Put yourself in Leslie Frazier’s shoes.
You’re the head coach of the Vikings, you have to play the 49ers this Sunday and you’re probably going to lose.
Your offense doesn’t have one matchup advantage over the Niners’ defense.
What would your game plan be? How would you strategize to pull off the upset?
So I’m proposing a contest to you readers. Write your Vikings game plan in the comment section. The best game plan wins. I determine the winner, and there is no prize.
Please don’t think you’re assisting the enemy by participating in the contest. Anything you can think of, Leslie Frazier and the Vikings’ coaching staff has already thought.
If you’d prefer, pretend you’re Jim Harbaugh instead of Leslie Frazier. Harbaugh tries to predict how his opponent will attack the Niners. It’s part of his job description.
Here’s what I would do if I were the Vikings:
On offense, I would not start the game running the ball. I would spread the 49ers’ defense out with four-wide receiver formations and I attempt to establish the short passing game. I’d target No.4 CB Perrish Cox first.
From there, I’d call play-action passes and throw deep.
After I’ve established the short and deep passes I’d try some runs, maybe a draw or a screen.
On defense, I’d stack the line of scrimmage, double-team Vernon Davis, press the wide receivers and force Alex Smith to complete deep passes.
I’d put eight defenders in the box to try to stop Frank Gore, and I’d blitz on most passing downs. If Alex Smith makes me pay, so be it. The 49ers have proven they can beat the best teams running the ball and completing short passes. If they’re going to beat me, they’re going to have to do it another way.
Anyway, those are my ideas. I don’t think they stand a chance but, remember, this is just a game we’re playing on the blog.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
No prize!?
Bring back Favre. Only hope.
Hail mary x 3…. punt
rinse and repeat
like
Play Action passes don’t generally work if you haven’t established the run, or in your case, if you haven’t even attempted to establish the run.
…I would go Harbaugh vs NYG or Payton vs Colts and try to steal a possession by using an onside kick, fake punt, or both.
The 49ers are expecting the Vikings to run – that’s why the play action would work.
So if the Viqueens come out passing do you expect Harbaugh to be shocked: “WHAT.. they said they were running!” Harbaugh is a master of disinformation, if a team says they are going to do one thing.. they are probably going to do the other. Harbaugh is the best coach in football, you don’t think he’s planned for every contingency?
Anyhow, the Niners know they can only be beaten through the air, because if you are expecting the Niners to bite on playaction.. you’d be sadly mistaken. And even if you did get the LBs to come up, you still have to contend with the best Safety tandem in the league. The playaction fake would only work once, this is the league’s best defense.. they’re not only smart and gifted, they are also well prepared and coached.
Grant sez:
“…The 49ers are expecting the Vikings to run – that’s why the play action would work….”
“expecting” … and ..“succeeding” .. are two different things .. !
Haven’t you noticed .. the Niners .. (by most accounts) .. have the #1 run-defense ?
Do you think they even have a chance to run against P-Willy.. Navarro and company ?
If I were Frasier … I’d realize my “game-plan” wouldn’t work anyhoo .. and I’d justI toss in the towel !!
:-)
49ers are expecting the Vikings to pass, like every other team, they got the run covered playing dime defense
Still, there’s an element of stimulus response that needs to be established to execute the PA passing game… and, if you come out throwing it around, the defense will respond accordingly, be focused in to their pass keys, ready to break on the ball.
Also, it depends on which sets you will use to try to take advantage of PA after establishing the spread quick pass game. Whether you go 2 TE’s or 2 backs (or stay spread w/1RB), the 49ers are going to defend against the big play, match your personnel, and try to stop you with a standard front while keeping the safety high for insurance on deep passes.
The Vikes best chance of setting up PA is to come out with traditional personnel (Pro/Dbl Tight), establish a run-first mindset, and try to take advantage of the 49ers not bringing the 8th hat into the box and handing it to AP on inside/outside zone runs. It may be rough going against the superior front of the 49ers, but you will get them focused in and responding to their run keys, attacking downhill (like Gholston last week vs Lions), giving yourself a chance to throw over their heads.
Just because you say the 49ers expect the Vikes to come out running does not mean the PA will work. You still need to set them up with the action on the field so you can take advantage of their aggressive stimulus response in shutting down the run game.
