OFFENSE:
If there’s a coach in the NFL that knows how to attack this defense, it’s Mike McCarthy. Whether facing Viking coordinators Mike Tomlin or Leslie Frazier, McCarthy has been able to move the ball very effectively both in the air and, shockingly, on the ground. (Kevin Seifert over at ESPN’s NFC North Blog points out Ryan Grant’s success against the Vikings so far…) Much has been made this week of Aaron Rodgers’ first start in the putrid dome the Vikings play in. It should be Rodgers first victory of many in Minnesota if McCarthy stays true to form.
- Exploit Cedric Griffin and Charles Gordon
It will be quite interesting to see who the Vikings choose to matchup Antoine Winfield with. In the past, Winfield has lobbied to cover Donald Driver, when he was considered the Packers number one receiver. As we all know, that torch has been passed this season to Greg Jennings. But as everyone saw last week, teams are playing with fire if they leave Driver one-on-one with a second corner. Throw in third year corner Charles Gordon who is, if you’re being charitable, horrible, and you have the offense perfectly positioned to take advantage of the Viking secondary on early downs. McCarthy would be wise to come out in his three-wide formations with Donald Lee in the backfield with Grant. Throwing on first down should provide favorable matchups on second downs for McCarthy to…
- Attack the Edges With Ryan Grant
As stated above, Grant has had more success rushing the football against the Viking’s third overall rushing defense than anyone else. A lot is made of how McCarthy does it (along the edges with sweeps, tosses and stretch plays) but the key Sunday will be when he chooses to call his running plays. The past three weeks, McCarthy has been flirting with stubbornness when it comes to pounding Grant and grinding him into the ground. (It actually reminds me somewhat of when Dorsey Levens came back from injury and Mike Holmgren went on and on about how he was going to limit Levens’ carries and bring him along slowly - only for Levens to get something like 35 carries his first game back) He’ll need to be much more judicious with his use of the running game in general and Grant in particular against a Viking defense that is built to destroy the run. If he can get the offense into second and 4 or less, he’ll be able to choose his spots early on. He can either run or throw on second and if his running game is stopped, he will still have a manageable down and distance for either a run or pass.
DEFENSE:
- Go Heavy To Stop Peterson
The offense being designed and called by Brad Childress is a bit different than what the Packers faced in their opener. The Vikings are using a lot more multiple tight end sets and pounding the football both outside and in. They run left behind McKinnie and Hutchinson which is bad for our heroes because it means they are running away from Kampman and toward the combination of Montgomery and Thompson, who have played well but have not been tested in the run game the way they will be on Sunday. Sanders should go heavy early with a five man line, subbing in a defensive tackle for a linebacker. Imagine a line of Montgomery, Jolly, Harrell, Pickett, and Kampman. Sure, the Vikings would most likely go play-action, but really: Bernard Berrian vs Charles Woodson or Bobby Wade vs Al Harris is a ‘win’ for the Packers more often than not. The key will be covering tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Known for his killer drops early in the season, Shiancoe is actually playing much better, taking advantage of linebackers getting sucked into play-action to find space deep. Nick Collins or Brandon Chillar will have to be very disciplined and keep him in mind at all times.
- Maintain. Gap. Discipline.
You’re tired of reading it. Reporters are tired of writing it. McCarthy is sure as hell tired of saying it. But unfortunately it’s the truth: The Packers continue to have breakdowns in both contain and gap discipline on defense and it is killing them at least once or twice a game. It’s understandable to see Adrian Peterson break a long run as he did in Week One. It is quite another to watch 235 pound Lendale White bust a 54 yard run and it could only happen because the defensive line was washed waaaayyyy out of position. It simply can’t happen.
Ron La Canne said in November 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Andrew in Atlanta said in November 9th, 2008 at 10:24 am
