Minnesota Vikings week 16 preview

Vikings face Falcons

The Vikings take their four-game winning streak back home as they take on the Atlanta Falcons this week. Minnesota can clinch the NFC North with a victory over the Falcons, who are also a playoff contender.

The Vikings will be without DT Pat Williams for the next 2-6 weeks due to a broken shoulder blade he suffered last week against Arizona. He will most likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Fred Evans, who has played fairly well in a backup role this season. Williams’ presence will be missed as the Vikings try to stop Atlanta RB Michael Turner, who has 1,421 rushing yards and a league-leading 15 rushing touchdowns this season. Rookie QB Matt Ryan, who has looked like a veteran this season, along with WR Roddy White will also pose a challenge to the Minnesota defense this week.

> Buy Minnesota Vikings hats & jerseys online through Pro Football Fans and check out the 2008 NFL scores!

Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson has 1,581 rushing yards this season, which is a single season team record. QB Tarvaris Jackson was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing four touchdowns last week against Arizona. He gets another start this week with QB Gus Frerotte unlikely to be ready this week due to his back injury. A matchup to watch could be Vikings’ OT Bryant McKinnie vs. Atlanta DE John Abraham, who has 15.5 sacks this season. McKinnie has had problems with speed rushers of Abraham’s kind in the past, and he’ll have to step up his game this week for the Vikings’ offense to be productive.

This game has big playoff implications, for these two teams and the NFC playoff picture as a whole. Atlanta can stay in contention for a wild card spot, while Minnesota can maintain their chance for the NFC’s number two seed.

Brad Berreman
ProFootball-fans.com Vikings corespondent