Vikes down in Denver 22-19

Vikes @ Broncos Boxscore

The Vikes most of the game have looked flatter than the Great Plains most of the game. They showed little life most of the game against the Broncos. There was not life in them until they entered the 4^th quarter of play. It was not until the Vikes trailed 19-3 until they did anything about it. After that point, the Vikes offense had no problem passing against the Broncos zone defense. Tarvaris Jackson was completing pass after pass in the two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Tavaris Jackson had two touchdown passes to Bobby Wade and two 2-point conversions he ran in for successful conversions to tie the game up at 19 all. That is how the game lasted until the overtime period. The Vikes lucked out for a moment and had the ball first. Tarvaris Jackson fumbled the ball away DEEP in their own territory. The play was under review, but it was not even close. Denver recovered the ball cleanly. The 1^st play Denver kicked the ball for a 30 yard field goal behind the trusty leg of Jason Elam. That ended the game with the Broncos on top 22-19.

It was unbelievable the run late in the game the Vikes did put on. Most of the game it was difficult to listen to them doing their usual shooting themselves in the foot. The offense was in great rhythm, but the Vikes had so many miscues throughout the game for them to overcome. The first but not the last was the Chester Taylor fumble while he was trying to score a TD. Of course there was Troy Williamson and his dropped passes he had in the game. The one that hurt the most was the one he dropped when he burned the Bronco defended. Tarvaris saw that he was WIDE open and he delivered to him and it fell right through his hands. This would have been a 73 yard touchdown from Tarvaris to Williamson.

With the inability for Adrian Peterson to ran the ball as of late has been hard to watch\listen to. Sure it was exciting seeing him burning defenses early in the season. I hope that he returns to his pre-knee injury form next season. On defense, the secondary was shows everyone why they are one of the worst against the pass. The passing was nonstop against the Purple Pride. With this game the Broncos were able to run easily against the Vikes. With the mistackles on defense something that the fans were not accustomed to see from the Vikes most of the season.

The penalty that hurt the worst was the illegal hands to the face in the end zone by Ryan Cook , by rule is a safety. This games sums up the season pretty much, with the inconsistency of the offense and the defense “pass protection” we could not get the job done when we needed it.

Note:

All I wanted from the Vikes was improvement and they showed me that in 8-8. It gives me hopes for this team next season. Now for the offseason!!

Keys to winning in Denver

With the heartbreaking loss To the 'Skins hurting all over to the fans of Viking Nation.Losing this game hurt our chances on the playoffs. In order for the Vikes to think about making they have to win in Denver and the Cowboys have to beat the Skins. That is the only way for the Vikes to make the postseason. Now to business what do the Vikes need to do to walk away with a victory from Denver:

1.Keep the pressure on. The Vikes front 7 need to keep pressure on Cutler. He is still a young QB and is bound to fumble it away(something he has done 17 out 20 starts) or an interception for out secondary.We cannot let him ripe apart out secondary that is something that he has shown he is able to do this year.So Vikes keep on the pressure.


2. The secondary matchups. Our secondary needs to stop the big Denver receivers from killing our DBs. If we let Denver pass against us like we did against Washington. Then we might as well pack our bags and go home and wait from next season.This is out last hope. The run the defense should be able to shutdown the running backs . Considering they are giving up less that 70 yards per game. Denver will be attacking our young CBs all game and try to burn them.

3.The run game. The Broncos will try to pack 8 or 9 up from to stop our explosive running attack we have. We can deal with this it comes with the territory from AD and CT. Our line needs to explode off the ball the open up some nice hole for the talented RBs which we to run through. We need to actually run the ball more than we have the past couple of games.Show the country that the Vikes were not just a pretender.

4. Pass all day. T-Jack should have plenty of room to pass if the defense is going to stack 9 guys in the box. So I think that he will have another 200 plus passing ball game as well as a 50 yard rushing game as well. I believe that he needs to show the fans that he is their guy and there is nothing to worry about having him behind center.

Here are some of the keys the Vikes have to do to come away from Denever with a victory.

