Sunday Night Showdown

I am extremely amped for the showdown for first place tonight at the Dome. It's time for the Vikings to step up and win a pivotal game with major playoff implications, something they haven't done in recent years. It is important to remember, however, that this isn't a "win and your in" game like last year against Washington. If the Vikes do win, they will be the clear favorite to win the division and they probably will. They still, however, would have four games left and would have to take care of business. If they lose tonight, the Vikes would be two games out of first because of the tiebreaker with Chicago and would face a steep uphill climb to the playoffs. The actual "win and your in" game could come later, but this is a virtual must-win for the purple anyway. I just wanted to point out the distinction.

I think the key to the game tonight will be special teams. If the Vikings don't give up a huge play on special teams, they will most likely win. In Chicago, the Vikings made two huge special teams gaffes and it cost them the game. It can't happen tonight because in a game like this, one big play could change the outcome. We were clearly the better team in Chicago and we should be again tonight. One concern is that the Bears defense is much healthier than they were in the game at Soldier Field (with the exception of Nathan Vasher). I think they will stack the box against Adrian and blitz Gus a lot. Frerrotte must take care of the football and capitalize on the single coverage he is sure to see. If he can do that early, the lanes will open up for AD. Peterson absolutely kills the Bears (7 TD in 3 career games) and I see the same thing happening tonight. The Bears run defense is very off and on, and lately they have been off (Ryan Grant torched them in Green Bay). I also see Berrian getting out of his slump and catching a TD against his former squad because the Bears pass D is weak. Another thing to watch for is how the Vikings defense responds after the Bears had their way with them in the first meeting. In the second game against Green Bay, the defense responded brilliantly from the first meeting, made the necessary adjustments, and really put the heat on Aaron Rodgers. I think we will see something very similar tonight. Kevin Williams and Jared Allen are unblockable right now and they will pressure Kyle Orton all night. I just can't see Orton being able to pass on us tonight at a loud and raucous Metrodome like he was able to at Soldier Field. Matt Forte is on a hot streak right now, but that should end when he meets the Williams Wall. In a game like this the stars have to shine, and they will for the Purple tonight. Let's go out and get a big W. SKOL.