Happy New Years Week

There have been so many questions that will remain unanswered for the 2010 Vikings going into Week 17. What happened to the team that was 1 pass from going to the Super Bowl a season ago? I think that is the main question right there.

The game that the Vikes play this week will be interesting to say the LEAST. The loser of the game will the cellar dweller of the NFC North this season.If the Lions win on Sunday, that would be first time since 2007 that they (Lions) would not finish in last place in the division.


Leslie Frazier's Future
For Leslie Frazier, it seems that he has not won over the higher ups just yet. So it looks that he is still trying to earn the right to be the Vikings Head Coach in 2011 and beyond. In my opinion, Frazier has earned the respect in the locker room, that is something that Chilly has never had control over especially in the 2 years Favre was here. In the month or so that Frazier has been the interiem head coach has been craziness. He has done the best he could with what the Vikes went through.
 This has included the collapse of the Metrodome roof -- the Vikings were forced to play "home" games in Detroit and at TCF Bank Stadium -- and the NFL's decision to push last Sunday's game between the Vikings and Eagles to Tuesday because of the threat of a blizzard in Philadelphia.

Will Favre Pass

With this expected to be Brett Favre's NFL game. Favre has yet to be cleared to play due to failing the concussion tests yesterday. So Favre will need to pass the tests tomorrow to be be able to play on Sunday. If Favre does pass the tests he is expected to start for the Vikes at Ford Field.

If Favre cannot go, Joe Webb would be the starter for the game. Webb did a stellar job for the Vikes on Sund...Mond....nope Tuesday Night for the Vikes. He did well great job managing the game and not turnover the ball.

Other Thoughts

The game that I am looking forward to watching is the Rams-Seattle game. I would be something to see a team with a losing record make the playoffs. It does not matter who wins that game, because ESPN will be going berserk, because term with more wins were left out of the playoffs. 


Other than that i hope that everybody has a great and safe New Years. I hope for the Vikes to have a great 2011 campaign.

Merry Xmas Week

Hello Everyone. I hope that you have some grand plans for this holiday season.

Vikes-Eagles

This is a game that I have NOT been looking foward to all season long. Now it it upon us and what can we do and just hope that the Vikes can make this game a competitive one.The Eagles offense has it all: a mobile QB in Micheal Vick, a big play reciever in DeSean Jackson and a good RB in McCoy. Now talk about a 3 headed monster for the Vikes defense to defend.

In every game it just seems like the Vikes as a team are falling more and more apart. As of right now and may be changing, Joe Webb is due to make his 1st NFL start against the Eagles...EWWWW! Maybe Webb will have better luck against the Eagles.



As of right now all I want from the Vikes is to finish the season with some respectability. Hope that these game do not cost Leslie Frazier a head coach job as well.

I hope that everyone has a great Xmas this year. With that being said I am holding on to the believe that Vikes might give the SNF crowd a good game to watch.

Week Of Craziness

This week as a Viking fan has been a roller coaster ride to say the very least. The beginning of the week, the Vikes were still trying to play in the Metrodome for the game on Monday. After surveying the damage, it was going to HIGHLY unlikely that was going to happen. Then the NFL and the Vikes decided to try to get TCF Stadium(Home of the Gophers) ready for the game. With a lot of hard work it was announced that TCF will host the final home game of the season for the Vikes. At least, we do not have to go to Indy!!!!

With the injury to T-Jack, turf toe that landed him on the IR. This is just sad, the fact the Favre has been playing all the injuries that he has all season. Jackson cannot go because of this just states even more that he is not a starting QB in the NFL.

It look like Joe Webb will make his first career start on Monday Night Football. I just do not know what to think of this right now. He has only had a handful of snaps this season and most of those came last week.

Bears-Vikes

With the Vikes officially out of the playoff picture after the loss against the Giants last week. Now how should the Vikes approach the remainder of the season. Should they play the your players to see if they have what it take to play in the NFL as a starter? Try for a higher draft pick? 

With the Bears defense and how the overall offense for the Vikes is not what it was last season. It will in interesting to see how the Vikes approach this game against Da Bears.All of Packer Nation will be cheering on the Vikes. That in itself is just eerie to me. 

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!

Vikes-Giants Pregame Thoughts

The Vikes have won the past two weeks against team that are not in the running for a playoff spot. This week is different, the Vikes will be playing against the Giants a team that was hot in the beginning of the season and has cooled off. This Giants team is starting the resemble a little bit of what happened to the Giants last season.

If the Vikes do win this week this would be a big help for Leslie Frazier to get that pesty interim tag removed from the beginning of head coach.It seems that the Frazier is getting the respect from the locker room(something that Chilly could not do.)

