QB play will determine winner of Vikings-Falcons matchup

By Krupka  |   Friday, September 07, 2007  |  Comments( 5 )

Minnesota Vikings
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It's certainly true that when Minnesota Vikings fans looked at the schedule back in April, their team's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons looked a lot tougher. Of course, that's because quarterback Michael Vick was not yet indicted by the federal government for his involvement in a dogfighting and gambling ring.

Instead of Vick, who is suspended indefinitely, Minnesota will face a familiar QB foe, former Detroit Lion Joey Harrington. That has to be good news for Minnesota when you consider that Harrington, the former No. 3 overall pick, has compiled a 1-6 career record against the Vikings. In those seven games, he has a two-to-one turnover-to-touchdown ratio, having thrown just eight scoring passes compared to 14 interceptions and two lost fumbles. His completion percentage is 58.1 percent, and he averages 240 yards a game through the air. The signal-caller's lone win against Minnesota came as Miami's starter last season at Dolphins stadium.

On the contrary, Vikings fans still have nightmares of Vick's magical game-winning touchdown run in overtime in 2002. In that game, Vick rushed 10 times for an incredible 173 yards and two touchdowns, helping to negate three turnovers en route to the victory. In two starts against Minnesota, he is 2-0. It should be noted that he left the second game early after suffering a knee injury. Nonetheless, Atlanta held on to win easily.

For the Vikings, second-year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson assumes the reins after being the understudy to veteran Brad Johnson for much of last season. Jackson, for some obvious reasons -- he wears the No. 7, is a freak of nature athletically, has the ability to scramble and make things happen with his feet, and has a cannon for an arm -- is often compared to Vick. Thankfully, he has much more common sense and seems like a better person off the field than Vick.

It will be Jackson's job to lead an offense that was woeful last year, especially through the air. If he can manage the game and not try to do too much, Minnesota's defense should keep the Vikings in the game.

The old adage is that a team goes as far as its quarterback takes it. That will certainly ring true this Sunday for the Vikings and Falcons. The play of Harrington and Jackson will ultimately determine the victor.

Prediction: Minnesota 16, Atlanta 9

-Senior writer Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

Get the most original Minnesota Vikings coverage at RealFootball365.com
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CommentsComments: 5  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Archangel		08:54 AM
09/07/2007
The reason that Harrington had such a crummy record against The Vikings, IS because he was with Detroit. Their Offensive line...
No.2
Bill		01:02 PM
09/07/2007
Joey still didn't look that great in the Miami game against the Vikings. The Vikings offense won that game for the Dolphins with...
No.3
michael		02:45 PM
09/07/2007
People keep harping on how badly T. Jack played in that Green Bay game. In fairness to him, it was probably the worst game a...
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