The Prediction

Vikes 30
Broncos 24

Brad holds our fate

That is right. The former Vike Brad Johnson holds the playoff fate for the Vikes. This is due because the Cowboys do not really have anything else to play for. The Cowboys need to win over the Skins next week for us to have a chance to get into the playoffs. We also have to win in order for this to happen. We all wil be watching this game Dallas against the Skins on Sunday hoping for Brad to win over the the Skins.You never know it could happen.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Childress gets schooled by Gibbs

Coming into this game the Vikes had all the help they need with the Eagles knocking off the Saints earlier in the day. All the Vikes had do is win and they would be in the playoffs. It was obvious from the 1st drive that the Vikes were not ready whatsoever in this game. All night the Skins were one step ahead of the Vikes in the 1st half at least. Tavaris Jackson and the offense could not do anything with the ball when they had it.The Vikes made so many mistakes they could not come back from the 25 point deficit that they created for themselves entering half time. With a feat like that to comeback from meant one thing that the offense had to rely on a subpar passing game.
T-Jack was nor able stay consistent in this game. He had 220 yards passing on 25-41 with 1 passing TD late in the 3rd quarter and 2 INT. He also lead the team in rushing with 44 yards on 8 carries and 2 TDs. The Vikes could not run the ball the way they wanted to AD only had 9 carries for 28 yards in the game. The Skins defense was able to make the BIG play when it was needed it started with the 1st pass of the game with an INT thrown by T-Jack.

The Redskins offense lead by Todd Collins was running great on all area. The Vikes could nor stop the pass as usual. They passed for about 250 yards.The Sins pass consistency opened up the running game.The Skins could nor really run the ball til the 4th quarter. Then Clinton Portis was finding so nice holes to run through. Giving him76 yards rushing.This was a LONG game from a die hard Viking fan. I live and die by the Purple.

The team in general was outplayed and out coached by the Redskins.The game is over and we will step on foot in front of another come tomorrow.
We can still make the playoffs. Here is what NEEDS to happen.
Vike win in Denver
AND
Washington loss against Dallas.
SKOL VIKINGS

Pregame:The 'Skins @ the Vikes

With both teams in the hunt for the final playoff spot it is a must win for both teams. The Vikes are currently at 8-6 and hold second wild card spot and the Redskins are at 7-7 and need some help in order to make the postseason. There are some keys that Vikes need to do to stop the Skins especially after they barely skated past the struggling Bears last week.
1. Pressure the QB. With Todd Collins a veteran backup has had a decent couple of games since he is in for the injured Jason Campbell. With the Vikes doing a good job with the blitz and pressure on the QBs they have faced. So why change bring on the pressure. Make Collins uncomfortable in the pocket. So then he will be forced into making bad decisions.

2. Stop the run. With Portis having a desent year. The Viking run stop excelling with 2 Pro bowl tackles in the Williams Wrecking Crew(WCW). I figure the WCW will do a stellar job at stopping the Redskin running backs in this game. I think that this is key to take away all of the weapons that the Skins possess.

3. Run Vikes run.With the best running game in the NFL this season. I have a feeling that Taylor will be getting more than 8 carries in this game. So then the Skins will be seeing more running during this game. The Vikes cannot rely on the pass like other teams this year at least. Childress just has to run with AD and CT pure and simple.

4. Back to management. Last game it seems that Tarvaris Jackson was out of his element. He had almost 30 passes in a game. That is a season high. It is something that we Viking fans are not use to seeing from the offense. So continue with the maturing process of T-Jack with the nice short passes. It has worked all season why switch it up now.

These keys will be essential to win under the light of Sunday Night Football. I believe that the Vikes will prevail after Sunday is over.

The Prediction

Vikes 20
Skins 10

#The playoff senario is that the Vikes need to win and the Saint need to tie or lose then we make the post season the 1st time since 2005.