It does not matter in the past couple of seasons with the the Vikes and Giants facing off. The Vikes always seem to put together a game plan to win against the Giants. The Vikes need to do what they have been doing to the Giants make Eli beat you. The Vikes need to shut down the run and force young Manning into bad throwing situations. Soon or later Eli is bound the screw something up.

The Giants have been a balanced defense in stopping bot the pass and the run this season. I still think that Brett Favre will be starting at QB on Sunday. The Vikes must think they are making the Giants prepare for Favre and Jackson for the game on Sunday.

I just need AD to have another big game. He is my MVP in my fantasy team. With AD running with authority as of late. It sure is something to every fans loved to see AD running over defenders and hanging on to the football.

I hope that everyone has a great weekend....err well except Packer fans at least.

Vikes-Bills Pregame Thoughts

The Bills and the Vikes have been going through disappointment this season. Both squad have been losing some close games this season.  I know we have a different head coach for the remainder of the season. It sure does not make me feel any better about this game.

The Bills offense is pretty balanced with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their QB and Fred Jackson at the RB. Fitzpatrick averages nearly 250 yards a game and for the season has 19 TDs, geez no wonder so many people the fantasy world has him on their roster.

As of right now the defense scares me. The unit ranks as on of best in the NFL, but the problem is keeping the opponent from scoring. For the Vikes to wins the game, they NEED to have a pass rush by not letting Buffalo get pass happy on the Vikes DBs. This season the Vikes have no pass rush unlike last season.

With the Vikes offense, I just do not know what to expect from them right now. They have been up and down all season. With AD iffy for the game. It would a nice win against the Bills. I am not keep my hopes up with the down season Vikes have been having this year is crazy.

I hope that everyone has a safe weekend.....SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

NFC Preview: Vikes @ Saints

This is the game is what Brett Favre was brought here to do, to make the Vikes offense something to be feared. It has been obvious that the Vikes have been a QB away from being a great football team. With the Vikings now one of the 4 teams left playing this weekend, now that is something to be said. The Vikes travel from undefeated streak 9-0 from their dome to the Saints dome in the Bayou. The Vikes have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday.

In this matchup both team have a pass first approach offense for most of the season. The Saints ranked in the top 5 in total yards,points passing yards a game. The Vikes defense does have pressure on them. The Vikes defense has been kn own and proven that it is able to stop a dual threat running attack. Just look at what they were able to last week against Dallas. The Vikes front seven were terrorizing the Cowboys running game from most of the game. There were some busts by Felix Jones, but nothing to gain momentum. The Vikes defense scheme will need to stop the Saints running attack that averaged 131 yards a game in the season. The key is to stop Reggie Bush, however the Saint try to get him the ball. He is a very versatile back. He rushed outside the tackles or catching flare. The Vikes tackle is going to be key again this week.

The Vikes pass rush is also going to be important, to key Brees out of timing with his receivers. The Vikes have to flush Brees out of the pocket in order for the Saint to make mistakes throwing the ball. This Saints team does remind of the '98 Vikings. A high flying pass offense and a defense that just has to do enough to win the game. The Saint might be doing a lot of quick passing attack against the Vikes. Look at what the Vikes did to Romo last weekend. As long as the Vikes can keep pressure on Brees,knocking him down and keeping him from getting on a roll.Everything should work out on the defense side of the ball.

For the Vikes offense, as I said earlier they are one of the top offenses in the league this season. I do not think that the Saints have enough to stop Favre and Peterson in this game. This is the type of a game that Peterson can just run wild. Lat season Peterson was held in check against the Saints. Now the Vikes have a passing attack that not many team have been able to stop this season. Favre and Rice have been specular this season. Peterson yardage output has been down the pass 8 games, he has not ran over 100 yards in a game. If the Vikes can get constant output by Peterson, he still has the threat of breaking one deep one. Against this Saints defense, it can happen this Sunday and hopefully often.

If Favre has as much protection as he did last week. The line will need to step up again this week and keep the pocket intact so that Favre can find Rice, Berrian and Shanks down the field. The Saints defense has not had a great season being in the lower third of most categories this season. The big plays are out there for the Vikes to make. How the Vikes will exploit the Saints and how often is going to be how the Vikes make it to Miami.

I have been on edge about this game for most of the week, but I was feeling the same last week against the Cowboys and look how that turned out.. It would be sweet to have my Vikings to go to the Super Bowl and in May, my wife and I are having an edition a lil Viking fan of course.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!

