Quick Hits: Getting to know the Minnesota Vikings
Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
This week, I had the opportunity to talk to Adam Carlson, the co-editor of The Viking Age.
He offered an interesting perspecitve of the Minnesota Vikings as they prepare to battle the Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle.
Here is the conversation:
1) The quarterback position has been an issue for the Vikings this season. Christian Ponder’s injury has raised some questions about who will start against Seattle on Sunday. Who do you think should be the starter for the Vikings from this point on and why?
Despite Ponder’s shoulder injury, it appears as though he will be the starter on Sunday. Personally, I think that the team should be starting Josh Freeman from here on out. Minnesota already knows that Cassel is a backup and Ponder isn’t the long term answer. They invested in Freeman and only have him for this year. If they don’t play him, it seems like a waste of money and talent.
2) Adrian Peterson rushed for 182 yards on 17 carries the last time these two teams met. Will he put up similar numbers on Sunday? Why or why not?
Although I don’t see Adrian Peterson putting up those kind of numbers again, Seattle should definitely expect him to be the focal point of the Minnesota offense. He should have a big game on the ground with the offensive line returning to their full strength now that Loadholt and Charlie Johnson are back. This should be one of the best and most entertaining games of the week in the NFL with both Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch being two of the best in the NFL at what they do.
3) Percy Harvin has yet to play for the Seahawks this year, but most people know that he will bring a unique play-making style to the team once he is on the field. How much do the Vikings miss him this year, or has the offense moved on without him?
I think the Vikings offense has done a good job of moving on without him. Bringing in Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson really helped take some of the pressure off the passing game. It’s hard to say that they have moved on completely though, because of how dynamic of a playmaker Percy Harvin is. The nice thing is that Patterson has been excellent on kick returns, so that helped there. Scoring points hasn’t been a huge problem for this Vikings team, however keeping other teams from scoring has been nearly impossible for Minnesota.
4) The Seahawks are favorites coming into the contest and have won 12-straight games at home. What do the Vikings need to do to upset Seattle?
The Vikings defense needs to put a lot of pressure on Russell Wilson and and take away the deep plays. They need to clog the holes in the running game. Meanwhile, the Vikings offense should run through Adrian Peterson and use the run game to open up the passing game. It will be tough for the Vikings to be competitive with a team as good as the Seahawks, but they do have the talent and potential to do hang in there.
5) What is your prediction for Sunday’s game?
While I am a HUGE Vikings fan, I just don’t see Minnesota getting out of Seattle with a win. The Seahawks are just too good on both sides of the ball and the Vikings are a struggling team. The Vikings will hang in the game until about halftime, then Seattle will just open it up. Should be a great and entertaining game though, and I wish both squads luck and most importantly, good health, on Sunday.
Special thanks to Adam for contributing to this interview.
The Seahawks and Vikings will kickoff on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. local time on FOX.