SKOL VIKES

Probowl Players

The Vikes are sending 7 that is right I did not stutter 7 player to the Pro Bowl. I am just happy that we are sending that many. Sure there are some players I think that should be going but

Rookie running back Adrian Peterson(1)* is among seven Vikings players named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster for the Feb. 10 game in Honolulu. Joining Peterson on the team will be fullback Tony Richardson(3), left guard Steve Hutchinson(5), center Matt Birk(6), strong safety Darren Sharper(5), defensive tackle Kevin Williams(2) and nose tackle Pat Williams(2).
All players are starting besides Birk.

I am not that sure how Richardson and Sharper got in. They played good this year. I did not see them as Pro Bowl type players on this year.
I am with everyone else EJ Henderson got the shaft from the Pro Bowl voters.It is going to be nice to see some more purple and yellow in Hawaii this year.He has been a monster on the field playing with intensity every play of every game. I love to watch his play every game.Maybe in the future.

* the number indicates the number of Pro Bowl appearances in each player's career.

It was ugly but a win is a win

The Vikes sweep the Bears.With a score 20-13 over Chicago. That is something that the Vikes have a hard time doing. It does not matter how both teams are playing the Bears is always a game that is circled in the schedule. Coming into the game I figured that was going to be a fight to the finish.It was a great NFC North defense game the whole day.If you are looking for offensive powered game. You tuned into the wrong game. It is a NFC North rivalry game.
The Vikes have now shown that they are able to win the close games as well as the blow outs. The Vikes offense was decent , but did not do anything that magnificent during the Bears this time.
Tarvaris Jackson had a rough game that is the only word that I can think of to explain his play last night at the Metrodome. He was 18-29 for 249 yars(carrer high) 3ints 1 fumble.He made some bad throws. TJack seemed a little antsy and did not look that he was very comfortable in the pocket. Some of the throws he could have thrown aways but he decided to force the throw. Every young quarterback has games like this.We will see what he does next week Sunday night against the 'Skins @ the Metrodome.
The Vikings star rookie tailback was coming off the "worst game he has ever play" as he stated earlier in the week. The Bears defense contained him most of the game. They did not want him to rush over 200 like he did earlier in the season. They kept his yardage down, but they could not keep him out of the end zone where it really counted.After his day in the office, AD had 78 yards on 20 attempts and 2 TDs(1,8). He had a couple long Petersonesc runs. The Vikes were forced to rely on the pass. Something they have been unable to do well and consistently all season. They were able to win the game with the combination run and pass.

The Viking defense was the real reason why we were in this game at all and end up winning it. A defense let by the Willaimses' and the pass rush they stopped and shutdown the Bears' passing game. Earlier in the week, Lovie Smith decided to try Kyle Orton out as the starting QB. From the 1st series on he was blitzed rushed. He could not do anther back there. Some of the throws were off target and not even close. THe Bears running game was as pathetic as the passing game. They Vikes held them to 8 three and outs. The Vikes defense was the MVP of this game. The play that sealed the game was the hail mary pass by Orton was a hair too short to Bernard Berrian in End zone and was intercepted by Dareen Sharper. Then the Vikes could just run out the clock.I was a great defensive game to watch but, what do you expect when we play the Bears.A nice smash mouth football game. The team that is playing the best D usually wins these contests and that was the case last night.
now the Vikes make it 5 STRAIGHT wins. Now that is impressive on how we started off.AS long as we can keep the winning going. We might even get in at the #5 playoff spot. Time will just tell.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!

Da Bears Coming to the Dome

With the Bears coming the the Dome and out of the playoff picture. They are going to try halt the Viking playoff hopes. Currently they hold the second wildcard spot. There are some keys that the Norsemen need to do to come out on tops against Da Bears.

1. Keep up the Pressure. With the defense constantly pressuring the QB ever since that Giants game. It gives an experienced QB a difficult time to pass the ball and figure out the defense. With Kyle Orton starting against the Vikes he will be having the Purple People in his face all game long.

2.Stopping the Run. This is something the Vikes have been able to do the past couple season. The main reason is they have the Williams Wrecking Crew(WWC). They need to stop whatever run the Bears do have. Maybe the WWC will get to their goal allowing 30 yards a game.

