Big things are expected of the Vikings this season, and after starting their season off on the wrong foot with their loss to the Saints on opening night, the pressure is on in Minnesota for the team to deliver a statement today.
Enter the Dolphins, who are coming off a less than stellar performance last weekend against the Bills, in which they came away with the win, but didn’t look all that good in doing so. Their offensive output sputtered throughout much of the game, and while much of that has to do with the play selection, quarterback Chad Henne has to be better this week at delivering the ball on target when his receivers are open.
Miami has a solid rushing attack with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown carrying the load, but their tenacity and determination will definitely be put to the test today, as they’ll be going up against one the league’s best defensive fronts. Look for the pair to struggle early on before finding a few holes as the game progresses into the second half.
Speaking of the Vikings defense, their pass rush is just as effective, as Kevin and Pat Williams dominate the interior, allowing Jared Allen and Ray Edwards to crash down on their opponents with little interference. Minnesota’s secondary is the weak link though, and if Miami’s offensive line can give Henne time to survey the field, he’ll likely find an open man to throw the ball to.
On the flip side, the Dolphins defense was excellent last week in handling the Bills when they ran the ball, and they should carry that over to this week’s contest if they can continue to get penetration into the backfield off the snap. That task will be tougher though, as Minnesota’s offensive line is much better than their counterparts in Buffalo.
That said, this game will hinge on the performance of the Vikings stars on offense, as Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson have to take care of the ball and put up excellent numbers today to ensure a victory for their team. Having the home crowd behind them will be huge, as the fans in the Metrodome are capable of making things extremely uncomfortable for visiting teams.
Final Prediction: Minnesota 34 – Miami 21
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Written by Chris Kolb
Topics: Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings