with excellent pass-rushers. All things considered, he wasn't terrible.

Bernard Berrian

Bernard Berrian is in the Vikings starting lineup with expectations of being a deep-threat option. However, Berrian was no threat to San Diego on Sunday, catching zero balls for zero yards. In order for the Vikings be successful, Berrian has to get open and present himself as a weapon.

In his defense, Berrian didn't see a lot of balls against the Chargers, and the one big pass that did come his way was thrown short, allowing his defender to get his hands on it.

Percy Harvin

Percy Harvin's 103-yard kick return to open the game on Sunday was absolutely spectacular; however, his 22 yards of total offense were far from that. Harvin is expected to be the Vikings' second-best offensive weapon behind Adrian Peterson, and Bill Musgrave's plan is to go to him often.

Against the Chargers, Harvin had four carries for 15 yards and two catches for seven yards. Granted, the play calls were not great, but Harvin has to step up and be the playmaker he is supposed to be and create something out of nothing.

Visanthe Shiancoe

Although offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's plan of going to the tight ends often didn't seem very apparent in Sunday's game, Visanthe Shiancoe is still going to be counted on. The tight ends did not see a lot of balls against the Chargers, but when McNabb did go to Shiancoe, he dropped what would have been a third-down conversion.

With the Vikings' weaknesses at wide receiver, Shiancoe is going to be relied on as a key option.

Letroy Guion and Fred Evans

For the most part, the Vikings defense played pretty well on Sunday; however, penalties from a pair of Minnesota defensive tackles were costly.

Late in the fourth quarter, when the Vikings faced a critical defensive possession, Letroy Guion was twice called for offsides in a span of five plays, followed by Fred Evans getting called for encroachment just a few plays later.

The three penalties allowed the Chargers to advance the ball and keep the clock ticking, limiting the Vikings offense's opportunity to get back on the field.

These two have to have better concentration, especially late in games, to prevent these consequential penalties.