Vikings @ SEA - Pregame Thread

[CharVike]

No QB handles pressure well. Bring the heat big time and they all will struggle. Watching Rodgers the other night he struggled but the team was getting after him. He looked like a guy that needs to be replaced. I seen Brady struggle the last two weeks because teams were bringing the heat. Next time Brady plays the Jets he will tear them a new one. They can't or won't bring pressure. Screens are part of our game play and they have worked great. Cook is great with the ball in his hands. Plus he can catch well. Not all backs can do that. He looks natural doing it.

Brady is struggling because he is old.

Rodgers is struggling because he only has one WR who is still a little banged up.

His #2 wr wouldn't make most teams.

Since Rodgers is playing a team that can't apply pressure he has thrown 4 TDs. So much for the 1 WR BS. The Giants blow and he is having an easy time. This isn't good for us. Those west coast trips are hard.

[J. Kapp 11]

Thielen is out for the Seattle game.

Kinda saw this coming based on his press conference Thursday, when he said he would only play if the hamstring was 100%. He also said it wouldn't be a game-time decision. That spelled bad news to me when I heard it.

Gotta keep having other guys step up. This is the biggest game of the year by far.

[CharVike]

Brady is struggling because he is old.

Rodgers is struggling because he only has one WR who is still a little banged up.

His #2 wr wouldn't make most teams.

Since Rodgers is playing a team that can't apply pressure he has thrown 4 TDs. So much for the 1 WR BS. The Giants blow and he is having an easy time. This isn't good for us. Those west coast trips are hard.

Brady was under some heat and couldn't get it done Sunday. The score was close but they gave those last two away. I looked at their schedule and they already destroyed the Jets twice. They have the Bengals and Dolphins and Cheifs coming up and he'll look like a 25 year old. Those teams play zero D. No pressure at all. Finally the Bills can play some D and they will lay the wood to him. Frazier will bring the heat. Won't be so easy against him. He'll look like a 60 year old that game. It all comes down to who a team plays.

[StumpHunter]

Since Rodgers is playing a team that can't apply pressure he has thrown 4 TDs. So much for the 1 WR BS. The Giants blow and he is having an easy time. This isn't good for us. Those west coast trips are hard.

Brady was under some heat and couldn't get it done Sunday. The score was close but they gave those last two away. I looked at their schedule and they already destroyed the Jets twice. They have the Bengals and Dolphins and Cheifs coming up and he'll look like a 25 year old. Those teams play zero D. No pressure at all. Finally the Bills can play some D and they will lay the wood to him. Frazier will bring the heat. Won't be so easy against him. He'll look like a 60 year old that game. It all comes down to who a team plays.

What I think you are missing, is that for the vast majority of their careers playing while pressured was not a significant problem for Brady or Rodgers. This year something has changed:

Age and lack of receiving targets.

Pretty simple, and it is mind boggling you think this weekend's games prove anything. Brady is still really old and Rodgers still doesn't have a reliable receiver outside of Adams.

[VikingLord]

Thielen is out for the Seattle game.

Kinda saw this coming based on his press conference Thursday, when he said he would only play if the hamstring was 100%. He also said it wouldn't be a game-time decision. That spelled bad news to me when I heard it.

Gotta keep having other guys step up. This is the biggest game of the year by far.

On the bright side, the Vikings have had other guys step up so far, so hopefully that continues against Seattle.

This is going to be a game where the guys who need to step up the most are the offensive linemen IMHO. If they keep Cousins clean and provide running lanes, I don't see the Vikings losing this game.

[Dames]

What I think you are missing, is that for the vast majority of their careers playing while pressured was not a significant problem for Brady or Rodgers. This year something has changed:

Age and lack of receiving targets.

Pretty simple, and it is mind boggling you think this weekend's games prove anything. Brady is still really old and Rodgers still doesn't have a reliable receiver outside of Adams.

Maybe his age is catching up some, but I think it's mostly lack of talent in his receivers. They never seem like they are on the same page. For most of the game last night, they put a CB on James White (I mean, that's crazy to cover a RB with a CB) and they doubled Edelman. The others guys still couldn't get open, because they are just not very good. I really don't think Brady has dropped off that much since last year. If AB hadn't been a moron, I'm guessing that the discussions of Tom Brady would be a lot different this time of the year.

[Dames]

Kinda saw this coming based on his press conference Thursday, when he said he would only play if the hamstring was 100%. He also said it wouldn't be a game-time decision. That spelled bad news to me when I heard it.

