Atlanta at Minnesota


Focal Point: Anderson vs. Vikings defense


Jamal basks in big-game spotlight


Well-stocked Vikings add to arsenal


Randall getting better with age


Hoard, Smith provide Vikings with flash, dash


Viking fans might have tougher time than players


A final four to shout about


Murphy: Four on the floor


Breaking down the Jets and Broncos

FALCONS (15-2) AT VIKINGS (16-1)
Running game
Falcons run offense vs. Vikings run defense Advantage: Falcons Atlanta has a solid offensive line, and this will be the first time all season the Vikings have faced a running back the caliber of Jamal Anderson. They played against Tampa Bay's Mike Alstott, who's a big, powerful back, but he's doesn't have Anderson's speed. Of all the backs in the league, Anderson combines the most power, speed and elusiveness for a player his size. Terrell Davis is a very good back, but when you put all the ingredients together, Anderson punishes people as well as any back with his speed. The Vikings must be careful not to let the Falcons control the ball on the ground. If they control it, then the Vikings will be chasing. They are not used to chasing; they are used to being chased. I think this whole game hinges on Anderson and the Falcons being able to control the clock. If he gets 30 carries, they'll be controlling the ball like they want to.	Vikings run offense vs. Falcons run defense Advantage: Vikings The Falcons match up a little better defensively because they're bigger up front with Travis Hall and Shane Dronett. The advantage, though, goes to Minnesota by a narrow margin. It's not just because they have a power back (Leroy Hoard) and a speed back (the underrated Robert Smith). It's because the Vikings have the best offensive line in the league. The Falcons will have to defend the pass first, and the Vikings running game has become the best friend of the passing game. The Vikings passing attack must set up the run, but if the Falcons try to take away the run, they'd better have some players on the perimeter to stop Minnesota's big-play receivers. Offensive coordinator Brian Billick uses formations to create running matchups, but the offensive line is the key for the Vikings.
Passing game
Falcons pass offense vs. Vikings pass defense Advantage: Falcons It's hard to believe the Falcons' receiving tandem of Tony Martin and Terance Mathis has combined for only seven fewer receiving yards than the Vikings' duo of Randy Moss and Cris Carter. What a great addition Martin was. He has given them another weapon on the outside and has done a great job of replacing Bert Emanuel. I love Vikings defensive backs Robert Griffith and Corey Fuller because they're aggressive, but the Vikings defense likes to gamble, so they'll give up big plays. The Vikings might force some turnovers and are willing to allow yards to get them. But the Vikings will have to play a lot of man-to-man coverage in order to keep people around the line of scrimmage to stop Anderson, so play-action passing should be effective for Chris Chandler and company.	Vikings pass offense vs. Falcons pass defense Advantage: Vikings There's no defense that can stop the Vikings passing game. Ray Buchanan, the Falcons' best cornerback, will probably be covering Randy Moss. Other than that, Atlanta will need to watch out for another dangerous receiver -- Cris Carter. You might see the Falcons play a defense similar to a box-and-one in basketball -- single coverage on Moss and zone across the rest of the field. This is a decided advantage for the Vikings because of how many weapons they have and their confidence. And Minnesota has an offensive coordinator in Billick who's not afraid to call a complex game, using a wide variety of formations and packages to confuse a defense and get the ball to Minnesota's athletes.
Special teams
Advantage: Falcons This is an interesting matchup because the Falcons' Morten Andersen is an outstanding kicker, but I lean toward the Vikings. Returner David Palmer has big-play capability, kicker Gary Anderson has had a perfect season, and Mitch Berger, with the adrenaline from playing at the Metrodome, won't give the Falcons many chances to return the football, whether he's punting or kicking off.
Coaching
Advantage: Vikings Dan Reeves has tremendous experience, while Dennis Green hasn't been in a championship game yet as a head coach, although he's won Super Bowls as an assistant with the 49ers. When you look at defensive coordinators, the Falcons' Rich Brooks and the Vikings' Foge Fazio are pretty close. But where I give the Vikings an advantage is with Billick at offensive coordinator. It's his show. Reeves calls the plays for the most part with Atlanta, while Green doesn't call the plays. I like it more when the coordinator has that responsibility because it allows the head coach to concentrate on the big picture.
Overall
Advantage: Vikings It will be an offensive game, so the edge goes to Minnesota. There are great veterans on both teams. The Vikings have the advantage of playing at the Metrodome. They're also a little more explosive. But if Atlanta wins, it wouldn't surprise me. I think it'll be a close, high-scoring affair. It might come down to which team has the ball last. The whole key is the Falcons' running game and time of possession. If the Falcons win the battle of the clock, that means Anderson is getting his yards. If he gets 30 carries, I think the Falcons will win the game.