Rock Slamdance
DCC 4Life
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Hopefully Durant can go. He doesn't play a ton of snaps, but when he does he makes plays.
Vikings Stuff...
- Thread starter Cotton
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Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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Sounds like he'll be out.
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So Church will be in session!
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Translation: He is out and lets hope he can play against the Giants.
ravidubey
DCC 4Life
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Sometimes they can be worse than actual knee or ankle sprains.
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Vikings' offense is scuffling, but return of Stefon Diggs will help
6:00 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys will be making their first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday hoping their luck will change in Minneapolis.
The Cowboys have lost five straight games at Minnesota, including the second-worst playoff loss in franchise history.
These Vikings, however, are offensively challenged, ranking last in the NFL in yards per game (294.9) and just 24th in points per game (19.8). What has Minnesota in the playoff chase is its defense. The Vikings are third-best in yards per game (307) and second-best in points per game (17.5).
Here is a scouting report on the Vikings from NFL Nation reporter Ben Goessling:
OFFENSE
QB Sam Bradford: His average throw last Thursday traveled just 3.44 yards beyond the line of scrimmage -- the second-lowest single-game total this season, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information -- and Bradford said on two occasions following the game that the Vikings need to be more explosive on offense. He's able to throw downfield (his completion percentage of 53.5 on throws of 15 yards or more is fifth in the league this season), but he has used a quick release as a kind of jab against pass rushes this season, as the Vikings have looked for ways to make up for a leaky offensive line. More often than not, it has meant Bradford throwing short, but he has shown in games such as the Vikings' win over Houston that he can hit quick-developing plays downfield as well.
WR Stefon Diggs: He should be back from a knee injury this week, and if he is, Diggs will be the Vikings' top option against the Cowboys defense. He has excelled mostly on shorter throws this year -- he hasn't averaged more than 12.6 yards per catch since Week 2 -- but his ability to separate from defenders has made him a viable threat downfield as well. Diggs is a smooth route-runner who can make his breaks near top speed, and Bradford will be looking his way frequently.
WR Adam Thielen: While Diggs and Kyle Rudolph have been Bradford's safety blankets, of sorts, Thielen has emerged into a nice downfield option for the Vikings. The Division II product has a career-high 45 receptions this season, and one-third of those have come on throws that traveled at least 15 yards downfield, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Look for Bradford to try to find Thielen on corner routes, particularly if they can sync up Bradford's pump fakes with Thielen's double moves.
DEFENSE
DT Linval Joseph: The Vikings' run defense has struggled in recent weeks, and if it's going to slow down Ezekiel Elliott, Joseph will have to have a big night holding the point of attack against the Cowboys' offensive line. He's one of the strongest nose tackles in the league, capable of taking on two blockers or shedding a lineman on his way into the backfield, but teams have neutralized Joseph by running away from him in recent weeks. At the very least, though, the Vikings need Joseph to keep the Cowboys from getting their linemen on the Vikings' linebackers.
CB Xavier Rhodes: He got under Odell Beckham's skin, helped shut down Kelvin Benjamin and DeAndre Hopkins, dueled with Alshon Jeffery and followed Golden Tate across the field at times last week. Now Rhodes will likely be assigned to Dez Bryant, as the Vikings try to take Dallas' top receiver out of the game. Rhodes' ball skills have improved markedly in his fourth season, and he's turning into a shutdown corner who can run with top receivers downfield and throw off their timing with press coverage at the line. He's not going to be in Bryant's ear like Josh Norman would be, but he won't back away from a battle, either.
S Harrison Smith: The Vikings will likely use him in some bracket coverage looks on Bryant with Rhodes, and they'll move him into positions to blitz Dak Prescott. Smith hasn't been at his best in recent weeks, missing some tackles he'd usually make, and he's dealing with an ankle injury at the moment. But he's one of the game's best safeties -- a heady, versatile and physical player who almost always makes the right decision in coverage.
6:00 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys will be making their first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday hoping their luck will change in Minneapolis.
The Cowboys have lost five straight games at Minnesota, including the second-worst playoff loss in franchise history.
These Vikings, however, are offensively challenged, ranking last in the NFL in yards per game (294.9) and just 24th in points per game (19.8). What has Minnesota in the playoff chase is its defense. The Vikings are third-best in yards per game (307) and second-best in points per game (17.5).
Here is a scouting report on the Vikings from NFL Nation reporter Ben Goessling:
OFFENSE
QB Sam Bradford: His average throw last Thursday traveled just 3.44 yards beyond the line of scrimmage -- the second-lowest single-game total this season, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information -- and Bradford said on two occasions following the game that the Vikings need to be more explosive on offense. He's able to throw downfield (his completion percentage of 53.5 on throws of 15 yards or more is fifth in the league this season), but he has used a quick release as a kind of jab against pass rushes this season, as the Vikings have looked for ways to make up for a leaky offensive line. More often than not, it has meant Bradford throwing short, but he has shown in games such as the Vikings' win over Houston that he can hit quick-developing plays downfield as well.
WR Stefon Diggs: He should be back from a knee injury this week, and if he is, Diggs will be the Vikings' top option against the Cowboys defense. He has excelled mostly on shorter throws this year -- he hasn't averaged more than 12.6 yards per catch since Week 2 -- but his ability to separate from defenders has made him a viable threat downfield as well. Diggs is a smooth route-runner who can make his breaks near top speed, and Bradford will be looking his way frequently.
