The Vikings get a week off after all and when they play their divisional round playoff game in two weeks, they will face the highest remaining seed left in the NFC.
So a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles (the number six seed) is out – the Eagles will play the Saints if they advance on Wild Card weekend. But games against the Arizona Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys and .... wait for it .... the Green Bay Packers, are all possibilities.
Here's a Twitter-like breakdown of the Vikings three potential divisional round opponents.
Dallas Cowboys
• The defence is beastly and Miles Austin against our secondary scares the shit out of me.
• On the other hand, Wade Phillips is the Cowboys head coach.
Green Bay Packers
• Since Mark Tauscher unretired and took over at right tackle seven games ago, Aaron Rodgers has been sacked just seven times.
• Oh yeah, the Packers are 6-1 during that span.
Arizona Cardinals
• Ladies and gentlemen, your 2009 Bipolar Team of the Year.
• One week they smack around a 10-1 team (the Vikings.) Another week they get smacked around by a mediocre team (the 49ers.) I can't figure these guys out.
None of these opponents will be easy ones for the Vikings and the Vikes might be considered the underdog in all three.
But of all three, I cringe the most thinking of another matchup against the Packers.
It's difficult to beat a team three times in one season in the NFL and the Packers biggest weakness – pass protection – doesn't appear to be the issue it was when they last played the Vikings.
The Packers are playing as well as any team right now. A loss to them in the playoffs would really blow.
Who do you think the Vikings match up the best with and the worst with?
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Alright, I'll give my twitter-like response.
Dallas has a mammoth offensive line designed to pave the way for the running game. Minnesota's run defense is still better than the pass defense, and I think the big line might be susceptible to speed rushers. I'm unaware of Romo's sack numbers; this is just a guess. Dallas' defense shutting out an explosive Eagles team that had the 2-seed within their reach is impressive. But Minnesota's offense has looked fantastic most of the year, and, importantly, the last 6 quarters. Decent matchup.
The Cardinals handled the Vikings in Arizona earlier this year, but are they capable of finishing a sweep of Minnesota away from home? I like Minnesota's chances of going 3-0 against the Packers LESS than I like their chances to climb to 1-1 against the Cardinals. I know that many described Arizona as the team custom-built to beat the Vikings, but I don't think the same gameplan would work twice. I don't love to see Minnesota get into shootouts, but I have confidence in Favre to keep pace with Warner so long as the team doesn't fall too far behind. I'd see a victory coming from big games by any 2 of the following 3: rushing, tight end, pass rush.
Green Bay would be nauseating simply for the ridiculous media coverage. While it would be bliss to beat the Packers three times in one season, it would be devestating to lose only the most important of the three games to those dopey cheese-eaters. I remember the Vikings wildcard victory in Lambeau well, and don't wish to be on the wrong end of any karmic retribution that could be coming. Anyhow, Ryan Grant's not a great back, but productive in spurts and always seems to do fairly well against the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers is dangerous and very capable of bringing a team back from behind, so no lead would be safe until the end of the fourth quarter. The Vikings would almost certainly have to have prolific offense to beat the Packers, unless a miraculous pass-rush is able to beat the improved offensive line of Green Bay.
I think, in order, I'd prefer Minnesota to host:
1) Cardinals
2) Cowboys
3) Packers
1 & 3 would mean Philadelphia in New Orleans in the divisional round, and I don't know if I'd rather a hot Eagles team come to the Metrodome (ugh, remember last year?) or the Vikings to have to go to New Orleans. I might prefer the latter. So for two-week scenarios, I *think* I prefer:
1) ARI then DAL
2) DAL then ARI
3) DAL then NO
4) ARI then NO
5) DAL then GB
6) GB then DAL
7) ARI then PHI
8) GB then NO
9) GB then PHI
Although, considering the Eagles' habit of losing NFC Championship games, I might swap a few of those around (most notably 8&9).
Now you know why I don't tweet about football.
Peter:
That must have taken a while for you to write. But I appreciate you taking the time to write it. If not for you, the comments section on this blog would be pretty bare the past couple of months.
Thanks.
Any team that is willing to try to establish the run is the best for the Vikings to play. Seems Dallas would be the best matchup for the Vikings, as long as they commit to running.
Cardinals? I'd rather see Green Bay, even though they've cleaned up their act, I think we've got good matchups with them and know them well.
I would least like to see the Cardinals.
However, the game would be in the Dome and I would be hard pressed to not favor the Vikings against any of the three at home.
They say that in the playoffs its all a crapshoot. Who saw the Cards coming out of nowhere last year, or the Giants the year before that.
For the Vikings to be successful in the playoffs, in my opinion it truly doesn't matter who they play. When the team is on, no one can touch them, offense or defense.
Three things need to happen for the vikings to win in the post season. 1) They need to be successful in their game plan. 2) They need to limit penalties especially in critical situation. 3) Finally, turnovers they need to get them on defense and not turn over the ball themselves.
Can these things happen? I don't know. As far as turnovers go. The defense has been streaky, getting them in bunches. AP has fumbled the ball 7 times. #4 has been great as far as limiting his turnovers, however when he is under pressure, he has reverted to his old ways. As far as penalties go, I can't complain they are much better than last year and better than most teams in the league. Finally as far as the game plan goes. Usually Chilldres and company come up with a sound strategy. When it works they dominate, however when it doesn't the coaching staff fails or is incapable to make adjustments. With the quality of coaching staffs in the playoffs the teams that I fear the most are Philly and Saints. But then again it's all a crapshoot.
I'm glad you appreciate my comments, but I'll confess: they're more for me than you. I need to vent Vikings thoughts to those I know think about the team often enough to read and comprehend, and your blog evidences your qualifications in those areas.
Also, I just like your writing and feel that it should open up dialogue with other Vikings' fans.
It will be great to watch Arizona Cardinals, i have bought tickets from
http://ticketfront.com/event/Arizona_Cardinals-tickets looking forward to it.
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