Vikings: 3 keys to defeating Seattle
The Minnesota Vikings finally got off the schneid with their first win of the season against the Houston Texans last week, but it will take a lot of effort to keep the momentum going in a tough primetime matchup on the road against the undefeated Seattle Seahawks.
Here are the Vikings’ three keys to victory against Seattle:
1. Attack through the air
If the 4-0 Seahawks have one weakness, it’s their pass defense. Seattle ranks dead last in the NFL surrendering 401 passing yards per game.
Vikings wide receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson each have a pair of 100-yard games under their belts this season and they could in for a big night on Sunday.
Jefferson is the youngest player on the Vikings roster but is already showing he was well worth a first round pick.
"He’s doing a great job," Cousins said about Jefferson. "He’s making plays, creating separation and finishing plays. It’s an exciting challenge every week to find him new opportunities to get him the football."
Seattle has already given up six pass plays of 40-plus yards – that’s also the most in the NFL.
2. Win the Ngakoue vs. Brown battle
Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is starting to find his stride after a slow start in his Vikings debut against Green Bay in week one.
He had a pair of sacks last Sunday in Houston which gives him four this season.
Ngakoue will be matched up against 4-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Duane Brown on Sunday night.
3. Create big plays on special teams
One of the underrated plays in the Vikings win in Houston last Sunday came on special teams.
Late in the first quarter, the Vikings punted the ball to Houston. Mike Boone leveled Texans punt returner DeAndre Carter who fumbled. Dan Chisena recovered and the Vikings turned the Texans mistake into a field goal and a 10-0 lead.
"Those are such momentum swings in the game," Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks said about the big play on special teams. "You gotta get hyped for that. I mean that’s what football is all about. Obviously turnover margin is the number one way of winning games."
The forced fumble by Boone earned him the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award.