Vikings Sitting Atop NFC North At 4-1

Vikings Sitting Pretty At 4-1

Last week I was tentative in breaking out my Viking purple colored glasses after their amazing 3-1 start beating two playoff teams on the way. I was worried that the Vikings would not play to their potential but instead sink to the Titans level. A sort of let down after winning back to back games against the Lions and 49ers. I was expecting the Vikings to come in flat and allow the Titans to stay in the game and possibly steal a win.

Well, after a 30-7 victory from the Vikings, I was wrong! Yes Viking fans, I was wrong. (I know, I know, it doesn’t happen to often, but hey, when it does I acknowledge it) Not only did the Vikings win the game, they dominated the Titans.

Ponder was 25-35 for 250 plus yards and two TD’s, and two interceptions. Ponder was the only quarterback this season without an interception until today. That ended abruptly. However, Ponder came right and completed 5 or 6 passes in a row moving the Vikings into scoring position again.

I don’t know what happened to Jerome Simpson today, he was out stretching early but got very limited play. Maybe a pulled hamstring, ankle strain, hopefully something he can heal rapidly from. The Vikings need Simpson to be the vertical threat he can be. Especially with Harvin tearing up the league right now, Simpson would draw single coverage at times and Ponder could exploit that big time.

The Blair Walsh Project (BWP) stayed the course today as he boomed 5 kickoffs for touchbacks, already exceeding last years total, and was perfect in field goals and extra points today. Walsh is a weapon, both on offense and special teams.

One of the biggest factors, perhaps the biggest factor is the play by Percy Harvin this season. Harvin is on pace for over 120 receptions and 1300 receiving yards, not even mentioning his kick return yardage and rushing yards. He is of course Ponders first and best choice thus far this season. If the other receivers could step up, the offense would really click. I’m talking Cunningham, Carter, Moss, and Smith type of clicking. (Yes, those were the days)

The Vikings travel to Washington next Sunday to battle the Redskins and the Vikings will need the offense clicking on all cylinders. Working against the Vikings this week, an away game, the Vikings are not a good road team, and an outdoors game, the Vikings are not a good outdoors team.

Jerome Simpson and Jared Allen will be the keys to this game for the Vikings. Simpson must show up and produce big for the offense, 80 plus yards receiving, a TD, and half a dozen catches. Allen with two sacks and a fumble recovery.

I’m wearing my Vikings purple colored glasses…

SKOL VIKINGS!

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