Norsemen Invade Dallas

The Minnesota Vikings will invade Dallas, Texas this weekend for another game against the Dallas Cowboys. These two teams met in a meaningless game in the pre-season at the Metrodome, and it was the Vikings who prevailed winning 23-14. In that game though, both teams had most, if not all of their starters on the bench that night.

The Dallas/Minnesota series has been a close one all the way through. In the 22 meetings between these two clubs, it is our Minnesota Vikings who lead the series 12-10. Minnesota has also won the last five games between these two clubs, winning in 1998, twice in 1999 (NFC Wild card Game), 2000, and 2004. The last time Minnesota lost to Dallas was in the NFC Wild Card game, losing 40-15. The helmets here are from the 1961-72 Vikings, and the 1960-63 Cowboys.

The Vikings defense will have their hands full in this game. Minnesota's number 2 rush defense in the NFL, gets the unique task of going against former Minnesota Gopher Marion Barber III, and Julius Jones, but they also have to deal with Tony Romo, and not Brad Johnson. The Cowboys rushing game is ranked 11th in the league, with Marion Barber rushing for 383 yards on 65 carries, and Julius Jones rushing for 269 yards on 69 carries. Then come the running ability of Tony Romo, who has run the ball 13 times for 77 yards, ranking third on the Cowboys team in rushing. Not only can Romo run well, as seen by his stats, but he can also throw.

Tony Romo has a great arm, and two awesome receivers in Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, and a great tight end in Jason Witten. Witten tops the charts in passing, with 32 receptions and 454 yards. Then comes the deep threat in Terrell Owens, who has 27 receptions for 453 yards. Patrick Crayton is third on the team with 24 receptions and 381 yards. Overall this season, quarterback Tony Romo has passed for 1,707 yards, thrown the ball 200 times, and has 119 completions. Romo's pass completion ratio is at 59.5%, and he has a quarterback rating of 93.5%. Romo has been sacked eight times, thrown 9 interceptions, and 15 touchdowns. Is there any wonder why the Dallas offense averages 33.8 points per game?

Minnesota's offense on the other hand only has a great running game. With an extremely raw quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson, who has only played in three of the five Vikings games, and has only completed 49.4% of his passes, has only thrown the ball 79 times this season. T-Jack has thrown 39 completions for 465 yards, has only two touchdowns, and five interceptions. However, he has only been sacked twice, for a loss of three yards. Jackson does have the ability to scramble, and is an effective runner. However, head coach Brad Childress has seen fit to make T-Jack stay in the pocket, and try to either find an open man, or dump off the ball. I think Jackson could be a very effective quarterback, if given the opportunity to utilize all his skills. T-Jack has over thrown a lot of his receivers, probably because he feels too much pressure from his opponents defense, and is rushing to avoid being sacked.

Minnesota's backfield is loaded, with the likes of rookie sensation Adrian Peterson, and veteran Chester Taylor. Taylor was last season's "workhorse," carrying the ball 303 times for 1,216 yards. So far this season, Taylor has carried the ball 33 times for 144 yards. Taylor was sidelined with an oblique injury for two weeks already, when he started in 15 of 16 games last season. Chester's average yards per carry last season was at 4.0, and this season he is averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

Our newest "stud" running back, and probably the most talented player in the NFL is Adrian Peterson. Peterson, is the first round draft pick last season, and went seventh overall. A number of teams passed him up, because they were not sure of how healthy he would remain this season, due to a collar bone issue with Oklahoma. After the draft, Peterson vowed to make those teams who passed on him regret their decision. So far this season, Adrian has done just that, and payed dividends for our Vikings. Adrian Peterson has carried the ball 96 times for 607 yards. He averages 6.3 yards per carry, and has four touchdowns. Peterson is also a threat in the passing game, as he has 10 receptions for 175 yards, and a 60 yard touchdown to boot. Peterson's sure hands, and ability to maneuver around opponents to break open down field, only capitalizes his speed. The biggest question on the minds of the Cowboys is: Can they stop Adrian Peterson? or Will he run All Day on them?

The Vikings passing game is lacking. With only one Viking quarterback in Kelly Holcomb throwing over 200 yards in one game, our pass attack relies on Adrian Peterson who has 10 receptions for 175 yards, Bobby Wade with 18 reception for 203 yards, and Sydney Rice with 11 receptions for 119 yards. Speedster Troy Williamson has only 8 receptions for 134 yards and a 60 yard touchdown. If Troy could hold on to the ball more often, just think what he could do.

I see that Brad Childress is not using his players how I think they are best suited. I noticed last week just how fast Troy Williamson really is. If Childress would use him in more short passes, or slant routes, then let Williamson utilize his speed, he would be much more effective, and should catch the ball more often. I don't think it's Williamson's hands that are the problem, as much as his inability to judge the ball. Then there is the T-Jack story of him not being allowed to scramble or run the ball as much as he would like. Jackson has seven rushing attempts, and 26 yards, with his longest run going for 10 yards. Jackson averages 3.7 yards per carry. Lets also not forget about Mewelde Moore. Moore has only played in two games this season, and has 10 carries for 71 yards. I would like to see Brad Childress figure a way to get Moore to touch the ball more often. I would rather see Mewelde returning kick off and punt returns before Adrian Peterson does. Moore has been proven to be a very effective runner, has good speed, and the ability to move around opponents as well. Why sacrifice Adrian Peterson to a potential injury returning kick offs and punts? Please Brad, find a way to use Moore or someone else to return your kick offs and punts.

Well that's my two cents in for you. I guess this is why Brad Childress gets paid the big bucks, but most Viking fans are still wondering whta he is going to do for us. Hopefully we will find out soon enough. However, I will tune in every week, to watch our Minnesota Vikings do battle, and hopefully knock around opponents. These Vikings are a very exciting team to see play.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!