| There's
an old song by Survivor — go ahead, laugh — about a search for a man's love
coming full circle, that it was "right before my eyes." You’ve heard the
tune, I’m sure. While my version doesn’t necessarily relate to the love of my
life, it follows a similar story. You see, way back before opening day 1999, Pro
Football Weekly forecast its Super Bowl XXXIV winner, the Minnesota Vikings.
Personally, I went in a different direction, picking the Miami Dolphins to knock off the
Vikings in the big game. And I stuck with that pick for quite some time.
But, oh, how foolish I was. The correct pick was right under my nose the whole time,
since Day One. Heck, I even wrote the story explaining why PFW was so high on the team.
Granted, the reasons have changed, but I think many in our cast of thousands would keep
their Super Bowl pick the same.
What pick might that be? The Vikings, of course. The hottest team going in the NFL.
Since suffering back-to-back defeats to the Buccaneers and Chiefs in early December,
Minnesota has won five in a row, including last week’s 27-10 wild-card win over the
Cowboys. Only the Titans can claim the same, though they haven't done it nearly as well as
the Vikings have, offensive consistency being the key difference.
Minnesota is clicking on all cylinders, and they're gonna stick it to St. Louis on
Sunday. QB Jeff George is looking good, as usual, and WR Cris Carter is showing no ill
effects of the high-ankle sprain he suffered at Kansas City. RB Robert Smith is also on a
roll, and even more important, he's 100 percent healthy.
But the offense was never supposed to a problem. Whether it was George or Randall
Cunningham, that unit was supposed to click. The defense was regarded as the weak link.
The pass rush wasn’t there; the coverage wasn’t there — you name it. But
it’s all coming together, purple people, and the Rams best beware.
Whom do we have to thank? Chris Doleman, of all people. One of the team’s elder
statesmen is in tip-top shape, and he’s allowing John Randle to face more one-on-one
matchups, which he can always exploit. That has, in turn, catapulted the pass rush and
taken pressure off a young, beaten-up secondary.
Therein lies the key to Minnesota’s playoff success. If Randle’s linemates
keep producing, Randle will have more favorable matchups, thus energizing the pass rush.
How effective do you think the Rams’ offense will be when they're busy throwing
bodies at Randle? That was the problem St. Louis had vs. Tennessee and Detroit —
handling the pass rush. I think it will spell the Rams' doom Sunday.
Mock me if you must, but if there’s one team left in the NFC that can stay with
the Rams, it’s the Vikings. They’re the only team that can match St. Louis point
for point. The game could very well come down to who has the ball last. But it says here
that won't be an issue. I look for a close yet high-scoring game early before Minnesota
finds its pass-rushing legs and begins to take control of the game. A team can only slow
Randle for so long, especially in the clutch.
The Vikings’ offense will take care of itself, but the defense needs to stay
sharp. Look for the Rams to cut themselves shaving.
Final score: Vikings 41, Rams 33. |
