Viking's Weaknesses

[Partial]

What are the Vikings weaknesses and if you were a coach playing against them, how would you scheme to defeat them?

[mmmdk]

Be cocky - spread out your WRs and dare run the ball. One thing though; passing game must open up run game.

On defense: stop the run!

That's a tall order.

[RashanGary]

I think they have 2 good pass rushers (K. Williams and J Allen)

If you have a good LT, you can get away with just help from a runnign back rather than having to use a TE and a LT to block one guy. Inside I would double K Williams on passing downs and force the other 2 to beat you one on one. I don't think they can. It's always the 3rd pass rusher that is dangerous (see the NY Giants). I would vary protection schemes, but overall, on passing plays I would put more focus on their big 2. Sometimes I would use a TE to chip Allen, sometimes I would use a full double, sometimes I would go one on one, with him thinking there was help so using a less effective rush. I'd vary it, and keep them off balance with the protection.


I would pass all day using the above described protection scheme, but mixing it up and keeping them off balance. I would give Rodgers the ability to check into the best play and take advantage of whatever weaknesses their secondary is offering.


On defense I would get my back 7 amped up to tackle low. AP is too strong to tackle high but he does run high and leaves his legs wide open for easy tackles. I would hit him all day and make him earn every yard. I would stack the box and force their average WR's and bad QB to beat us.

[Dabaddestbear]

The QB, if you rush him from all angles then "HE WILL" chuck it up with his eyes close. Seriously.

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

But if you can stop the run game (which is possible with Mount Mckinnie being out) then you will have a chance.

[mmmdk]

I think they have 2 good pass rushers (K. Williams and J Allen)

If you have a good LT, you can get away with just help from a runnign back rather than having to use a TE and a LT to block one guy. Inside I would double K Williams on passing downs and force the other 2 to beat you one on one. I don't think they can. It's always the 3rd pass rusher that is dangerous (see the NY Giants). I would vary protection schemes, but overall, on passing plays I would put more focus on their big 2. Sometimes I would use a TE to chip Allen, sometimes I would use a full double, sometimes I would go one on one, with him thinking there was help so using a less effective rush. I'd vary it, and keep them off balance with the protection.



I would pass all day using the above described protection scheme, but mixing it up and keeping them off balance. I would give Rodgers the ability to check into the best play and take advantage of whatever weaknesses their secondary is offering.


On defense I would get my back 7 amped up to tackle low. AP is too strong to tackle high but he does run high and leaves his legs wide open for easy tackles. I would hit him all day and make him earn every yard. I would stack the box and force their average WR's and bad QB to beat us.

Good post and this is from the Euro Rat; I rarely hand those accolades out

[ahaha]

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

Have you? The Packers finished last year with 19 sacks allowed, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. Combine that with the fact that they finished with the 6th most pass attempts. That's damned impressive.

And, saying Favre is the reason for such an impressive sack ratio is a ridiculously over simplification.(Not that you're saying that, but many people do.) The truth is that impressive numbers like that come from multiple factors, some including:

-A good pass protecting o-line
-Receivers who can get open, and make good pre-snap reads
-An elusive QB, and/or one who makes great reads
-Good blitz pick-up by running backs
-A good running game to keep defense guessing
-Good deceptive play-calling

[MJZiggy]

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

Have you? The Packers finished last year with 19 sacks allowed, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. Combine that with the fact that they finished with the 6th most pass attempts. That's damned impressive.

And, saying Favre is the reason for such an impressive sack ratio is a ridiculously over simplification.(Not that you're saying that, but many people do.) The truth is that impressive numbers like that come from multiple factors, some including:

-A good pass protecting o-line
-Receivers who can get open, and make good pre-snap reads
-An elusive QB, and/or one who makes great reads
-Good blitz pick-up by running backs
-A good running game to keep defense guessing
-Good deceptive play-calling

Nice point.

[Dabaddestbear]

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

Have you? The Packers finished last year with 19 sacks allowed, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. Combine that with the fact that they finished with the 6th most pass attempts. That's damned impressive.

And, saying Favre is the reason for such an impressive sack ratio is a ridiculously over simplification.(Not that you're saying that, but many people do.) The truth is that impressive numbers like that come from multiple factors, some including:

-A good pass protecting o-line
-Receivers who can get open, and make good pre-snap reads
-An elusive QB, and/or one who makes great reads
-Good blitz pick-up by running backs
-A good running game to keep defense guessing
-Good deceptive play-calling

Well they no longer seem to have a good pass protecting O-line with Rodgers happy feet. A scrambling QB has its plus and minuses, and one of the minuses include getting sacked more because you run outside your protection a lot more.
Plus Rodgers does not get the ball out no where near as quick as Brett. That may improve in time, but not by week one.

And a good running game comes with a good o-line, not withstanding the fact that not many wanted to bring 8 in the box with Brett tossing the pill around. Rodgers will get that a lot more often, therefore making it hard to get the running game going.

[SMACKTALKIE]

The QB, if you rush him from all angles then "HE WILL" chuck it up with his eyes close. Seriously.

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

But if you can stop the run game (which is possible with Mount Mckinnie being out) then you will have a chance.

Hmmmm..."Chuck it up with his eyes closed" I don't think so.

The 4 wide thing may not be as effective this year given the Vikings front 4.

As far as McKinnie being out....not as big a blow in the run game as in the passing game. Hicks is a pretty decent run blocker where most would say that is McKinnie's weakness. Pass protection is where Hicks struggles at times and where McKinnie is strongest.

