Fantasyfootballer.com's Gridiron


    
      
        Fantasyfootballer.com's Gridiron
        (https://www.fantasyfootballer.com/cgi-bin/theGridiron/YaBB.cgi)
      

        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
        
(Message started by: captainpurple on Dec 11^th, 2003, 10:46am)

Title: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by captainpurple on Dec 11^th, 2003, 10:46am

At first glance, The Bears are doing a big favor to the Vikes by starting their rookie this week. Rex is known for his pocket composure though, so he may be harder to rattle than one would expect from a rook. Draft day rap on Rex was his penchant for not taking great care of the ball in the pocket. He'll have to fix that for the Bears to have a chance Sunday.

The most glaring stat diff is MINs #2rated pass Offense vs CHIs #31rated pass Offense. If Rex gets them some respectable passing success, this could be a very close game. If not, will be a long day for the Bears.

When the Bears have the ball...
Grossman's claim to fame came in Spurrier's Fun-n-Gun. The Bears under Jauron are most certainly not going to be Fun-n-Gun. Look for the Bears to try to keep Moss and Co. off the field by feed ATrain and utilizing Booker over the middle. They'll take their shots downfield with White and Gage, but they must control the ball to have a chance.

When the Vikings have the ball...
Minny is banged up at RB, so even though they'll want to pound the ball, injuries, and a little thing named Urlacher might hamper that. The big play was working for them vs Seattle, and it should be open again this week vs Chicago's smaller/inexperienced corners. That's probably where the Vikes make hay, cuz I give Urlacher a lot of credit and think he'll shut down a lot of the run game.

Key Matchups
Gage vs Irvin
This kid scares me a bit. Just seems to have the mojo workin' right now. Irvin is smaller and can be beat, especially with the double move. Gage could have some big plays if Grossman has time and composure.

Bennett/Williams vs Urlacher
Could probably throw O-line and the kitchen sink in here too. Vikes have to get a hat on this guy in the running game to have any success.

The Game
MIN dominated TimeOfPoss. vs SEA and will want to do the same thing this week. Urlacher is great though, and may very well shut most of that down. I see CHI being pretty ineffective their first couple series as Rex gets his feet wet. MIN will be as well, as they attempt to run and have meager success. I see a big play being the difference in the Q1, and the Bears still hanging on at half, 10-3. The game stays close the whole way as Rex starts making some plays, maybe even tying or taking the lead by Q3, say 17-17. Vikings big play ability wins this one as Moss and CPepp hook up for a late TD, winning 27-20.

Forecast
Minnesota Vikings 27 - Chicago Bears- 20

Daunte Culpepper - 330 pa.yds & 2TDs, 60 ru.yds - Played nearly flawlessly last week. Will be called on to carry this one a bit more if running game falters.
Michael Bennett - 65 ru.yds, 25 rec.yds - Hampered by an ankle, but Urlacher shuts down most of the run.
Moe Williams - 45 ru.yds & 1TD, 35 rec.yds - Gets more carries this week to try to break some tackles. This year's Larry Centers gets more recs.
Onterrio Smith - zilch - Returning kicks, could see some carries if Bennett and Moe have injury flareups.
Randy Moss - 135 yds & 1TD - No answer in Blue and Orange for The Freak.
D'wayne Bates - 15 yds - Bad routes, too slow...Homecoming but doesn't impress
Kelly Campbell - 45 yds - Gets matchup vs rookie and should burn him deep.
Nate Burleson - 30 yds - Becoming a nice chain-mover. Runs nice routes.
Jimmy Kleinsasser - 45 yds, 1TD - Had 2 TDs in last meeting.
Aaron Elling - 2FG & 3XP - An adventure every time he kicks the ball.
D/ST - 3sacks, 2INT - Rex holds the ball a long time, should see some good sack opps.

Rex Grossman - 270 yds & 2TD, 2INT - Will play well enough to keep them in it, and give Bears fans hope for next year.
Anthony Thomas - 85 yds, 30 rec. yds - Good up-the-middle runner has some success off the edges this week.
Marty Booker - 55 rec. yds - Slower receiver, but seems to get his over the middle.
Justin Gage - 85 yds & 1TD - Big play threat is successful vs Irvin.
Dez White - 25 yds - Maybe a big play here too, but I think it goes to Clark.
Desmond Clark - 75 yds & 1TD - MIN LBs wear 30# shoes it seems.
Paul Edinger - 2FG, 2XP - The goalpost is the other way Forrest!
D/ST 2 sacks - This D is terrible w/o Urlacher.

GO VIKES! [smiley=viking.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by Philly on Dec 11^th, 2003, 12:26pm

Should be interesting to see Rex get his first game action this week. I can't imagine the Bears are going to have anything for the Vikes. They threw in the towel when they handed the ball to Rex. I see this as more of a 40-13 Vikes win.

Title: Re: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by bakes781 on Dec 11^th, 2003, 1:20pm

For the Vikes to be looked at as a Super Bowl contender they should CRUSH da Bears & this rookie QB. Just like I anticpate the Pats will do to the Jags & Leftwich. If Rex gains confidence early on this could be a shootout. I would suspect Minnesota will blitz on almost every down.

Title: Re: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by captainpurple on Dec 11^th, 2003, 3:07pm

on 12/11/03 at 13:20:26, bakes781 wrote:

For the Vikes to be looked at as a Super Bowl contender....

Bakes, you been hittin' the sauce!?? [smiley=alcoholic.gif]

on 12/11/03 at 13:20:26, bakes781 wrote:

I would suspect Minnesota will blitz on almost every down.

I agree, but Rex is known for pocket composure. I guess we'll see how that translates to the pro game.

If you're wondering why I'd lean to such a close game vs a team that should be outclassed in all phases except mayb SpecTeams, look back at:
Det (waaay to close),
SD (bad loss),
Oak(worse loss),
NYG (proven to be less than they looked vs MIN),
and finally CHI earlier this year. That game stayed close and it was at home, where the Bears don't traditionally play well. Bears are tough at Soldier, especially in the cold. I think this will be closer than it should be.

Title: Re: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by bakes781 on Dec 15^th, 2003, 11:32am

Your Vikes are gonna get [smiley=gettinhammered.gif] by the Chiefs on Saturday. Packers are now in a tie for 1st place in the sorryest division in football. If this were college your division wouldn't even earn an automatic BCS bid. [smiley=LMFAO.gif]

Title: Re: Vikings - Week 15 Analysis
Post by captainpurple on Dec 15^th, 2003, 12:13pm

Troll somewhere else bakes, this "ol' Walter" aint bitin'.

[smiley=shrug.gif]