IRISH RALLY FALLS SHORT
Bridgewater will be tested by Broncos
With running back Adrian Peterson’s return, the Minnesota Vikings’ slow progress in the passing game has been understandable.
Yet as the quarter mark of the regular season approaches, Teddy Bridgewater finds himself leading the league’s lastranked passing attack and averaging fewer than 25 attempts a game. Sunday’s primetime challenge is by far the most difficult on his early slate.
The Denver Broncos’ top-ranked defense, allowing a league-best 176.3 yards per game through the air, gives Minnesota even more reason to rely on Peterson. But the Vikings will have to turn to Bridgewater at some point, which would mark the end of their cautious approach.
Minnesota has identified its most troublesome matchups: outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, who was the NFL’s defensive player of the month in September with 3.5 sacks.
Vikings offensive tackles Matt Kalil and T.J. Clemmings haven’t had to face a passrushing tandem the likes of Miller and Ware so far. Kalil has fared well after struggling in 2014 and can quell last season’s criticisms with another solid performance. Clemmings’ role as a rookie wasn’t designed to be so demanding, but he had to fill in for injured Phil Loadholt.
“(Miller) probably has the quickest first step in football. And if he doesn’t have it, then 94 on the other side ( Ware) does,” Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner said, according to The (Minneapolis) Star Tribune. “So it’s going to be a challenge for our guys.”
Here are other matchups that could defineWeek 4 in the NFL:
BENGALS QB DALTON VS. CHIEFS OLBS HOUSTON, HALI
Sitting behind only the Green Bay Pack-
ers’ Aaron Rodgers in passer rating through three games, Andy Dalton is one of the biggest early-season surprises.
Dalton’s efficiency can be attributed in part to quicker decision-making. But the fifth-year pro also has been well-protected by the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line and has been sacked just twice this season.
Dalton’s ability to remain cool under pressure could be tested by JustinHouston and Tamba Hali, the best pass-rush- ing tandem the Bengals will face early in the season. With a well-documented history of struggling against the blitz, Sunday marks an opportunity for Dalton to demonstrate he has grown as a quarterback.
If Cincinnati can withstand the Kansas City Chiefs’ onslaught, the Bengals should have opportunities passing. Rodgers posted 333 yards and five touchdowns last week on Kansas City while being sacked once. The Chiefs get cornerback Sean Smith back from a three-game suspension, but Philip Gaines is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
CARDINALS OFFENSIVE LINE VS. RAMS DEFENSIVE LINE
Having been sacked once this season, Carson Palmer has the Arizona Cardinals’ downfield passing attack operating as Bruce Arians visualized.
But the Cardinals might not be able to count on their ability to throw deep against the St. Louis Rams, whose defensive line continues to rattle teams.
Second-year defensive tackle Aaron Donald leads a line that is tied for second with 13 sacks this season. And defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long bring consistent pressure.
The Cardinals will have left guard Mike Iupati available for the first time since he signed with the team in the offseason.
But to hold off the Rams’ rush, the Cardinals likely need a healthy performance from Chris Johnson and the running game.
LIONS WR TATE VS. SEAHAWKS CBS RICHARD SHERMAN AND CARYWILLIAMS
A 0-3 start has the frustration rising inMotown, with Golden Tate saying last week that opponents have called out the Detroit Lions’ plays in advance.
It’s a tough time for Tate to face off against his former Seattle Seahawks teammates, who rank No. 2 in pass defense despite their opening-week struggles. Having left Seattle on somewhat icy terms, Tate has the chance to get the upper hand.
Detroit has become one-dimensional, as its running attack ranks as the league’s worst and least used. The shortcoming has allowed defenses to gear up against the pass, and the offensive line has given up a league-high 51 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
With the Seattle defensive line likely to wreak havoc, Tate’s role could come down to turning short passes into big plays. If he’s able to pick up yards after the catch, he could get the Lions back on track.