Play action won’t work against our Front 7 Grant. On top of that it may work ONCE, but then the Linebackers tighten it up and the Queens are TOAST.
Did you not see the last two games? Both the Packers AND the Lions tried Play Action and it Failed. And they have more playmakers on the Offense than the Viqueens do. !_! lol
I would try to establish a decent running game, the way the Lions did, and would funnel those runs toward Aldon Smith. Then I would take deep shots on play action and try to burn Goldson or Whitner, who like to cheat up in run support. I’d also try to dump screens over Aldon Smith on third down passing situations. Lastly, if I had a speedy slot receiver like Cruz of the Giants, I’d try to get passes to him working against Rogers, just like the Giants did.
Putting the Niners in 4WR on defense only works if your 4WR is better than the Niners 4CB, which is Perrish Cox.. I don’t know who the Viqueens’ 4WR is, but he’s probably not better than Cox, who could start on half the teams in the league, including the Viqueens. Going 4WR also means you aren’t going to be ablel to double-team Aldon or Justin Smith.. which could translate to Ponder running for his life. The F’Packers tried to do that, and Aaron Rodgers was befuddled and had nowhere to throw.
I know but I’m not going to share it here and have LFrazier and staff plagiarize my scheme with a win over my cherished 9ers. I’ll post how they could have won after the 9ers win 27 – 10. LMAO!
Great response! Grant is just fomenting anti-49er sentiment! He wants our team to lose. Don’t give the other team any ammunition!
Hofe – That was great! LMAO too.
TGIF bro! Beers on ice!
~TA
Crab, TGIF dude! Hey it’s 5pm somewhere…time for a drink! lol
On defense I would cover the receivers tight and tempt Alex Smith to go up top, which doesn’t come natural to him. Then I would randomly mix in two-deep safeties disguised just before the play. This combination will slow down Smith’s decision making. Then I’d bring a health does of pass rush/blitzes up the middle over Goodwin and Iupati and try to collapse the pocket on Smith. I’d also try to use blitzes to flush Smith to his left where he is uncomfortable making passes on the run. If Kendall Hunter is in the game I’m thinking sweeps, if Frank Gore is in the game I’m thinking runs up the middle.
The Viqueens can TRY to establsh the run to keep the Niners’ D honest and no tee-ing off on Ponder, but the running game isn’t going to yield much because the first thing the Niners’ D wants to do is take away the run and force you to throw. If the Viqueens want to beat the Niners’ D, they are going to have hope that the Viqueens’ receivers can beat the Niners’ CBs on the outside, make the catch and make them miss a tackle. The strength of the defense is inside, so going outside is the only way to gain an advantage.
The Viqueens don’t have talent to play press coverage and expect to beat the Niners, they don’t have anyone good enough to contain Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss and Company all game long. Because if anyone of them beats the pressure, you are either giving up a big play OR a TD. It’s just the receivers you have to worry about, both Gore and Miller are accomplished pass catcher out of the backfield, the Viqueens don’t have the speed to keep up.
I don’t see any matches on either side of the ball the the Viqueens can exploit, the only way they win is if they can force Alex Smith to turn the ball over two or three times on their side of the field and hope that the defense has 4 or 5 lapses in coverage.
I’m happy to say the Niners are too talented for any team to think they can match-up one-on-one and beat them at any position. The team is too well coached where they wouldn’t prepare for every possible thing, Harbaugh and staff are too meticulous for that to ever happen. I hate to use this phrase, but the Niners have to ‘beat themselves’ in order for their opponent to gain any advantage.. turnovers and busted coverages will do that.
Check NFL Network. They’ ve got something with Willis and Bowman on right on.
Shoot. Never mind.
One thing I’d try is to get match-ups out of base personnel. If I send in a FB & Adrian, the defense responds in personnel, then I slot out Peterson and test the D’s ability to cover and tackle. Also, Peterson is so good that you’ll get some bite (or at least hesitation) from the defense EVERY time you fake to him.
Defensively? Well, if you’re doubling Vernon then you haven’t got 8 in the box; and vice versa. Pick your poison. Its hard to disagree though, that most coaches know they’re not going to get rich running, but still they’ve got to try. Besides, Peterson has that Home Run potential.
