Minnesota Vikings: 3 steps to beating the Chiefs
By Luke Sims
Sep 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
2) Focus on getting Teddy Bridgewater in a rhythm early
Teddy Bridgewater is the quarterback behind the worst passing attack in the NFL right now. With just 661 passing yards through four games, the Minnesota Vikings are clearly not placing a priority on moving the ball through the air or on making Bridgwater win games..
Against the Kansas City Chiefs, that may change.
Bridgewater certainly won’t have to be the focus of the offense, especially with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, but he will have to be a strong balance to the running game. This isn’t something he has been called on to do so far this season. The offense flows through the running game and Bridgewater hasn’t been needed thus far.
Still, he’s one of the better QBs in the NFL and can be relied upon to be the accurate, efficient passer needed to complement the run game. In Week 6, he may need to step it up a bit.
Quarterbacks, much like other positions in the NFL, need to fall into a rhythm. Sometimes that’s through a few easy passes to start the game and sometimes it’s just through diving in when needed. So far in 2015, it’s mostly the latter for the Vikings and Bridgewater.
Against the Chiefs, it would be wise to get their low-ranked defense on their heels early in the game, forcing them to respect both the pass and the run. Bridgewater will be better able to sell the play action pass and take on a productive pass rushing defense if the Chiefs don’t know whether to focus on the run game or the pass game.
The Vikings cannot afford to become one dimensional.
Next: Limit penetration and keep Teddy clean