New Years Eve Preview:Giants(8-7) vs. Vikings(11-4)

Now we are entering Week 17 and the Vikes can get a seed no higher than a 2 and no lower than a 4, it just depends on how all the scenarios work out. The New York Giants have plummeted fro, its beginning season form. This sure has been a nightmare month as a Viking fan, heading into December the Vikes were 10-1. Now with December almost done we are leaving it with a 11-4 record, losing back-to-back games against teams with sub-.500 records.  The Vikes actually need to get business done and win this week, but at least it is a home game. The Vikes do not have a defeat at home yet this season. Every loss has come on the road. Last week the Vikes decided to show up for the second half and almost pulled off a win against a Bears team that played their best game of the season. With the Vikes hosting the Giants, this is not going to be an easy game by any stretch of your imagination. Minnesota still has to play BOTH halves and the Giants are not going to rollover for theVikes either. The Vikes will have to earn a win this week.What will the Vikes need to do to have at least a 3 seed for the playoffs.

With the Vikes unable to use the run to set up the pass all season. This week, they should do the opposite use the pass to set up the run. In the first half theytryed to rely on the run and the offense did very little. Everyone know what happened in the season half. So this Vikes should do the same this throughout this game. The Giants are banged up everywhere on this team. Favre has been carrying this team for most of the season. Why would it change now?If the Vikes can get the passing game started early, the Giants defense should not have much of a chance against this Vikes team.

Peterson will try to makeup for his fumble. This game should be a statement game for AD for how everything went down last week. Sure we love to see him run defenders over and fighting for the extra yard. But it is hard to watch when AD fumbling quite a bit over the past two years. So hopefully he can fix this glaring issue that he has with putting the rock on the turf.At least it is better than last season with 9. TheVikes will try to be a balanced offense this Sunday. We will see how all that goes, it all depends on who the Giants will try to stop.

On the defense side of the ball, the Giants are without Brandon Jacobs for the game(season) after being placed on IR. Without him the Giants have Ahmad Bradshaw asthier leading running running back. I have no doubt that the Vikes SHOULD take care of the ground game with no problems. Eli Manning will have beat the Vikes in the air. The Vikes pass defense is the hole on this team. The pass rush should appear this week and give Eli no time to do much of anything. If Eli has time, it might be a long game for the defense. Right now the rookie Jasper has been scapegoat of the poor performances by theVikes . This defense has been UP and down all season long.It was a matter of time since they would be exposed. This is why this team is similar to the 1998Vikes, the offense is explosive and the defense just has to do enough to not lose the game.

I am wondering what Vikings team will be showing the team that dominated a Bengals team or the one that was out schooled by Matt More.For theVikes sake they need this win, so they do not limp into the playoffs with a 3 game losing streak.

The Prediction

Vikes 33
Giants 23

SKOL VIKINGS
Have a Happy New Year everyone(well except Eagles Fan)

Friday Preview: Vikings(11-3) vs Chicago(5-9)

With the Vikings-Bears game fast approaching for their date for the Monday Night Date. The Vikes are going for a sweep of the entire NFC North.The Vikings are obviously that they are not that same team that dominated the Bears in the Week 12 36-10 victory. Since that game the Vikings are have 1 win and 2 embarrassing losses.Is this the game that the Vikes need to step forward and carry it to the playoffs?

The Vikes will need to show that they can function as a team these next two week. But the VIkes need to start in the frigid Solider Field, a place that in the last decade have a record of 2-7. THe Vikes are predicted to do well in this game, but we were saying the same last week as well and look at what happened. What needs to be done in this game for the Vikes to come back to life:

In this game the Vikes should have the game plan to run the ball down the BEARS throat all game long.  The Bear rush defense is not what it once was last season with some of the key injuries they have suffered. The Bears rush defense have allowed 128 yards on the ground per game. If the Vikes can keep it 50-50 ground and pass attack. The Bear have been exposed more often on the ground this season. The Vikes will have to get AD and company involved early and often it should be smooth sailing on the ground.

 The Offensive Line
. The line will be looked at under a microscope in this game with what happened to them last week against the Panthers. The unit had too many mental errors in loss against Carolina, between the penalties\missed assignments. The line was shredded for most of last weeks' game giving up 4 sacks and Julis Peppers to run free all game.It is time to earn the team and fans confidence back. The line will need to protect Favre all game long so that the Vikes can pass effectively against a decent Bears pass defense. It also looks likr the VIkes will have back their X-factor in Percy Harvin. He has been not 100%, so he has been missed by the offense in the pass and rushing game. I am kind of excited to see him back in the lineup and used not just on special team or late in the game.

The defense will need to focus on tackling in this game. They have been terrible the 2 losses in the past 3 game. The defense has to wakeup in this game and stop pass game of the Bears to win. The Bears do not have a rushing game this season averaging 88 yards A GAME. The Vikes will key on Jay Cutler-pressure him with the pass rush that Vikes have. It is Cutler his bond to throw an INT, he is leading the league after all.

I can see the Vikes bouncing back this week against the Bears and hope for an Eagle loss.

