SPORTSPGH
.COM
| STEELERS | PIRATES | FORUM | PENGUINS | POLLS |
| The Vikings game: By Magoo After beginning the season 2-5 the Vikes have rattled off 6 wins in a row. Impressive? Not really. Of those 6 wins only one came against a team with a winning record. They beat the New York Football Giants on Nov. 13, by the score of 24-21. In that game the Vikes scored via a punt return, a kickoff return, and an interception that was returned for a TD. Minnesota offense managed only a field goal on the day. Of the remaining 5 wins during the streak they have beaten teams that have a combined record of 20-45. They beat Detroit (2 times) Cleveland, Green Bay, and the not so mighty St.Louis Rams. Two factors that will offset each other: * The Steelers have lost their past 3 games played in a dome. Their last win in a dome came in 1996, a 20-17 win against the Falcons. * The Vikes legal troubles... MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 15, 2005) -- Quarterback Daunte Culpepper and three Minnesota Vikings teammates were charged with indecent, lewd and disorderly conduct for participating in a bawdy boat party that drew national attention. Culpepper, currently on injured reserve, Bryant McKinnie, Fred Smoot and Moe Williams each were charged with three misdemeanors for their behavior aboard a boat on Lake Minnetonka, according to court papers. The rest of the story: The Viking offense struggles while trying to run the ball... Their leading rusher is Mewelde Moore 551 yards on 137 carries. The Vikes D. against the run is soft (112 yards per game). In third down situations their D is ranked third worst in the league. In short their D is not the kind that will be able to impose their will against the Steelers. The play of left tackle Trai Essex last week was impressive. Look for the first year player to continue to improve after being schooled against the Colts and Bengals. The biggest potential problem for the Steelers is Ben's thumb. It is said to limit his ability to throw the long one. Much talk has been bandied about it regarding Cowher's refusal to elaborate on how serious the injury is. Both Cowher and Ben have opted to no longer speak to the media about it. However, on Wed. Ben said his thumb felt improved. The keys to a win on Sunday hinge on: The Steelers ability to not give up a big plays on special teams. Steelers need to avoid mistakes. Penalties and turnovers on the road are killers. The dome noise factor... The Steelers are saying they have a better plan this week than the one that was in place for the Colts game... They plan to use the silent count to offset the noise factor. The defense will need to dominate the Vikes offense (ranked 25th in the league)... If the Steelers can run on the Vikes... this is a no contest. Pressure on Johnson...the Viking have allowed an a whopping 49 sacks this year. The only team to allow more is the Texans. A Steelers win keeps their playoff hopes alive. The win would give the Steelers their 7th consecutive victory over NFC opponents. Ben's record would improve to an astounding 20-3. |