Cardinals Have to Stop Potent Viking Offense

Sorry, NBA. This is Showtime: The Minnesota Vikings had 26 plays from scrimmage that covered 40 or more yards in the regular season, 18 that went for touchdowns. (The Arizona Cardinals, their opponent in a divisional-round playoff game today, had six such plays, none ending with a touchdown.)

The Vikings’ offensive fireworks included an NFL-record 556 points and a down-the-field style that more closely resembled the AFL of the 1960s than the dink-and-dunk NFL of the West Coast Offense era. Minnesota has won eight games in a row, has not won by fewer than 10 points since Nov. 8, and has won eight home games by an average of 26 points. In four prime-time games, the Vikings averaged 40 points and won by an average of 19.2.

“People probably don’t think we can stop their offense,” Arizona’s rookie cornerback, Corey Chavous, correctly observed. “We take it as a challenge.”

Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick, whom people around the team call Stat Boy, will talk at length about technical ins and outs of his juggernaut. But it appears simple to the casual observer: Combine the best receiving corps and offensive line in the NFL with a dangerous tailback in Robert Smith and a reborn Randall Cunningham at quarterback, and Oh, and by the way, kicker Gary Anderson didn’t miss an extra point or field goal all season.

“With our mindset, I think we’re going out there to destroy anybody in front of us,” said rookie receiver Randy Moss, who rose from the 21st overall pick in the draft to dominate the NFL. He had 14 catches for 40 or more yards, including 10 for TDs to tie Elroy Hirsch’s NFL record, set with the 1951 Los Angeles Rams.

Coach Dennis Green said of Moss, “We were lucky. It was a gift from heaven to get Randy Moss. We know how to use a big, tall receiver who can go deep.”

Throw in a respectable defense, and the Vikings were the third team to win 15 regular-season games, and Green finished second to Dan Reeves in voting for Coach of the Year. Not bad for a guy who probably would have been fired after a season of controversy in 1997 had the Vikings not rallied to beat the Giants in a wild-card game.

Green survived an ownership change and has ridden the offensive wave. How formidable are the Vikings? One example: Future Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter has had to accept a lesser role to make room for Moss and has done so without complaint -- unlike a certain future Hall of Famer playing alongside talented young receivers for the San Francisco 49ers.

“We knew as an offense with all the personnel we have, sacrifices would have to take place,” Carter said. “Brian and I talked about it, even before the season started. I understood that. I realized my role changed somewhat. I’m very happy with my role, and so are the other guys.”

How deep are the Vikings? Consider quarterback Brad Johnson, who began the year as an entrenched starter, suffered a leg injury in Week 2 and watched as Cunningham electrified the NFL. He returned in relief after missing six games, then suffered a thumb injury that knocked him out for five more games.

Johnson has resisted complaining, but he probably will demand a trade in the offseason. The Giants are among the teams that might be interested, but their 19th overall draft pick probably will not be enough ammunition. Johnson might sign with whatever team grabs Billick as a head coach.

Owner Red McCombs said there are no plans to trade Johnson, but added, “I personally would be sensitive to the request of Brad or any player. But I am not saying we’d accommodate them.”