[Rastak]

Run a few screens, move Rodgers around. Throw the ball early and often. Max protect if necessary. They will likely have a rookie at safety, try and exploit that. On defense, blitz. Jackson will not be as mobile as usual. He's had most of a year of starting but last year didn't handle it well when under pressure. Force him to show that he can step up or scramble and hit the open guy. Again, he did that in the preseason before he got hurt but preseason isn't regular season, it goes up several notches.

[ahaha]

I would not go four wide with the Packs O-line at any time in the game. The Vikes will sit back and let the front four kill Rodgers. Have you guys seen their protection schemes?

Have you? The Packers finished last year with 19 sacks allowed, tied for 3rd best in the NFL. Combine that with the fact that they finished with the 6th most pass attempts. That's damned impressive.

And, saying Favre is the reason for such an impressive sack ratio is a ridiculously over simplification.(Not that you're saying that, but many people do.) The truth is that impressive numbers like that come from multiple factors, some including:

-A good pass protecting o-line
-Receivers who can get open, and make good pre-snap reads
-An elusive QB, and/or one who makes great reads
-Good blitz pick-up by running backs
-A good running game to keep defense guessing
-Good deceptive play-calling

Well they no longer seem to have a good pass protecting O-line with Rodgers happy feet. A scrambling QB has its plus and minuses, and one of the minuses include getting sacked more because you run outside your protection a lot more.
Plus Rodgers does not get the ball out no where near as quick as Brett. That may improve in time, but not by week one.

And a good running game comes with a good o-line, not withstanding the fact that not many wanted to bring 8 in the box with Brett tossing the pill around. Rodgers will get that a lot more often, therefore making it hard to get the running game going.

I disagree with all of your analysis, except for their ability to get the ball out quick. Although, I don't think it's that much of a difference.
I really hope that teams do a lot of eight in the box. If three guys are left to cover Driver, Jennings, and/or Jones, Rodgers will have a field day.

[Partial]

I think M3 is gonna come out slinging the rock. I predict we open the game with a 5 wide set. I suspect they stick with it for the first 4 plays of the game.

Watch, they start in a triple TE set all within the hashes

But yeah, I could see them spreading them out to an insane degree, and going with lots of 5 yard crossing routes. Dink and dunk them into exhaustion. Not only will it get the fans pumped but it is a pretty easy gameplan for A-Rod since he won't have hang onto the ball long, and it will be perfect to build his confidence and get some swagger going.

It's important to get off to a hot start. The first four games are absolutely brutal.

I really hope we can go with the 5 horses up front we rode last year. I really don't care if Barber or Sitton has potential or whatever. Why break what worked?

[Tony Oday]

Spread it out in the first half against the Vikes then run it to the corners in the second half and wear them down.

Defense is real easy 11 men in the box hehe Ok not really but dang close. McKinnie is a MUCH better run blocker than a pass blocker. He doesnt have the feet and is a very overrated LT. We need to get preasure and an early turnover or the play action is going to kill us all day long.

[Zool]

I think M3 is gonna come out slinging the rock. I predict we open the game with a 5 wide set. I suspect they stick with it for the first 4 plays of the game.

Watch, they start in a triple TE set all within the hashes

But yeah, I could see them spreading them out to an insane degree, and going with lots of 5 yard crossing routes. Dink and dunk them into exhaustion. Not only will it get the fans pumped but it is a pretty easy gameplan for A-Rod since he won't have hang onto the ball long, and it will be perfect to build his confidence and get some swagger going.

It's important to get off to a hot start. The first four games are absolutely brutal.

I really hope we can go with the 5 horses up front we rode last year. I really don't care if Barber or Sitton has potential or whatever. Why break what worked?

I wouldnt be surprised to see a 4 wide to start the game with Grant lined up at 5 deep. I would be surprised to see them try to out muscle the Vikes front 4 in the first half. I think it will be 3 wide with a heavy dose of slants, lots of Lee in motion with short crossing routes and Grant on draws and screens. A talented QB with confidence and timing going into the second half is dangerous with our RAC ability.

[SMACKTALKIE]

I think M3 is gonna come out slinging the rock. I predict we open the game with a 5 wide set. I suspect they stick with it for the first 4 plays of the game.

Watch, they start in a triple TE set all within the hashes

But yeah, I could see them spreading them out to an insane degree, and going with lots of 5 yard crossing routes. Dink and dunk them into exhaustion. Not only will it get the fans pumped but it is a pretty easy gameplan for A-Rod since he won't have hang onto the ball long, and it will be perfect to build his confidence and get some swagger going.

It's important to get off to a hot start. The first four games are absolutely brutal.

I really hope we can go with the 5 horses up front we rode last year. I really don't care if Barber or Sitton has potential or whatever. Why break what worked?

I wouldnt be surprised to see a 4 wide to start the game with Grant lined up at 5 deep. I would be surprised to see them try to out muscle the Vikes front 4 in the first half. I think it will be 3 wide with a heavy dose of slants, lots of Lee in motion with short crossing routes and Grant on draws and screens. A talented QB with confidence and timing going into the second half is dangerous with our RAC ability.

The YAC is always a concern against the Packers. Vikes have looked solid defensively as far as YAC has gone so far, Greenway especially has looked solid. The front 4 put tons of pressure on the QB the last time they played together against Rothlisberger.