Game 05: Vikings Defeat Chicago 34-31

Adrian Peterson Leaning Toward Rookie Of The Year

The Minnesota Vikings, 1-3, coming off their bye week traveled to Chicago to face a very tough defense and well coached team snatch a victory as the final seconds of the clock ticked off.

The Vikings beat the Bears in Chicago for the first time in 7 years racking up 34 points holding Chicago to 31 in a game that had only big scoring plays.

Let’s get right to the highlights.

Adrian Peterson had 361 all purpose yards today, the third highest total in the history of the NFL. Peterson had three long touchdown runs of 67, 73, and 35 yards. He finished the day with 20 carries for 224 yards rushing, 1 reception for 9 yards, and 4 kickoff returns for 128 yards.

Staying with Adrian Peterson, he also broke a Minnesota single game rushing record set by Chuck Foreman in 1976 rushing for 200 yards. Peterson also has the fifth best game as a rookie in the NFL and is only second to Eric Dickerson through the first five games of his career for rushing yards. 645 yards to 607. Peterson is on pace to rush for over 1900 yards, the same amount he rushed for as a Freshman at Oklahoma.

Today’s camera angle was the absolutely worst. It looked as if we were watching a high school game with the audio visual club running the camera’s. Seriously, FOX has gone cheap on coverage. Perhaps they are trying to recoup some of their money after spending billions on the new NFL contract.

I have been preaching discipline and cutting penalties, especially on the road, and today, the Vikings rose to the occasion committing only two penalties for 10 yards. However, the one penalty in the second quarter almost lost the game for the Vikings. Vikings had the Bears at 3rd and 9 and stopped them but a Viking penalty gave the Bears a first down. The next play, the Bears scored on a 39 yard pass play.

Ryan Longwell kicked a 55 yard game winning field goal as time expired but during the first quarter, Vikes are at the Bear 33 yad line, and opt to punt instead of a FG attempt of 50 yards.

Troy Williamson caught a 60 yard TD reception today but also dropped two passes right to him. This I fear will follow him his entire NFL career which could be short unless he gets it under control.

Speaking of dropped passes. Sidney Rice had one right to him and let it hit the turf. Rice could have had a big gainer and perhaps a TD.

Staying with dropped passes. Bobby Wade is the confirmed worst receiver on the team. Wade dropped two easy catches and continues to under perform.

I take the last statement back. Robert Ferguson is the worst receiver on the team. Cut his ass now.

Today, Chicago’s defense threw every type of blitz package including the kitchen sink at Jackson trying to rattle him into making mistakes. Chester Taylor got this trend started early by throwing a chair at E James in the locker room after a fight.

Tarvaris Jackson managed the game well today. No stupid plays or mistakes. His stats say 9-23 for 136 yards and a TD but if you added the six dropped passes his stats would like much more impressive. Although, his overthrown pass to a wide open Richardson showed his inexperience once again. For the team to win, they have to make these plays, catch these passes, avoid the penalties to win consistently.

Brad Childress was elated at the end of the game when Longwell converted sealing the victory. And he should be elated for he saved his job today. At least for another week.

I wonder why when the Vikings are up two touchdowns with just under 4 minutes in the game and they have the ball, and they don’t run Adrian Peterson for three straight plays. Instead, they decide to pass killing the clock on incompletions giving the Bears a chance to come back.

Not just once the Vikings did this, but on two consecutive possessions and those boneheaded decisions let the Bears back in the game scoring 14 points to tie the game. Only Peterson’s 53 yard kickoff return and Longwell’s 55 yard FG pulled the win and saved Chilly’s job.

Final thoughts:

Vikings are 2-3 and travel to Dallas next week. Hopefully, Childress will utilize Peterson to his fullest potential. I don’t understand the “Saving him for later on in the season” philosophy. If the Vikings don’t win now, it doesn’t matter what they do later on in the season.

I suggest that Peterson touch the ball at least 20-25 time sper game and more if need be. Let Taylor be the reliever. No offense to Taylor, he is a good back, but he is no Adrian Peterson.

Next week at Dallas, the Vikings will face a very diverse offense. Roma may throw for over 400 yards against the Vikings. Hell, Griese threw for almost 400 yards, (381) and he stinks.

Maybe the team needs Taylor to throw a fe more chairs to fire up the team.

Skol Vikings.

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