10/7/09 Vikings at Rams Report

LAST WEEK
The most anticipated game in the NFL so far this year lived up to the hype. Brett Favre turned back the clock and played like he was in the middle of one his three MVP seasons from the 1990s. Except for one major difference - he was wearing a purple uniform and playing against the Packers. You could not have asked for a better game. And now for my projections versus reality…

The Game: My projection: Vikings 31, Packers 27
Outcome: Vikings 30, Packers 23

Adrian Peterson: My projection: 150 yards 2TDs.
Outcome: 55 yards and 1 TD.

Brett Favre: My projection: 275 yards passing, 2 TDs and 1 interception. Outcome: 273 yards passing, 3 TDs and 0 interceptions.

Percy Harvin: My projection: 100 combined yards and 1TD
Outcome: 39 yards and 0 TDs

Bernard Berrian: My projection: 60 yards and 0 TDs Outcome:75 yards and 1TD

Sidney Rice: Projection : 40 Yards and 0 TDs
Outcome: 70 yards and 1 TD

Visanthe Shiancoe: My projection: 20 yards and 1TD
Outcome: 18 yards and 1TD

Chester Taylor: My projection: 40 combined yards.
Outcome: 43 combined yards

Vikings Defense: My projection: #9 Fantasy Defense.
Outcome: #7 Fantasy Defense for Week 3

THIS WEEK
The Vikings play at the 0-4 Rams this week. Is there any easier matchup in the NFL? Maybe Kansas City or Oakland, but that’s about it. This game does have the potential for a letdown. When you play an extremely emotional game, and follow it up on a short week against a team that no one thinks has a shot, there is chance the team will not come ready to play. The Vikings should win this one by 50, but with the letdown factor, I predict Vikings 31, Rams 6.

Rumors
This is more fact than rumor but Rush Limbaugh wants to become an owner of the Rams. If this happens, his first order of business will be to trade a draft pick to the Eagles for Donovan McNabb.

Injuries
Brett Favre has a foot injury, but it didn’t affect his play against the Packers. There are no significant injuries to report this week for the Vikings. The biggest injury update this week comes from the world of college football. Tim Tebow has practiced two days in a row. However, doctors have still not cleared him to play this Saturday versus #4 LSU. He will be a game time decision, but is there anyone out there who really thinks he won’t open the game under center? Sorry for the diversion, but as a long time Gator Fan, UF alum and former 9 year Gainesville resident, this is the biggest story currently on my radar.

POSITION ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK
Brett Favre is playing like I thought he would when I predicted in the preseason that he would finish as the 12th ranked quarterback this year by fantasy points. He has 8 Touchdowns and only 1 interception on the season. In the last two games he has thrown for 572 yards, 5 TDS and only one pick. He’s on a hot streak. My concern is that the Vikings won’t need Favre to do much this week against the Rams. I think that the Vikings will gain an early lead, and will then rely heavily on the run. We’ll probably see Tavaris Jackson take over for Favre in the 4th quarter.

My Projection: 200 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions

RUNNING BACKS
The Packers focused on stopping Adrian Peterson on Monday night and it worked. AD rushed 25 times for 55 yards, for a paltry 2.2 yards per carry. I do not think that the Rams will have the same success. They rank 24th against the run.

I think that the Vikings will gain an early lead and rely heavily on the run. They want to protect Favre from needless injury, and to use a baseball analogy, they want to limit his pitch count. This means big games for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

My Projection: 125 yards and 1TD for Peterson. 70 combined yards and 1TD for Chester Taylor.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Bernard Berrian showed up for the first time this season. It looks like Berrian and Favre are finally getting in sync. Sidney Rice has scored touchdowns in consecutive games. He’s a big target and Favre is throwing more often to him. I tweeted on Monday night that Percy Harvin was the Vikings best receiver. However, I’m a biased Gator fan, and Berrian still holds that title. The problem is that Favre has many targets and no one is separating themselves. Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian are unlikely to be available in free agency. However, Sidney Rice is another story. If you’re in a deep league and you need a receiver, he’s probably worth a look. Currently, I consider Berrian a #2 WR, Harvin a #3 WR and Rice a #4 WR.

My Projection: Berrian 70 yards and 1 TD, Harvin 50 combined yards and 1TD, Rice 45 yards

TIGHT ENDS
Shiancoe is catching some touchdowns. However, he is not getting many looks or yards, so he’s a very risky start. My Projection: 30 yards

KICKER
Longwell is the #6 fantasy kicker in the NFL. Start him.

DEFENSE
The Rams are horrible on offense. With Marc Bulger injured and Kyle Boeller taking the reins, they’re even worse than when the season started. It’s possible that Bulger will come back this week, but either way it doesn’t matter. My projection: The Vikings will finish as one of the top 3 fantasy defenses this week.