Jaworski on the Vikings

Defensively, the Vikings are starting to come on. They have made some positive changes and are not giving up the big play. In the past they were susceptible to big plays. But this season, the Vikings' defense has only allowed 33 plays of 20 yards or more, the fewest in the NFC. Getting big plays on offense and allowing only a few on defense have resulted in the Vikings' league-best 11-2 record.

Five keys for the Vikings:
1. Establish the run: The Vikings offensive line is dominant. It's a zone-based blocking line. The Rams' D'Marco Farr and Ray Agnew have struggled against double teams. And up the middle, Farr, Agnew and linebacker London Fletcher are not the biggest players. Meanwhile, with center Matt Birk, guards Corbin Lacina and David Dixon, and tackles Korey Stringer and Todd Steussie, the Vikings have monstrous, hulking linemen who like to maul the opposition. From a size and strength standpoint, they present a big problem to the Rams' defense and should be able to open holes for Smith.

2. Protect Culpepper: This is the best thing the Vikings have done all year. They have kept Culpepper comfortable in the pocket. Any time a team starts a young quarterback, protection is absolutely critical. The line has given Culpepper the feeling that he will have time to make his reads and work the ball down the field.

3. Continue with base offense: The Vikings are not doing a lot of things with formation variation and motion. They are keeping it simple, allowing Culpepper to get a good presnap look, get a definitive read and throw the football. The Vikings must maintain that approach; it's been successful so far.

4. Pressure on Warner: Kurt Warner had his worst game as a pro last week, throwing four interceptions. He was very impatient and kept trying to force the ball down the field against Carolina. So the Vikings, through pressure, need to get Warner in that frenetic state again. When the Panthers got ahead last week, they pressured Warner. In the first half, they did not. In the first half, he just wasn't patient.

5. The Marshall plan: Knowing the Rams, they will look to Marshall Faulk to touch the ball 30 times, either running or catching the ball out of the backfield. He's their playmaker and is Warner's go-to guy. The Vikings won't stop Faulk completely. But they can try to get someone with speed to match up with Faulk. If Dwayne Rudd can play this week, he is a speedy linebacker, as is Kailee Wong. But primarily, I believe the Vikings will play zone defense. They will keep an eye on both Warner and Faulk to try and keep everything in front of them.

Salisbury on the Rams

Only a few weeks ago the Rams seemed invincible. Now they're just another team struggling to make the playoffs. This is a huge game for St. Louis.

Five keys for the Rams:
1. Quick start is key: The Rams are a unit that thrives on rhythm. They have the ability to come from behind because they can score quickly, but in the games they've lost this year, they fell behind early. They started slow last week and in their loss to Kansas City. If they're out of synch early, they have a tendency to remain that way. Kurt Warner needs to establish a rhythm early as well, coming off a four-pick performance last week.

2. Find more balance: Over the last few weeks Marshall Faulk's rushing attempts have been dwindling. This is possibly because the team has found itself in the unfamiliar position of being behind in games. Even so, Faulk is the best back in the league and needs about 15 carries in this offense. The Rams are unstoppable when Faulk has 100 yards rushing and 75 yards receiving.

3. Defensive effort: Especially against the run. Robert Smith is an incredible challenge for any defense. In my opinion, Smith is the MVP of the Vikings and makes their offense go. That being said, the Rams have been pushed around this year. I don't know how they can do it, but they have to.

4. Limit Moss' big plays: You can't have Randy Moss catch three balls for 110 yards and two TDs. He does that all the time. Wearing my defensive coordinator's hat, Moss would never see single coverage from me. If Chris Carter gets 15 catches for 200 yards, so be it. Take a penalty if you have to. Don't let Moss touch the ball.

5. Dominate the return game: If it takes Faulk returning kicks, then do it. When the Rams are the best team in the league, they kill you on punt and kickoff returns. With Tony Horn out, desperate times call for desperate measures. Faulk may have to suck it up and go back there.