The prediction
Vikes 27
Bears 13

The King of Drama

With the drama this week between Favre-Chilly this week was the news in Viking Nation. Here is a take on the situation. Taking the gamble the Favre has its baggage, but it was a matter of time that the King of Drama has finally come out of the closet. According to Favre, the tiff is resolved. I am not convinced after seeing that Favre has been running the every team since Homgren left the Packers.

More to come with the Drama and and post game happened on Tuesday.I hope that everyone had a great Christmas!!!

Friday Preview: Vikings(11-2) @ Panthers(5-8)

With the game coming upon us this week is a Sunday Night Contest with the 11-2 Vikes facing the 5-8 Panthers. The 2009 Panthers team does not have balance on either side of the ball. On offense, they have a good power running game ranking them 4th in the league with nearly 150 yards per game, but passing their rank is 28th with 169 yards per game. On defense it is the same story, the Panthers are a good pass defense allowing 192 yards per game 6th in the NFL, but on the ground they allow 126 yards per game giving them an NFL rank of 26th. With the areas that this team are bad in I just do not see how they can compete with the Vikings this Sunday.

Power Run Stoppers

The Vikings still have one of the leagues best run stop defense in the league again this season. The last running back that has topped 100 yards in a game was Ryan Grant back in 2007.  The Panthers have a power running back in DeAngelo Williams with over 110 yards this season is pair with Jonathan Stewart is a good mix in the backfield. The Creatures of Havoc(the front 4) have been disrupting the running back point of attack season long. I just do not see anything changing this Sunday either.  A team needs more than a good running game get the Viking defense on their heels.

A team needs a passing game and this is something that Carolina has been lacking all season long. With or without Jake Delhomme have been unable to produce in the air. It looks like will be starting for the Panthers this week it wil be his 3rd start of the season. With the pressure that Vikes have put on opposing QBs, I see that trend to continue for this game.

The AD Show

With Peterson going to be facing one of the lower tier rush defense this season, is a plus this week. He is coming off of a good game against the Bengals last week with with about 140 total yards and 2 TDs . The running game with be vital in this game, because the Panthers have one of the best pass defenses in the league. As long as AD and Taylor can get the chains move and running out the clock everything will be good for Viking fans at least.

Protect Favre

The Vikes will be facing one of the top pass rushers in the league in Julius Peppers. He is a game changers. if you give him an inch, he is a living hell. The Vikes may need to double him up if needed in this one. So the Vikes will need to keep Favre upright in game so he can try to scorch the Panthers with some deep balls to Rice or Berrian.

Overall in this game, I see Viking fans cheer and Viking team dominating the Panthers from the opening drive to the final whistle.The Vikes are trying to do thier part in winning the NFL North for the second consecutive year. I hope everyone has a great week.

The Prediction:
Vikings 37
Panthers 20

SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Vikings Game Preview: Bengals(9-3) @ Vikings(10-2)

With the Vikings coming off of a shocking loss to the Cards last week. Now so many nah-sayers are happy to see Favre have a bad game and are convinced that this will be another Favre decline. The Vikes have the Bengals at home for the noon game. The Bengals come into this game having a 3 game lead in the AFC north. This is one of NFL's Cinderella teams this season. The Bengals come to the Thunderdome will a balanced attack on the ground and in the air. What do the Vikes need to do to eliminate the possibility of the Vikings losing their 2 consecutive game this season(it would be the 1st time this season).

How Will Favre Respond

Coming off Favre's worst game this season as a Minnesota Viking last week against the Arizona Cardinals. This week is not going to be an easy task by any means for Favre and the passing offense. The Bengals have one of the best CB tandems in the league in Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall. With the receiving corps that the Vikings have. it is going to be match-up that is going to highly anticipated this week. The Viking have so many weapons and find different ways to get their receivers the football, depending how the Bengals respond is going to be the key of the game.

Containing Cedric

The Vikings will be need to stop the Bengals 6th ranked rushing offense this season in the NFL. The Vikings stopping Cedric Benson is going to be key for this defense. The Minnesota Vikings are 3rd in the league in rush defense. With Williams Wall along with Edwards and Allen on the edges. If the Vikes will be able to stop the Bengals ground attack, then it will force Carson Palmer to beat the Vikings. The Bengals are 21st in passing offense and the Viking pass defense are 21st in the league as well. It sure is going to be interesting to see if the Vikes can get a pass rush. The Bengals OL has given up ONLY 22 sacks this season on 365 dropbacks and that was about 6% of each dropback ends in a sack. Jared Allen and Company will need to disrupt every aspect of the Bengals game plan on offense to win this one.

Where has Adrian Gone?

