Week 10 Predictions: Vikings at Raiders

[UKno1VIKING]

Thanks for that piece of info. I usually log in to a UK server when using PIAs VPN service.

You are very welcome. Sky dont usually take much notice of us usually, must mean were superbowl bound!!!

[MarineRaider]

Well it seems no one wants to talk about the game

[losperros]

Hello Vikes Fans,

Raider fan here, been lurking all week awaiting account activation. I don't normally talk smalk, I just come to talk football. (I come in peace )

Now my thoughts on the game.

The Vikes D has been good, and the O has been so-so

The Raiders O has been good (7th) and the D has been terrible (had a few good games)

Which weakness makes more plays? We shredded the #2 defense in the league, so We will score points. Stopping you from scoring is what concerns me.

I think Oakland wins 34-28

One thing that really concerns me about this game is if the Vikings get behind early on and feel the need to come out passing. I think it's important that the Vikings don't face Carr and the Raiders offense in any kind of shootout. That could be disastrous for the Vikings passing game.

OTOH, I'm hoping the Vikings D simply won't let a shootout happen. If the D falters at all, this could be a long game for our team.

[Mothman]

Well it seems no one wants to talk about the game

Things are just slow around here this morning. I'm sure more people will chime in between now and Sunday.

Meanwhile, to the board.

You obviously have a point about the way the strengths and weaknesses of these two teams match up. I'm not sure which weakness will make more plays. I've only seen glimpses of the Raiders defense this year. When the Vikings can get their ground game going, they're a much better team so stopping the run will be a huge key for the Raiders. If they do that and avoid turnovers, I suspect Oakland will win. The Vikes can make plays in the passing game but it's not their strength.

I think the Raiders will put up points on the Vikings but I doubt they'll approach 30+ unless the Vikes turn the ball over a few times. The Vikes have been able to keep scores lower than that this year, although I think the Raiders present a bigger offensive challenge than those they've faced so far. When the Vikings played San Diego, the Chargers o-line was so decimated that Rivers had very little chance.

The Vikes have to get to Carr. If not, Cooper and Crabtree could really hurt them.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this one play out a little like the Raiders/Broncos game earlier this season, with points at a premium and turnovers playing a big role in the final outcome. I expect it to be a good, close game.

I've been wondering how much Bill Musgrave's familiarity with the Vikings defensive personnel might help the Raiders (and vice versa) but the more I think about it, the Vikings have made so many changes on defense since 2013 that most of their starters weren't with the team when Musgrave was in MN. Maybe that won't be a factor.

[dead_poet]

One thing that really concerns me about this game is if the Vikings get behind early on and feel the need to come out passing. I think it's important that the Vikings don't face Carr and the Raiders offense in any kind of shootout. That could be disastrous for the Vikings passing game.

OTOH, I'm hoping the Vikings D simply won't let a shootout happen. If the D falters at all, this could be a long game for our team.

They have to get to Carr early and often. The Raiders have a good offensive line so this will be a test for our front 7. Constant pressure will be needed otherwise I fear Cooper/Crabtree will find ways to get open. It would be nice to force Carr into a couple of interceptions. Need a big game out of Griffen.

[MarineRaider]

One thing that really concerns me about this game is if the Vikings get behind early on and feel the need to come out passing. I think it's important that the Vikings don't face Carr and the Raiders offense in any kind of shootout. That could be disastrous for the Vikings passing game.

OTOH, I'm hoping the Vikings D simply won't let a shootout happen. If the D falters at all, this could be a long game for our team.

I hear you and it is in the Raiders best interest to put the hammer down early like we have the last few weeks, I have not watched the Vikes play and don't know what will happen...all I can go off is what we did to the Jets and hope we can replicate it. Have you guys faced a top 10 offense yet? I could look but you guys know who you have played. If so how did you do against them?

[Mothman]

One thing that really concerns me about this game is if the Vikings get behind early on and feel the need to come out passing. I think it's important that the Vikings don't face Carr and the Raiders offense in any kind of shootout. That could be disastrous for the Vikings passing game.

OTOH, I'm hoping the Vikings D simply won't let a shootout happen. If the D falters at all, this could be a long game for our team.

You can say that again. It's been a while since the Vikes faced an offense this potent on the road.

[MarineRaider]

Things are just slow around here this morning. I'm sure more people will chime in between now and Sunday.

Meanwhile, to the board.

You obviously have a point about the way the strengths and weaknesses of these two teams match up. I'm not sure which weakness will make more plays. I've only seen glimpses of the Raiders defense this year. When the Vikings can get their ground game going, they're a much better team so stopping the run will be a huge key for the Raiders. If they do that and avoid turnovers, I suspect Oakland will win. The Vikes can make plays in the passing game but it's not their strength.

I think the Raiders will put up points on the Vikings but I doubt they'll approach 30+ unless the Vikes turn the ball over a few times. The Vikes have been able to keep scores lower than that this year, although I think the Raiders present a bigger offensive challenge than those they've faced so far. When the Vikings played San Diego, the Chargers o-line was so decimated that Rivers had very little chance.