If the 49ers start out in two deep, don’t worry about establishing the run, use play action and sending one guy deep to keep the safeties confused, and send two guys on crossing patterns trying to pick the linebackers. Vary which players are running over the middle, and give Harvin and Ponder the option to read the coverage and break into a different route if something looks open.
I have to hand it to the Lions, the running game started to work in the 4th quarter. Problem was, they burned about 20 useless plays to make that possible. So even though AP is in the backfield, I’d only run after the passing game is established.
I’d try to attack the safeties with deep passes, that has always been an achiles heel, but do it sparingly, obviously, the pass rush is pretty good and Ponder fumbles a lot.
Oh, and most important, get the crowd into the game. People in Minnesota are sheep like, so just make sure you tell them when to cheer on the scorebard and it could be very effective.
Part of the reason the 49ers offense was so successful was Smith’s ability to audible into a second play. So always have two plays called, and hope Ponder can recognize the coverage and switch into the right play. He probably won’t be as good at that as Smith is.
Vikings game plan?
Win opening coin toss and when the Official asks whether you wish to kick or receive you say neither. Forfeit. They raise the white hanky and the 9ers get to prepare for the next week.
They’re talking about Peterson getting more carries soon? Won’t be this game. It would be crazy insane to risk your Franchise Running Back this soon after coming off knee surgery. I don’t care how good he looked against the last two teams. The 9ers make solid Running Backs look less than average and it’s of no benefit to Frasier or the Vikings trying to force the Run when it just is not there. There is a reason the last two teams averaged 15 carries. This Defense smothers the ball carrier soon as he has the ball unless they get a lucky break. The Lions weren’t even in the Game after 2 and a half quarters of play. They wouldn’t have been in it at all except for the lone turnover on our side of the field.
You have to have both sides of the offense working well together to have a chance against this team. The Vikings don’t have the Receivers to offset their Rushing attack.
Forfeit and save face Vikings. No shame in it when you’re clearly outclassed. They don’t even have a good Pass Rush this year. Will they get a Sack or two? Yeah probably. Someone on the Line always gives one up. But the Vikings aren’t the Packers, they aren’t the Lions either. I don’t know about you all but I’ve never had the feeling that we would lose. Especially not like the one that Vikings fans must have knowing they have to face the 9ers this week.
What’s the over under on Vikings fans betting against their team this week to recoup their ticket costs? >.< lol
Ceadder – Forfeit at coin toss………made me laugh.
oh man, I just realized what’s going to happen. Grant is going to rise suddenly to his full height, teeth clenched, spittle flying like Harbaugh on the sidelines, and cry “I, sir, happen to be FROM Minnesota and we are decidedly not sheep like! Pistols at dawn!”
If I’m planning on attacking the 49ers defense here is my plan if I’m the Vikings
First use multiple formations and personnel. Constantly switch from a hurry up style to taking time in the huddle….even within the same possession. Keep them guessing and don’t let Fangio match-up. You might even get lucky, catch them in the wrong defense and get a big play.
Stats say attack Aldon Smith with the run, but the problem with that is Justin Smith is there as well. So, I’d try to get out to the edge on the right side. Make Brooks make the plays in the running game, and force the smiths to run across the field as much as possible. Hoping to wear them down by the end of the game. No easy task, but the best chance you have to minimize their effectiveness. Then I do my best to attack through the air in 3-4 receiver sets. Never throw the slot against Rogers, but always challenge the outside corner on the slot side. This will probably be the best match-up in the passing game. Also, I put AP outside as WR in the 3-4WR sets. This match-up means a corner on AP. Short passes and he’s 1-1 in the open field, tough for any one. This also puts one more WR on a LB in coverage. That’s usually an advantage for the offense. Against the 49ers it might be a 50/50 split, but better than anything else you got.
On Defense I think it’s a little easier. You stack 8 in the box….have to….maybe even 9 sometimes. This is gonna allow you to at least slow down the running game, but probably not stop it completely. You always have to role coverage to VD. He’s too fast for LB’s and to big for CB’s. So you have to have help over the top and your fastest LB on him in coverage. I’d go man coverage of the WR’s until they prove they can beat you. Blitz occasionally and from a lot of angles, but don’t over do it on blitzing.