With Vikings All-Pro running back struggling immensely the past 3 weeks with an average of a measly 3 yards a carry. Is it that the play calling is to blame? With the Vikes abandoning the run last week was a poor decision by the Chilly last week. The 11th ranked rush offense will need to get the chains move early and often averaging 123 yards per game. This will going against a Bengals rush defense that is ranked 2nd in the league allowing 81 yards per contest. So which side will win the epic battle in the trenches? Whomever wins this battle will decide whether Favre will have a good game or bad game. Peterson will need to get back to his old smash mouth running this week, Run Adrian Run.

With this game will be depend on which ground game will out perform the other. It is going be a good match-up in the Thunderdome on Sunday.After this game the Vikes get da Bears.

The Prediction:
Vikes 24
Bengals 17

SKOL VIKINGS

Preview Friday: Da Bears(4-6) @ Vikings (9-1)

With the Vikes coming off of a dominate performance last week against the Seahawks. This was the first game all year that Vikes play a full game and did that fizzle whatsoever in this game.This week they have the Bears, this will the first match-up of the team this season. The 9-1 Vikes will be hosting the 4-6 Bears. It just does not matter what the records re the Vikes-Bears game are always a good ole fashion back and blue division game. This is what I am going to be expecting come Sunday afternoon.

Give the Ball to AD

Adrain has had trouble keep his hands glued to ball this season. How is this different from any other season for Peterson. I am sure that the Bears games are highlighted on Peterson schuedule. It seems that Peterson always comes alive when facing da Bears. In his career Peterson has averaged 138.5 yards and 2 touchdowns per game per game. With Bears run defense having trouble find a leader on the field since Brian Urlacher was lost for the season earlier in the year. The Bears have been stripped of their identity. he Bears on ground are on average allowing team 122.3 yards per game on the ground. This ranks them 23 in the NFL among 32 teams. As long as the Vikes can get it started on the ground it should be a good day for the Vikes.

Pace vs. Allen

With Jared Allen getting so much attention from teams now with his play in the first half of the season. He has not had a QB sack since before the bye week. I think he is due for a breakout game. The Bears acquired future Pro Bowler Orlando Pace this past offseason to protect Jay Cutler's back side. He is going to be a dog fight on the edge between these two All-Pros, but I think that Allen will have the edge in this game. Cutler will be calf roped a couple times in this game. As long as the Vikes get pressure on Cutler it is going to be a usual inaccurate for the Bears passing game. The Bears OL has had trouble with teams rushing the QB and thus is a one reason why their QB is topping the league in INTS(the other is his decision making).

Favre and the Bears

Throughout Favre's career he has had success against da Bears with a 22-10 record against them. The Bears pass defense is one of their strengths this season. But the Vikes have a good pass attack with Favre under center and his go to receiver Sidney Rice. If you are looking for a big play these two will be connecting throughout this game. In the red zone Favre goes to Shanks, he leads the team with 7 TDs and most have come i the red area.It is going to be a good challenge for the Vikes against thid Bears pass defense. Favre is seeing that he has the weapons to his disposal and has been using them wisely. There is a reason why he has 21 TDs and only 3 INTs this season.

Overall, the Vikes have the edge in this game against the Bears especially with it being at home. I see the VIkes to contiune their success against teams within their division.

The Prediction:
Vikes 33
Bears 13

Friday Preview:Lions(1-7) @ Vikings(7-1)

With the Vikes coming off of their bye week. They come into this week at 7-1 and will be hosting the 1-7 Lions. Both teams are playing for something different, the Lions will try to upset the Vikes because that is all they have for the remainder of the season. The Lions will be a LONG shot in this game, but I do not see the Lions being able to much on either side of the ball against the Vikes. The Vikes will dominate every aspect of the game. Even if they do come out a little rusty.The Lions do not have me or many other Viking bloggers worried this weekend. So what are the keys for the Vikes to add another W in the wins column:

Pressure the Rook

With a team that is leading the league in sacks with 31 and 10.5 coming from Jared Allen. As long as Frazier keep up the aggressive play calling and not allow the Lion rookie QB Matt Stafford breathe it will be a great day for the Vikes on the defensive side of the ball. 5-6 sacks as a team would be a good overall day. With no time to pass the ball means the rook will make mistakes as he did last week throwing 5 INTS in the game vs the Seahawks. Keep Stafford out of rhythm will be great, so the DBs (No Winfield again this week)are less likely to get burnt by Calvin Johnson. As long as the defense can keep up the pressure it will be good day 

Keep it Simple

The offense just need to keep doing what they have been doing all season. There is a reason why the team is 7-1 and leading the division thus far into the season. Keep the offense balanced on the attack of the Lions front 7. TheVikes have a more passing attack now than they did back in week 2 of the season when these two team faced off. So far every team is trying to stop AD, but the passing game is getting teams in trouble. So which aspect of the game with Detroit try to stop the pass or the run? We shall see, AD will have a good game this week with all gears full force ahead. Favre is now meshing more with his receivers knowing what their tendencies are.The OL is doing a great job protecting Favre as of late, the times he is getting sack is mostly coverage sack. The group in front are doing well keep the DL off their aging QB. Do not over think what the offense is trying to accomplish with play calling. Call a play that best fits the situation.

