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)
31 December 2009
30 December 2009
And There Was 8
The Pro Bowl rosters came out yesterday and there are some I expected and other happy to see make the team.The Vikes lead the NFL with 8 selections.On the offense side of the ball, the starter as expected is AD at running back. The Vikes left side of the line will be starting as well, Bryant McKinnie and Steve Huchinson. The backups on offense are QB Brett Favre and Sidney Rice.
I was kind of shocked to see that McKinnie was starting in the Pro Bowl, because of some of his performance in the last month of the season or so.I agree with ESPN, he made it on rep not overall performance. I was happy to see Sidney make the team with the type of breakout season that he is having.
On defense, the starters from the Vikes are DE Jared Allen and DT Kevin William. These are the only two from defense to make the squad.Both defenders are having a good well this season. Both led the NFC in sacks at their position. Allen and Williams are solid Pro Bowl starters.
The special teams player is Heath Farwell.He had led this group to a better year than last season.I think that Harvin would have been a better choice than Farwell.
If everything goes the Vikes way the NFL might have to find replacements due to the Pro Bowl. This season, the Pro Bowl is the week before the Super Bowl at the same location.
I was kind of shocked to see that McKinnie was starting in the Pro Bowl, because of some of his performance in the last month of the season or so.I agree with ESPN, he made it on rep not overall performance. I was happy to see Sidney make the team with the type of breakout season that he is having.
On defense, the starters from the Vikes are DE Jared Allen and DT Kevin William. These are the only two from defense to make the squad.Both defenders are having a good well this season. Both led the NFC in sacks at their position. Allen and Williams are solid Pro Bowl starters.
The special teams player is Heath Farwell.He had led this group to a better year than last season.I think that Harvin would have been a better choice than Farwell.
If everything goes the Vikes way the NFL might have to find replacements due to the Pro Bowl. This season, the Pro Bowl is the week before the Super Bowl at the same location.
29 December 2009
ImBearable: Vikes Lose
The game was going down hill fast as the Bears were capitalizing on the Vikes poor special team coverage that were being shredded by the Bears returner Daniel Manning whenever he had his hands on the ball. The unit had no answer for him(3 returns average 44.7). This group being exposed for most of the game. This what setup most of the Bears scoring drive, the Vikes inability to tackle on the special teams.
In the second half was a different story the Vikings offense trailing 16-0 to open the 3rd quarter. After watching the 1st half that was more run oriented, the play calling was more balance throughout the half. Favre was passing with vengeance and AD was was running like a freak on a leash. In this game, it seemed that Vikes were always a step behind the Bears. Even with the game being sent to OT. Who says Favre is not a cold weather QB anymore. The t effort he put fourth in the second half was a sight with Favre throwing for 280+ yards and a TD. He picked apart the Bears in the last half. It sure is different when your QB has pass protection.
Peterson did have a good overall game with 24 carries 94 and 2 TDS as well as 3 catches for 43 yards. On one of those catches AD coughed up the ball in OT and the Bears recovered it already in field goal range. The next playJay Cutler threw a deep pass to Devin Aromashodu ,who blew right by Antonie Winfield for the game winning TD.
The Bears pass offense was having thier way with the Vikes most of the game. His OL did a good job containing the Vikes front 4(without Phat Pat). Kevin Williams faced double teams in this game more often than not. He did not even record a tackle. Jared Allen was MIA in this game again, he had 2 tackles in this one. With Cutler having time to throw the ball most of the game, he picked apart the Vikes secondary for 286 yards and 4 TD performance. With the play of the safeties as of late has been alarming on how they have been playing in the past month. Since the loss of EJ this defense is not the same making a big play then giving up a big play.
Some advice to Chilly: just let Favre call his own play, he obviously know what he is doing with the playcalling. Let him work his magic.
It seemed that the defense was starting to gel more than they have been in past couple of games.It is going to interesting to see how the Vikes will perform again a Giants team that is going to try to know them down to a 3-4 seed.
25 December 2009
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!!!
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!!!
22 December 2009
Shocking
Is there tension between Favre-Chilly now. With news coming out Chilly tried to bench Favre late in the third quarter. Simple enough: McKinnie complied and road the pine pony for the remainder of the game. Chilly found out quickly who is wearing the pants in this 2 year relationship. It certainly is not Chilly. After Favre told him that he was not going to be pulled and continued to play with the off key offense for the rest of the game.
What good what it have done in the first play to take out Favre for Jackson. Well at least Jackson could run away from the defender before the brittle Fave could that is for sure. It is going to be good to listen to this ALL game for the Monday Night game.The Drama Queen is here that is for sure.
