Purple Haze Home Page, Oct. 5, 2001

From Dome to Dome

This week the Vikings take their 1-2 record on the road to face off with the 1-1 New Orleans Saints. The Saints lost last week to the Giants and played horribly while doing it.

This game is going to be another gut check for this Vikings squad. They have already lost twice and are falling behind in the division quickly. This game will test our defense more than any game so far.

The keys to a win in New Orleans will be airing it out, stop the vertical game of the Saints passing attack and stop Ricky Williams.

The Vikings offense needs to get Moss involved right off the bat. This game could be a high scoring game and without Moss we don't stand a chance. We have to get back to what we know works and that is Moss and Carter in the endzone. Culpepper will have to find ways to get them the ball to allow them to make plays. Of course all of that will be set up with the run.

We all know that the loss of Robert Smith has hurt the Vikings more than anyone would like to say. The fact remains that the Vikings have little to cheer about concerning the ground game. Bennett will have to step up this week and break some good runs in order for any of the passing game to work. He has the talent and the speed to get it done he just lacks the confidence to get him over the hump. This week should give us a good idea of what top expect from Bennett over the rest of the season.

The last key will be how effective the front seven are against Williams. Williams has proven this season that he can run the ball well. We have to stop him. In order to get this done Kailee Wong will be called upon to plug the holes in our defensive line. The D-line will have their hands full and Wong will have to provide that extra pressure every play. Wong should be on Williams most of the game including in pass plays.

If we can come out and establish the tempo right away with a quick score this game will go a long way in boosting our confidence. It could be a shoot-out and if so the Vikes have to use their weapons. My prediction is a 28-24 Vikings victory.

NFL Note: The Super Bowl will be played in New Orleans the weekend of February 3. The NFL has made a deal with the Auto Dealers Association to switch weeks. This will allow the NFL to have a full 12-team playoff and full season schedule.

GO VIKES!!!!! Jan

-- Jan Zumbo (dvt99@aol.com), October 05, 2001