This isn’t going to be a win for sure for the vikings. but it’s the best chance they have. Other teams with more talent should do something similar and they might have some success….
I would hire strippers and hookers to infiltrate the 49ers hotel and have them drug all the defensive players on Saturday night before the game.
Oh wait – they already did that a few years back on a cruise ship with their own players. Nevermind.
>.< OMFG that is so funny. Love it!
Damn it, you beat me to it. :)
Hilarious 9erGirl!!
It was either that or have them accidentally on-purpose drive the team bus to Green Bay by mistake…but Ceadderman kind of beat me to it with his forfeit at the coin toss plan, lol!
So in other words, you’d bring the Republican National Covention to the Niners hotel?
I’d go no huddle and throw long every play.
However, the Vikings’ main weapon is AP, so I’d have him run wide and swing on passing plays for check downs. I’d keep 2 backs in for blitz pickup. No huddle the entire game. Run on passing downs and pass on running downs.
On D I would zone blitz and cut off the short, inside passes. Every down.
The wheel route defeats short yard coverage Defensive packs. ;D
Spread it out, put the QB in the gun and have him try to hit on short and intermediate passes.
I like it adding a few no huddles per series to keep the D on their heels.
I agree.
I think the 49ers are a tough team to game plan against because everything they do is so exotic, they take simple ideas and fundamentals, and give them a modern twist. They come at you with packages, and plays and personnel groups that are meant to put you at a disadvantage. On top of that they will put players in motion, audible at the line, and overall out scheme you. The 49ers look to win time of possession, the turn over battle, and the field position battle.
I think the only way to game plan against the 49ers is to give them a taste of their own medicine so to speak. You have to turn the game into an ugly grind and hope you come out on top. The teams that have beaten the 49ers have done that.
On offense, I think you have to stay dedicated to the running game. Even if it won’t be effective, you have to continue to run the ball. You have Adrian Peterson. Live and die by him, don’t turn this into the Christian Ponder show. Niners have made far better QB’s then him look silly. Use screens, and high percentage plays. When the Niners make you 1 dimensional they beat you. You have to keep the threat of the run in the game. Just don’t expect a lot of yards. Feed Percy Harvin, he is a game breaker, one or two missed tackles and you have a Touch Down. The Niners defense tries to take away the deep play, and take away the run game. They give you the short and intermediate routes. So you have to keep the chains moving, chew up the clock, settle for field goals when the situation allows it, and punt when you need to, to try to win the field position battle. And of course DON’T TURN THE BALL OVER.
On Defense, I think you dare the 49ers to beat you deep. I think you play close to the line, disguise overages, bring 8 into the box, and let Alex see if Randy Moss still has wheels to run the deep route. You have to be fundamental on taking away the Yards After the Catch. Every first down Crabtree achieved last week happened because he was able to get yards after the Catch. Alex Smith loves the check downs. Play tight coverage. Tackle in space and I think you can stall their offense. Vernon Davis is a nightmare to match up with. Bracket him, and get enough pressure on Alex Smith who will take sacks rather then turn the ball over and hopefully you can keep the ball out of the play makers hands.
The game plan is simple on paper but hard in execution. Play fundamentally sound football. Control the clock, control field position, stay dedicated to the run (even if it doesn’t net you big gains) , try to take away the run, don’t turn the ball over, make the Niners beat you deep, and tackle in space. You do that and you’ll have a chance to win the game.
It’s amazing how much this game plan is similar to what the 49ers do each game….and it’s amazing how successful it is. So the only way to beat the Niners is to do what they do, better then they do it. Simple right? ;)
Daniel, good post. I agree with you.
Vikes on offense have to try to take what the 49ers give. I’d try to stay in base offense, with Rudolph and Peterson on the field as much as possible. If the 9ers leave their safeties over the top (they probably will in their 3-4 sets), vikes gotta attack the linebackers in single coverage with rudolph and peterson (it’s no coincidence that tight ends put up good numbers against the 49ers – niners take everything else away). If the 49er safeties start to come up and help cover those guys, toss it over the top! Minnesota run game is for show only unless 49ers go with nickel on the early downs. If they do that, Minnesota has to pound it, and hope for success.
