Lack of Urgency and Short-Comings Doom Vikings

In one of the few remaining games in which the Minnesota Vikings likely will be favorites, the Vikings did their best to confirm the predictions of those anointing them likely cellar dwellers in 2012.

Falling 23-20 to the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings had over 100 yards in penalties, lost a fumble by their quarterback for the second straight game, had zero sacks from their All-Pro defensive end despite playing against an injury- and talent-depleted Colts' offensive line, made little use of tight end Kyle Rudolph, and played so close to the vest on offense that the vest appeared veiled by the team's proverbial skin.

If the Vikings continue to plod through the first three and one-half quarters of the game as if there is no reason to respond, remove Rudolph from the game plan, devote entire series to Toby Gerhart, and fail to cover anyone in the secondary, this season will be much longer than last year, if just as short.

On the day, one player earned his keep on the team--Percy Harvin.  Everyone else was simply participating or watching.

Up Next:  Frazier Watch Begins.

Vikings' Game Plan: KISS

Last week, the Minnesota Vikings opened their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a quick hit to Kyle Rudolph for fifteen yards.  They did not go back to Rudolph until there were under five minutes remaining in the first half.  At that point, Ponder threw to his big tight end on successive plays for 17 yards.  Ponder had but one attempt to Rudolph between Rudolph's third reception and the end of the third quarter, when the quarterback connected with his big tight end for 29 yards.

In the lengthy interval between second- and third-quarter completions to Rudolph, the Vikings conducted drives during which the ball went almost exclusively to running backs Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart or wide-receiver Percy Harvin.  Rudolph had one more reception in the game--a six-yard catch that put the Vikings in position to make a game-tying field goal.

On the Vikings' first two forays inside the Jaguars' five-yard-line, they gave the ball to Peterson.  Peterson rewarded this confidence with two rushing touchdowns.  On the Vikings' next trip inside the Jaguars' five-yard-line, Peterson, inexplicably relegated to decoy duty, did not touch the ball.  The Vikings settled for a field goal.

The offensive lessons from week one should be apparent.  The first is that, when inside the five-yard-line, the Vikings ought to feed Peterson.  Then feed Peterson again until a touchdown results.

The second lesson is that, when not inside the five-yard-line, a steady, consistent, rotated diet of Peterson, Harvin, and Rudolph is in order.  These are the Vikings' three playmakers and all pose difficulties for opposing defenses.  Gerhart has shown an ability to pick up yards and Michael Jenkins is the most dependable third-down, sideline receiver that the team has had since Cris Carter wore purple, but these two, and all other offensive players currently on the squad, are ancillary pieces and not primary targets.

Against a Colts' team that is arguably more challenged on defense than the Jaguars, the Vikings can and must rely on their big three.  If they do not--if they eschew the simple for a combination of the mundane and absurd (Gerhart on successive plays to start the second drive of the game after a four and out on the first drive)--the Vikings can hope for no better than a tight game against a fellow challenged team.  If they force the Colts to defend Peterson, Harvin, and Rudolph every down of every series, however, the Colts could be in the rear-view mirror by the end of the third quarter.

Up Next:  Post Game.