Seattle Seahawks Vs Minnesota Vikings: 2015 NFL Wild Card Round: Prediction/ Breakdown
Keys to victory for the Minnesota Vikings
In order for the Minnesota Vikings to beat the Seattle Seahawks, they have to call a good amount of short to intermediate pass plays because the Seattle Seahawks are going to put seven to eight players in the box to try to prevent Adrian Peterson from impacting the game. As a result of this, one would assume that Teddy Bridgewater would see a substantial amount of man-to-man coverage with only one safety over the top. If the Vikings do see man-to-man coverage with only one safety over the top they can take advantage of it by designing pass plays with crossing routes. This is because their cornerbacks play a good amount of zone coverage, which means that they only play one side of the field. As a result, if the Vikings were to design plays with crossing routes that were mean that the cornerbacks of the Seattle Seahawks will have to follow the Vikings wide receivers all over the field. The Vikings wide receivers will be to take advantage of the fact that the Seahawks cornerbacks are not use to running side to side all over the field. If Teddy Bridgewater is able to complete four or five of these crossing routes this will force the Seahawks to put more players in coverage and giving Peterson more running room.
Keys to victory for the Seattle Seahawks
In order for the Seattle Seahawks to beat the Minnesota Vikings, they should focus on the short and quick passing game because when Russell Wilson drops back to pass he is under constant pressure from opposing defensives since the offensive line isn’t strong and/or quick enough to hold their blocks. As a result of this, Wilson does not have enough time to sit in the pocket and go thru his reads to make a good throw instead he has to get out of the pocket to throw a football out of bounds or try to gain positive yards with his legs. The Seahawks should design plays that have short out, drag and curls routes as well as play action boot legs so that there is a reduced amount of pressure on Wilson from the opposing defensive line and deliver an accurate ball to his wide receivers. Plays that develop quickly doesn't only reduce amount of pressure on Wilson but it also allows Wilson to attack the flats if the Vikings put a substantial amount of players in the box to act like they are blitzing. This would leave the flat wide open from the start of the play because the defense will waste a few seconds back peddling and turning their bodies around which will give Wilson enough time to complete a pass.
Ultimately Teddy Bridgewater is more than capable enough to complete four or five crossing routes which will force the Seahawks to put more players in coverage and giving Peterson more running room.
Winner: Minnesota Vikings
