After a humbling loss to the defending Swedish champions last weekend, the Vikings have turned their attention to the number one ranked team in the Superseries. With the playoffs almost at out of reach, can the Vikings turn their season around in this must win game?

What to watch

The Vikings offensive struggles continued against the Crusaders number 1 ranked defense, it will face a Black Knights team that has only allowed 7.8 points per game so far this season. Translation, it will be a tough game for this offense. There is generally two ways you can go with a struggling offense. One is to get creative, and scheme up plays to exploit any weakness in a defense, the other is to go back to basics and execute the fundamentals at the highest level. Either way, this offense has to come together and score some points. Hopefully head coach Sam Gooding can cook up a winning strategy this weekend.

Defensively the Vikings have improved since last season. When the offense struggles to stay on the field, the defense is forced to play more. More playing time on defense means more opportunities for the opposing team to score. Last game against the Black Knights was a mixed bag of run and pass, but the Black Knights have been the most dominant rushing offense in the league this year. It’s hard to know for sure what they will do, but expect a heavy for the front 7 for the Vikings defense. 

While special teams is always important, it will be something that could make or break this game. Great special teams play can set up the Vikings offense with good field position, making it easier to put up points. But if the offense can’t score, great special teams play can help the Vikings defense with a long field to defend. Field position is crucial this game, and the special teams units have a direct impact on where a drive starts.

Players to watch

The Vikings offense runs through QB DeAndre Clayton, and it will be no different this weekend. Claytons best game came against the Towers back in week 4, and we need to see more of that magic against the Black Knights. Clayton is unafraid of putting the team on his back so look out for this man to make splash plays with his arm or with his legs.

Against the Crusaders, playmaker Will Sewell amassed 10 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Sewell is constantly around the ball on defense, and has been deployed in multiple different spots this year, including as a linebacker and multiple positions along the defensive line. Sewell has also seen playing time on offense as a running back, so in a must win game, expect to see #1 all over the field making plays.

The Black Knights are coming off a bye week after a convincing win against the Crusaders and will be well rested. The Vikings on the other hand will travel to their second away game in two weeks. With the odds stacked against the Vikings, can they keep their season alive?