While vaunted Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has shown signs of slowing, the NFL’s No. 2 sack leader can still dominate a game and terrorize quarterbacks. He’s clearly the X-factor for Sunday’s game.
Allen has 13.5 sacks and trails Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware by half a sack. However, Allen has only two sacks over the past three games and had none Sunday against Oakland for the first time this season.
In addition to his sacks, Allen has 24 quarterback hurries and one interception.
“He’s kind of under the radar because our team has struggled,” Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said. “It’s been tough for teams to single-block him. He’s been very disruptive against the run and the pass. He’s having an outstanding season. We are going to need him to play for us on Sunday.”
Allen earned the NFC defensive player-of-the-month award for October. He had eight sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 24 tackles.
Allen is set to join some elite company. If he leads the Vikings in sacks this season he will become the first player since John Randle (1997-2000) to lead them four consecutive seasons.
Since entering the NFL in 2004, Allen has 96.5 career sacks, the most in that time period.
Falcons left tackle Sam Baker, who has been out with a back injury, returned to practice before the Tennessee game and could be ready for action against the Vikings. However, Will Svitek, Baker’s backup, has been stout in four starts.
Svitek has not given up a sack while going against Detroit’s Kyle Vanden Bosch, Indianapolis’ Dwight Freeney, New Orleans’ Will Allen and Tennessee’s Jason Jones.
Baker, a former first-round pick, struggled early in the season while playing with his back issue.
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