Scouting the Vikings

Let's talk about the Minnesota Vikings. What do we know? What should we know? How do the Browns match up?

Here's the official Blawg Pound scouting report on this week's foe.

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 10-7 (last season)

2008 Results: Lost to Philadelphia in NFC Wild Card game

2008 Rankings: Offense 17th, Defense 6th

Coach: Brad Childress (fourth season)

Offense

Players to Watch:

QB Brett Favre

RB Adrian Peterson

LT Bryant McKinnie

Match-up vs. Browns:

Favre is back, again, and this time he's in a system that's very similar to what he ran in Green Bay. Much of the talk surrounding Favre questions whether or not he'll be able to last a whole season. That, of course, does not apply to tomorrow's Week 1 match-up with the Browns. Instead, all will be focused on how well he plays with his new Vikings teammates. Judging by his decent performance in the preseason game against Houston, he shouldn't have a problem.

Although a veteran leader and future Hall of Famer, Favre is prone to throwing interceptions as he's not afraid to blindly launch the ball down field and hope for the best. The Browns young secondary will be tested when he opens up the offense and stretches the field.

The bigger problem for the Browns will be trying to shut down Peterson, the NFL's leading rusher

last season. If he decides to run up the middle, he'll have to get around Shaun Rogers, who is expected to play despite sitting out the preseason with a foot injury.

If Rob Ryan's defense can keep Peterson quiet early, it could force Favre to throw some of his wild, down field passes. Unfortunately, I wouldn't want to force a QB like Brett Favre to beat you with the passing game.

Defense

Players to Watch:

NT Pat Williams

T Kevin Williams

DE Jared Allen

Match-up vs. Browns:

It all starts up front for the Vikings defense. Nose tackle Pat Williams will provide a tough first test for rookie center Alex Mack. In tandem with defensive tackle Kevin Williams, the "Williams Wall" will be something Jamal Lewis will have to break through if the Browns want to establish any kind of a running game.

Allen is a sack machine for the Vikings, but he'll be matched up against Pro-Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas. Thomas will have definitely earned his captain's title if he can contain Allen and protect Brady Quinn tomorrow. Keeping Quinn upright will be key to building the (essentially rookie) quarterback's confidence, letting him get passes off without being hurried.

Summary

On paper, the Minnesota Vikings don't have a lot of weaknesses. This team made the playoffs last season essentially without a passing game. Though old, Favre is a huge upgrade at QB and he'll have more help than he could have ever hoped for from the running game.

As much hype as there is surrounding Favre's second un-retirement, there's just as much surrounding Peterson's ability to continue the momentum of his first two seasons. If the Vikings get scoring, these two should account for at least one touchdown each.

Go Browns!

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