Five Questions: Week Two; Vikings vs Packers
The Minnesota Vikings are back at it this week after notching their first victory of the regular season on Sunday. Despite a winning effort, there are still some concerns heading into week two. These concerns range on both sides of the ball, but especially at the quarterback position. Read below for more insight into the greatest questions surrounding the Vikings organization.
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What’s Trending: Five questions: Minnesota Vikings at Tennessee Titans
1. Will Sam Bradford start on Sunday Night Football?
The Vikings have built a team not solely reliant on the quarterback. However, losing Teddy Bridgewater for the season was a huge blow and all the team can do is look forward to his return in 2017. Until then, Minnesota must find a way to put an efficient quarterback on the field. Shaun Hill played well in Sunday’s win over the Titans, but it should be noted that Bradford has superior intangibles and a more complete skill set. There are rumors that week two will be his opportunity to get under center. Does he have enough firepower to shift the opponent’s attention away from Adrian Peterson?
2. How good is Stefon Diggs?
Apparently, it doesn’t matter who is throwing him the ball. Stefon Diggs is a dynamic talent at wide receiver. He made life easier on his quarterback last Sunday with an eye opening performance. Diggs hauled in seven receptions on a team high nine targets for 103 yards. As clearly the best Viking wideout, Norv Turner should target Diggs at an even higher rate as they progress through the season. His improved route running is one of his greatest strengths and allows him to create separation from defensive backs. Don’t forget about his ability to run after the catch either; Diggs is a terror to opposing defenses when he finds open space.
3. Vikings Game Plan for Sunday?
The Titans sold out to stop Adrian Peterson on Sunday. Green Bay will likely try a similar scheme for week two. If the Vikings want Peterson to be more effective, they need to open up the run game. How? To start, Minnesota needs to come out of the gates airing it out. It doesn’t have to necessarily be downfield, it could be short. Ideally, the Vikings could target players like Diggs, Patterson and even McKinnon, in space and allow them to make plays with their feet. This would almost certainly help to take away the eight and nine man boxes the Vikings were faced with last Sunday.
4. Eric Kendricks to Breakout in 2016?
Vikings fans are well aware of the talent Eric Kendricks possesses. But outside of Minnesota, he has yet to become a household name like his teammate Anthony Barr. With performances like week one, Kendricks is sure to become a well known star by season’s end. Versus the Titans, Kendricks notched six tackles, one for a loss and also recorded a game changing pick-six. What stands out the most are is his instincts. To quote a forgotten song, “He doesn’t have to think he only has to do it.” Kendricks doesn’t hesitate, rather he naturally knows where to go. With his athleticism and feel for the quarterbacks intentions, Kendricks has become a significant pass defender. His versatility will be his greatest asset in taking him to even further heights.
5. Concern for Laquon Treadwell?
Fans have caught onto the fact that Treadwell has yet to break into the starting lineup. This is unknown territory for the Vikings’ rookie wideout as he has always been the star player throughout high school and college. With that being said, there is no reason to worry, Vikings’ fans. Under Mike Zimmer’s regime, they historically have tended to allow more time for development. The same has been seen with last year’s first round pick, Trae Waynes. Treadwell posses great work ethic and exceptional talent. He runs clean routes and uses his physicality to create separation and win contested balls. If Treadwell continues to impress in practice, he will to see more of the field each week.
Wrap up
The Vikings defense really stood out in their first matchup against the Titans. That unit will be even more important as the Vikings take on their division rival Sunday Night. Should Minnesota slow up Aaron Rodgers, it will take much of the pressure off the Vikings’ offense.
Even so, fans should expect Minnesota’s offense to improve with increased production and more trips into the red zone. It was encouraging to see Hill move the unit downfield consistently. However, they were stopped short of the goal line on far too many occasions. If the Vikings can get Peterson going it will make ‘whichever’ quarterback’s job that much easier.
Austin Erwin writes for cover32 and covers the Minnesota Vikings. He can be followed on Twitter @austin_erwin. Like and follow vikings32 on Facebook and Twitter.
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