Gotta keep having other guys step up. This is the biggest game of the year by far.

On the bright side, the Vikings have had other guys step up so far, so hopefully that continues against Seattle.

This is going to be a game where the guys who need to step up the most are the offensive linemen IMHO. If they keep Cousins clean and provide running lanes, I don't see the Vikings losing this game.

I'm expecting a heavy does of Irv and Rudy tonight, and a lot of screens to Cook. I don't think the running game will get a lot of traction, but hopefully I'm wrong.

Seattle is giving up a lot of yards in the air lately, so hopefully Cousins is on target tonight. If so, I think Cousins will be close to 300 yards, and hopefully that's enough. I don't expect this to be low-scoring at least.

On defense, this may be unwise, but I think they'll employ the strategy that they used vs Dallas, and really try to lock down the running game. So, I think Wilson will get plenty of yards, but hopefully we can play tight in the RZ.

[Dames]

Since Rodgers is playing a team that can't apply pressure he has thrown 4 TDs. So much for the 1 WR BS. The Giants blow and he is having an easy time. This isn't good for us. Those west coast trips are hard.

The Packers winning vs Giants has little impact on us. I mean, it would have been a great upset, but it's not going to matter much, and it's not a game we should have expected them to lose.

If we win tonight, we are firmly in the driver's seat. If not, we need to have the Bears or Lions show up for a revenge game. I don't think either of those teams are going to lay down, but I'm not sure either has the talent to get the win. The Bears have a better shot at stealing one I think.

Let's get it tonight first... and see what happens.

[VikingLord]

I'm expecting a heavy does of Irv and Rudy tonight, and a lot of screens to Cook. I don't think the running game will get a lot of traction, but hopefully I'm wrong.

Seattle is giving up a lot of yards in the air lately, so hopefully Cousins is on target tonight. If so, I think Cousins will be close to 300 yards, and hopefully that's enough. I don't expect this to be low-scoring at least.

On defense, this may be unwise, but I think they'll employ the strategy that they used vs Dallas, and really try to lock down the running game. So, I think Wilson will get plenty of yards, but hopefully we can play tight in the RZ.

Seattle hasn't been a great run defense this year, and if there is a good time to establish a dominant running game, December is it, so while it's certainly possible that the Vikings will struggle to run, I expect them to try to exert their will on Seattle on the ground. I personally think Cook/Mattison could have a big night running it.

If they do, that takes so much pressure off Cousins and the passing game. Cousins needs to be on, yes, but for me the key to this game for both offenses is going to be their ability to run for 4+ on first/second downs and put themselves into manageable 3rd down situations. The team that does that most consistently is going to win. The passing games will complement that and not the other way around, as the big plays in the passing game will come when the linebackers and secondary players get antsy to stop the run.

All I can say about the Vikings defense is they have to stay disciplined against the Seahawks all night. The pass rushers have to keep contain because they don't want Wilson escaping, or, if he does escape, they want him escaping backwards and not sideways or stepping up. The linebackers have to avoid guessing and seal the edges, and the DBs HAVE to start defending the deep throws. That last piece is critical as Wilson is going to heave it. Just having position isn't going to be enough as Wilson will still make the attempts. And also keep an eye out for trick plays. The Seahawks usually try one or two, and I don't expect that to change tonight. Discipline and technique across the board will be key tonight. No dumb penalties on defense.

For me, Cousins is one of the least concerns tonight.

[StumpHunter]

The key to beating Seattle is to get up on them big early, and don't stop scoring. If it is within 2 scores in the 4th, Wilson will bring his team back. If Seattle is winning at the half, we lose. If it is close in the 4th, we lose. Seattle's defense is not good, and this team should put up 30+ on them easily. We probably will need to do that to win.

[Dames]

I'm expecting a heavy does of Irv and Rudy tonight, and a lot of screens to Cook. I don't think the running game will get a lot of traction, but hopefully I'm wrong.

Seattle is giving up a lot of yards in the air lately, so hopefully Cousins is on target tonight. If so, I think Cousins will be close to 300 yards, and hopefully that's enough. I don't expect this to be low-scoring at least.

On defense, this may be unwise, but I think they'll employ the strategy that they used vs Dallas, and really try to lock down the running game. So, I think Wilson will get plenty of yards, but hopefully we can play tight in the RZ.

