This game on Sunday will be an interesting one. The Eagles and Viking are like one another in many ways. You just do not know which team will be showing up on any particular Sunday.For the Vikes will the team that inched pass the Lions or will they put a game together like they did against the Bears at the Thunderdome. For the Eagles, will the team that tied the Bengals or the team the beat the Giants come out of the locker room.
The team statistically are a very close match. On the offense side of the ball, the Eagles have the edge with a pretty good passing game. Viking fans know that our secondary has been giving us fits for the past couple of years. What we do not have in a QB we have in NFL league leader in Adrian Peterson that can turn the game around with a blink of an eye. The Vikes announced that Phat Pat will be returned for the playoffs. So this is a bummer for the Eagles not they have to content with the WALL.
In the playoffs, the thing that kills you most is turnovers. The team controls the turnover battle will be the victor on Sunday.If the Vikes win they will be playing the Panthers abd if the Eagles win they will be playing the Giants.
30 December 2008
This week
This week for me is going to crazy, because Mrs. GB Nordic and I are closing on a home today. So I we are hoping to get everything moving in by Thursday. I might be a little slow getting the game recap up this week.
29 December 2008
Rushing Title
AD THE RUSHING CHAMPVikes WIN NFC NORTH
In a game that did not matter to the New York Giants, the Vikes were the victors 20-19. In the start of the game the Vikes were not playing like hey had anything to play for. They were just flat out FLAT. There was not score in the opening quarter by either side. In the second quarter, the Vikes had some moments of life, the Ryan Longwell 48 yard field goal to open the quarter. Adrian Peterson was bombarded with defenders for the most of the game. He did get a seem to go the distance for 67 yards for a touchdown. AD rushed for 103 yards on 21 carries including one fumble that Jimmy Kleinsasser recovered(we do not need anymore of those). With the Giants answering with field goals the Vikes were ahead 10-9 at half time. With the help of Eli manning moving the ball consistently.
in the second half, Davis Carr was the QB for the Giants and he opened the half with a TD scoring drive with a 23 yard TD pass to David Hixon.This put the Giants up 16-10.
Tarvaris Jackson had a tough day with little protection coming from the line. He was 16-26 239 yards 1 TD and 1 INT(which the Giants did get 3 point off of). The Vikes were down 19-10 in the fourth quarter. Bernard Berrian was wide open after the cornerback fell down and Jackson hit him for a 54 yard TD strike, and that put the score 17-10.
The Giants nest time with the ball, they did have a good drive. They had a chance with a 48 yards field goal, but it was WIDE RIGHT!!
The Vikes retain the ball with 3:17 left in the game. Here is the play-by-play:
| 3:17) 7-T.Jackson pass short left to 87-B.Berrian ran ob at MIN 45 for 7 yards. PENALTY on NYG-57-C.Blackburn, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at MIN 38 - No Play. | |
| 1-10-MIN 43 | (3:10) 28-A.Peterson up the middle to MIN 43 for no gain (53-B.Kehl). |
| 2-10-MIN 43 | (2:34) 7-T.Jackson pass short right to 38-N.Tahi to MIN 45 for 2 yards (55-D.Clark). |
| 3-8-MIN 45 | (2:00) (Shotgun) 7-T.Jackson pass short right to 87-B.Berrian pushed ob at NYG 46 for 9 yards (35-K.Dockery). |
| Two-Minute Warning | |
| 1-10-NYG 46 | (1:55) 28-A.Peterson left end to NYG 39 for 7 yards (35-K.Dockery; 95-J.McDougle). |
| 2-3-NYG 39 | (1:20) 28-A.Peterson up the middle to NYG 38 for 1 yard (57-C.Blackburn, 37-J.Butler). |
| Timeout #2 by MIN at 01:11. | |
| 3-2-NYG 38 | (1:11) 7-T.Jackson pass short right to 81-V.Shiancoe to NYG 30 for 8 yards (53-B.Kehl). |
| 1-10-NYG 30 | (:36) 28-A.Peterson up the middle to NYG 32 for -2 yards (24-T.Thomas). |
| Timeout #3 by MIN at 00:09. | |
| Timeout #2 by NYG at 00:09. | |
| 2-12-NYG 32 | (:09) 7-T.Jackson pass incomplete short right to 19-B.Wade. |
| Timeout #3 by NYG at 00:05. | |
| 3-12-NYG 32 | (:05) 8-R.Longwell 50 yard field goal is GOOD |
The field goal by Ryan Longwell puts the Vikes in the playoffs and host a game at home.
