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Sinking ship Struggling Vikings can't score enough to beat the Giants
Updated: Monday November 19, 2001 4:46 PM
It seems like just yesterday that the Giants and Vikings met in the NFC Championship Game with New York embarrassing Minnesota 41-0. Is this a revenge match for the Vikings? Maybe, but they should focus first on finding a running game, some pass blocking and better secondary coverage. Since Robert Smith retired, the running game is down to Daunte Culpepper's scrambling. Randy Moss didn't retire but you wouldn't know it from his production this season. Some have whispered that the wideout has taken the money and shut down. I don't think that's true, but defenses can key on him more easily without Smith in the backfield. Jason Sehorn should match up on Moss most of the time but look for some safety help.
New York's front four could have a field day against a Minnesota offensive line that has been systematically disassembled in the past few years. Culpepper could be literally running for his life considering that left tackle Brad Badger has a bad case of turf toe and guard Corbin Lacina is nursing an injury. Last week the Eagles sacked Culpepper six times. Michael Strahan already has 15 sacks this season. The pass pressure problems are bad enough but Minnesota only earned three first downs in the first six series in the Philadelphia game. Those six series ended in four punts, a lost fumble and one field goal. A repeat of that performance and the Vikings will be cooked by halftime. The Giants' offense hasn't been anything to write home about lately, either. But the return of Tiki Barber from a hamstring injury will cure some of their woes. Barber had a 118-yard day last week against the Cardinals and is as much of a receiving threat as he is a rusher. The Vikings desperately need safety Robert Griffith to return from a leg injury to help out against Barber and Ron Dayne. Here's an alarming comparison to keep in mind: Last week the top four tacklers for the Giants were two linebackers, a defensive end and a safety. That demonstrates a lot of good work near the line of scrimmage. Minnesota, on the other hand, had all four of its leading tacklers come from the secondary. So what do I expect to happen in the Metrodome on Monday night? It should be a much closer game than the lopsided victory in January at the Meadowlands. But I can't see the Vikings scoring enough points to win. I like the Giants to move to 6-4 while Minnesota starts thinking about next year. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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