While the question as to who the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings will be is getting all the media attention today, the passing game will most likely not be the focus of the team during tonight’s Thursday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers.
There are several factors that are contributing to the notion that Minnesota will look to use the ground game early and often to frustrate the Packers.
Sep 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata (44) celebrates his touchdown with fullback Jerome Felton (42) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Falcons 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
First of all, the Vikings dominated the line of scrimmage against the Atlanta Falcons last week. The team ran the ball into the end zone FOUR times and accumulated 241 rushing yards in the game. Matt Asiata bowled through the lines and rookie Jerick McKinnon sliced through the opposition and made things easy for the Vikings. The game plan was to use the run game to take pressure off rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and open up play action. Even if Bridgewater can’t go, expect a similar game plan for Christian Ponder, who hasn’t gotten a lot of first team reps this year leading up to this game.
Secondly, the Packers are absolutely terrible against the run. They currently average giving up the most yards on the ground per game in the NFL to the tune of 176 yards per game. Former Vikings defensive lineman Letroy Guion has struggled to hold down his spot on the Packers 3-4 front and has found himself blown backwards or pushed out of many plays so far this year. Overall, the Packers should be able to be beat on the ground in this game and Minnesota is just too smart not to take advantage of this situation.
Finally, Weather.com has a 100% chance of rain for Green Bay tonight. The field (and football) should be a wet, sloppy mess. The temperature is supposed to be around 62 degrees fahrenheit, with the wind speeding up as the night goes on. Running the football is a much safer situation in a game like this. Especially considering the fact that the starting quarterback will be either a rookie or a player who has gotten limited first team reps.
In order for the Minnesota Vikings to have a chance in this game, they will have to run the ball well. With both the Vikings and Packers sitting at a 2-2 record, this game could be a huge momentum gainer for whoever can walk out with a win. And the Vikings will need every advantage they can get.