The Vikes will be facing a Eagles on Sunday @3:30.
26 December 2008
Pregame: Giants(12-3) @ Vikings(9-6)
Can they or Can’t they that is the Question. With the Vikes unable to beat the Atlanta Falcons last week in the Thunderdome to give them the division and a playoff berth. The Vikes still control their own destiny this Sunday when they faceoff against the New York Giants at home.
The thing that helps out the Vikes is that the Giants have nothing else to play for, considering they have wrapped up the NFC side for home field advantage. Some of the starts could be sit parts or all the game to rest them for the playoffs. If the Giants do sit RB Brandon Jacobs would make things considerably easier for the Vikes for they are without Pat Williams. I think that Vikes will not have much trouble holding the Giants running attack is the best in the league this season averaging over 150 yards a game. If the Vikes defense can shutdown the Giants run away runners and keep the QB if it is Eli Manning or David Carr under constant pressure. The defense will shut the Giants down.
With the Tarvaris Jackson at the helm for the third straight start, had a good game against the Falcons. He threw for a season-high 233 yards and two touchdowns. T-Jack had become more comfortable in the pocket hitting the open receivers and not overthrowing them as much. If the Adrian Peterson can get the wheels turning and not fumble the ball away like he did last week. I cannot see the Vikes losing to a Giants team the will be playing their backups much of the game. They beloved purple will be playing with pride and try to make the playoffs the 1st time in the Brad Childress era.
23 December 2008
Wait til Sunday
I could not believe that I actually subjected myself to root for the Packers last night. The Packers blew a 7 point lead late in the 4th quarter to lose it in in OT. Now the Vikes are in control of their own destiny this weekend when they host the Giants. The real question is: Will the Vikes be able to get past the G-men or will the visions of week 17 2003 come back to haunt us. The Bears will needs to do more than special teams to beat the Texans as well.
22 December 2008
Viking Dispair: Atlanta 24 Vikes 17
The Vikes were unable to secure the NFC North on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons 24-17. They were not beat by the ground game of the Falcons or the jump start rookie QB in Matt Ryan. The thing that beat the Vikes on Sunday was themselves. They were able to hang on the ball putting the ball on the turf 7 times and losing 4 of those fumbles. It was difficult to watch the game seeing the Vikes being severely outplayed by the Falcons at home.
The first drive by the Falcons ended with a touchdown and the Vikes answer with 90 yards drive ending with a 21 yard TD pass to Visanthe Shiancoe. After the defense held the Falcons to a 3 and out, the ensuring punt was fumbled by Berrian and that led to a touchdown by the Falcons. After that the Vikes were unable to get back in the game and the ball really starting going down to turf for the Vikes.
The quarterback playing the Tarvaris Jackson was pretty good much of the day. He was 22 of 36 for 233 with two touchdowns and 0 INTS. T-Jack rushed for 76 yards on eight carries, but he had two fumbles (one a snap WELL over his head). One thing the T-Jack needs to learn is the QB pansy slide or his life as an NFL QB will be ended sooner than later.
The play from Adrian was not all day as we are accustomed to. He was sleepy on Sunday or something. He was horrific with his ball handling 3 fumbles sure he rushed for 76 yards. He is the BEST running back in the NFL; he did not play like it on Sunday.