Percy No Mercy

Get the ball the Harvin however you can. He is a special player and makes plays whenever he gets his hands on the ball.Right now it looks like he is going to the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. With the Vikes excelling in the special teams this season with help from Harvin. It is a great week to have a game breaker like him returning kicks. Lions are one of the wost teams giving up nearly 30 yards per kickoff. Be ready to see big plays from Harvin and Johnson on Sunday.

Prediction
With everything weighed in for this game. I do not think it is going to be good for the Lion whatsoever. The Vikes should be in control of this game for majority as it looks on paper at least. The Vikes need to stick to their game on Sunday and everything will be great for the beloved purple.

The Prediction:
Vikes 44
Lion 13

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!

Friday Preview: Vikings(6-1) vs Packers(4-2)

With all the hu ra about Favre going back to Green Bay. This is going to be the 1st time back since the bitter divorce between him and the Packers(Ted Thomson). The homecoming of Favre sure will be watched by many people of football nation. There are so many people wondering if he will get booed as much as expected. The media train has been writing about this all week about the homecoming of the Packers once football god. With this being the second between the two teams this season already, I cannot believe it. in the first game, both teams showed great defense at certain times in game.SOme things that the Viking faithful can count on  in this contest.

AD Denied. Adrain Peterson was shutdown in the last game averaging 2.2 yards per carry, that was once of lowest averages in his NFL career. I do not expect the Packer defense to school Peterson for a second. I cannot see a team let alone the Packers to stop Peterson two times in a single season, especially with all the attention being on Brett for this game. Run for the daylight Adrian .

Coverage. The Vikings DBs did a great job with thier coverage assignments, holding the Steelers to 175 yards for the ENTIRE game last week. This was a great accomplishment even without their Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Winfield. The Packer are a deep threat offense, if the Vikes can stop to long completions. Make the Packers earn the yards, then it would work more in the Vikings favor in this game.

Getting to Rodgers. This is going to be something that defense will need to do again, so Rodgers does not pick apart the Vikes again this season. The game at Minnesota the Vikes almost gave up 400 yards in the air.  The Packer line will try to stop Jared Allen in this one, especially when he had 4.5 sacks in the last game. If they do stop him, the Vikes have the Williams Wall and Ray Edwards on the other side. With Packers linemen issues, it seems that it may be a long day at office for Rodgers on Sunday. Keep the rush on him and make him make bad decisions.

This is a game that Vikes need, only leading the division by 1.5 games. it would be sweet to go into their bye week 7-1. Favre is going to take it to his old team on thier turf, ley the rockets start to fly.

Prediction:
Vikes 31
Packer 24

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

Friday Preview:Vikings (6-0) @ Steelers(4-2)

After surviving a 44 yards missed FG by Baltimore when time expired last week to earn a victory.This coming after the Viking pass defense collapsed in the 4th quarter and let Baltimore slip back into the game. This week is another week, the Vikes have to travel to Terrible Towel country to take on the Steelers. This is a major assignment for the Vikes this week, because the first part of their schedule was against average team. Now this week it is going to be against Super Champs. Some of the keys of the game for the Vikes this week:



Pass Defense. With the Viking secondary possibly without Antonio Winfield this week is BAD news for the Vikes. The last couple of games the Viking defense plays great, but then the 4th quarter comes rolling. The coverage team just gets torn apart by teams that need to pass. Against the Steelers ranking 2th in the NFL is pass yards a game is going to be a tall order for Minnesota. The Vikes need to address the issues in the secondary and fix them quick or it may be a long day for us . Big Ben will have another big day passing to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes on Sunday.


Favre Being Tested. Brett Favre and offense have an another tough AFC North defense to contend with this week. The Steelers have another good defense this season, ranking 3rd in the NFL. Favre will be pressured in this game, so it will be the OL to try to limit how often the Steelers knocking him down. The Steelers have a great pass rush in its 3-4 defense that they run. Favre has thrown for 12 TDs and 2 INTS so far this season and averaging over the first 6 games. If Favre and Viking running game can get the party started early and not let up, this game may surprise. With the balanced attack the Steelers will need to try to stop both side of the dual threat the Vikes have on offense.


Pressure 'Em. The Steelers have had trouble with turnover so far this season. The Vikes pass rush will have keep the pressure of Big Ben and the running game to continue this trend.Jared Allen and Company need to sack him to stop the momentum of some of the long Steeler drives, they thrive on ball control Big Ben is also a running threat, so the VIkes need to contain him while they are sacking him.