The Vikes have to get to Carr. If not, Cooper and Crabtree could really hurt them.

I wouldn't be surprised to see this one play out a little like the Raiders/Broncos game earlier this season, with points at a premium and turnovers playing a big role in the final outcome. I expect it to be a good, close game.

I've been wondering how much Bill Musgrave's familiarity with the Vikings defensive personnel might help the Raiders (and vice versa) but the more I think about it, the Vikings have made so many changes on defense since 2013 that most of their starters weren't with the team when Musgrave was in MN. Maybe that won't be a factor.

Yeah I wouldn't count on any familiarity between the 2..as you said to many changes. Carr is quick man, his release is so fast and at times effortless. I hope for a good game with us on top as I am sure you are the opposite. I can see the Vikes win if we fail to stop the run.

[MarineRaider]

They have to get to Carr early and often. The Raiders have a good offensive line so this will be a test for our front 7. Constant pressure will be needed otherwise I fear Cooper/Crabtree will find ways to get open. It would be nice to force Carr into a couple of interceptions. Need a big game out of Griffen.

Carr doesn't throw many INT's and don't sleep on Roberts or Holmes either Coop/Crab draw alot of attention so the number 3 makes some bigtime plays

[Mothman]

Carr doesn't throw many INT's and don't sleep on Roberts or Holmes either Coop/Crab draw alot of attention so the number 3 makes some bigtime plays

Murray's good too. Does it look as if he's going to play this week?

[losperros]

I hear you and it is in the Raiders best interest to put the hammer down early like we have the last few weeks, I have not watched the Vikes play and don't know what will happen...all I can go off is what we did to the Jets and hope we can replicate it. Have you guys faced a top 10 offense yet? I could look but you guys know who you have played. If so how did you do against them?

The Vikings have faced some defenses (Broncos, Cards, Rams) that rank high at fewest yards allowed. But in every game this year it's mostly been the Vikings D that has kept them competitive. Bridgewater, AD and the offense have come through on some big drives in critical moments but overall the entire passing game has been inconsistent. That's why I don't want to see a shootout.

[MarineRaider]

Murray's good too. Does it look as if he's going to play this week?

Murray should play

[Mothman]

Murray should play

Thanks. That's good news for you, not so good for us.

[MarineRaider]

Murray's good too. Does it look as if he's going to play this week?[/quote]

Murray should play[/quote]

Thanks. That's good news for you, not so good for us. [/quote]

Hopefully

[J. Kapp 11]

I hear you and it is in the Raiders best interest to put the hammer down early like we have the last few weeks, I have not watched the Vikes play and don't know what will happen...all I can go off is what we did to the Jets and hope we can replicate it. Have you guys faced a top 10 offense yet? I could look but you guys know who you have played. If so how did you do against them?

Don't go off the Jets game. Some people may laugh at this, but our defense, including our DBs, is better. "What?" you say. "Better than Revis and Cromartie?" Well, yes ... when you look at all things defensive backs need to do. Every Vikings DB who takes the field, starter or reserve, can tackle. Revis and Cromartie cover well, probably better than our guys, but they're not even close to our guys as tacklers. The name of the game on defense is to get the guy down, and the Vikings are among the best in the NFL at it.

I would say the Vikings have faced some good offenses, but not many BALANCED offenses. That's bad for opponents -- we destroy one-dimensional teams. Fortunately for you guys, the Raiders are the most balanced offense the Vikings have faced thus far.

We absolutely mutilated San Diego and Philip Rivers, but they can't run the ball. We've owned Detroit's offense, which used to be dangerous but has never been able to run the ball. The Bears are probably the most balanced offensive team we've faced, but we knocked Matt Forte out of the game, and they floundered after that. The Rams can run the ball, but Nick Foles is worse than God-awful, and we mostly shut down their running game. Denver did very little against us offensively but did benefit from a rare big play, and their defense was just a little too tough for Teddy and the gang. We don't talk about San Francisco.

The thing I'd say about our defense is that Mike Zimmer seems to find a way to stop whatever the Vikings need to stop. If you're a passing team, he slows you down. If you're a running team, he clogs it up. I can say this ... you won't face a FASTER defense than Minnesota's all season, especially if Barr and Kendricks are able to suit up, and that includes Denver. These really guys get to the football. They're the best tackling team in the NFL -- ALL our corners are good tacklers, which is a huge help -- and they're the least penalized. They're just a good, sound, fast, disciplined defense that doesn't beat itself. That's not to say they can't be beaten, but they don't beat themselves, and they rarely give up big plays. And don't even try to run a wide-receiver screen on this team. You're likely to lose yardage.

The Raiders feature the kind of balanced offense that can give the Vikings' defense the most trouble. You guys can run and throw with excellent efficiency. However, I'd say this ... you'd best get out to an early lead because Mike Zimmer is one of the best in the NFL at making adjustments. Once he's tweaked the D, it's extremely hard to score on the Vikings. And you can't go into this game expecting a lot of big plays. You're going to have to put some drives together.

This is going to be an extremely good game that I'm very excited about. I believe we'll win, but what else would I say?