Vikings Crush NY Giants 41-17

Fran Tarkenton – QB – Minnesota Vikings

For my birthday, my wife Patty surprised me with this official NFL Minnesota Vikings Fran Tarkenton jersey. (Yes, Fran Tarkenton is my all time favorite player) I wore it watching last week’s victory against the Raiders and again today watching the impressive victory against the NY giants. (Coincidence perhaps? I think not!) I will be donning the magical #10 Tarkenton jersey once again when the Vikings .play the Lions in a pivotal playoff implications game. (Playoffs! Playoffs! said in my best Jim Mora voice)

The Minnesota Vikings have Eli Manning’s number, which happens to be #10. (Coincidence, I think not) manning and the Giants, except for their first series of the game, were hounded by a relentless defense intercepting Manning four times returning three of them for touchdowns. Manning was 21-49 for 273 yards, 1 TD, and four interceptions. A good portion of his passing yards came after the Vikings were leading in the 4th quarter 41-10.

Although the Vikings only recorded three sacks, they pressured Manning almost every play. Of course, the Giants could not run against the Vikes defense.

Kudos go to Darren Sharper, (20 yard Interception return for a TD) Dwight Smith, (93 yard interception return for a TD and a second interception) Chad green way, (37 yard interception return for a TD) Those 21 points were the nails in New York’s coffin. Honorable mention to Ben Leber who was all over the field today.

Tarvaris Jackson is 5-2 as a starter this year! (Shocking!) He manages the game well going 10-12 for 129 yards and one 60 yard TD pass to Sidney Rice. He did have one fumble which was recovered by Bobby Wade, and a few tense moments, not knowing when to get out of the pocket or throw the ball away, but not a bad game. TJax also had 5 carries for 39 yards.

Chester Taylor had 31 tough carries for 77 yards and one touchdown. He also had two receptions for 12 yards. And no fumbles which was key in the victory.

Sidney Rice had his best day as a pro catching three passes for 82 yards and one 60 yard touchdown.

To put this victory in perspective, the Vikings were playing an away game, in an outside stadium, against a team with a winning record. With these variables, the Vikings rarely win the game but today, the defense over came and crushed the Giants offense.

The Vikings are now 5-6 for the season winning back to back games for the first time this year. And without their biggest weapon, Adrian Peterson. Peterson lightly practiced this past week and worked out this morning on the field but was scratched with the logic of resting him to allow him to be 100% ready to go. Coach Brad Childress stated that if this were a playoff game, Peterson would have been playing.

Speaking of Childress. He was very aggressive in his defensive game plan the last two weeks. Perhaps he reads the Viking Thunder for as was stated last week, the front four needs assistance to apply pressure and the linebackers, corners, and safeties have been coming forcing the quarterback to make fast throws and errant passes. It’s working.

Final thoughts:
Fran Tarkenton, resident of the pro football Hall Of Fame is one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the history of the NFL and held all the major passing records for years. He is the reason I am a Viking fan. The jersey above is special to me and may just hold some magic to move the team forward. The jersey is 2-0 so far. The Lions is the next best test.

SKOL VIKINGS.

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