Wobby’s Mixtape- Key for Vikings Offense

One interesting subplot to Sunday’s Vikings-Colts matchup should be the Vikings running game against the Colts run defense.

Last week against Green Bay, the Vikings were unable to utilize Cook as frequently as planned; he finished the game with only 12 carries. Ideally for the Vikings, this will mark the lowest number of carries Cook has in a game all season. As I stated in this space last week: Cook is hard to tackle and the Vikings would be wise to make the opposing defense tackle him at least 30 times per game.

Easier said than done, I understand. But 12 carries? That can’t happen again.

For the Colts last week, it was a tale of two halves when it came to run defense. Jacksonville RB James Robinson shredded the Colts defense for 61 yards on 10 carries. But Indianapolis responded in the second half by holding Robinson to one carry on six attempts. How did Indianapolis do it? With numbers. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus used a combination of seven and eight-man boxes along with run blitzes on 1st downs and any other obvious running situation. This tactic doesn’t always work, but it worked for Indianapolis last Sunday.

As for this Sunday, the onus will be on the Vikings to be prepared to do two things to the Colts defense. First, test their preparedness for Cook. Hand the ball to him early and often with a variety of run types – outside zone, isos, leads, etc. Probe and test the Colts defense to see if they fixed those leaks from Week 1. Almost assuredly, the Colts will be prepared or they will adjust well. That’s where the second point comes in. After testing the Colts defense early, the Vikings must then have answers to the tactics the Colts employ to neutralize their best offensive weapon. Play action, empty formations, etc.

QUESTIONABLE

Hard to pin that on Zimmer. He doesn’t coach them to jump offsides and it’s something they practice and preach daily. This is a player issue…not a Zimmer issue.

I’m not trying to be hard or soft on them. Just trying to call it like we see it. When you lose a game like that to your division rival, it can feel like you lost three times in one day. That’s the feeling Vikings Nation had after last week’s loss. The good news is it was only one game. That doesn’t diminish the fact that it was quite the uninspired performance, but there’s a lot of football left to be played and it wouldn’t surprise me if we saw a couple teams with some big turnarounds after disappointing Week 1 showings; the Colts and Vikings are both candidates for that.

POWER RANKINGS – Top RB duos

The Browns showed the country last night how good and productive their one-two RB punch of Nick Chubb and Kareeem Hunt is going to be. This weekend, those who watch the Vikings-Colts matchup will see a pair of really good RB tandems – Cook and Alexander Mattison for the Vikings and Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines for the Colts. That got me thinking: Let’s power rank the NFL top’s RB tandems. Here we go!

10. Carolina Panthers – Christian McCaffrey and Mike Davis

It didn’t seem right to compile this list and leave off arguably the League’s top RB. So McCaffrey makes it, regardless of who’s back there with him.

9. Indianapolis Colts – Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines

This tandem would be a bit higher if Marlon Mack hadn’t been injured, but even an unproven Taylor doesn’t drop this group far enough to leave the Top 10.

8. Arizona Cardinals – Kenyon Drake and Chase Edmonds

A pair of tough, physical runners and, again, the drop off isn’t severe so that makes them a more appealing duo.

7. New England Patriots – Sony Michele and James White

A truly complementary duo. Michele can grind it out on the ground either outside or between the tackles. White is a pass catcher and a good route runner who can also carry the rock.

6. Philadelphia Eagles – Miles Sanders and Corey Clement/Boston Scott

The Eagles have three backs who are good enough to play 20+ snaps a game and regardless of which one of Clement or Scott is in play, this duo is Top 10 in the NFL without question. Athleticism, versatility, toughness…the Eagles are stacked at RB.

5. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams

The Packers have a true workhorse in Jones and he’s clearly above Williams, but they also don’t lose too much steam when Williams replaces Jones for a few series per game.

4. Dallas Cowboys – Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard

High-end talent here with Elliott and an efficient alternative. You wouldn’t want to ride with Pollard for the whole season or for a whole game, but he can come in and give Elliott a breather without slowing things down too much.

3. Minnesota Vikings – Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison

This is a combination of top-level talent being paired with a back who is more talented than most people realize. With Cook healthy in Minnesota, there’s no doubt he’s the lead horse and Mattison is a complementary player. But I’m not so sure Mattison wouldn’t shoulder the load on some other rosters.

2. New Orleans Saints – Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray

Another truly complementary tandem. Kamara can do it all but he specializes in space and is a great receiver out of the backfield, or even lining up in the slot. Murray is a thumper who runs with physicality and isn’t afraid to stick his nose in there to protect the passer.

1. Cleveland Browns – Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt

At the risk of being a prisoner of the moment, this appears to be the top tandem. Both are high-level players and the drop off from RB1 to RB2 doesn’t appear to be much.

ATS, SU and TOTALS

Each week in this space, we’ll keep track (and make fun) of my favorite gambling angles on the NFL docket. We’ll track five of my selections against the spread (ATS), five totals (over/under total points) and then every matchup straight up (SU).

ATS (0-4-1)

LAR +1​​at PHI
BAL -7​​at HOU
KC -8.5​​at LAC
JAX +8.5​at TEN
NE +4​​at SEA

TOTALS (4-1)

CAR/TB​47.5​Under
DET/GB​49.5​Under
BAL/HOU​50.0​Under
NO/OAK​49.5​Under
ATL/DAL​53.0​Under

STRAIGHT UP (8-8)
CLE, CHI, DAL, GB, TEN, IND, BUF, SF, LAR, PIT, TB, ARI, KC, BAL, SEA, NO

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