Today I will break down both teams’ offensive lines and running backs vs. defensive front sevens. As the week progresses I am getting more and more excited about this game and wish I played for the Dallas Cowboys. This game cannot come soon enough.
The Vikings offensive line has talent but will be tested against the ferocious Cowboys’ front seven. Running back Adrian Peterson arguably is the best running back in the league. Personally I would choose Tennessee running back Chris Johnson as the best overall. He was just named Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Peterson has a penchant for fumbling the ball. Being a young player in the league, Peterson still does not protect the ball well enough and fights for every inch he can get- exposing the football for defenders to swat out of his hands. Chester Taylor is a solid if yet unspectacular change of pace back that gives Peterson a breather every now and then. He is a good receiver though.
Vikings’ Rookie right tackle Phil Loadholt and left tackle Bryant Mckinnie will have their hands full with Dallas Cowboys’ OLBs DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Both Ware and Spencer have been on a recent tear the past 4 games. Spencer has bloomed this season and hitting his stride at the right time. Earlier in the season he was a little bit late getting to the Quarterback. He has 7 sacks this season playing opposite Ware. Teams often have double and tripled teamed Ware to prevent him from causing havoc in the backfield. Offensive coordinators can no longer double team All- Pro Ware and disregard Spencer. It is a pick your poison situation. Least we cannot forget All Pro defensive nose tackle Jay Ratliff either. Ratliff provides an intense rush up the middle playing the run as well as rushing the QB. Viking’s Center John Sullivan will be in for a long day if he does not get help from his line mates Anthony Herrera or Stephen Hutchinson. The battle in the trenches will be fun to watch.
The Cowboys defensive Ends Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears are stout against the run. Their jobs playing in the 3-4 defensive scheme calls for them to occupy opposing offensive lineman and let the linebackers make plays. What sets these two apart is they play the run very well and get off their blocks and stop the running back. They are not called upon to rush the passer but they do not necessarily have to since Ware and Spencer are so good at it. DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer play the run and cover running backs and tight ends on passing downs too. Inside Linebackers Keith Brooking and Bradie James are very good run stuffers as well. If the Vikings try to run Peterson up the middle he will be met with a formidable defense. I just do not envision Peterson and the Vikings having a good day rushing.
Jared Allen is the most fearsome pass rusher for the Vikings. He has been one of the most dominant pass rushers the past several years in the NFL. Defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams are considered to be ranked in the top 5 at their positions in the league. Ray Edwards is a young defensive end that is the least known of the 4. Cowboys’ left tackle, Flozell Adams will be matched up against Jared Allen. He is deaf in one of his ears, and the fan noise in the Metrodome could cause Adams to jump offside’s anticipating the snap count. Flozell will be expected to handle Allen one on one for the majority of the game. Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, and Leonard Davis will be able to handle Willamses in the middle. Right tackle Marc Colombo returned to the starting line up last week after missing several games with a leg injury. His nastiness was missed a little during his absence. Back up tackle Doug Free performed admirably, stepping up his play and showing he will be a force in the near future on the Cowboys’ offensive line. If Adams struggles with Allen, Free might replace him on the left side, as he is more athletic than Adams.
I believe the Vikings’ defensive weakness is their linebacking corps. Their leader, EJ Henderson, was sidelined for the season recently. His replacement is a young guy named Jasper Brinkley. Ben Leber and Chad Greenway are the outside linebackers and are solid but will have trouble covering Cowboys’ tight ends Jason Witten, Marcellus Bennett, and John Phillips. They simply are not swift enough. Conversely, Ware, Spencer, and 3rd down linebacker Bobby Carpenter can hold their own against Viasnthe Shiancoe. The Cowboys’ 3 headed rushing attack of Felix Jones, Marion Barber, and Tashard Choice can have success against the Vikings’ front seven. They each bring a different running style with Felix being the explosive one; Barber the punisher, and Jones a combination of both.
Bottom line is I just don’t think the Vikings defense can stop the Cowboys’ running game and make Tony Romo beat them throwing the ball. The Cowboys are playing so good lately that the Vikings will be overmatched and just out muscled in the trenches.
Edge: Cowboys
Comments