The Call: Vikings at Rams

20

Vikings

16

rams

One man's prediction: The Mike Zimmer era officially begins today against a talented St. Louis Rams team that is trying to overcome the loss of their quarterback and make the playoffs out of the tough NFC West. The Vikings have playoff aspirations, too, and their perfect preseason record suggests Zimmer has them on track. A season-opening victory on the road would be further validation, and they'll get it.

Three keys

Zimmer's D debuts

Zimmer has plenty of work left to do to fix a defense that allowed a league-high 480 points and 37 passing touchdowns in 2013, but the Vikings' starters were much stingier this preseason, whatever that is worth. With a blitz package thicker — and more confounding — than a Skymall catalog, the first-time head coach will frustrate the Rams if their new-look offensive line isn't yet in lockstep.

Over the hill?

The season opener seems a little less daunting with Rams quarterback Sam Bradford out for the season with another torn ACL. The Rams, for now at least, are sticking with his veteran backup, Shaun Hill, who got his start with the Vikings in 2002. Hill played OK for the Lions in 2010 when Matthew Stafford went down. But four years is a long time in the NFL, especially when you're 34.

Quinn and company

The Rams last season finished third in the league with 53 sacks, including 19 from All-Pro right defensive end Robert Quinn. With a deep and dangerous defensive line with Quinn, sack-happy left end Chris Long and a pair of tenacious interior pass rushers in Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford, the Rams are going to test Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil and his fellow offensive linemen.

Player to watch

Matt Kalil

After a preseason in which he allowed two sacks and a team-high seven total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, the offensive tackle must handle the toughest individual matchup of this game in Quinn.