Minnesota offense vs. Denver defense

	VIKINGS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	19
	Pass	3
	Tot. Yds.	4
	Scoring	10
	Int's allowed	11
	Sacks allowed	18
	BRONCOS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	22
	vs. Pass	6
	Total yds. allowed	11
	No. of INTs	8
	No. of Sacks	23
	Turnover differential	-17

The insertion of QB Jeff George paid immediate dividends for the Vikings in his first start, as he completed 15-of-28 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Offensive coordinator Ray Sherman's offense has scored a touchdown in half their series with George, as opposed to once in every five with Cunningham. George's ability to check out of certain plays and read defenses is making life easier on the entire offensive unit. With Cunningham at the helm, Minnesota's offensive line was criticized for not playing up to last year's level but the blame should have fallen partly on the quarterback. Sure, the offensive line was not playing up to its capabilities but Cunningham's propensity to hang onto the football too long was the main reason behind the team's high sack total.

Opponents have blitzed the Vikings heavily all season but don't expect defensive coordinator Greg Robinson to be overly aggressive with George at quarterback. The Broncos will come out with a lot of different looks up front and in coverage in order to rattle George, who was indoctrinated into the Vikings' offense only six months ago. The Broncos, who are holding opponents to a microscopic 172.6 yards per game through the air, will vary up their man and zone coverages but they aren't afraid to leave either of their DCs on an island.

Look for Denver to attack Minnesota the same way they did New England last week. The Broncos will drop as many as seven men into coverage and force George to thread the ball into his receivers. When the Vikings spread the field, look for nickel RB Moe Williams to slip out of the backfield and make a couple of plays. Without Robert Smith in the lineup, Williams is now the team's change-of-pace option and can make some plays if he's isolated on a linebacker, especially one that struggles a bit in coverage like MLB Al Wilson.

RB Leroy Hoard stepped in for Smith and notched his first 100-yard game in nearly three seasons, although an open-field fumble irked coach Dennis Green. The Vikings were forced to play without TEs Jimmy Kleinsasser and Carlester Crumpler last week, which limited their ability to run the football effectively in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Both players will be back this week and should allow George a full compliment of personnel options. Denver's run defense suffered last week with a less attacking scheme. New England's below average running game totaled 133 yards last week, so look for the Vikings to mix it up between Hoard and Williams. One thing the Broncos must keep in the back of their collective mind: the Vikings are 9-2 in games which Hoard has started for Smith.

McCaffrey and fellow wideout Rod Smith should have big afternoons against a Vikings pass defense that has been shredded for 248.3 yards per game. Minnesota is scrambling to find help in their nickel and dime packages because ex-starter Ramos McDonald unexpectedly left the team prior to last week's game against San Francisco and Torrian Gray was put on injured reserve this week.

Of Minnesota's three interceptions, only one is by a member of the secondary -- a stat that underscores how suspect this unit really is. What this means is that the Vikings have been forced to play much more conservative on defense this season without the security of a high-scoring offense. Minnesota's starting cornerbacks combined for 11 interceptions last season and would have to go on a record-setting pace to reach that figure this season.

The Broncos receivers will be working against much larger cushions than they are used to so they must be patient and take what the defense gives them underneath. The only way the Broncos will be able to strike deep on Sunday is if Griese is accurate early on, which might force more aggressive coverage.

The success and running style of RB Olandis Gary hasn't forced offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to alter his playbook. Although he's clearly not the player that Terrell Davis is, Gary's slashing style is very similar to his predecessor's and the offensive line has had very little adjusting to get used to. Since he took over three games ago, Gary is averaging over a half yard better per carry (3.6) than Davis (3.1).

The Vikings recent bend-but-don't-break defensive philosophy doesn't fit this group of players. They need to start attacking the football the same way they did a year ago, which could happen this week if George and the offense click for a third straight week. It's more than a coincidence that the Vikings haven't allowed an offensive touchdown in the past nine quarters -- six of which were with George leading the offense.