WR Adam Thielen: While Diggs and Kyle Rudolph have been Bradford's safety blankets, of sorts, Thielen has emerged into a nice downfield option for the Vikings. The Division II product has a career-high 45 receptions this season, and one-third of those have come on throws that traveled at least 15 yards downfield, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Look for Bradford to try to find Thielen on corner routes, particularly if they can sync up Bradford's pump fakes with Thielen's double moves.
DEFENSE
DT Linval Joseph: The Vikings' run defense has struggled in recent weeks, and if it's going to slow down Ezekiel Elliott, Joseph will have to have a big night holding the point of attack against the Cowboys' offensive line. He's one of the strongest nose tackles in the league, capable of taking on two blockers or shedding a lineman on his way into the backfield, but teams have neutralized Joseph by running away from him in recent weeks. At the very least, though, the Vikings need Joseph to keep the Cowboys from getting their linemen on the Vikings' linebackers.
CB Xavier Rhodes: He got under Odell Beckham's skin, helped shut down Kelvin Benjamin and DeAndre Hopkins, dueled with Alshon Jeffery and followed Golden Tate across the field at times last week. Now Rhodes will likely be assigned to Dez Bryant, as the Vikings try to take Dallas' top receiver out of the game. Rhodes' ball skills have improved markedly in his fourth season, and he's turning into a shutdown corner who can run with top receivers downfield and throw off their timing with press coverage at the line. He's not going to be in Bryant's ear like Josh Norman would be, but he won't back away from a battle, either.
S Harrison Smith: The Vikings will likely use him in some bracket coverage looks on Bryant with Rhodes, and they'll move him into positions to blitz Dak Prescott. Smith hasn't been at his best in recent weeks, missing some tackles he'd usually make, and he's dealing with an ankle injury at the moment. But he's one of the game's best safeties -- a heady, versatile and physical player who almost always makes the right decision in coverage.
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Cowboys ready for the noise in Minnesota
9:14 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Having spent three years as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings, from 2002 to '04, Scott Linehan knows loud.
The Vikings played in the Metrodome then, but the new U.S. Bank Stadium, built on the same site, might be louder.
But at some point, you can't dial it up to 11, if you want a "Spinal Tap," reference. You youngsters can Google it.
"I think there is a [point where] loud is [just] loud," said Linehan, the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator. "Heard it's very similar to the Metrodome, which if that's the case, it's going to be loud. But when you play on the road in the NFL, you always talk about 'This place is loud.' I mean, every place can really be loud. I know the fans and the people that go to the games in Minnesota, they really get that noise level up there."
The Cowboys practice with loud music every week, whether playing at home or on the road. The Cowboys have not introduced the Vikings' Gjallarhorn, which in Norse mythology announced the arrival of the gods, but coach Jason Garrett admitted the music inside Ford Center at The Star might have been louder than normal.
"We've played in some loud places, obviously in Green Bay, and playing the Seahawks in the preseason was a good one for us," quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Turning up the music, we know the atmosphere is going to be good on a Thursday night game in that arena."
Prescott and center Travis Frederick will be tested more than anybody because of the noise. The Cowboys have been called for 10 false starts this season. Tight ends Jason Witten and Geoff Swaim, who is on injured reserve, have two apiece, as does left guard Ronald Leary.
"When you have that noise, your 'loud rules' kick in, if you will," Frederick said. "You're using your silent count and using your nonverbal communication, those types of things. We have a plan in place to be able to handle that."
9:14 AM CT
Todd Archer
ESPN Staff Writer
FRISCO, Texas -- Having spent three years as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings, from 2002 to '04, Scott Linehan knows loud.
The Vikings played in the Metrodome then, but the new U.S. Bank Stadium, built on the same site, might be louder.
But at some point, you can't dial it up to 11, if you want a "Spinal Tap," reference. You youngsters can Google it.
"I think there is a [point where] loud is [just] loud," said Linehan, the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator. "Heard it's very similar to the Metrodome, which if that's the case, it's going to be loud. But when you play on the road in the NFL, you always talk about 'This place is loud.' I mean, every place can really be loud. I know the fans and the people that go to the games in Minnesota, they really get that noise level up there."
The Cowboys practice with loud music every week, whether playing at home or on the road. The Cowboys have not introduced the Vikings' Gjallarhorn, which in Norse mythology announced the arrival of the gods, but coach Jason Garrett admitted the music inside Ford Center at The Star might have been louder than normal.
"We've played in some loud places, obviously in Green Bay, and playing the Seahawks in the preseason was a good one for us," quarterback Dak Prescott said. "Turning up the music, we know the atmosphere is going to be good on a Thursday night game in that arena."
Prescott and center Travis Frederick will be tested more than anybody because of the noise. The Cowboys have been called for 10 false starts this season. Tight ends Jason Witten and Geoff Swaim, who is on injured reserve, have two apiece, as does left guard Ronald Leary.
"When you have that noise, your 'loud rules' kick in, if you will," Frederick said. "You're using your silent count and using your nonverbal communication, those types of things. We have a plan in place to be able to handle that."
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Sucks that Diggs is going to come back this game. Seems like we have been lining up with a lot of offenses getting healthy right before playing us. Big Ben healthy for the Steelers game, DeSean Jackson healthy for the Redskins game and now Diggs healthy for the Vikes.
L.T. Fan
I'm Easy If You Are
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Playing against tough competition makes you better. You either cave or overcome.
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At 10-1 you're going to get the best every team has. No one is going to sleep on Dallas. Luckily we have been up to the challenge basically all season long.
Genghis Khan
The worst version of myself
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