Look beyond the match ups.. Clifton verse Allen.
The field was an equalizer last night.. put a relatively healthy Clifton on grass verse Allen.. on most days he holds his own. Add some moisture to the surface it probably sways the advantage towards Clifton.
Clifton from the hips up is still a very solid LT in the NFL.. it is his footwork that has declined mostly due to injuries with age factored in.. it is no secret.. Chad struggles with speed rushers.. put them on turf or a dry field.. Clifton then has to extend with his upper body more and gets himself out of whack leverage wise and generally gets beat around the corner.
I am not taking anything away from Clifton.. but look at the environmental factors and it becomes clearer why Clifton fared well last night.. and probably why people will be calling for his head in a couple weeks at the metrodump.. where he probably will still play solidly.. but probably not pitch a shutout.
Another noticeable thing the Vikings were doing last night.. they were bailing on the pass rush quickly if they were not going to get home... basically clogging up the short passing lanes and knocking down passes.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"