I'm already worried about the Vikes

[edgecy]

I don't think even the most delusional Viking fan would take Chidress over Belicheck. That having been said I have been really impressed with Childress so far. Although when you take over for Mike Tice it is hard not to look good in comparison.

That's why it's another thing that is in our favor

But I do have to agree with you, Brad Childress is currently doing a very good job as a first year coach and Brad Johnson is having a renaissance year. Although I am not sure if it's because of Brad Childress or it's because of Brad Johnson that the Vikes is enjoying good successes right now. I remember last year when Brad Johnson took over for Daunte the team immediately turned around and I wonder if this is a continuation of what we saw last year.

Oh, BTW, welcome to the board, and here's to a great game on Monday night.

 

[TomBradyWoot]

Is Brad Childress related to Bam?

Of course, they're father and son

 

[BTTA]

Greetings from a Vikings fan.

I have to disagree about the Vikes being terrible on special teams. They rank 9th in kickoff return Average allowed, 14th in punt return average allowed, 8th in kickoff return avg and 16th in punt return average. While not worldbeaters they have been slightly above average on special teams.

Keep in mind, this is a NE Pats board. For us, those stats would be terrible. That's IF the stats are an accurate measurement, which we could argue about for days here.

 

[SackMeIfYouCan]

I think that we're going to be able to handle their offense without too much trouble -

however,their D is pretty awesome as well,

so yes, we should win, but it could come down to the wire.

I agree with the Pats having control of the Vikes offense. We are ranked 12th over all(I think) but to be honest...we just cant get things going very well. I am surprised that we are even 12th.

I agree with our defense being awesome...4 TD's so far and more to come...

And I agree with this being a tight game...that is, if the Vikes don't blow it.
I think that every1 is getting too caught up in the Seattle win last week.
Granted, that was a beautiful win. It was awesome.
But the reality of it is that we are a growing team and still have ALOT of holes.
We are not as solid as we seem.

Sometimes, like last week...we pull it together and become a team.
I only hope that we do that more consistently.

Sackman

 

[Kontradiction]

Eh, I'm not worried at all. From what I have seen this year, the Vikings look to be rather soft.

 

[Water Boy]

With the Vikes overpowering O-line, will we play more 4-3? Pretty hard to hold back the right side of that line, esp. if Sey has an injured left wing. (That's his dominant side.)

I am in favor of them playing more 4-3. I know the conventional wisdom that the 3-4 is the Patriot's preferred alignment for stopping the run, but I think they looked great in the 4-3 against the Jets. They smothered the Jets running attack and were able to get pressure on Pennington with the 4 down lineman.

If Seymour is out though, this may not be the best week to go to the 4-3.

 

[VJCPatriot]

heres soemthing that could very well be a factor

Patriots are near bottom in penalties

Vikings near top

Good point. This year's Pats teams has committed pretty few penalties which is more like them. This is how they play usually when they are winning.

Another thing to note, although the Vikes beat Seattle the Hawks are hurting right now. I think they've gotten a little exposed as their OL isn't as good as it used to be and Alexander has been hurt.

Vikes have a very solid D though. They haven't allowed over 20 pts all year. So this will be a tough game just because their D will likely keep it close. I hope I'm wrong and we see more "Air Jackson" early. Would love to get the jump on the Vikes. Nothing like scoring early on the road to shut up the home team crowd.

 

[363839]

I'm worried, too.

Worried what the Pats are going to do to them.

 

[Lockdown06]

Good point. This year's Pats teams has committed pretty few penalties which is more like them. This is how they play usually when they are winning.

Another thing to note, although the Vikes beat Seattle the Hawks are hurting right now. I think they've gotten a little exposed as their OL isn't as good as it used to be and Alexander has been hurt.

Vikes have a very solid D though. They haven't allowed over 20 pts all year. So this will be a tough game just because their D will likely keep it close. I hope I'm wrong and we see more "Air Jackson" early. Would love to get the jump on the Vikes. Nothing like scoring early on the road to shut up the home team crowd.

we haven't allowed over 17 - i like our chances

 

[SackMeIfYouCan]

So this will be a tough game just because their D will likely keep it close. I hope I'm wrong and we see more "Air Jackson" early. Would love to get the jump on the Vikes. Nothing like scoring early on the road to shut up the home team crowd.

They will never shut me up.

I will be cheering even if the score was 41-0 Pats.


Sackman

 

[SackMeIfYouCan]

Eh, I'm not worried at all. From what I have seen this year, the Vikings look to be rather soft.

I don't think that soft would be the right word.

Disorganized, choppy, or rough around the edges would be more suiting, I believe.


Sack

 

[Patjew]

This game worries me, but then again they all do. I'll feel alot better if some of our Questionables actually play, particularly Graham and Sey. And the O-line!

