Falcons only natural enemy: Vikings since 1998

Minnesota at Atlanta

Lessons in

Falcon Hunting

If the Falcons are looking to swoop in on injured prey, they may be in for a big suprise. While it is true that the Vikings have suffered some injuries this week, they still have the tools to pick apart the Falcon Defense. Any attempt at swoopage this week should be undertaken with extreme care as the Vikings bring the BAM! brothers (Moore, Williams) to do a little bit of hunting.

The Viking recieving corp will remain slighly less impressive this week with Nate Burleson out for the week. That just leaves Williamson, Robinson, Robinson, Taylor and Wiggins to catch the balls. Insert a reborn quarterback with a pair of regenerated legs and superman x-ray vision and it appears that the Falcons may be underestimating the ferocity of the Vikings pass attack. The BAM! brothers will hold down the backfield hopefully bring out the whoopin' stick against a defense that is primarly concerned with shutting them down. If our offensive line decides to actually play this week, or at least look like they are trying to play, we may have a stronger offense than the "experts" think.

The main problem with the so called "experts" is that thier analysis is based on a team with Randy Moss. They think that the Vikings are just a novelty offense that goes deep every chance they get. They forget to notice that Wiggins was one of our best players last year, and the Vikings are not afraid to drop the ball underneath and gain 7-8 yards on a simple out pattern. Anyone who has actually watched the Vikings the past couple of years would realize that we have a pretty solid offense, with or without Moss, based primarly on a three pronged strategy.

Prong number one - The deep ball.

Randy used to be the torch bearer in this most lethal of attacks, but since he has left that option has seemed to fade a little. Last week gave us hope that our deep division may be dangerous once again. Williamson proved himself worthy of catching the big ball last week. Seeing as he is a rookie and not given alot of respect, the time may be right for the Vikes to exploit his talent. This could be Williamson's coming out party as the Vikings will be looking to soften up the linebackers and safties with the deep ball. If the offensive line gives Daunte some time for a change, we may be able to fire a warning shot acroos thier bow, thus enabling Moore to run wild up the middle. The Falcons will not show enough respect to Williamson, Daunte has the gun to make the pass, The main players to watch are the offensive linemen. If they perform this week, look to see the deep ball as a viable option.

Prong number two - The short pass.

We don't love Wiggins because he is just so damn adorable. The man catches passes that get us first downs. He is a saftey valve when the recievers cannot find daylight. And when he does catch the ball, he puts some hurt on, ussually thundering forward for another couple of yards after first contact. Also a receiver running a little 5 and in ussually provides a couple of yards thus setting up a short second or third down. Daunte last week proved himself capable of seeing the open reciver and getting him the ball. There is a reason why Daunte has such a high completion percentage, he hits the little man that is uncovered. While the defense is always worried about the deep ball, they leave the little guys open to run wild. If the Vikings establish the short pass, they open up the deep ball. If they establish the deep ball, they open up the short pass. Daunte knows this, and the offensive co-ordinator ought to know this. Look for the Vikings spin the Falcons into a tail spin by switching between the bomb and the dump off.

Prong number three - The running game.

The Falcons have publically stated that this is their main concern this week. They feel if they can stop the run, they can defend the pass. The problem with that is, we have Moore and Williams. They can try to stop the running game, but they will be bruised and battered beyond belief before the 3rd quarter. Moore has a heart of gold and will not give up on a play no matter how many defenders are dragging him down. Williams is blood thirsty and plays the game soley to put big hits on linebackers. Look for the Vikings to pound the ball with Moore on first and second downs, then punish the defensive line on short third downs with Williams. The Falcons will either limp away in pain, or send more guys to defend the run, thus opening up the deep ball.

The Vikings are not the terrible offense that the "experts" say they are. We have a world class QB, above average recievers (one being underrated, Williamson) and bruising backs. The entire game still hinges on the offensive line though. If they decide to earn thier paychecks this week and give Daunte some time in the pocket, look for a shocking offensive output. If they play like they have for the past 3 weeks, look for some struggle in keeping up with Vick.

The Defense is looking to follow up with a solid performance even though we are missing Sharper and posslibly Udeze this week. Brian Williams does not matter, in fact I would say that the absense of Williams may save a few touchdowns. As always, the Vikings will have to place a spy on Vick thus limiting our blizting options. The blitz was a key component of last weeks win against the Saints. We will need good coverage from our corners, good play recognition from our linebackers, and some individual drive from the d-line. Just going up against Vick is enough to strike fear into the hearts of the best defenses, let alone an injured defense. Vick essentailly makes defenses into individual efforts. The line has to provide the extra pressure because a spy is ussually needed thus limiting the complexitites of the blitzes. Corners have to play great man to man, and line backers have to recognize that Vick may take off for no reason at all. Vick is a mental nightmare and look for the Vikings defense to struggle against him.

Probably the biggest factor in this game is the overconfidence of the Falcons. From reading around today, they don't seem to be taking this game too seriously. They forget that they are going up against a revitialized Vikings squad looking to prove they belong in the Super Bowl. Knocking off the Falcons would send a very strong statement. The Falcons seem to be taking this game as just another day at the office. They seem to lack motivation. Keep in mind what happens when a team loses motivation, Vikings 8 Bengals 37. Look for a very close game that hinges upon the performance of the Vikings offensive line.

Predictions

Vikings 24 - Falcons 21
GameDay Heros - Troy Williamson, and Winfield

GameDay Goat - The offensive line will prove suffcient for a win, but give up too many sacks.

Once again, don't forget to wear all your lucky gear this week, or sit in your lucky chair, and drink the beer out of your lucky hand. We need more luck this week than last week. Also no one wear a Vikings visor. If we lose and I find out someone wore a Vikings visor, I will hunt you down.

Mr. Weatherstone