3. Run away. With AD coming off a difficult game against the 49ers. He is out to punish so defense. Sadly to say for Bears fans. It will more likely it will be against them. AD is averaging over 100 yards a game.This should a fun running game to watch.With Chester Taylor the other side of the 2 headed monster running attack they have. It gives defenses a heck of a time to prepare for 2 great running backs.

4. Manage it. With Tarvaris Jackson passing the ball with ease from the great play-action faking out the defenses focusing on stopping the Viking running game. In his second year he is doing great sustaining drives. Against the Bears he needs to keep up what he has been doing. Throwing the short pass and relying in his instincts.

In closing I think that the Vikings will win this game on Monday Night. Show the nation that they are a force to reckoned with.

The prediction:
Vikes 30
Bears 21
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

I introduce to you:Kyle Orton(Bears) Todd Collins(Redskins).

Here are the two QBs that Viking defense gets to defend against the next two weeks. Both are backups and have had not that much of NFL action in their career. Orton have had the most pretty much all that coming his rookie season after the Grossman knee injury.
It is going to nice to see how these QBs take the pressure the Vikes apply to the QB as of late.

VIkes on Sunday Night

With the play that the Vikes as of late. The NFL flex schedule announced that the Washington @Minnesota game has been moved. Instead of playing at noon it will be the Sunday night day for week 15. With both teams currently competing for the 6th wildcard spot.This should be a great game to watch. We Viking fans sure do get a treat Monday Night then Sunday Night.
SKOL VIKINGS.

Viking Rolling:Vikes 27 49ers 7

The way that the tables turn for Viking fans in a month. A month ago, the state of the Vikings were buzzing in wonder somethings like: Was Tarvaris Jackson worth a 2nd round pick? Should we just fire Brad Childress already?
Now look art where we are. The Vikings hold the 2nd wildcard spot as we speak. So now they control their own destiny for the playoffs.

The Vikes play a great 1st half of football with a 27-0. The second half the Vikes were not that impressive. The defense for the 49ers really clamped the Viking offense down. A win is a win with the 27-7 blowout of the 49ers.

Tarvaris Jackson

He has shown in the past month that he can lead his team down the field with consistent play and good decision making. The 1st half, he was picking apart the 49er defense with his precision passes. By the end of the game, he was 16-25, for 163 yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. He is doing a great job with the young receiving corps.
With Jackson healthy and injury-free is a joy to watch his play.

Chester Taylor

CT makes a statement during this game that defenses should not forget about him as a running back. The 49er defense zeroed in on AD all game long as stopped him with 3 total rushing yards all game long. With the 2 headed monster the Vikes have not problem. CT had 101 yards on 8 carries. Moat of the yards coming off a 84 yard(longest run from scrimmage this season) TD run.I kind of wished that the Vikes would have ran the ball more with their hot running back in CT. With this performance, it gives opposing defenses a more difficult task that they have shutdown two great running backs.Run CT &AD Run.

Defense Shutdown

As the story goes you win with good defense. The Vikes face a sub par offense in the 49ers. In the 1st half it started out ugly. The 1st play was a penalty, then an interception by 3ll lb Kevin Williams and rumbles for am 18 yard TD return.His partner in crime also Pat Williams also had an interception in the game. The big men can stop the run as well as intercept passes.The defense dominated the 49ers most of the game.The Vikes hold Frank Gore under 70 yards rushing(their monster of a tail back).The 49ers had some great plays but could not be consistent only manging 1 TD all game long.They sure did change for what they use to be with their winning ways.

Next on tap
The Vikings have a Monday night game at the Metrodome against the Bears.Earlier in the season the Vikes beat the Bear at Solider field the 1st time since 2000. Nobody is sure who the QB will be Griese or Orton. The Vikes will be preparing for either option, with the defense play of pressuring the QB all game. i believe that the QB will have trouble passing the ball. The running game is virtually nonexistent.With the remaining schedule the Vikes have they can seal up a playoff spot.

ACL stops James come back

Erasmus James has his season cut short after tearing the same ACL he torn last season. He worked his way back into the starting lineup. Then this had to happen. All the hard work and rehab for what. He is back on the IR 14 months after the first one. So now James will have the ACL "repaired" once again. He is done for the rest of the season a good chuck of next season as well.This could not have come at a worse time.