This is a very difficult one for the prediction, because I do not see the Vikes being 7-0 after this Sunday.


Prediction:

Vikes 23
Steelers 27

I surely hope that I am wrong.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!

Friday Preview: Ravens(3-2) @ Vikings(5-0)

The upcoming game this Sunday looks to be a good one. The Viking will be hosting the Baltimore Ravens at home. This is going to be an interesting game, the Ravens are better than what their record displays. Baltimore is 3-2, but they are so much like the Vikes in every category from offense to defense. So this is a team that is not to be taken lightly. Some keys of the game for the Vikes to come out on top:

Fluster Joe’s Feathers. The improvement that Joe Flacco has made from year one to year two is reason enough for the Viking fans to be worried. Jared Allen and Co. will be on lookout to keep the pressure on Flacco, so that he does not find comfort in the pocket. If he does it is going to be a LONG day for the secondary. Considering the Vikes defense has been getting picked apart by mediocre to average QBs the past couple of weeks. The Vikes passing defense has a HUGE hole between the LBs and secondary. To compete in this game, the Vikes will have to conquer this task at hand.

Play Complete Offense. To win at home on Sunday, the Viking will also need to do well in both phases of offense run and pass. Ray Lewis and his bruisers are a great defense. The Ravens will be trying all they can to stop AD from start to finish. This is something every team has been aiming to do all season long, so I do not see any changes this week. If Favre can keep the Ravens guess what the Vikes will do next. Then the Vikes will have a much better chance sustaining drives and scoring more points. The Vikes are 5-0, the problem is that the Vikes have faced teams that are average to poor this season, thus far. Here is the 1st real test for the Viking offense to show the NFL that they are for real.

The Viking O-Line will also have a job to try to keep the blitz friendly defense from sitting in Favre’s lap for the afternoon. As long as the Vikings cam limited the times Favre gets hit, then passing game should be fine.

Keep Em In Check. The Vikes defense will also need to limit the Raven rushing attack. Ray Rice has become the running back of choice in his second season. He is a speedster averaging over 5.5 yards a carry. The front 7 of the Vikes will need to get after this kid early, so that he is not able to get into a rhythm. With the way the Ravens OC calls his plays while a head (unlike the Vikings) the run the ball down your throat to run out the clock. So this is going to be a good matchup, plus Matt Birk will be back in Minnesota since leaving this past offseason.

Looking over both teams this sure would be a great game to watch, this is going to be a good ole fashion smash mouth football. These are the game I enjoy to see. In the end I think the team with the fewest mistakes will be the Victors.


The Prediction:
Vikes 30
Ravens 23
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!

Vikes-Rams Preview

With the Vikes coming off two big victories over the 49ers and Packers. Both games is where Favre came to life abd throw over 250 yards each game. Before that Chilly did pass all that much especially the deep ball.
With Vikes travels to St.Louis to take on the Rams on Sunday. Both team are on the opposite sides of the spectrum. The Vikes currently sit at 4-0 and the Rams are struggling with an 0-4 record. I would not be the first to think of this, but I could see the Vikes screwing up this game. With their history, sure they can beat the good teams and the next week lose to a poor football.

What to expect in the game:

Adrian to forget the past two week. Peterson was shutdown for him the past two games. He has one TD(1 yard score against the Pack) and 140 yards. I would expect to see Adrian to get back into his old form against the games rush defense this week. The Rams have given up 135 yards per contest so far in this young season. So why no AD add torture on the ground.

Pass Defense. It just seems that the Vikes defense are not all gelled together yet and we are entering Week 5. The Vikes pass defense is Achilles heel right now. The Rams are not potent passing team that they were a couple of years ago. It would be a start especially after what Aaron Rogers did to the pass coverage of the Vikings in the last quarter and a half of Mondays game.
Steven Jackson. This Rams offense right here. The Vikes rush defense will need to stop him early so that he does not get his motor running. Jackson is the ype of back that thrives on smash mouth football. So if the front 7 can take care of business, then the Rams will be in for a long game on Sunday.

The prediction:
Vikes 27 Rams 10
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

Vikes Preview: Packers(2-1) vs. Vikings (3-0)

This week, the Vikes will be playing host to the Green bay Packers, the Packers are hoping the get a W before their bye week. The Packers sure do a have a decent offense, in which they bring to the Dome. The Vikes will have to do what most of the other teams have been doing to Aaron Rodgers for the majority of the 1^st quarter of the season. That would be is sack him and rub his nose in it. He has been the most sacked QB this season, thus far at 12.The Packer offensive line has had trouble protecting him and keeping him upright. With the Vikes pass rush coming from their front 7, they should not have much trouble rattling Rogers early.

