Minnesota Vikings vs. St. Louis Rams: Preview, Keys to Victory and Prediction

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Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Vikings defeated the Rams 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Preview

As I mentioned previously, this game will feature two teams with nearly identical identities. Both the Vikings and the Rams rely on a strong defense and a successful rushing attack on offense. This leads me to believe that we’ll see a low-scoring, defensive battle on Sunday.

For both teams, the offense starts with their star running backs. In my opinion, two of the top-5 running backs in the NFL will be on the same field with Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley. Both stand at 6-foot-1 and roughly 220 pounds of sheer muscle, and they can both run around players or run right through them. Furthermore, both have excellent vision. Only one of them is on my fantasy team, though (Gurley). I’m expecting a heavy dose of these guys on Sunday, especially since both passing games have been struggling in recent weeks.

Defensively, the Vikings and Rams are both very sound. Each team features a talented defensive line that will get after the quarterback while also featuring an intelligent and ball-hawking secondary that can shut opposing passing attacks down.

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Besides containing Peterson, the Rams defense will also have the task of stopping rookie standout receiver Stefon Diggs, who has registered 25 receptions for 419 yards in his first four career games after not playing in the first three weeks of the season. The Rams will likely assign Janoris Jenkins, the number seven rated cornerback this season by Pro Football Focus, to cover Diggs throughout the game. Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has began to trust Diggs as his number one target in recent weeks, and it will be important for Bridgewater and Diggs to get going to relieve some pressure from the ground attack.

For the Vikings defense, Gurley won’t be their only focus either. Rams receiver Tavon Austin has that home-run ability every time he touches the ball, whether it be on a punt return, on a jet sweep, out of the backfield, or as a receiver. Minnesota will need to identify Austin before each and every play and make sure to account for him, because quarterback Nick Foles will likely go to him to take pressure off Gurley and the Rams’ rushing attack in the same way Bridgewater will with Diggs.

Next: Keys to Victory

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