Minny on defense….their secondary is bad. As long as the games close, play it safe, make the 9ers march up the field (taking a page out of their own book, yes). If (when) they fall behind, they’ll have to take some chances with blitzes and loading the box.
I predict Minnesota gets their doors blown clean off.
The best gameplan: Put a twelfth man on the field in a custom, made from Field Turf football uniform and hope the refs don’t see him.
Special teams force turnovers there cause that’s your only shot at a turnover and the other side have Percy Harvin return the ball.
This game plan is a “far out there plan” because we’re dealing with a very good Niner offense and a defense that comes along once in a decade.
A conventional game plan is useless vs this Niner team.
On offense:
The Niners defense can only be beaten if you execute a few big plays. It is extremely difficult for any NFL offense to sustain long drives against this Niners defense.
Get creative, give the Niners a dose of their own medicine (have lineman/linebackers lined up at FB, line up Peterson at WR occasionally to distract Willis/Bowman etc.
The Niners defense plays the run extra strong in first quarter; so you must try an Adrian Peterson pitch pass (from AP to Percy Harvin) and hope to catch the Niner secondary committing too soon to the run. This is that critical easy touchdown that you didn’t have to work for. Now you have some confidence. Keep trying big plays and zero turnovers.
On defense:
You must stop the run. Mix up coverage EVERY play, add an extra linebacker often and remove free safety (play man in secondary). This extra linebacker should help shut down the run and force Alex to throw med to long range passes. Blitz like hell every third down.
You must play tough “bend but don’t break defense” vs Niners and allow five field goals or less and zero td’s (15 points or less will work). Red Zone domination.
Special teams:
You must rush 10 players on every punt and go for a block (forget trying returns), Niners are too disciplined and tackle too well.
Need one punt block for a score or to gain important field position.
Intangibles:
Play dirty, throw in some backups/special team’s players on offense and defense in first quarter and have them intentionally take cheap shots at Niners key players. Start a fight and get 1 or 2 stud Niners to take the bait and get ejected. This is how you take advantage of college replacement refs.
It’s sneaky, filthy, unethical and dishonorable but it could result in a 17-15 Viking victory.
As Chris Berman likes to say…and that’s why they play the game. Who would have thought the Patriots would lose to the retards. AP may not get his 100 yards, still he is good player that you must account for and respect.
This is easy spread out 49ers def make them take out Willis or bowman. On def make Alex smith beat me double Vernon Davis make him throw to wrs.”
Make Alex Smith throw the ball outside the numbers and further than 20 yards. Keep that box stacked to stop Gore. Make Smith go deep, like in the 15-25 yard range. For him, that’s deep! lol
Throw in a white towel.
In order to beat the 49ers you have to get out of your routine and throw something that they have not seen before.
Offense: AP needs to average atleast 3.5 per carry and move the chains on short yardage situations. The offense needs to throw a lots of screens passes to AP, reverse’s and bubble screens to the WR (Harvin) to keep the defense moving side to side. Take shots with TE as Willis is not Elite in coverage. Be patience with little dinks and dunks 3 or 4 yard passes unlike packers and lion got tired of the short game and went away from it as the game went on. Take what the defense gives you and take shots down the field and hope for PI calls.
Defense: You HAVE to limit Gore and Hunter cannot have them run wild, if that means stack the box and safety over the top when Davis is running the seam route. Make Alex beat you with deep throws, take your chances with Alex connecting with Moss and Manningham. Short to mid Zone with Blitz up the middle and make alex throw before he wants to. Limit them to FG rather than TD’s.
Special Teams: Gotta have good field positions.
GOTTA HAVE ZERO TURNOVERS!
Jimmy Raye says:
1st and 10: Run up middle = 2 yd gain.
2nd and 8: Run up middle = 2 yd gain.
3rd and 6: Short 2 yd pass and 2 yds after catch.
4 and 2: Punt
Repeat as needed.
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/raye.jpg
Crab, classic! LOL
After 1st down you need to insert *9er fan base yelling the upcoming play at the tv*!
I think I lost my voice more than once during the Sing/Raye era screaming “why don’t you run it up the gut again, you dumb **$$@@&)&*)^%R, %$$%%()&*_, ()&*(%#$%^(*))_(!!!!!!’s”
Yeah, remember that lame play where WR Josh Morgan went in motion for a wham block? As soon as you saw him mo you could go get a sandwich cuz you needn’t pain yourself to watch the mugging.
