Week 1 is underway of the 2007 season and for the Vikings and Falcons it will be an indicator on what we can expect for the entire season.  Pundits have been spewing lines that both of these teams are likely to finish with 10 or more losses, but they have felt that way before, and teams like New Orleans last year prove them wrong.  This year’s version of the Minnesota Vikings has the talent, coaching, and a little more experience in place to make those pundits eat crow, or as in today’s case, Falcons.

Key mathups are all over the field and they will start at the top; Brad Childress has one year under his belt and is more relaxed with the players.  He has passed the play calling torch to Darrell Bevell so that he can better manage all aspects of the game, and observe what is going on in the field of play and on the sideline with his players.  Atlanta has a new head coach in Bobby Petrino, who last year was running the program at LSU.  Petrino was relieved of not having to coach to a different style of offensive football than he is a proponent of, because one of the Vikings nemeses from previous years on the Falcons is no longer in football.  That may be the good news for Petrino, but the bad news is that he has to turn Joey Harrington into the answer.  Childress vs. Petrino, take Childress.

In classic matchup form of players that aren’t on the field at the same time, let’s look at the quarterbacks.  Tarvaris Jackson is making his first campaign start at the head of a Vikings offense that promises to be one of the best at the run, but has huge questions in the passing game.  Veteran leaders like Matt Birk have expressed respect for the man in the huddle and feel he is ready.  The pundit may not believe, but the likes of Birk, Hutchinson, and Richardson all do.  Joey Harrington was selected as franchise QB when he was drafted, just to never fully earn the respect of his players, coaches, and the Lions fans so longing for some decent football.  Released from Detroit last year, Joey made his way to Miami where against the Vikes, he posted his only win against the organization ever, and it was more that last year’s version of the team gave away the game.  Joey is still Joey and in the matchup of Jackson and Harrington, the nod goes to Jackson.

The key matchups are on the field with player versus player.  Look to see how Ryan Cook handles left DE Jamaal Anderson.  Look to see how E.J. Henderson reacts to gimped up Alge Crumpler running across the middle.  Look to see if rookie left guard Justin Blalock and center Todd McClure get manhandled by the newest Viking for life, pro bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams.  Can Jackson deal with all the blitzing?  Can Harrington deal with the crowd noise that he knows will be there?  Can the new one – two punch combo of Chester Taylor and Adrian Peterson run up impressive numbers both statistically and on the scoreboard against a decent defense?  Can passing games be established to free up the running games of both teams?  We shall find out soon enough.  Kickoff is at noon central in the Metrodome.