By Mike Golic
Special to ESPN.com
For the Vikings to have an advantage in this matchup of skill-position talent, they need to get the same production out of Robert Smith and the running game as they did against Dallas last weekend.
Smith was the reason the Vikings beat the Cowboys, the way he ran the ball and caught the ball. It's difficult for a defense to account for a running back coming out of the backfield. The more Smith can get involved, that takes one more defender -- probably a safety -- out of double-coverage against one of Minnesota's wideouts.
Shifting outside, I would give an edge to the Vikings with Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed. Carter is the best route runner in the game and has the most awareness of any receiver. Tell me a better deep threat than Moss? The Rams' Isaac Bruce has the speed, but Moss has speed and the ability to outjump anybody. Reed is a fantastic possession receiver.
Then, at quarterback, Jeff George has been as hot as anyone since becoming the Vikings' starter. As long as Smith is productive, the Vikings' skill talent can rival any team in the league.
|
|
By Sean Salisbury
Special to ESPN.com
The Rams have had league MVP Kurt Warner at quarterback from the beginning of the season until the end, and he has been both consistent and confident. The receiving corps of Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim and Torry Holt is the fastest in the NFL, moreso than the Vikings because Cris Carter is more of a possession receiver with great hands than he is a speed burner.
But the X-factor in this matchup is Marshall Faulk. While the Vikings' Robert Smith is a great runner and excellent catching screen passes, Faulk can beat teams deep out of the backfield and run great option routes. He is the most versatile back in football, and that's the biggest difference favoring the Rams.
Even if Faulk doesn't rush for many yards, he can damage teams with his receiving ability. No strong safety or linebacker can cover Faulk. Then, when a defense plays a nickel back to guard against the pass, that makes it vulnerable against the run, paving the way for Faulk to rush for large gains.
The mismatches Faulk creates make the Rams the league's most explosive offense. |