Visanthe Shiancoe played the best game in his NFL career, trying so hard to win this one for the home crowd. Shanks caught seven passes for 136 yards and had two touchdowns. I was impressed with his play on Sunday at least, but hopefully there is more of this to come from the Nudist.
The play the was the winning score for the Falcons was when Matt Ryan fumbled the ball at the one yard line and the ball was lose in the end zone. 2 Viking defenders had a chance to get fumble Darren “Too Slow” Sharper and Cedric Griffin. It was the 6-foot-4, 330-pound Blalock who pounced on the ball instead, giving Atlanta a 24-7 lead late in the third quarter.
The Vikes did have a chance to win the game with 2:44 left in the game both Jackson and Peterson fumbled on the drive and Atlanta pressing Jackson not giving him time. The Vikes failed on fourth down. This gives the Falcons a playoff berth, the 1st since 2004.
Now the Vikes ask the Packers to win tonight so the Vikes will then be the division champs and will make the playoffs. If the Bears win tonight, the Vikes either have to win or Bears will need to lose next week. We shall see what all happens tonight. GO PACK GO
18 December 2008
Falcons(9-5) vs Vikings(9-5)
Season Averages for both Clubs:
| The Falcons | Vikings |
| Offense: | |
| Total Yards: 367.1(5th Rank in NFL) | 329.3(16) |
| Rushing: 148.7(1) | 147.6(3) |
| Passing: 218.4(13) | 181.6(26) |
| Defense | |
| Total Yards:242.4(23) | 292.9(8) |
| Rushing: 120.2(22) | 71.2(1) |
| Passing:223.3(23) | 221.6(22) |
The Vikings have a job to finish this week with the Atlanta Falcons coming to the Thunderdome. With a win this week the Vikes will clinch the NFC North and will be going to be in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.It would be the first time in the Brad Childress era.
As seen above, the #1 rushing offense and defense will be facing off, in Atlanta and Minnesota. The Vikes have lost Pat Williams for at least the rest of the season with a fractured shoulder. With the Vikes rotating players in the NT position to fill to gap in the middle. I have faith that the Vike will stop the Flacon flying rushing attack with the key players in Jared Allen and Kevin Williams. With the Rookie QB Atlanta has in Matt Ryan is clearly the ROY this season. The Vikes will need to get to him and rattle him and give him no time in the pocket, because he is a good pocket passer when given the time by his line. Jared Allen and company will need to suffocate him leaving no room for Ryan to breathe all day.
The Viking offense lead by Adrian Peterson will need to start up early again in this game and get the crowd in the game. Tarvaris Jackson has been given the call to start for the Vikes on Sunday, after the way he has been playing I do not think Chilly had much of a choice. With T-Jack’s performance last week earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Never thought I would hear that this season). If Peterson can get the motor going against the bottom tier rush defense, the Vikes should not have much of a problem running to ball of these guys. The offense needs to see some big plays against this week to win this to punch their ticket to the postseason.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!
16 December 2008
Pro Bowl Announced
The NFL announced the players that will be heading to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl at the end of the season. The Vikes will be sending six this season to the Pro Bowl.
CB Antoine Winfield*
RB Adrian Peterson*
OG Steve Hutchinson*
DT Kevin Williams *
DE Jared Allen
DT Pat Williams
*starters in the Pro Bowl
Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield has finally made the Pro Bowl in his 10th season. Winfield, one of the most underrated corners in the league, learned the news Tuesday.He also said he is going to be taking the secondary to the Pro Bowl as well.Every player for the Vikes desevre to be going, but it has been a long time coming for Winfield.
15 December 2008
News on Phat Pat
Surely everyone saw Pat Williams being carted off the field yesterday with a shoulder injury. Viking Nation found out today how badly injured the shoulder is. It is a fractured right shoulder that will put him out for at least 2-6 weeks. For right now Fred Evans will be starting in the place for Pat Williams at the nose tackle position, but Childress said the team could rotate several players in that spot, including fellow Pro Bowl tackle Kevin Williams.