It was the second significant blow to the Vikings defensive line this week. Ray Edwards, who started the first 11 games before giving way to James last week, was suspended Wednesday for violating the NFL's policy on steroids.

So now the Vikes are down the 1st 2 DE on the depth chart. So now the Vikes turn to rookie Brian Robison and second-year pro Jayme Mitchell to fill in for James.

Without James I think that Vikes will do a good job containing San Fran.

Vikes travel to take on 49ers

With the Vikes in playoff contention this is a very winnable game for them. The 49ers cannot stop the run or the pass. The Vikes face a struggling defense. With a HEAVY dose of Peterson and Taylor, look to run all over the niners. The Vikes have an edge in every offensive category.Tarvaris Jackson is doing a great job as of late make defenses have to worry more about the passing game. He has been completing over 70% of his passes in the past few games. He has to continue manging the game and sustaining drives for the Vikes to win.
With the plan of adding pressure on the quiz with the zone blitzing, the quarterbacks have been having a terrible time passing effectively against the Vikes. So for Minnesota to continue the march to make it into the playoffs. They need to stick with everything they are doing and everything with be fine.

My prediction:
Vikes 28
49ers 10

The Vikes need so me help to make to the playoffs :
The team in bold are the ones that need to win for Viking playoff hope to stay alive.

1. Arizona (6-6) at Seattle (8-4)
   
2. Carolina (5-7) at Jacksonville (8-4)
   
3. New Orleans (5-7) at Atlanta (3-9)
   
4. Dallas (11-1) at Detroit (6-6)

Vikes takedown Lions

The Vikes torched the Lions 42-10(most point in the Brad Childress era) at the Metrodome The Vikes were clicking on cylinders today. The Vikes first 5 possessions resulted in a touchdown. The Vikes were unbelievable the way that they played today.


AD is back

With Adrian Peterson back from his knee injury the 1st time. He did not skip a beat after he got warmed up. AD was going left, right and right through the Lion top 10 rush defense. He has only 15 carries 166 yards and 2 Tds(16,13).He has shown everyone that is one of the leagues most dynamic running backs.
Chester Taylor

He lost the starting job early this season, this does not stop him. He and AD are a great tandem of backs that Chilly possess. Taylor had 14 carries 70 yards 1TD(one the 1st drive).With both players getting around 15 carries each, this keeps him and AD fresh, together they give defenses a hell of a time to defense this running game. With him and AD this is the reason the Vikes have the best running game in the league.
T-Jack

With him healthy and confident the Vikings are getting a passing game. In the past 3 games he has had over 70% completion percentage.The more he plays the more he is improving before our eyes. With his stats today, he was 18-24 204 yards 2 tds 1 int. You can see that he is sustaining drives and making better decisions with the ball. He is bringing a more balanced attack for the defense to think about.He is showing us that maybe people were to quick to judge him and he could be the QB of the future.
Aundrae Allison

Double A had a great game today. He had shown us that he can run after the catch for a nice 35 yard gain from a short pass.Everyone else saw his sweet 103 yard return for the TD. After first, I was wondering what the hell is is doing just down it. After he came of the endzone, there was a nice running lane from him to go down the sideline. He went virtually untouched, Jason Hanson the kicker was the only Lion that had a chance of stopping the return for the TD. After this the momentum never went away from the Vikes.

Defense

The defense shows another dominating performance again in the past couple of weeks. The rush defense is still there with their strong line that OLs seem not to be able to move at all for most of the season. Something has been quite different about this defense as of late. Early in the season teams were able to pass on then with ease. Now the Offensive coordinators have had a difficulty pass as of late. The Vikes have a pretty good pair of young cornerbacks in Griffin and McCauley.These guys have been picking up the slack with Winfield battling a bad hamstring.

The Vikes have 4 games left all are pretty winnable.The Vikes are rolling on all cylinders at this point in time. SKOL VIKINGS!!!!!!!!