Pfffphooey! Bad taste in mouth!
I really miss the REV, with that 11 foot cross around his shirt, great for scaring dracula,but dracula does not play football.
Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Who’s Yahoo? I don’t know him.
(*shudders* even thinking back to that time)
We should all thank Sing and Raye for showing us how much better we have it now.
We should also thank Nolan + Sing for laying the foundation of this great defense.
Hofe and all you Niner brothas/sista9erGirl, please watch this one more time and get pumped up for Sunday morning! Thanks to whoever made this awesome video. Take NO NFL team lightly. ‘Stay thirsty my friends’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pmJAzcmojs
made my hair standup
+1
Nick Row/Michael – Did you see the look on that Saint fans face at the 4:55 mark? Classic.
There’s only ONE TRUE way to beat the San Francisco 49ers …………………….. but I’m not goin’ to tell ya!! Especially when there’s no prize involved (???). The Vikes will put up a decent fight and will be able to brag that they hung in there with this football team comprised of mighty men. But as for a good game plan goes …… Frazier should just select, “Ask Madden“, after every down.
Grant, your game-plan is to imitate the Packers without Aaron Rogers and his receiving options?
Coaches gameplan and try to create strategic advantages against teams based on personnel, formations, and overall schematic tendencies. The 49ers have few weaknesses in any of these areas which makes them hard to gameplan for.
Offense: The 49ers only weakness is backup OLB. I would go after Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith. Bhaktiari is the backup. Make the 49ers put Bhaktiari in the game by wearing the OLBs down. I would go after Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks in the flats with TEs/RBs. Also run off tackle at them… try to work those guys every play. Hopefully you will slow the pass rush as the game wears on and possibly get some good gains on the ground. The 49ers have trouble with TE and RB wheel routes. Make them defend it in the flats and when they do you can try to hit them over the top with a pump fake or double move.
Defense: The 49ers always get an 8 or 9 man box so they are used to it. They have about a 1 to 1 ratio run/pass. If they pass expect run on the following play. Use line stunts, crashes and run blitzes to disrupt the blocking scheme. Mix it up. I would run more zone than man against the 49ers and take away the short pass. I would only have one deep safety and another patrolling the middle to Vernon’s side. Take the middle away and force Alex to choose outside throws or deep/intermediate throws to the outside of the hashes. He struggles with throws downfield outside the hashes so he might just take the sideline throws. If you run the occasional zone blitz and send a de into the flat he might throw you one.
Claude, er, Sherlock,
How reliable have you found that map showing game broadcasts to be? Directv still has Fox showing the Falcons vs Chargers, but the map shows 49ers vs Vikings. I’m thinking the NFL is going to require the Charger game to be shown.
The NFL will require the Falcons vs Chargers to be shown in Los Angeles, I meant to write.
From the mind of Leslie:
On defense I would double team VD and bring a safety up to help with run support. I’d blitz on every passing down and just hope we get to Alex before crabtree appears to be wide open(alex wont throw it any sooner).
On offense the last thing I’m going to do is put my QB in five man protection with that offensive line so trying to spread them out with 4 or 5 receivers isn’t much of an option. Best thing I can do is use unbalanced lines and counter runs to try and spring AP for a few big runs and hopefully tire out those linebackers. If I am able to string together a successful run or two I’ll take a stab at some play action to try and breath some life into our passing game.
Most vital thing is to not constantly get stuck in 3rd and longs all day. If I’m forced into passing downs with this QB and my line the 49ers defense will easily have a field day with us and I’m bound to end the day with my second string QB playing.
If I was Minnesota I would put in big packages. Two TE. Get those lb running all day. Hurry up offense all day. Lots of play action to test the secondary without heat from our D. Max protect all day. It’s the only hope.
Offensively you hot it on the head. It’s the only thing defenses haven’t done yet, and has had success in the past. Double Davis. Stack the box, blitz like crazy from every angle. Try to confuse the o-line and make them stay on their assignments all day. Make smith beat you with a big day in the air. He hasn’t done it yet since harbaugh has been here. Make him throw for 300 plus. It’s not our game so make us play that way and prove whether we can win that way.