Seattle hasn't been a great run defense this year, and if there is a good time to establish a dominant running game, December is it, so while it's certainly possible that the Vikings will struggle to run, I expect them to try to exert their will on Seattle on the ground. I personally think Cook/Mattison could have a big night running it.

If they do, that takes so much pressure off Cousins and the passing game. Cousins needs to be on, yes, but for me the key to this game for both offenses is going to be their ability to run for 4+ on first/second downs and put themselves into manageable 3rd down situations. The team that does that most consistently is going to win. The passing games will complement that and not the other way around, as the big plays in the passing game will come when the linebackers and secondary players get antsy to stop the run.

All I can say about the Vikings defense is they have to stay disciplined against the Seahawks all night. The pass rushers have to keep contain because they don't want Wilson escaping, or, if he does escape, they want him escaping backwards and not sideways or stepping up. The linebackers have to avoid guessing and seal the edges, and the DBs HAVE to start defending the deep throws. That last piece is critical as Wilson is going to heave it. Just having position isn't going to be enough as Wilson will still make the attempts. And also keep an eye out for trick plays. The Seahawks usually try one or two, and I don't expect that to change tonight. Discipline and technique across the board will be key tonight. No dumb penalties on defense.

For me, Cousins is one of the least concerns tonight.

Hoepfully you're correct and the running game is working. It would take a ton of pressure off. Seattle is a very average Defense against both the run and pass, so I don't really know why I felt that way. They have given up less rushing yds/game lately, but they are still not great. This is not the same Seattle Defense as years past that's for sure. Of course, the same can said about the Vikings's D, but we are still better than Sea.

I hope they don't worry so much about contain, that they hesitate to go after Wilson. If they play back, he'll pick them apart, so hopefully they can apply some pressure. You really can't play scared. The guy will make plays, but you can't make it easy for him. It's fine line though I guess. I would like to see them be aggressive, because I worry about our DBs trying to holding up for long. Might be a dangerous game, but it could work too. Having Smith back would be a big boost.

[Dames]

The key to beating Seattle is to get up on them big early, and don't stop scoring. If it is within 2 scores in the 4th, Wilson will bring his team back. If Seattle is winning at the half, we lose. If it is close in the 4th, we lose. Seattle's defense is not good, and this team should put up 30+ on them easily. We probably will need to do that to win.

Yep, they need to have the killer instinct. If we get up early, I hope we don't go into a run-out-the-clock game plan like we have in the past.

[CharVike]

Since Rodgers is playing a team that can't apply pressure he has thrown 4 TDs. So much for the 1 WR BS. The Giants blow and he is having an easy time. This isn't good for us. Those west coast trips are hard.

The Packers winning vs Giants has little impact on us. I mean, it would have been a great upset, but it's not going to matter much, and it's not a game we should have expected them to lose.

If we win tonight, we are firmly in the driver's seat. If not, we need to have the Bears or Lions show up for a revenge game. I don't think either of those teams are going to lay down, but I'm not sure either has the talent to get the win. The Bears have a better shot at stealing one I think.

Let's get it tonight first... and see what happens.

The Packers winning does impact us. We are behind them. I want the division title. If we lose tonight it won't be good for us. It's not must win but it's dam close for the title.

[Dames]

The Packers winning vs Giants has little impact on us. I mean, it would have been a great upset, but it's not going to matter much, and it's not a game we should have expected them to lose.

If we win tonight, we are firmly in the driver's seat. If not, we need to have the Bears or Lions show up for a revenge game. I don't think either of those teams are going to lay down, but I'm not sure either has the talent to get the win. The Bears have a better shot at stealing one I think.

Let's get it tonight first... and see what happens.

The Packers winning does impact us. We are behind them. I want the division title. If we lose tonight it won't be good for us. It's not must win but it's dam close for the title.

I get where you're coming from. If we lose tonight, we still have 82% to make the playoffs but the chances of winning the division are down to about 25%. We would need help from the Bears or Lions at least. So, it's very important for seeding that's for sure. If we win, we are in great position to win the division. Even getting one home game would be important. Most important to me is getting to the playoffs of course. If we win tonight, then I'll start figuring out how we get to the 1 or 2 seed That would be nice.

[Dames]

Well, this is interesting. The Vikings are expected to promote WR Alexander Hollins from the practice squad for tonight's game. Make the Doctson cutting more of a head scratcher. I don't know. Maybe Doctson wasn't picking things up.

Anyway, he's our 4th WR for tonight, so at least we have someone if there is an injury (please no)