Game 12: Vikings Defeat Lions 42-10

Kitna: And we passed on Adrian Peterson in the draft why?

Today we take a moment to send our condolences out to the Family of Sean Taylor and the entire Redskins organization. R.I.P. Sean Taylor

Vikings whip Detroit’s ass 42-10
The Minnesota Vikings have won three games in a row to bring them to 6-6 for the season as they (Gasp!) make a run for the playoffs with four regular season games remaining.

Let me take care of this one credit right now. All season long the Viking Thunder has been ultra critical on head coach Brad Childress and the direction of the Vikings. Today, the team came to play.

Speaking of coming to play today, Adrian Peterson returned to the field after a two week injury layoff. Peterson had 15 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns and one reception for 10 yards. I said it early, I’ll say it again, that Adrian Peterson is rookie of the year and a certain all pro candidate as he now has double digit touchdowns and 1200 yards rushing. The knee brace didn’t slow him down one bit. In fact, if anything, it made Peterson look more agile, shifty, and fast. If that’s possible.

Tarvaris Jackson had his first 200 yard passing game this season. Jackson finished 18-24 for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. And no fumbles.

Chester Taylor also came to play today. Taylor’s stats were 14 carries, 70 yards, one touchdown, two receptions for 17 yards. Dare I say Peterson and Taylor are the best duo running backs in the NFL.

Sidney Rice is improving every week and ha found his niche as possession receiver and red zone touchdown maker. Rice did not disappoint as he finished with 5 catches for 53 yards and the fade TD catch.

Troy Williamson sat out this wee due to a concussion and Aundrae Allison got the nod and made the most of it returning a kickoff for a Viking record 103 yards. He also hauled in two catches for 52 yards.

I have to love the trick plays with the fake field goal setting up future opposing teams to keep them honest and perhaps opening up yet more trick plays for the future.

As usual, the defense played very stout against the run holding the Lions to only 23 total yard rushing. Also held Kitna in check for the most part allowing 260 yards passing with two big plays but sacked Kitna three times and knocked him down several more.

Honorable mention to Udeze for the interception and rumbling for 30 plus yards.

Final Thoughts:

The Vikings are 6-6 and in the playoff hunt and travel to San Francisco next week for yet another critical game. if the Vikings have aspirations for post season play, they must win on the road against the 49ers.

I have to admit, every time Adrian Peterson touches the ball, I anticipate a big play. So far this year, Peterson is everything advertised, big, strong, elusive, fast, powerful, instinct, vision, and a work ethic second to none. He needs 609 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s rookie rushing record, which he must average 152 yards in his final four games. For some reason, I think he can do it, even achieve another 200 plus yard game.

Tarvaris Jackson is 6-2 as a starter this year. He is not lighting up the NFL but I have noticed steady improvement every week. I am still concerned with his time clock, he holds the ball just a split second too long. And someone needs to teach him to slide when he scrambles. Jackson is injury prone, and although I give him credit leading head first, take the slide to save your body for the next play, game.

Honestly, being December 2nd, I did not believe the Vikings would be remotely in the playoff hunt. I expected them to be competing for a very high draft pick.

Four game left, we need some help to reach the playoffs, but at least we are not eliminated.

SKOL VIKINGS!

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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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Game 08: Vikings Defeat Chargers 35-17

NFL Single Game Rushing Record 296 Yards

While the NFL media machine was hyping the Colts / Patriots game (And with good cause) there were other games being played today. And no matter what the outcome of that game, I cannot believe it could match the excitement or NFL records set during the Vikings / Chargers game.

In the first quarter, L. Tomlinson scored from the 1 yard line and surpassed the legend Jim Brown for fourth all TD rushes in the NFL with 107.

Late in the second quarter, as Viking kicker Longwell attempted a 58 yard field goal, Charger Antonio Cromartie fielded the short field goal and returned the kick for an NFL record 109 yards.

For the Vikings side, Adrian Peterson rushed for 296 yards setting an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game.

Adrian Peterson, with his 296 yards today and his 224 yards against the Bears several weeks ago, sets an NFL record for a rookie with most 200 yards rushing games in a season.

Adrian Peterson with his 1036 yards rushing, is the most yards gained by any player in his first eight games in the history of the NFL.

And one more. Adrian Peterson tied a Minnesota Viking record of 50 plus yards play from scrimmage with his 7th in 8 games.

Adrian Peterson has 1036 yards rushing in eight games with a 6.6 yard per carry average. He is on pace to surpass the rookie rushing record of 1800 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1983 and the NFL single season record also set by Dickerson in 1984 of 2150 yards.

Is that not enough highlights and records for a football game?

Now to the game itself, as the Vikings defeat the Chargers 35-17 in a wild NFL record setting day. Even the Vikings won, they made some blunders.

For starters, Childress allowed precious seconds tick off the clock at the end of the first half when the Vikings were driving for a score. He allowed over 20 seconds to tick off and then called a time out. A few plays later, he settled for a long FG attempt with only 5 seconds left. We know what happened on that attempt. it was returned 109 yards for a TD and a 14-7 half time lead for the Chargers.

If Childress had better clock management, (Any clock management) the Vikings would have had an additional 20 plus seconds to run two maybe three more plays to move the ball closer for Longwell.

Penalties still plague the Vikings as they committed 11 today killing several drives on offense including a 20 plus yard run by Peterson and allowing the Chargers to sustain scoring drives.

I have been preaching that penalties need to be addressed as a priority to the team for reducing them increases their win total.

Staying atop my preaching podium, I have been calling out Childress all season questioning why he doesn’t keep Peterson in the game and utilize the best runner in the NFL. Perhaps Chilly has been reading the Viking Thunder for he kept Peterson in, and he touched the ball 31 times rushing for 296 yards and catching one pass for 19 more and three TD’s. And look, the Vikings won the game.

Continuing on the podium, all year I have been preaching pressure for the defense. Each and every week, the opposing quarterback had career days against the Vikings. And I know why! They don’t get enough pressure with their front four and need to blitz to apply pressure. Today, the Vikings blitzed and pressured Phillips all day forcing him into bad throws and bad decisions. Phillips was under 200 yards passing and under 50% in completions. A win for the Vikings.

I feel that Tarvaris Jackson is injury prone. He was hurt a good portion of last year, and again a good portion this year. Not taking a shot at him, just stating a fact.

Wide receivers!!! Man, we need to go after some quality receivers next year. Bobby Wade, Williamson, Ferguson, Allison, none of them starter quality caliber. Hence, the abysmal passing offense of the Vikings. Just imagine how much better Peterson would be with the threat of a passing offense. Imagine not having 8 men in the box almost every play.

Final Thoughts:

Vikings won, and are 3-5 half way through the season. With Jackson questionable for next week, it looks like Bollinger will get his day in court. Perhaps a little more work with the first team offense in practice will help with his timing a little bit more more. Now if only the receivers would catch the damn ball.

And finally, Peterson caught one pass today for 19 yards. I would love to see him catching a few more per game to open the offense and keep the opposing defense a little more off balance. If you have a weapon like Peterson, use him. He is averaging just under 20 carries a game, which is not excessive. A few pass catches per game would benefit the entire team.

Adrian Peterson, rookie of the year 2007.
Skol Vikings!

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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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