Start faster
The Vikings started fast against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 and rolled their way to a 28-0 lead before the Dirty Birds had any idea what hit them. The opposite happened for Minnesota in Week 2.
The Vikings came out sluggish and lacked any type of emotion. The Packers were the complete opposite. Green Bay was clicking from the start and playing with loads of energy and urgency.
Minnesota failed to match even half the Packers’ energy and the Vikings quickly found themselves behind 21-0. It was nice to see Minnesota fight their way back into the game and not let it snowball into a blowout, but they have to get back to starting fast again in Week 3.
The Vikings, on paper, are a much better team than the Raiders. Minnesota has better players at basically every position. They should win this game.
The best way to ensure this happens is for the Vikings to get up early and not give Oakland any sense of hope. If Minnesota can build up a double-digit score lead by the early part of the second quarter, the Raiders could begin doubting themselves and throw in the towel by halftime.
The Vikings should also be pissed off about losing the game the way they did against the Packers and come out firing on all cylinders.
Minnesota will be ready to put their Week 2 loss behind them and prove to their fans and the entire NFL that they are a much better squad than they showed in Green Bay.