The Vikes will have to disrupt Rodgers timing with his receivers early and often. If Rogers has time, he sure can pick apart a secondary in a hurry.

In Packers running back, Ryan Grant’s career vs. the Vikings, he has had good games running the ball against them. That is surprising to most, because the stiff rushing defense that has been an NFL best for the past 4 years of so. The Williams Wall will need to get started early and stuff Grant at the line for most of the game. Then the Packers will need to rely on the pass to win this one.

The Vikes have has close games, in every game so far this season. Last week sure was a nail biter, with Favre throwing a TD pass to WR Greg Lewis with 2 seconds left in the game. Favre claims that he will not be seeking revenge on the Packer organization. Fans and media have their doubt, with Favre trying to get back at Thompson and McCarthy for not taking his back. Favre is now a Viking and showing the NFL that he can still manage the game as a QB and win when the team is relying on him to make a play.

With the passing game with Brett Favre under the helm, now teams have to worry about the Viking passing the ball. Dear god no!!!!! Last week, something strange happened the 1^st 300 yard passing game under Brad Childress. Favre should be effective throwing the ball on Monday, but let us just hope that he look more like the QB from the first and fourth quarters in the 49er game.

I think the Peterson will be start of the show on Monday Night; the Packer defense has been giving up nearly 130 yard a game on the ground. This is great news for the Vikings to hear, with the West Coast Offense that they thrive on running the ball down the defenses’ throat.

With how the Packer defense is going right now, I do not think that this game will be close what so ever.

Vikings 33

Packers 10

SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Friday Preview: 49ers(2-0) @ Vikings(2-0)

The Vikings will host 49ers teams is build like the Vikings. I think that this will be a tough one for the Vikings all game. So this means that the Purple People will need to play well the entire game. So no playing subpar in the 1^st half and the 2^nd half play like the 2-0 team that they are.

With the Viking will need to keep their sight set on Frank Gore of the 49ers, so far this season he 237 yard, he had 200 yard rushing the last game. If the Viking can keep the 49ers out of their pounding the rock type of rushing attack, then the 49ers will be forced to pass the ball. Former Viking Shaun Hill has been decent this season, but will nothing like the Viking defense so far this season.

The offense will have to be crisp for the first home game of the season. Adrain Peterson has not practice much this week with back issues, but he has his sights set for the 49ers defense. The worse rushing game of his career came against San Fran his rookie season gain 3 yards on 13 carries. Now this is a different team from the one with a couple year back.

Now the Vikes have a good corps of receivers (Berrian,Rice and Harvin) and a QB in Brett Favre that is accurate(knock on wood) and able to make quick decisions.With many people wondering if Favre can still make the deep pass? Who know with the Chilly play calling.

This game is going to be a nail bitter til the end.

Viking 20

49ers 17

SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Preview Friday: Week 2

With the 1-0 Viking heading over Lake Michigan to take on the 0-1 Lions, this will for both teams’ 1^st NFC North game of the season. The Lion will try to win their first game since Week 16 of their ’07 season. It does not matter how good either is it is always a true blue and blue division game. Both teams pounding each other for the full 60 minutes of the game and the outcome lately has been in the Vikings favor.

Some Things to Watch For:

With the second start of young Matthew Stafford’s career is going to be coming against one of the best defensive units in the league. Stafford had a rough debut throwing 3 INTs against the Saints. The Vikings defense will be set to continue the painful start of Stafford’s NFL career. I hope to see Stafford on the turf more than he is under center come Sunday.

Calvin Johnson is a tall strong receiver and become the number one guy when the Lion traded away Roy E. Williams to the Cowboys. Antonio Winfield and Johnson will be locking horns all day long. Winfield is one of the most underrate cornerbacks in the league. It is going to be a good matchup to see all day long.

Will be Jared Allen be visible in the game?

With the way that he was shutdown by the Browns stud tackle Joe Thomas last week (1 assisted tackle for the game). He will be a raging bull for this game and will be out to put some hurt Stafford and running backs.

What will the Lion try to stop run or the pass?

I think that the Lion will TRY to stop the run; because that is the way the Chilly runs the offense. I think that the Vikes offense just has too much talent for the Lions to content with. Everyone knows what we have in Peterson, a running back that has the speed, strength and agility all in one package.Taylor that could start for most teams in the NFL. The receiving corps the Vikes have in:Berrian, Rice, and Harvin now talk about a need for speed. The Vikes have plenty of that to go around

What do Vikes need to do in this game to win it?

The Vikes will need to establish the passing game to keep the Lions defense honest against the run.

The Prediction:

Vikings 26

Lions 10

SKOL VIKINGS!!!