11-07-2017, 03:49 AM
At 6-2, the Minnesota Vikings have the second best record in the NFC heading into the second half of the season. The final eight games will include a number of matchups with teams fighting for playoff position. Let’s have a look at their opponents and key factors for the Vikings finishing strong:Week 10: AT Washington (4-4)Key factor: Washington’s dinged-up offensive line
When healthy, Cousins’ group will make for the toughest matchup the Vikings’ defense has faced since Week 2 in Pittsburgh, though Washington is beat up in that area too. Neither Jamison Crowder or Jordan Reed played Sunday vs. Seattle.
Washington’s health could be a deciding factor in Week 10.
Week 11: Los Angeles (6-2)Key factor: A new Jared Goff
The Rams will make for the toughest matchup on the Vikings’ schedule as they now have the NFL’s best point differential at plus-108.
Week 12: AT Detroit (3-4)Key factor: Recent history
Detroit has been a thorn in the side of the Vikings over the last season-and-a-half. In 2016, the Lions won in overtime at US Bank Stadium, then beat the Vikings on Thanksgiving Day on an interception by Sam Bradford on Minnesota’s final drive. This year, Detroit scored the game-winning touchdown following a Dalvin Cook fumble – a play in which he tore his ACL and was lost for the year.
Detroit hasn’t been playing well lately, losing four of five games heading into Monday Night Football against the Packers. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has only been so-so, with an 89.6 rating and only 6.8 yards per attempt. The Lions shouldn’t be written off yet because their defense is improved and they are getting left tackle Taylor Decker back and still sport a good group of weapons with Golden Tate, Theo Riddick and Marvin Jones.
Week 13: AT Atlanta (4-4)Key factor: Will the Falcons’ offense get it together?
This game once looked like one of the hardest on the schedule. Now it appears much more winnable with Atlanta ranking 15th in points per game. The Falcons will still have several weeks before they have to face the Vikings’ highly-ranked defense. We may see a very different offense by then.
Week 14: AT Carolina (6-3)Key factor: Panthers’ strong defense
In a defensive battle, the Vikings might have the edge as Minnesota’s offense has been much more effective than Carolina’s this year. Newton has 10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 79.1 rating – and the team just traded away his top receiver. The X Factor might be Christian McCaffrey, who ran 15 times and caught five passes against Atlanta.
Week 15: Cincinnati (3-5)Key factor: Zimmer vs. Lewis
The Bengals should be the dead-lock-no-doubt win on the schedule, but they do have a solid defense. They’re ninth in points allowed and second in total yards allowed. But will they still be pushing hard to win meaningless games by Week 15?
Week 16: AT Green Bay (4-3)Key factor: Will Rodgers return?
Week 17: Chicago (3-5)
Key factor: Has Mitch Trubisky improved?
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...-schedule/
When healthy, Cousins’ group will make for the toughest matchup the Vikings’ defense has faced since Week 2 in Pittsburgh, though Washington is beat up in that area too. Neither Jamison Crowder or Jordan Reed played Sunday vs. Seattle.
Washington’s health could be a deciding factor in Week 10.
Week 11: Los Angeles (6-2)Key factor: A new Jared Goff
The Rams will make for the toughest matchup on the Vikings’ schedule as they now have the NFL’s best point differential at plus-108.
Week 12: AT Detroit (3-4)Key factor: Recent history
Detroit has been a thorn in the side of the Vikings over the last season-and-a-half. In 2016, the Lions won in overtime at US Bank Stadium, then beat the Vikings on Thanksgiving Day on an interception by Sam Bradford on Minnesota’s final drive. This year, Detroit scored the game-winning touchdown following a Dalvin Cook fumble – a play in which he tore his ACL and was lost for the year.
Detroit hasn’t been playing well lately, losing four of five games heading into Monday Night Football against the Packers. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has only been so-so, with an 89.6 rating and only 6.8 yards per attempt. The Lions shouldn’t be written off yet because their defense is improved and they are getting left tackle Taylor Decker back and still sport a good group of weapons with Golden Tate, Theo Riddick and Marvin Jones.
Week 13: AT Atlanta (4-4)Key factor: Will the Falcons’ offense get it together?
This game once looked like one of the hardest on the schedule. Now it appears much more winnable with Atlanta ranking 15th in points per game. The Falcons will still have several weeks before they have to face the Vikings’ highly-ranked defense. We may see a very different offense by then.
Week 14: AT Carolina (6-3)Key factor: Panthers’ strong defense
In a defensive battle, the Vikings might have the edge as Minnesota’s offense has been much more effective than Carolina’s this year. Newton has 10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 79.1 rating – and the team just traded away his top receiver. The X Factor might be Christian McCaffrey, who ran 15 times and caught five passes against Atlanta.
Week 15: Cincinnati (3-5)Key factor: Zimmer vs. Lewis
The Bengals should be the dead-lock-no-doubt win on the schedule, but they do have a solid defense. They’re ninth in points allowed and second in total yards allowed. But will they still be pushing hard to win meaningless games by Week 15?
Week 16: AT Green Bay (4-3)Key factor: Will Rodgers return?
Week 17: Chicago (3-5)
Key factor: Has Mitch Trubisky improved?
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2017/1...-schedule/
