Minnesota offense vs. St. Louis defense

	VIKINGS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	14
	Pass	4
	Tot. Yds.	3
	Scoring	5
	Int's allowed	21
	Sacks allowed	43
	RAMS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	1
	vs. Pass	24
	Total yds. allowed	24
	# of Ints.	29
	# of Sacks	57
	Turnover differential	+5

Although he started slow last week against the Cowboys, QB Jeff George made the throws when it counted, finishing with three touchdown passes and, more importantly, zero interceptions. In a game that pits such strong offenses, it will be critical for both teams to avoid turnovers and penalties that kill scoring drives.

The key for the Vikings on Sunday will be George's ability to rise to the occasion in a big game and handle a raucous crowd on the road. This is a huge game for George in a personal sense because it's his opportunity to shed the "loser" label that has followed him throughout his career.

St. Louis must find a way to get to George early and keep their fans in the game. Minnesota's offensive line played extremely well last week but they gave up 43 sacks in the regular season and St. Louis' quickness up front is a big concern for offensive line coach Mike Tice.

The Rams racked up a league-high 57 sacks this season and they have the ability to apply pressure in a variety of different ways because the overall speed of the unit lends itself to countless blitz options. Although they'll need to keep people in coverage against Minnesota's spread offense, the Rams won't be afraid to blitz if that's what it takes to rattle George. St. Louis tends not to blitz their safeties as often as many teams, but George will have to keep an eye on DC's Todd Lyght and Dexter McCleon off the edge if either is covering the slot receiver.

The Vikings have done a tremendous job of incorporating big-play RB Robert Smith into the game plan and last week's win over the Cowboys was no different. Minnesota tied a season high with 175 yards on the ground because Smith got 28 touches. A recent change in personnel groupings that features more two-tight end and conventional fullback sets has sparked their recent ground success and it will important that they continue to feed Smith against the Rams. Smith has regained the burst that hernia problems stole earlier in the season and he is clearly hitting holes and getting past the front seven much more effectively.

Because the Vikings won't force them into so many nickel packages, the Rams need MLB London Fletcher to clamp down against all runs between the tackles. Fletcher is at his best in pursuit when he can use his speed to chase down plays from behind so look for offensive coordinator Ray Sherman to pound Smith and Leroy Hoard inside more than he has in recent games.

This year's St. Louis team nearly duplicated Minnesota's '98 explosive output, scoring over 32 points per game. As was the case with last season's Vikings, the Rams have jumped out to big leads early and simply poured it on late.

In their 38-31 loss to the Vikings a year ago, the Rams got the job done with far less talent and confidence on the offensive side of the ball. Issac Bruce, the lone starter that was playing at the same high level a year ago, scorched the Vikes for 11 receptions and 192 yards. On Sunday, against a secondary that was depleted in the off-season, Bruce probably won't do the same damage but his numbers will be distributed across a more balanced attack.

QB Kurt Warner does an excellent job of getting all of his receivers involved, but he'll be facing an inspired veteran defense that is peaking at the just the right time. The key to Minnesota's resurgence has been the play of the front four. The Vikings cranked up their pass rush late in the season, notching 16 of their 46 sacks in the final three games of the regular season.

Although they got to Troy Aikman just once as a unit last week, the play of DEs Chris Doleman and Duane Clemons has been stellar. Clemons will give ROT Fred Miller fits with his speed but Doleman has had little success against LOT Orlando Pace in the past. Last season, when Doleman had 15 sacks with San Francisco, he was shutout in both meetings against Pace.

The ability to rest workhorse RB Marshall Faulk down the stretch should pay big dividends on Sunday. Faulk's greatest asset is his ability to hurt a defense even if they take away one dimension of his game.

The Vikings allowed 3.9 yards per carry in the regular season, but their inability to tackle in space hurt them on a consistent basis. If the Vikings do contain Faulk on handoffs, his feel in the passing game and ability to set up defenses on screens and short dump-offs will ultimately prove too much for Foge Fazio's crew.

The only sign of hope for Minnesota has been the improved play in recent weeks of OLB Dwayne Rudd and Kailee Wong. This duo is one of the fastest in the league but their propensity to overrun plays and recklessly chase the ball hurt them until late in the season.