Week 7 Preview: Ravens vs Vikings

Week six had two very different endings for the Vikings and the Ravens. The Vikings were able to improve to 4-2 and take sole possession of first place within the NFC North. The Ravens however, lost a heart breaker in overtime after making a valiant comeback in the fouth quarter, and were left looking at a 3-3 record to start this season. The Ravens offense has been lacking to say the least, and this week’s match-up doesn’t provide any reprieve from their struggles this season.

How The Vikings win:

The Bears laid the foundation out on how to beat the Ravens; run the football. With Dalvin Cook sidelined for the season, the Vikings will have to rely on Lativius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon, who have only have 287 rushing yards between them. The defense will be the real key for beating the Ravens, as their passing offense ranks 31st in the league. With Harrison Smith and Xavier Rhodes back there, Baltimore will be forced to try and grind it out on the ground. The Ravens will try to over compensate for the lack of offense last week and try to force the ball downfield; this will give many opportunities to the Vikings secondary to force some takeaways.

How the Ravens win:

The Ravens have found themselves at a crossroads at this point in the season, as they play at the Vikings on Sunday, and the Dolphins at home on Thursday night before heading into their bye week. The defense will be bolstered by the return of Brandon Williams, which will help stop the rushing attack, but the defense’s Achilles heel is the offense.

The Ravens will be without wide receiver Breshad Perriman, and the Vikings are still dealing with nagging injuries of their own as well. This is the point in the season where the supposed leaders find a way to will their teams to the finish line, and Flacco must provide some sense of urgency and passion in order for the Ravens to succeed.

Prediction: Ravens 13, Vikings 10

Photo Credit: Sports Interaction Blog