With Favre leading this organization sure he is still a good QB, but is he worth the headaches that he is causing?? It depends if he can bring the Vikes down to Miami for the Super Bowl.
What good what it have done in the first play to take out Favre for Jackson. Well at least Jackson could run away from the defender before the brittle Fave could that is for sure. It is going to be good to listen to this ALL game for the Monday Night game.The Drama Queen is here that is for sure.
With Favre leading this organization sure he is still a good QB, but is he worth the headaches that he is causing?? It depends if he can bring the Vikes down to Miami for the Super Bowl.
21 December 2009
Vikes Look Off In Primetime Loss
Vikings-Panthers Boxscore
The Vikings Sunday Night 26-7 loss to the Panthers was a disappointing game to watch.Sure the Vikes have won the 2nd straight division title(first time since Bud Grant), it was all thanks to the Steelers. After this game there are so many questions left unanwered. Are the Vikes a Super Bowl caliber team?I do not really know, they come to play against a 9-5 team last week and this week the team go not even bother showing up.
The offense to nothing more than a beep on the scanner last night. The team have seven 3 and outs in this game. The Panthers defense was ready for whatever the Vikings offense threw at them. Julius Peppers has the key defender in this game. The Viking O-Line could not stop this beast on the edge. He was disrupting plays left and right. The Viking could not get anything establish as an offense passing or running. The playcalling was crapping again for running the ball. Giving your All-Pro running back 12 times in the game, what does one expect from his output. Most of those plays were between the guard-center gap. The line was not blocking anyone, thus give Favre no time to throw the ball. It was often that Favre was peeling himself off the ground after being laid out by a Panthers defender. The O-Line failed to do anything in this game. The unit could not pass block(giving up 4 sacks), or run block (average 2.9 yards per rush). Something needs to be done on the offense side of the ball this week.
The defense held their own for most of the game until the Panthers offense came alive in the 4th quarter allowing 20 points. The 4th quarter has never been friendly to the Vikings, this year or any year. The defense had another UGLY game of tackling, it was like that thoughout the game. There was a reason why the Panthers had the ball 12 more minutes than the Vikes did.The Vikes front four did not get that much pressure on backup QB Matt Moore only being sack twice in the game. The Panthers did establish a ground attack ater DeAngelo Williams went down with Jonathan Stewart ran through the Vikes rush defense for over 100 yards in the game.The rush defense sure does miss EJ Henderson in the middle of the field. After this Matt Moore was make the passes he needed and Vikes pass defense was dismal at best.
With the Vikes losing the second time in the three week is tough to see. Especially, when this is the time when the team needs to be playing their best football. I do not see Chilly resting anyone these next two weeks. The team will need to reestablish a balanced offense, with what happened against a poor Carolina team. Getting crushed by the Panthers was a tough one to see. So where does the VIkes rank in the NFC??
The offense to nothing more than a beep on the scanner last night. The team have seven 3 and outs in this game. The Panthers defense was ready for whatever the Vikings offense threw at them. Julius Peppers has the key defender in this game. The Viking O-Line could not stop this beast on the edge. He was disrupting plays left and right. The Viking could not get anything establish as an offense passing or running. The playcalling was crapping again for running the ball. Giving your All-Pro running back 12 times in the game, what does one expect from his output. Most of those plays were between the guard-center gap. The line was not blocking anyone, thus give Favre no time to throw the ball. It was often that Favre was peeling himself off the ground after being laid out by a Panthers defender. The O-Line failed to do anything in this game. The unit could not pass block(giving up 4 sacks), or run block (average 2.9 yards per rush). Something needs to be done on the offense side of the ball this week.
The defense held their own for most of the game until the Panthers offense came alive in the 4th quarter allowing 20 points. The 4th quarter has never been friendly to the Vikings, this year or any year. The defense had another UGLY game of tackling, it was like that thoughout the game. There was a reason why the Panthers had the ball 12 more minutes than the Vikes did.The Vikes front four did not get that much pressure on backup QB Matt Moore only being sack twice in the game. The Panthers did establish a ground attack ater DeAngelo Williams went down with Jonathan Stewart ran through the Vikes rush defense for over 100 yards in the game.The rush defense sure does miss EJ Henderson in the middle of the field. After this Matt Moore was make the passes he needed and Vikes pass defense was dismal at best.
With the Vikes losing the second time in the three week is tough to see. Especially, when this is the time when the team needs to be playing their best football. I do not see Chilly resting anyone these next two weeks. The team will need to reestablish a balanced offense, with what happened against a poor Carolina team. Getting crushed by the Panthers was a tough one to see. So where does the VIkes rank in the NFC??
18 December 2009
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.
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.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!
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.
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
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
Vikings 37
Panthers 20
SKOL VIKINGS!!!
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