Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams wasn't sure if Sunday's game against Detroit was the best game of his career. He's had so many stellar games, it's difficult to single out one.
But Williams' four sacks in the 12-10 victory over the Lions tied for the second most in one game by a Vikings player. Only Randy Holloway has had more, with five sacks against Atlanta in 1984. Several Vikings have had four-sack games, most recently Chris Doleman against Cincinnati in 1989.
"It ranks up there,"
Williams said of his performance. "If I could have had a touchdown, it would top the cake."
It's no coincidence that Williams set his personal record for sacks in an NFL game while facing one-on-one matchups almost all day. Williams is accustomed to being double-teamed throughout games because he's such a dominant force inside. He has been to three Pro Bowls in his five NFL seasons.
Williams said he couldn't remember the last time he wasn't double-teamed throughout a game.
"Usually they try to block us with a max protect,"
Williams said. "They try to double-team our entire front four, but they didn't, they just dropped back and made mistakes. If we see them do that, we are going to make them pay."
Williams benefited from the attention that defensive end Jared Allen received. It also helped that Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky was making his first NFL start. Orlovsky struggled and wasn't able to get the ball off quickly.
With more time to rush the passer, Williams' sack totals piled up. He had a huge sack in the fourth quarter when the Lions were facing third and 4 at the Minnesota 42-yard line with about eight minutes left. Orlovsky was in shotgun formation, but Williams got him anyway, backing up Detroit 4 yards, out of field-goal range.
"Our front line, when they know a team's passing the football, man, they just pin their ears back and go and get them,"
Vikings safety Darren Sharper said. "Kevin did a great job. He's playing like the all-pro defensive tackle that he is."
