Is this the year Minnesota finally records a shutout?

By Krupka  |   Wednesday, August 22, 2007  |  Comments( 5 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The Minnesota Vikings last stopped an opponent from scoring in 1993, defeating the Detroit Lions 13-0 en route to their second shutout of the season. In comparison, there is only one team that has a longer shutout drought than the Vikings: the Arizona Cardinals -- who've gone since '92 without having an opponent put a goose egg on the board.

Since that autumn day, the Vikings have only been involved in one shutout; unfortunately for them, it was a very memorable one at the hands of the New York Giants in January 2001's NFC Championship game, a 41-0 massacre.

On the contrary, the Baltimore Ravens have left opponents scoreless nine times since 1999.

Minnesota's best attempt at ending the streak was in Week 7 of the 2004 season, a 20-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans.

It takes all three facets of your team working together and playing well to allow zero points in a game. First, and most importantly, you must have a good defensive performance. Secondly, your offense needs to be efficient and protect the ball. Next, the special teams unit must succeed in coverage. And finally, you need to be a little lucky.

It's been nearly 14 years since the Vikings have blanked the opposition, but there is some hope it could happen again entering this season.

Looking at the checklist above, Minnesota has what should be a top-five defense that has shown the propensity to not only force turnovers but score this preseason. If the defense's ball-hawking performance carries over into the regular season, it could save the unit from allowing points when an opposing offense is driving.

If nothing else, the offense should be adept at eating clock. It has a veteran line with two former All-Pros in Steve Hutchinson and Matt Birk anchoring it, along with a dynamic running back tandem in Chester Taylor and rookie Adrian Peterson.

The one thing holding the team back could be kick coverage on special teams. So far this preseason, the unit has not looked good in coverage. It certainly is an area of concern and will need to be addressed. Field position is always important, obviously.

I'll go out on a limb and say the Vikings finally end their consecutive streak of not pitching a shutout in Week 11, when Daunte Culpepper and the abysmal Oakland Raiders come to the Metrodome.

Eric Krupka, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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