Falcons O vs. Vikings D

Atlanta will work hard to control the clock

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Posted: Monday January 11, 1999 08:47 PM

When Atlanta gets the ball against Minnesota, its number one goal will be to control the clock with the running game.

The Falcons were successful against San Francisco by giving Jamal Anderson the ball 29 times for 113 yards and 2 TDs. In fact, they held the ball 5 minutes and 26 seconds longer than San Francisco. As good as that was, they'll need to do even better against Minnesota.

In studying the 49ers game, it's clear where the Falcons like to cross the line of scrimmage. Anderson ran 22 times behind LT Bob Whitfield and LG Calvin Collins.

Vikings defensive coordinator Foge Fazio will move All-Pro John Randle all over the front to help slow Anderson. But no matter where Randle is, he'll be double teamed and linebackers Dixon Edwards and all-pro Ed McDaniel must make the tackle. In short-yardage situations, keep your eye on DT Tony Williams. He can penetrate and people in Minnesota feel he is becoming a young John Randle.

When the Falcons decide to throw, Randle is capable of beating the double team and forcing the QB out of the pocket, something Chandler does not want to do. If the Falcons try to throw quickly, expect the Vikings zone blitz scheme with DE Derrick Alexander dropping into the flat to make Chandler hold the ball. Falcons head coach Dan Reeves will counter with quick crossing routes to Tony Martin in the areas vacated by the blitzing linebackers.

The Falcons need to attack the Viking corners. Jimmy Hitchcock, who has seven interceptions, is beatable when he plays press coverage like he did here. You can bet Chandler will look for this coverage and attack it in a similar fashion.

A final important point in this matchup is that Chandler has an excellent "hard count" and he caught the Niners four times last week. It's an important weapon he won't be able to use on the road in the extremely loud Metrodome.

Atlanta is the second-best team in the NFC, but it's playing the best team on the road. And Minnesota's best defense may be its offense. The Vikings' quick-scoring attack will force the Falcons out of their running game faster than a good Minnesota defensive effort will.

 

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