Post by Purple Pain on Sept 10, 2021 11:31:44 GMT -6
Vikings Week 1 preview: What to watch vs. Bengals, keys to victory and predictions by The Athletic Minnesota Staff
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Link:
theathletic.com/2814788/2021/09/10/vikings-week-1-preview-what-to-watch-vs-bengals-keys-to-victory-and-predictions/
What I’m watching
Graff: The Vikings secondary. We all know that the defensive line is miles better than the front four they put out a year ago, and the defense as a whole should be much better. But I’m curious to see how the secondary looks. They didn’t play any preseason snaps together and now face a pass-happy offense. It’s our first chance to see if Patrick Peterson can still be the No. 1 cornerback the Vikings believe he is or if his tendency to pick up penalties will continue.
Hasan: The offensive line. The interior unit is retooled with Ezra Cleveland and Oli Udoh, and we’ll see if Rashod Hill can hold up as a starter. Cincinnati has made some investments along their defensive line and has a few good blitzers, too, so the talent and communication will be tested.
Krawczynski: The Vikings secondary. The Bengals have had some … interesting developments this summer in their passing game with Ja’Marr Chase having trouble catching the ball. Joe Burrow is back from his knee injury and will probably try to test the cornerbacks to try to neutralize the stout Vikings front. How Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, Mackensie Alexander and the crew hold up will be a good early-season indicator of where this defense can go.
Graff: The Vikings secondary. We all know that the defensive line is miles better than the front four they put out a year ago, and the defense as a whole should be much better. But I’m curious to see how the secondary looks. They didn’t play any preseason snaps together and now face a pass-happy offense. It’s our first chance to see if Patrick Peterson can still be the No. 1 cornerback the Vikings believe he is or if his tendency to pick up penalties will continue.
Hasan: The offensive line. The interior unit is retooled with Ezra Cleveland and Oli Udoh, and we’ll see if Rashod Hill can hold up as a starter. Cincinnati has made some investments along their defensive line and has a few good blitzers, too, so the talent and communication will be tested.
Krawczynski: The Vikings secondary. The Bengals have had some … interesting developments this summer in their passing game with Ja’Marr Chase having trouble catching the ball. Joe Burrow is back from his knee injury and will probably try to test the cornerbacks to try to neutralize the stout Vikings front. How Patrick Peterson, Bashaud Breeland, Mackensie Alexander and the crew hold up will be a good early-season indicator of where this defense can go.
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The Vikings win if …
Graff: Their pass defense holds up. I think people are probably overestimating how good the Bengals are. They have one real strength: their passing offense. If the Vikings secondary can hold up against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they should be just fine.
Hasan: Their cornerbacks can keep up with the talented receiving corps of the Bengals. If they don’t allow much space, the Bengals don’t have much opportunity to score.
Krawczynski: Dalvin Cook goes off and Burrow makes a couple of young QB mistakes, both very realistic options for this game.
Graff: Their pass defense holds up. I think people are probably overestimating how good the Bengals are. They have one real strength: their passing offense. If the Vikings secondary can hold up against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they should be just fine.
Hasan: Their cornerbacks can keep up with the talented receiving corps of the Bengals. If they don’t allow much space, the Bengals don’t have much opportunity to score.
Krawczynski: Dalvin Cook goes off and Burrow makes a couple of young QB mistakes, both very realistic options for this game.
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Stat of the week
19 and 26. Since joining the Vikings, Kirk Cousins ranks 19th of 32 quarterbacks in adjusted net yards per attempt for Weeks 1-4. He ranks 26th of 32 in expected points added per play in that same time period.
Predictions
Graff: Vikings 27, Bengals 20. The Bengals may have some weapons on offense, and it’ll be fun to watch Burrow in his return after a gruesome injury a year ago. But the Vikings are simply a better-coached team with a better roster. Don’t overthink this one.
Hasan: Vikings 24, Bengals 20. The Vikings are a chaotic team, but I have a hard time believing the Bengals are in a position to take advantage of it. Right now, it looks like the Vikings will (mostly) have who they want to have for this game.
Krawczynski: Vikings 27, Bengals 21. After all of the vaccination angst, a few injuries and an overall feeling of being unsettled, I really thought long and hard about picking the Bengals. It would be a classic Vikings move to come out flat and gift-wrap a game on the road against a team it should beat. In fact, I picked the Bengals in a podcast appearance earlier this week. But the more I look at it, the harder it is for me to believe the Vikings are going to stub their toes against a team that they appear to match up with very well.
19 and 26. Since joining the Vikings, Kirk Cousins ranks 19th of 32 quarterbacks in adjusted net yards per attempt for Weeks 1-4. He ranks 26th of 32 in expected points added per play in that same time period.
Predictions
Graff: Vikings 27, Bengals 20. The Bengals may have some weapons on offense, and it’ll be fun to watch Burrow in his return after a gruesome injury a year ago. But the Vikings are simply a better-coached team with a better roster. Don’t overthink this one.
Hasan: Vikings 24, Bengals 20. The Vikings are a chaotic team, but I have a hard time believing the Bengals are in a position to take advantage of it. Right now, it looks like the Vikings will (mostly) have who they want to have for this game.
Krawczynski: Vikings 27, Bengals 21. After all of the vaccination angst, a few injuries and an overall feeling of being unsettled, I really thought long and hard about picking the Bengals. It would be a classic Vikings move to come out flat and gift-wrap a game on the road against a team it should beat. In fact, I picked the Bengals in a podcast appearance earlier this week. But the more I look at it, the harder it is for me to believe the Vikings are going to stub their toes against a team that they appear to match up with very well.
Link:
theathletic.com/2814788/2021/09/10/vikings-week-1-preview-what-to-watch-vs-bengals-keys-to-victory-and-predictions/
