Vikings’ key to victory: pressure and more pressure

By Krupka  |   Friday, September 14, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

Minnesota Vikings
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
There are three things that are a certainty in life.

Death. Taxes. And the Minnesota Vikings beating the Detroit Lions.

The Vikings haven't lost to their divisional foe since 2001 -- a 10-game victory streak which is the NFL's longest active winning mark against one team.

Not all the victories have come easily, though. Five of the 10 victories have come by fewer than seven points.

And these aren't those same old Lions anymore. No longer are they the running joke of the NFL. Their once-punchless offense is now potent and guided by an offensive mastermind, and Jon Kitna is no Joey Harrington.

Or is he?

Kitna is obviously the better quarterback, but there is one glaring similarity that plays into the Vikings' hands this Sunday. Like Joey "Heisman," Kitna has the propensity to turn over the football. And against Minnesota, that's as good as giving up six points.

Literally.

The Viking defense returned two Harrington picks for scores in a win over Atlanta last week and has seven touchdowns in its last 17 games. And they made a habit of it throughout the summer's preseason schedule.

The obvious key for the Vikings will be to get pressure on Kitna, forcing the Detroit offense into third-and-longs that place the onus on the signalcaller to make a play. If that happens, expect to see another member of Minnesota's defense celebrating in the end zone.

Maybe it'll be another 300-plus-pound lineman.

"It's my turn to get one this week. I've got to get me one this week," defensive tackle Pat Williams told the Associated Press.

After all, it was his 311-pound teammate, defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who rumbled 54 yards for a touchdown last week.

Rewind to Week 5 last season. The Lions led the Vikings by 14 points to start the fourth quarter. It took two crucial mistakes by Kitna, both of which were turned into touchdowns, for the Vikings' defense to propel Minnesota to victory. Vikings linebacker Ben Leber returned a fumble 1 yard for a touchdown, and linebacker E.J. Henderson took back an interception 45 yards for a score. In all, Kitna had four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) and was instrumental in the self destruction of the Lions that day.

"We have to find a way to win," Kitna said after last season's loss to Minnesota.

For Kitna and the Lions, it's something they haven't been able to do in five years -- find a way to beat the Vikings. Don't count on it this Sunday.

Prediction: Vikings 20, Lions 17

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

Get more Vikings coverage at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (4)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Archangel		09:01 AM
09/14/2007
I think The Vikes by 7 points. Sure they could lose. But I doubt it. Vikings over The Lions is like the sunrise: It's taken for...
No.2
RDLG		12:09 PM
09/14/2007
Its funny how one game can change the perspective of a team... The lions won against OAKLAND. Not very convincing if u ask me....
No.3
J M P		02:51 PM
09/15/2007
Kitna threw for over 4,000 yards and in spite of all those sacks was the only quarterback to take every snap last year .Add a...
Team News  |  View All Vikings Content
Trade Heard Round the (Sport...
It’s inevitable that the Randy Moss to Minnesota trade executed by th...
1 year, 4 months ago   |   Trade Heard Round the (Sports) World ( 0 )
What’s Right is Wrong
When the NFL first rose above baseball as the most popular sport in Am...
1 year, 5 months ago   |   What’s Right is Wrong ( 0 )
Focused and Determined
A trip to Mankato State last week to watch the Vikings practice in she...
1 year, 6 months ago   |   Focused and Determined ( 1 )
The Return of the Attention...
Brett Favre will be back to play this year. Just thought I’d put that...
1 year, 6 months ago   |   The Return of the Attention 4 ( 6 )
Ray Edwards Passes His Unhap...
Ray Edwards, the other Minnesota Vikings’ defensive end, railed agains...
1 year, 11 months ago   |   Ray Edwards Passes His Unhappiness on to Others ( 0 )