NFC divisional
playoff game |
Vikings at Rams
Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Mo.,
Sunday, Jan. 16
AT A GLANCE: Two of the NFL’s most prolific offenses are on
display as the Vikings visit the Rams. Minnesota comes off a 27-10 victory over Dallas in
the wild-card round. St. Louis makes its first playoff appearance since the ’89
season.
|
| OVERVIEW: The Rams begin the playoff portion of their
Cinderella season with a home date against the Vikings in a matchup that should feature
plenty of offensive fireworks. The Rams’ offense, ranked No. 1 in the NFL during
the regular season, is led by QB Kurt Warner and RB Marshall Faulk. Warner threw 41 TD
passes and led the league in passer rating, while Faulk became only the second man in
league history to amass 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving.
But Minnesota’s offense won’t take a back seat to the St. Louis attack. The
Vikings, who finished No. 3 in the NFL in total offense, feature a prolific passing
attack. QB Jeff George has the luxury of throwing to WRs Randy Moss (80 catches, 11 TDs in
’99) and Cris Carter (90 catches, 13 TDs). The Vikings also have a potent rushing
attack featuring Robert Smith, who ran for 140 yards vs. Dallas last week, and burly Leroy
Hoard.
Since both teams boast such high-powered offenses, the determining factor may be which
defense does a better job. St. Louis’ "D" ranked sixth in the NFL this
season; Minnesota’s ranked just 27th.
The Rams are at home, and that’s important. St. Louis went 8-0 in the Trans World
Dome this season, winning each game by at least 17 points. Minnesota was 4-4 away from
home this season.
The Vikings have won six straight vs. the Rams, dating back to 1987.
WHEN THE VIKINGS HAVE THE BALL:
The Vikings’ offense has been clicking lately. Smith says he feels as healthy as
he has all season, and George has the passing game running at full throttle. George not
only has a cannon arm; he has also done a good job reading defenses and audibling.
However, making calls at the line could be a problem in the noisy Trans World Dome. Also
watch OLT Todd Steussie, who has melted down a little in big games this season.
It is imperative that the Vikings protect George. When he is pressured, he sometimes
gets flustered and is more prone to make mistakes. Thus, the Vikings will have to do a
good job against an aggressive Rams defense. Massive ORT Korey Stringer will draw the
responsibility of blocking Pro Bowl DLE Kevin Carter, who has become a difference-maker. |
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|
Profile |
| Trans World Dome |
| St. Louis, Mo. |
| Date: Sunday, January 16, 2000 |
| 11:35 a.m. Central Time |
| Type Of Turf: Artificial |
| Meeting Of The Year: Only |
| Season Record: |
| |
Minnesota |
11-6-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
13-3-0 |
| Season Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
Minnesota |
4-11-2 |
| |
St. Louis |
13-3-0 |
| Home/Road Record: |
| |
Minnesota (R) |
4-4-0 |
| |
St. Louis (H) |
8-0-0 |
| Home/Road Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
Minnesota (R) |
1-6-1 |
| |
St. Louis (H) |
8-0-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf: |
| |
Minnesota |
9-3-0 |
| |
St. Louis |
11-2-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf Vs. Spread: |
| |
Minnesota |
4-7-1 |
| |
St. Louis |
11-2-0 |
|
|
| Moss and Carter are the cornerstones of the WR corps, but the Vikings will use a
four-WR set to get Matthew Hatchette and Jake Reed on the field. The Rams have Pro Bowler
Todd Lyght at one CB spot, but fellow CB Dexter McCleon has given up some big plays at
times. Nickel DB Dre’ Bly has moved up the depth chart throughout the season. With
the deep threats the Vikings feature, FS Devin Bush will have to play well. He has
improved since taking over for the injured Keith Lyle (shoulder/neck; check status).
Smith’s game is predicated on speed, but he will have trouble running away from a
fast group of linebackers led by undersized but fiery MLB London Fletcher.
WHEN THE RAMS HAVE THE BALL:
The Rams’ offense is both talented and aggressive. It has a go-for-the-throat
demeanor and will use a variety of different looks.
One thing to watch is how well the Vikings’ defense plays against Warner and the
Rams’ high-powered passing game. CB Jimmy Hitchcock isn’t bad, but he still
gives up big plays at times. On the other side, rookie Kenny Wright is big and aggressive
but can be beaten. Former WR Robert Tate is the nickel back. He has speed but not much
experience.
