The Vikings had some problems defending the run earlier this season, but they have looked more dominant in recent weeks. They face a big challenge Sunday against the New York Giants. The Giants rank No. 6 in the NFL in rushing offense, while the Vikings are No. 4 in rushing defense. The Giants tag-team combination of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns Sunday against Washington. "They're doing a very good job running the ball," Coach Leslie Frazier said. "You take a look at their last two games and particularly the Washington Redskins game, they really dominated. The offensive line, they're really beginning to come together although they've had some moving parts on that offensive line. They're playing well. It will be a great challenge for our defense. We really hang our hat on being able to stop the run and this will be a week to stand up in that area because once they get it going in the run game it makes Eli [Manning] a lot better and makes their receivers a lot better. We're going to have to be right against their run game." The Vikings have allowed only 113 yards rushing total the past two games combined. "We had slipped in the run defense a little bit and are trying to climb back into that race and make teams one-dimensional again," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "That's our goal. They obviously know that coming into it. We know that they want to run the football as well." The Vikings also need to be able to get pressure on Manning when he drops back to pass. Manning has thrown 17 interceptions this season, but he's been sacked an NFL-low 12 times. The Giants have not allowed a sack in five consecutive games, a team record. "Part of that is Eli getting the ball out and knowing the situation and where the blitz is coming from and making checks," Greenway said. "But obviously they're protecting the guy and doing the job."
Vikings face strength vs. strength matchup
Vikings run defense will be tested by Giants tag-team combination
By chipscoggins
December 9, 2010 at 4:32PM
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Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.