Vikings look to keep Metrodome winning streak against Lions alive

Vikings vs. Lions

It seems the Vikings have been beating the Detroit Lions forever at the Metrodome (okay, since 1998 to be accurate). This week that long streak looks to be coming to an end.

It’s not so much that Detroit has looked awesome in its first two games, but it’s Minnesota’s unawesomeness that makes me think the Vikings will be 0-3 come 2:30 p.m., Mountain Standard Time, Sunday afternoon.

The team isn’t tackling very well. I don’t think any of the defensive backs will be able to cover Calvin Johnson, who I’m picturing winning jump ball after jump ball in the red zone. John Sullivan certainly can’t handle Ndamukong Suh. Donovan McNabb can’t seem to complete a pass in the pocket. It could get ugly out there and getting thumped by the Lions – at the Metrodome no less – would have to rank as one of the great indignities Vikings fans have suffered over the past two decades.

Can the Vikings win this one? Yes, but a lot will have to go right for that to happen. Somebody other than Percy Harvin will have to emerge as a viable receiving threat (I can’t think of who that might be). The Vikings defensive line will have to harass Detroit quarterback Matt Stafford for a full game, not a half game. Cornerback Chris Cook will have to get through an entire game healthy and play very well while he is in there. I could go on, but you get the point.

Lions 35 Vikings 17

Percy Harvin

Tom Peliserro’s revelation that Percy Harvin has played less than 50 per cent of the Vikings offensive snaps this season is the latest in a series of curious in-game strategic moves by head coach Leslie Frazier and his staff. When I was watching the game, I didn’t realize Harvin was playing so little, although every time there was a Vikings sideline shot, it seemed Harvin was standing there, getting a drink of water.

I’ll be diplomatic here. It seems unwise for Harvin to be playing so infrequently. There are instances where Harvin probably isn’t needed on the field – like a third-and-goal on the opponent’s one-yard line. But Harvin is clearly the Vikings best receiver and every offensive snap he's on the sidelines for makes the Vikings that much easier to defend. Can you imagine Greg Jennings playing less than 50 per cent of Green Bay’s offensive snaps? Or Andre Johnson playing less than 50 per cent of Houston’s offensive snaps? Me neither. This is madness. Keep Harvin on the field until he pukes from exhaustion.


Donovan McNabb
Kevin Seifert points out that McNabb has been at his best on bootleg plays in the first two games. Seifert also points out that it won’t take long for opponents to sniff this strategy out and take it away from the Vikings. And when that happens, what will McNabb and the Vikings offence do then?

What bothers me even more about McNabb’s play in the two losses is that in both games the Vikings needed him to make some plays late in the second half to secure a victory. Those are the kind of plays you’d expect a quarterback two years removed from a Pro Bowl to make. Yet in both games, McNabb failed to make those plays while Philip Rivers and Josh Freeman did.

Kevin Williams
Can the return of defensive tackle Kevin Williams cure what ails the Vikings defence? I think not, although it’s nice to have him back. At 31 years of age, Williams is at a stage in his career where his skills are bound to decline. His return will not be a panacea for the Vikings 2011 defensive shortcomings.

Toby Gerhart
Gerhart touched the ball three times against Tampa Bay last week. One of the touches resulted in a 31-yard run and another touch saw him catch a screen pass and turn it into a 42-yard gain.

Gerhart appears to be bigger, faster and more explosive this year. He does not look like a guy you’d want to tackle when he gets a head of steam. I feared he might be a potential bust after watching him struggle as a rookie last year. But he’s looking much better so far this season. Unfortunately, with the Vikings struggling offensively, they aren’t running enough plays to get Gerhart some more playing time. So he’s a wasted asset on this squad.

Rebuilding?
Should the Vikings blow up their roster if Detroit beats them at home on Sunday? ESPN 1500’s Judd Zulgad thinks it should happen.

What are your thoughts on this issue, Viking fans?