During last Sunday’s 34-10 win over the Cardinals, both Adrian Peterson and the Vikings defense played crucial roles securing the victory. Peterson ran for 3 first quarter touchdowns, and the Vikings defense forced 4 turnovers. Once again quarterback Donovan McNabb added close to nothing other than a first quarter rushing touchdown. This is a simple and very repeatable formula if the Vikings want to win more games: run the offense through Peterson and force turnovers on defense.

The Vikings next game is at Chicago, with the Bears having just lost to the surprising Lions. The Bears have a terrible offensive line and a very inconsistent offense. They may also be without defensive juggernaut Julius Peppers. The best way for the Vikings to win this game is to turn Jared Allen and Brian Robison loose and let them disrupt Jay Cutler’s rhythm. The Vikings need to also pay attention to the middle of the field, as up until last week opposing quarterbacks were torching them with intermediate routes by tight ends.

Offensively the equation is very simple. Adrian Peterson is the engine of this offense and needs to continue to see carries early in the game and late in the game to run out the clock.

This seems to be a very simple equation, but by doing these things and by NOT kicking to Devin Hester, the Vikings will be putting themselves in a very good position to leave Soldier Field with a victory on Sunday.

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