Minnesota Vikings

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 85 Offense: 85 Defense: 91 Offensive Scheme: Balanced Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3 Strengths: HB, CB, FS, DL Weaknesses: MLB, WR, LG 2014 Team Rankings 3rd NFC North (7-9-0) Passing Offense: 28th Rushing Offense: 14th Passing Defense: 7th Rushing Defense: 25th 2014 team leaders Passing: Teddy Bridgewater: 2,919 Rushing: Matt Asiata: 570 Receiving: Greg Jennings: 742 Tackles: Robert Blanton: 106 Sacks: Everson Griffen: 12 Ints: Harrison Smith: 5 Key Additions CB Terence Newman HB DuJuan Harris QB Mike Kafka Key Rookies CB Trae Waynes LB Eric Kendricks DE Danielle Hunter Owner: Zygi Wilf Legacy Score: 175 Coach: Mike Zimmer Level: 4 Legacy Score: 0 Offensive Scheme: Power Run Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Teddy Bridgewater had a solid rookie season and proved he has accuracy across all ranges of the field. Develop his throwing power to allow him to take shots downfield to your speedy WRs.
• HB Adrian Peterson will take all the pressure off the offense this season and should be allowed to carry the load. For the future, allow Jerick McKinnon the chance to spell Peterson. He showed some flashes of speed last season.
• The Vikings picked up speedy WR Mike Wallace, who has the ability to run every route in the playbook. He still has what it takes to run by defenders at times and will need to lead a young group. Work on improving the route running of Charles Johnson, Jarius Wright, and Cordarrelle Patterson if they are going to excel in this scheme. They all have the speed. This is a big season for Kyle Rudolph, who must justify a big contract. Let him become a go-to option on third down.

Defensive Scouting Report

• The Vikings’ defensive line might have some trouble winning the trench battle against power run teams, but they will generate plenty of pressure in the passing game without blitzing anyone. Move DT Linval Joseph to wherever the point of attack is in the run game and he will slow it down.
• While rookie MLB Eric Kendricks is a scheme fit for the Vikings’ defense, consider giving him some time to develop before he starts. Play mostly nickel coverage and allow young and athletic LB Anthony Barr to play next to Gerald Hodges.
• FS Harrison Smith has turned into a legit star with a nose for the football. Let him use his tremendous zone coverage to help out his teammates, who are all a perfect scheme fit for the Vikings.

Schedule

Key Players

• Adrian Peterson is still an extremely physical runner, and the stiff arm is still his best move when taking on a tackler.
• Peterson’s agility allows him to change holes after the handoff, which is unusual for a back with 88 Strength.

• Smith is a transformative safety for the Vikings; he allows their CBs to take chances.
• Continue to improve on Smith’s play recognition, which will allow you to focus on the SS position instead.

• Waynes is just one of many great zone CBs for the Vikings. Use them all to blanket the field with their coverage.
• Agility is the first thing to improve for Waynes, which should help him be better in the rare times you call man coverage.

• Watts needs to find a pass-rushing move quickly to take advantage of his speed off the edge.
• Pair Watts with Barr off the edge and you will have one of the fastest pass-rushing combos in the league.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Singleback Ace Pair Twins — Inside Zone Split

Setup:

• This run can open up huge holes in the middle of the line, so try to keep it inside for consistency.
• To help prevent fumbles, cover up the ball if the defense is swarming.

Advanced Setup:

• Motion the outside TE one step left.

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Singleback Tight Doubles On — Shakes

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage, target either sideline route if the zones get pulled down by the flat. Otherwise, check down.
• Against man-to-man your underneath route combinations should create too much confusion for the defense to stick with.
• Vary the direction in which you release your HB to the flat to try to get him towards the most space available.

Advanced Setup:

• Slant the far right WR (optional).

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 46 Normal — Cover 2 Invert

Setup:

• Winning run defense starts with a numbers advantage in the box; bring the FS even closer to the line to spook your opponent.
• The Cover 2 Invert should be ample, but if your opponent brings out a heavy formation, call the Fire Zone 3.
• Your FS might not always make the play, but if he can take on blockers, it will free up a teammate to haul down the back.

Player to Control:

• FS in a hook zone

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Dime Normal — Fox Fz Press

Setup:

• Getting Anthony Barr into the game with this formation is one of the smartest ways to maximize it.
• This play sends solid pressure off the right edge. Use it until your opponent starts to target the flat with quick passes.
• If the offense likes to keep extra backs and TEs in to block, this turns into an even better playcall.

Player to Control:

• Hook zone on the left of the screen

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