Minnesota Vikings: 4 steps to beating Detroit Lions

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

1) Establish an offensive rhythm

I was hard on offensive coordinator Norv Turner after the absolute beat down the Minnesota Vikings received at the hands of Carlos Hyde and the San Francisco 49ers. In particular, I thought it was tough for the Vikings to run but the OC didn’t give them enough opportunities to establish a rhythm behind the best halfback in football.

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But that’s all water under the bridge now. That was Week 1 and we’re talking about Week 2.

It now falls to Turner, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and the Minnesota Vikings to get into a rhythm. Any kind of rhythm.

Last week, the Detroit Lions showed that they could be picked apart by an accurate quarterback. Philip Rivers is easily one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL and while Bridgewater may not be on his level (yet), he is one of the more accurate passers in the NFL.

Last week was an incredibly sloppy game by Bridgewater, but he should rebound for Week 2. He still completed 71.9% of his passing attempts.

If Norv Turner does decide to roll out a game plan around Teddy Bridgewater, I think that the Vikings need to firmly commit to it. Last week the split was 32 passing attempts to 17 rushes. If Turner really wants to rely on the pass, then he may as well give Bridgewater 35+ attempts.

That said, I don’t think that is the rhythm to establish for the Vikings. As we all know, Adrian Peterson is on the team and he is a gifted running back (understatement alert!) that can carry a team. In Week 1 he received just 10 carries for 31 yards.

It’s time to unleash Peterson.

Turner’s emphasis on the passing game may not make him want to commit fully to the running game for most of the game, but I think this approach is the easiest way to establish a rhythm. Getting yards in four yard chunks is what the Vikings are built for an it all runs through Peterson.

Giving Adrian Peterson 20+ carries will punish the Detroit Lions defense and allow the Vikings to dictate play. Even a play goes sour, it’s unlikely that Peterson will lose as many yards as the five sacks Bridgewater took in Week 1.

For most teams, establishing the rushing game is a safe complement to the passing attack. For the Vikings it’s both more reliable and more dangerous.

Next: Playing crisp, disciplined football