A big exhale as the Vikings got through their week off without incident. Not a single Miami bouncer assaulted, boat launched, or Block E stairwell visited.
Time to get back to game week speculation. Talking more about what we can't possibly predict. It starts to feel more like an Intro to Philosophy class ("If there is a god, why was Julius Peppers allowed to hit Brett Favre so many times?").
But I'm not one to crash a party so let's get to it. This game should be a shootout. There's nothing to suggest otherwise. The Vikings offense has come back to life and we saw how the Philly defense couldn't stop Dallas the past two weekends.
A few keys to the game as I see them:
1. McKinne vs. Ware (DeMarcus, not Andre) - McKinnie must earn his pro bowl stripes against Ware this weekend to allow Favre to work the 20th ranked Dallas passing defense.
2. Allen vs. Adams - The opposite needs to happen for the Vikings. The front four needs to get to Tony Romo before he's able to work our own porous secondary.
3. Kickoff and Punt Return Coverage - The Vikings have tended to overlook special teams coverage under Brad Childress. Dallas brings two dangerous returners in Patrick Crayton and Felix Jones. This is especially important since Percy Harvin will likely be neutralized by that Robocop-legged kicker from the Cowboys named…anyone?...anyone?...David Buehler.
In short, whoever can get to the other team's quarterback first will likely win. Whoever needs to rely on the blitz to get pressure will likely lose. Favre and Romo are too good.
There's one last factor - home field advantage. This team has a real chance and fans know it. The Dome will be rocking. Think Twins game 163 meets Jonas Brothers concert. There's a chance Romo will get rattled and this will turn into a rout, but I still think it will be close. Let's say Vikings 38, Cowboys 31.