 

[RoughingthePasser]

This is an exciting game because it's against a team we don't usually see.
There are many things to consider with Minnesota. They have a running game but their WR corps has been banged up a little bit and this may give our old buddy Bethel Johnson some playing time. Robinson is out and the two other WR's both got concussions during the Seattle game. I'm not overly impressed by the two wins against Seattle and Detroit. I feel our team stacks up stronger and will finish this one with a win.

We need to attack on defense and get them out of the game and allow our DB's to make some plays. I see a couple of INT's. Hobbs and Samuels.
The Vikings have a very strong left side (similar to Seattle) that we need to take advantage of. If Seymour sits I feel good about Wright and Jarvis in there.

Mike Tomlin the Vikings Def. Cord. will be agressive on blitzing. We'll take advantage and be prepared for this as well. We should see a phenomenal game from Watson-their "tampa" pkg. will give us some shots.

We must stick to the running game and play an agressive first half to pound them. The Vikes have some big tackles and Harris in the middle. Maroney and Dillon will enable us to control the clock and TOP. WE'LL GRIND THEM DOWN.
We need to draw their DB's and keep them out of defensive rythym in the grand scheme of the game. Our pass completions will be high and our recievers (RBs and TE's too) WILL be getting open for some plays. We can beat them physically but we need to have 0 TO's and just beat them physically. We have the brains.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riC-ixbxf7M

 

[Bella*chick]

I'm nervous about every game, but this one particularly because it is a team we do not usually see, it's on the road, and it's a night game. I just prefer the 1:00 ones, what can I say.

When we play teams we are familiar with, good or bad, I at least have some idea what to expect. THe Vikings are pretty good this year, and anything can happen in this league. It seems like a lot of teams are showing up one week, then looking terrible the next. It's just hard to get a feel for.

 

[zippo59]

I may end up looking like a complete idiot for saying this but I think the Pats will somewhat handle the Vikings. I don't think it is going to be a blowout, nor is it going to be easy, but I think people are getting a little carried away with the doom prophecies.

The Vikings are a solid NFC team. The NFC is the second class conference and I just can't see a team that looks godd but not great in it beating the Pats.

I feel like we've seen many games like this over the years. Teams look good and we are a little worried but then we play them and it ends up not being as difficult, as the Pats show why they have been so dominant in the NFL the past few years. They beat the good teams.

 

[since67]

I think it's going to be a tough game for both teams. Smashmouth.

 

[Lansdowne]

It should be a grind for sure, but I'm not too worried. The Vikings' offense might struggle a bit. Marcus Robinson is out, Troy Williamson and Travis Taylor are both recovering from concussions and may not play. That means the Pats will need to key on our boy Jermaine Wiggins.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I may end up looking like a complete idiot for saying this but I think the Pats will somewhat handle the Vikings. I don't think it is going to be a blowout, nor is it going to be easy, but I think people are getting a little carried away with the doom prophecies.

The Vikings are a solid NFC team. The NFC is the second class conference and I just can't see a team that looks godd but not great in it beating the Pats.

I feel like we've seen many games like this over the years. Teams look good and we are a little worried but then we play them and it ends up not being as difficult, as the Pats show why they have been so dominant in the NFL the past few years. They beat the good teams.

I have to agree (not about the complete idiot part, though ).

 

[Gopats!!!]

I believe it will be a tough game. The wild card for me is injuries.

With Seymour and Warren Questionable, our D line will have a much harder time dealing with the vikes O Line. Luckily, we have some great backups that should help us out. We are not as bad off as most teams who lost two starters on the D Line. If one or both do play, how effective will they be?

With Hochstein and Neal Questionable, can we handle the vikes D line? Already #1 in Rush Def, this only makes it harder for us. The fact that Brady gets rid of the ball so quick helps us out in this area, as does the fact that both Udeze and Williams are questionable too. It would be better if our best pass catching RB (Faulk) wasn't also questionable. I don't expect much from the ground game.

As for being one of the least penalized teams, this will be important Monday Night. It will be crazy in the dome, will they be able to keep the penalties down?

I feel good about special teams, I think field position will work greatly to our advantage.

Of course, all teams have to make do with the players they have, the vikes WR are beat up, etc. Also, who knows who is really injured and how bad??? The way teams, especially the Pats, play with the injury report, you just don't know.

In the end, I believe the Patriots will do what it takes to win. The players on the field will do what is neccessary to beat a good team on the road and come away 6-1.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It would be better if our best pass catching RB (Faulk) wasn't also questionable.

The advantage we do have is every one of the RBs on the roster/PUP are decent to great receivers.

Faulk/Pass: great
Evans: very good
Dillon: good
Maroney: good with potential to improve

Dillon and Evans can serve as 3rd down backs; Evans run blocking is much improved, I'd like to see if that has carried over to his blitz pick-ups.

This is also an opportunity to work Maroney in as a 3rd down back. We know he's killer on draws, I can just imagine him on a screen, and his blocking looked okay in previous games.