That’s my take. But the Vikings have no shot anyways. Lol
So for my superstitions and for Freddie P I say… Vikings 34 49ers 12 :-)
What they could do is pile a bunch of snow on the roof so it collapses again and the game is canceled.
Only thing I can think of is blitz Smith and double cover Vernon Davis all day long. On offense try to get AP going. If they can actually run on our defense (highly doubtful) then they’ve got a shot.
I don’t think our secondary is quite there yet, still a few issues there in coverage but if I’m the Vikes I try to do the same things the Niners are doing – ground and pound and eat clock. Ponder may still get a pass or two down field but I have to believe that he’s not going to have much time in the pocket. The clips I’ve seen (and admittedly not many) he still tends to hold the ball a while and that won’t work in this game. He also seems to get flustered. Harass him enough and he’s going to make some mistakes.
All that said, I’m going 28-10 Niners.
On defense, Triple cover everybody, and on offense, score more touchdowns
Here is how I attack the 49ers:
I want to speed up the game as much as possible to limit the number of possessions and keep it close. To do this I am going to give you a steady diet of Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhardt. I am going to mix in some play action passes and short hitch/receiver screen passes. I am going to put Percy Harvin in the slot and let him work in/out read routes against Carl’s Rogers, getting him the ball quick and let him do what he does with yards after the catch.
On defense I am going to let my front four do what they do, get after your QB. This will allow me to play fundamentally sound coverage on the back end. I am going to play your base offense with a press cover 2, forcing you to try to beat me outside the numbers with the pass. This technique will also give us a wide 9 man front to neutralize the run game. When you go heavy I am bringing a safety down into the box and going cover 3 so that my corners and FS can easily plan run/pass. When you bring in 3 receivers I will go Nickle. I am going to play man on Moss since he has not shown the ability to beat his man deep, bracket Crabtree with tight underneath coverage and a safety up top, my nickle back (Winfield) will cover the slot, and double Davis with Greenway underneath and safety help over the top.
By speeding up the game and playing for field position the game will be close allowing my team to gain confidence with each passing quarter, and if you make a mistake we win.
Jack,
‘Hammer’ them with the run :)
I would give up and take 2 weeks to prepare for the team the Vikings play in week 4… The vikings should picture the 49ers matchup as only 1/16th of their overall grade in a college class, they don’t need to turn in their 1/16th homework assignment to pass the class. Especially when this homework assignment is the equivalent of a 100 page paper, when all the rest of the assignments are like 5 or 10 pages…
1. Defensively- Zone overload blitz in obvious passing downs. Alex has issues with that last year against Dallas, Cinncinati, and the Ravens especially. Take away the underneath and intermediate routes between the numbers. Challenge Smith to beat you deep. If you get there blitzing or otherwise, strip the football from Smith. Ive looked at all 7 of his sacks this year and on 6 of them, he didnt evem see the tackler. Double team Vernon Davis and force Smith to trust himself or another receiver deep. We know he doesn’t quite have the chemistry or trust with anyone else. Be physical with Crabtree and I think if Moss doesn’t get anything deep today for as often as he’s been open, he may be on the verge of quitting anyway. He is frustrated already. That didn’t take long.
On offense you have to use Harvin from everywhere, especially out of the backfield on Aldon Smith’s side. Make Aldon cover. Make Brooks cover.Screens to both sides. Ponder has to have some designed runs for himself. Traps seem to work against this defense to the outside, not up the middle. Throw the deep ballon play action to get Goldson to think about rushing to the line to stop the run. A pitch pass deep may be open as well.
Give Peterson his touches but more importantly, use the play action to go deep often. Go no huddle as often as tou can.
On special teams, use that throw back play. Our speciaL teams coverage units are not as good as last year. We are vulnerable to giving up the touchdown return.
I predict that this is a possible trap game. I think it’s gonna be close although i hope we beat them by 3 touchdowns.
In the run game, you have tp set the edge no matter what. Force Gore to the middle for the field.
Jordan23,
The Vikings couldn’t make Aldon Smith cover Harvin consistently if their lives depended on it. They don’t have enough other weapons and Fangio is far too smart to let that happen more than a couple of times, if at all.
