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Five years ago today, the Vikings hosted the Saints in a playoff game. It worked miracles.
We won’t know what this weekend’s wildcard matchup between the Vikings and Giants will bring except for another exciting afternoon at US Bank Stadium. Still, I thought I would analyze everything inside and out.
How will Sunday rock?of athletic‘s Alec Lewis and John Krauchinski break down the playoff battle in our weekly previews.
what i see
Lewis: The crowd at US Bank Stadium. People in this wonderful city rarely have an afternoon like Sunday. What do people look like when anxiety swirls? how do you feel? As wild as Thanksgiving night’s game against the Patriots was, considering how exciting the Week 1 opener against the Packers was, this would be a marked difference. Vikings fans deserve this opportunity. They seized the chance to cheer on their team loudly, unrestrained and out of control. At least it will induce cold.
Crouchinski: Kevin O’Connell. He had his great first season as a Vikings coach and exceeded all his expectations. Now he brings a battered team into the postseason that has a lot of doubts around the league. That Vikings points differential (minus his 3 points despite a 13-4 record) certainly scares a lot of people.
This is when O’Connell shines even brighter. A coaching staff and game plan can deliver amazing results in match-driven playoffs. There have been times this season when Clock management and some of O’Connell’s strategic decisions have raised eyebrows. There were times. This is my first time on the big stage. Let’s see how he handles a very good coach named Brian Dabor.
Deeper
‘Franchise Changer’ Justin Jefferson is next in line as the Vikings’ legacy of great WRs continues
Biggest concern
Lewis: Dexter Lawrence. This guy is 6 foot 4 inches and 342 pounds wrecking his ball. He is deceptively agile. He is technically sound. He’s a top-tier threat, as we saw in the Vikings’ victory over New York in Week 16. Lawrence put the Vikings under pressure seven times in that regular-season game between those teams, recording two quarterback hits and five hurries. As outlined in , it is more difficult to apply help to inside guards than outside tackles. That responsibility falls to left guard Ezra Cleveland, center Garrett Bradbury, and right guard Ed Ingram. become. There are things in this world that make me more comfortable. Can that group slow down the Giants’ man pile? It’s a must.
Crouchinski: right tackle. Bradbury appears to be up for the challenge, and his health is also a concern. But what the Vikings do outside with either Oli Udoh or Blake Blundell, and how they hold up against the blitz-happy Giants, will determine this outcome. Justin Jefferson does the best damage when he has a little time to go deep into the root. If Udoh and Brandel can stay there, the Vikings should be in good shape.
greatest chance
Lewis: Defense of Ed Donatel. It has received its fair share of criticism over the months, but that’s what happens when you rank 25th in success rate and 30th in yards allowed per play. Looked like a high-end quarterback. In back-to-back games, he allowed more 400-yard performances than any Vikings team. history.
These issues spurred adjustments. From Weeks 1 through 14, the Vikings played less man-his coverage than all but his two teams in the NFL. Since Week 15, the Vikings are playing man coverage at his eighth-highest rate in the NFL. They also got more creative with the Blitz package. Both are solid signs, but a game like this offers an even more compelling chance.
Crouchinski: Kirk Cousins. He’s had a great season, but now is the time that really matters. In many ways, he’s dispelled old concerns about showing up at a big moment, but Cousins can put a big punctuation mark at the end of that statement by bringing it back in the playoffs. To do so, Cousins and Jefferson will have to lead, even after this weekend. This is when the stars shine bright…or go home.
All 50 TDs in 60 seconds.
📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/dv2QLvrdT0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 13, 2023
most interesting story
Lewis: How the Giants defend Jefferson and how the Vikings adapt to that strategy. The Giants gave Jefferson his release free from the line of scrimmage the first time his two teams met. Will they pressure him this time, choosing a plan that mirrors the Packers’ approach in Green Bay? If that’s the Giants’ strategy, could the Vikings handle it better now than they did against Green Bay? Even O’Connell admitted this week.
Deeper
One Key Match to Watch in Each NFC Wildcard Game
Crouchinski: How bad are Viking defenses? If it really is the worst in the league, this team is dead on arrival, and Saquon Barkley can open up the game if a crease occurs. Daniel Jones is fickle, but if the defense gives him a chance, he can run around and accomplish something. Minnesota’s defense has created many chances for their offense. If the Vikings can cover their weaknesses, be opportunistic, and produce turnovers, they can win a few games in January.
quote of the week
“The playoffs always bring the most excitement. I think the intensity and urgency of the playoffs make them fun. If so, that’s fun.You’re working way back in April to get this opportunity.The important thing to always remember is that given the circumstances of this season, we won’t be launching an OTA next spring. We’re all starting from the same place again, so when you’re in a position to play a playoff game at home, it’s really important to take advantage of that, because it’s not something that can carry over after Sunday.” cousin
This week’s stats
2 — Number of NFL head coaches who won 14 regular season games in their first season. In 1989 George Seiffert did it. Thirty years later, in 2009, Jim Caldwell repeated the feat. These teams were played by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning, respectively, and both went to the Super Bowl. O’Connell was just one win short of that mark, but Jim he’s Harbaugh, Steve He’s Mariucci, Matt He’s Lafleur, and his 14th win in the playoffs made him the head of his first year. You can become a coach.
predict
Lewis: 27-23, Vikings. He may have predicted this score 18 times this season. In these games, I’m not entirely sure. ever. You can size it up, you can think about the environment and the active players and the general approach each team takes, but it’s the ultimate mystery box coming Sunday. That’s what makes this so much fun.It’s best-of-one against Minnesota. Call me an expert on such bold predictions.
Crouchinski: 24-23, Viking. To be honest, the only scenario that surprises me on Sunday is if the Vikings blow the door off the Giants. But I think I trust Cousins at home more than Jones on the go. And the Vikings will squeak.
(Photo: Matt Krohn/USA Today)
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