The timing of the injury is not the best when the faceoff against the Falcons one of best running offense this year. We shall see if the Vikes will be able to march on the Phat Pat standing on the sideline.
Viking Triumph: Vikes 35 Cardinals 14
The Vikes went to the desert to play the Cardinals; they came out of the desert with a victory. Tarvaris Jackson started in the place of injured Gus Frerotte. Jackson has been sideline since after the Week 2 loss to the Colt and came in late in the 1st half last week. Jackson did not throw all that much but when he did he made it count he was 11-17 163 yards 4 TOUCHDOWNS and 0 INTS. Jackson has shown his ability the throw the deep ball accurately now. If Jackson can continue to play like this, he gives the Vikes the best chance to win.
Adrian Peterson had a great day all day against the Cardinals, went through the defense for 165 yards on 28 hand offs, but no touchdowns. He ripped through the defense with ease and is now in possession of the Viking single season rushing mark with 1581 rushing yards for the season. Peterson keeps the running game steaming ahead with him and Taylor rushing over 200 yards for the game.
Bernard Berrian had 2 huge plays in the game. That is all he needed to do some damage on the scoreboard. The first time was an 82 yard punt return for a touchdown and the other was a 41 yard touchdown bomb from Jackson both happened in the first quarter.
On the other side of the ball the Vikes pummeled Kurt Warner did not give him a chance to breathe in the pocket. Warner was seeing Purple surrounding him most of the game. This is a reason why the number 2 pass offense passed for 270 yards 1 TD(50 yard pass) and 1 INT. The secondary did an excellent job in coverage and tacking receivers when they did catch the ball. Most of the passes were short and not the usual long deep killers that the Cards are accustomed to completing. The Vikes took away the Cardinal identity in this game not allowing Warner to get comfortable in the pocket.
With the 35-14 victory the magic number is one for the Vikes to make the postseason. In the next two games the Vikes have to either win one game or the Bears lose a game for it to happen.
12 December 2008
Starcaps Case
The Case involving Vikings Kevin and Pat Williams, as well as 3 Saints player will be active for the remainer of the season including the postseason. It will take a while to get this mess sorted out. Full steam ahead for the Vikes not having to worry about losing the Wall this season at least.
11 December 2008
Pregame:Vikes(8-5) vs Cardinals(8-5)
Season Averages for both Clubs:
The Cardinals
Offense:
Total Yards-376.4(4th NFL Rank)
Rushing- 75.4(32)
Passing- 301.0(2)
Defense:
Total Yards- 321.6(10)
Rushing- 96.5 (12)
Passing- 216.1(14)
Vikings:
Offense:
Total Yards-324.2(18th NFL Rank)
Rushing- 140.6 (6)
Passing- 183.5(25)
Defense:
Total Yards- 291.1(7)
Rushing- 73.4(2)
Passing- 217.7(20)
With all of Viking Nation cheering for the Saints to win tonight when they travel to Solider Field to face off against the Bears. The Vikes need to win the game on Sunday for the Vikes to make it to the playoffs.
The Vikes will be playing with Tarvaris Jackson under center for possibly the next few weeks, because Frerotte went down when he was trying to tackle a Lion that intercepted a tip ball. It will be interesting to see if Jackson can step up with this opportunity to start again this season. Can Jackson lead the team down the field; sustain drive against a team that actually prepared for him? If we can pass the ball effectively that means Peterson should have a good day on the ground against a top 10 rush defense in the league. Adrian needs continue what he does best: Pound the defense all game long. If we can move the ball and score touchdown will only be half the battle.
The other will be the defense and special teams. With or without the Williams Wall, the Vikes should have no problems with the rushing offense of the Cardinals being the worst in the league. The scary part of the Cardinals is stopping their passing attack. They have one of the best QBs this season in Kurt Warner, he has over 4,000 yards passing and 25 TDs. Warner has receivers that can make big plays on both side Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. If the Vikes are able to slow down the Warner show, the Vikes will have a good chance in winning the game this Sunday.