+
I would give the Niners a dose of their own medicine. Go jumbo package with O-linemen in for TE’s & FB and pound the Niners with a heavy dose of peterson and Gerhart. Detroit and GB combined for 3.2 yards per carry against the Niner D. The Vikes have a better running game, so I’d expect to do better and sustain drives by running the ball and mixing in some screens and play action passes.
Whats up Nick? I’m headed off to work. Have a good day bro!
J23,
I while ago used to work on weekends and would miss the games on Sundays. That sucked. I hope you’re not working tomorrow. Enjoy.
Nick
You are ignoring the point that the Niners D said “Detroit, we will stop your passing game. You will not beat us with the run.” And they didn’t.
Detroit is far better in the passing game anyway. The Vikings do not. Their main offensive weapon is to run. Which fits our D perfectly.
Nick, if you were to assemble a Pro-Bowl Defensive team, the Niners would have one. Every position is awesome. Even some of our backups are capable starters. No position is a weak link. They all do their jobs.
I agree with you, but you can still maximize force at the point of attack by going with a jumbo set. I’ll take a mauling o-lineman against a LB or DB any day. If the nets 3.3 yards per carry or more, then I’m set :)
Does anyone have the football pool contact info? I didn’t save it and now I can’t remember the group or password.
Thanks!
the password is cohnblog
the group number is 64737 [that is from memory and could easily be wrong, good luck].
BTW, please let me know if that’s correct, thanks.
Thank you! That was correct.
Any time.
Their game plan should involve heavy use of screens with AP&TG. Attack side to side and make the line & LB’s chase. Take there shots down field. In preseason TB gashed the defense with sweeps. I will look for that as well. Throw in a few reverses too.
A contest where the person who not only judges the winner is also a contestant; I feel like I’m in the barracks in Biloxi Blues, is that you Epstein?
Every angle has already been given but here’s what I’d do if I’m the Viking Coaching staff:
On Defense: Focus on stopping the run and covering Davis low and high. The only chance a defense has against this offense is to stop the run. Run blitzes, 8 in the box, whatever you need to do, you stop the run first and force the Niners to beat you with the passing game. The Niners have improved, but they don’t like foresaking the run and would probably be uncomfortable doing so. I’d take my chances in one on one with the WR’s and focus on Davis and the running game.
On Offense: Run the ball and keep running it until you can’t either because of the score or you are gaining nothing. The Niners defense thrives because it forces opposing offenses into becoming one dimensional. We’ve just seen two of the best passing offenses in the league struggle in the passing game because they could not get the Niners out of Nickel and Dime defense due to not having success with running against the front 4. The Vikings have arguably the best RB in the league and need to give him the ball and not get away from it. They also have to run play action off of it and try to get a mismatch with Harvin coming out of the backfield the way GB did with Cobb. In the passing game, the Vikes need to give Ponder a moving pocket. He’s athletic and if he can get outside either by accident or design there will be some plays to be made downfield.
The best strategy however will be to lock the 9ers out of the stadium because that’s the only way the Vikes aren’t losing this game.
If I we’re the Vikings coach:
On offense: I would no huddle.Lots of screens and draws.Lots of quick passes.Involve my two best weapons,Peterson and Harvin. Maybe a trick play or two(halfback option or a reverse option). Keep the niners guessing and on the field for long drives. I would continue this plan until I was stopped.Do not go for it on 4rth down.Always take the points!
Defense: I would stack the box,move Jarred Allen around on every play,lots of stunts and disguised blitzes(like bringing a corner or a safety). Switch up coverage. Lots of zone blitzes to disrupt the QB.Don’t let the Niners get into any kind of rhythm running.Try and force 3rd and long situations.
Special Teams: Pin the Niners offense close to the goal line. Look to take advantage of poor kick coverage. Take field goals when possible.
Wow, this is pretty funny to read now! To be fair, I thought the Vikings were good enough that if they played well, they wouldn’t embarrass themselves. I even thought they could make it a fairly close game, but they exceeded all expectations.
I would go single back and run draws and screens and blend in some dive plays. I think quick hitting short passes and an occasional deep shot will keep the off balance enough that A.P. would be able to chew up the clock and the yards and get us a win.