The Rams use three- and four-WR sets frequently. Isaac Bruce is one of the NFL’s
most dangerous receivers, but it’s hard to double-team him because fellow WRs Torry
Holt, Az-Zahir Hakim and Ricky Proehl can also make big plays. The Vikings don’t have
much depth in the secondary, and that could prove to be a problem. Anthony Bass, playing
in place of injured FS Orlando Thomas, cannot let St. Louis’ receivers get behind
him.
With all the passing weapons the Rams have, SS Robert Griffith may not be able to creep
up to play the run as he often does. That could open things up for Faulk. When Faulk goes
out as a receiver, the Vikings may not be able to commit a defensive back to cover him.
Speedy LB Dwayne Rudd could draw the assignment.
It is critical that the Vikings pressure Warner with their front four so that they
don’t leave their defensive backs exposed. DL John Randle has not had his best year
but can still take advantage of one-on-one blocking. He has seen more of that as the other
linemen have emerged.
Game preview and depth charts were compiled as of Jan. 9, 2000 |
|
Vikings depth
chart |
OFFENSE |
| WR |
84 MOSS, 86 Reed |
| OLT |
73 STEUSSIE, 67 Humphrey* |
| OLG |
64 R. McDANIEL, 63 Lacina |
| C |
62 CHRISTY, 75 Birk |
| ORG |
71 DIXON, 75 Birk |
| ORT |
77 STRINGER, 67 Humphrey*, 76 Liwienski |
| TE |
82 GLOVER, 87 Crumpler, 43 Jordan |
| WR |
80 CARTER, 89 Hatchette, 81 Walsh, 19 Murphy |
| QB |
3 GEORGE, 7 Cunningham, 12 Culpepper*, 8 Bouman |
| RB |
26 R. SMITH, 44 Hoard, 21 Williams |
| FB |
40 KLEINSASSER, 33 Morrow |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
92 CLEMONS, 97 Sawyer* |
| NT |
96 BALL, 94 Williams, 79 Phillips |
| UT |
93 RANDLE, 91 Burrough, 95 Council |
| DRE |
56 DOLEMAN, 97 Sawyer* |
| SLB |
52 WONG, 59 Miller, 55 Johnson* |
| MLB |
58 E. McDANIEL, 52 Wong |
| WLB |
57 RUDD, 51 Holmberg |
| LCB |
20 WRIGHT*, 29 Rogers* |
| RCB |
37 HITCHCOCK, 28 Tate |
| SS |
24 GRIFFITH, 30 Banks |
| FS |
32 BASS, 31 Morgan |
SPECIALISTS |
| P |
17 BERGER |
| PK |
1 ANDERSON |
| H |
17 BERGER |
| PR |
19 MURPHY, 84 Moss, 28 Tate |
| KR |
19 MURPHY, 21 Williams, 28 Tate |
| KC |
68 MORRIS, 67 Humphrey*, 62 Christy |
* Rookie |
|
|
Rams depth
chart |
OFFENSE |
| WR |
88 HOLT*, 81 Hakim, 82 Horne |
| OLT |
76 PACE, 50 Tucker, 77 Willig |
| OLG |
61 NUTTEN, 71 Spikes* |
| C |
60 GRUTTADAURIA, 64 McCollum |
| ORG |
62 TIMMERMAN, 64 McCollum |
| ORT |
73 MILLER, 50 Tucker |
| TE |
86 WILLIAMS, 45 Robinson, 84 Conwell |
| WR |
80 BRUCE, 83 Thomas, 87 Proehl |
| QB |
13 WARNER, 16 Justin, 9 Germaine |
| RB |
28 FAULK, 31 Lee, 36 Watson |
| FB |
25 HOLCOMBE, 42 Hodgins* |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
93 CARTER, 96 Williams |
| DLT |
99 AGNEW, 90 Zgonina |
| DRT |
75 FARR, 95 Hobgood-Chittick |
| DRE |
98 WISTROM, 92 Barnes* |
| LLB |
52 JONES, 58 Morton, 91 Pelshak* |
| MLB |
59 FLETCHER, 51 Styles |
| RLB |
54 COLLINS, 56 Clemons, 57 Little |
| LCB |
41 LYGHT, 20 Allen |
| RCB |
21 McCLEON, 32 Bly* |
| SS |
22 JENKINS, 23 Bush, 24 Carpenter |
| FS |
23 BUSH, 38 Coady*, 35 Lyle |
SPECIALISTS |
| P |
2 HORAN |
| PK |
14 WILKINS |
| H |
2 HORAN |
| PR |
81 HAKIM, 82 Horne |
| KR |
82 HORNE, 24 Carpenter |
| KC |
45 ROBINSON |
* Rookie |
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