If Chris Snee really wanted to study and analyze what lies ahead, the reaction could be one of intimidation. The Giants tomorrow face the Vikings, the team that stops the run better than any other in the league.
“I don’t think you can just say, ‘Hey, we’re scared of these guys and do something else,'” said Snee, the starting right guard. “That’s why we play this game, for these challenges.”
If Barry Cofield really wanted to study and analyze the upcoming situation, his reaction could be one of desperation. The Giants face the Vikings, the team that runs the ball better than any other in the league.
“That is what they do . . . they are what they are,” said Cofield, a starting defensive tackle. “They’ll even run on third and long, which is something you definitely don’t see a lot of in this league. It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us in the trenches.”
There’s no doubt what’s up front will tell the tale for the Giants, as their offensive and defensive lines will be put to the test. The Vikings are living proof that the old football adage doesn’t always ring true. Stopping the run on defense and establishing the run on offense are supposed to be the two tenets that unfailingly lead to victory.
The Vikings sit atop the NFL in gaining yards on the ground (177.9 per game) and defensively allow the fewest rushing yards (74.4 per game). Normally, such dominance inflates a season record, but the Vikings are only 4-6, mainly because their great strengths are compromised by glaring weaknesses.
The Vikings are the easiest team to throw against, allowing 288.4 yards per game and 14 touchdown passes this season. They also are 31st in the NFL in passing. Three quarterbacks have combined for a dismal five touchdown passes. Today’s starter, Tavaris Jackson, has a QB rating of 55.5, worst in the league.
Figure the Giants will look to throw it on offense and continue Jackson’s misery when he tries to let it fly. Still, the Giants want to run it themselves, whether it’s Reuben Droughns or rookie Ahmad Bradshaw as the reserve running back brigade.
The key here is not the ball-carrier but the holes created to allow whoever’s carting it to have a chance. Minnesota’s front wall is anchored by tackles Kevin and Pat Williams, who are not related but do share impressive bulk (628 pounds combined) and the ability to dominate opposing offensive linemen.
“It’s tough to run on them, obviously they clog up the middle,” Snee said. “It’s tough to move them off the ball. I’ve been watching some tape and you don’t see too many teams do it.”
The defensive chore for the Giants is making the Vikings one dimensional, because Jackson has shown he cannot spark the attack with his arm. Rookie running back Adrian Peterson has torn knee ligaments and is not expected to play, which is a huge blow to the Vikes. Peterson leads the NFL in rushing with 1,081 yards. In his place, six-year pro Chester Taylor more than filled in with 164 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards in last week’s 29-22 victory over the Raiders.
“Taylor’s a good back,” linebacker Antonio Pierce said. “He’s not Peterson, I’m not saying that in a good or bad way, but he’s a really good back.”
Once again, the burden falls on the Giants defensive line, this time not specifically to pressure the quarterback but to hold up against the run. The first order of business in dealing with a large and skilled offensive line that is particularly gifted on the left side, where tackle Bryant McKinnie and guard Steve Hutchinson, along with center Matt Birk, pave the way.
“They know what that bread and butter is, especially on that left side, they’re pretty formidable over there,” Cofield said. “We expect them to pound the ball that way. If we use the proper technique, it will be tough to shut a team like that down but we think we can contain them and win the game.”