Mars Needs Women

---

The Minnesota Vikings last four games are against the Bears, Texans, Rams, and Packers. Christian Ponders career as quarterback is on the line the next four weeks.

Back To Bill-Bored Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

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!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Purple Colored Glasses

Purple Colored Glasses

In the entire 2011 NFL football season, the Minnesota Vikings won a total of three games. Three games. For 2012, the Vikings have already equaled that tally after just four weeks. Things are looking up for the Purple, Ponder is playing well, Percy is not upset, Peterson is doing his thing, and the defense actually shows up to play. Dare I wear my Purple colored Viking glasses and get excited for the rest of the season?

Well, before I do slip on the spectacles, like our lovely model above wearing her purple glasses, this Sundays game against the Tennessee Titans will be the indicator.

What! What am I talking about, the Titans are 1-3 and lost their three games by an average of 24 points. Am I I’m gauging the success of the Vikings season on this game. Yes, Viking faithful, I am. And I’ll tell you why.

As in years past, the Vikings come out flat against lower rated teams such as the Titans. Just this year the Vikings lost to the Colts, a lower rated team as they played adequate at best allowing big plays to defeat them. The last two games, against the Lions and 49ers, the Vikings played inspired football, winning both games, not just point total, but in the stats as well.

I am concerned whether the Vikings can sustain this momentum when the Titans come to town. The Titans QB Locker is hurt and will not play and their running back Johnson although had a good game last week, has not played well this season. I do not want to see the Vikings come out flat.

I would like to see the players and coaches fired up with their eyes on the prize.

I want to see Peterson very early on break a run for 25 plus yards.

I want to see Simpson catch a long pass from Ponder, 30 plus yards down field.

I want to see Percy out of the slot control the offense moving the chains.

I want to see Rudolph get some action early on.

On defense, I want to see Jared Allen with a quick sack. Griffin as well.

I want to see an interception, fumble recovery, batted down pass, and inspired play.

I want to see a win. I want the Vikings to play to their potential, and if they do, they will beat the Titans. If not…

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Vikings – 49ers – Game 3 – September 23 2012

Vikings Out-Muscle 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers came into town to establish dominance and set the tone for the rest of the season that they are the team to beat this year, they are the Super Bowl front-runners. The Minnesota Vikings were simply a road game for the Niners to steam roll over.

Instead, the Vikings flexed their muscles and took control of the game from the very first snap and methodically moved the ball down field chiseling off more than minutes and 82 yards culminating with a Ponder to Rudolph touchdown pass. The Vikings ended up with 344 net yards, (280 Niners) 25 first downs, (19 Niners) over 33 minutes in time of possession, (26 plus Niners) and 24 points. (13 Niners)

Not even the prodigal son, Randy Moss could help the 49ers score enough points. Moss was held to just 3 catches for 27 yards with no touchdowns and one drop.

The Vikings are now 2-1, (2-0 at home) and one more win away from their entire 2011 total. However, today’s victory was put into jeopardy, not by the 49ers, but by the replacement officials. With just over three minutes left the Vikings had control of the ball and handed off to Gerhart for no gain. Vikings got into huddle for the next play when head coach Harbaugh of the 49ers called his third and final time out to stop the clock.

A moment later Harbaugh tossed the challenge flag. He told the referee that he thinks Gerhart fumbled. Standard procedure should have been for the official to inform Harbaugh that he has no more time outs left, hence, he cannot challenge the play, and hence, since the clock wasn’t inside two minutes, the referee’s could not stop and review the play.

But, the replacement referee granted Harbaugh the challenge and proceeded to review the play. After reviewing the play, the whistle had clearly been blown before Gerhart dropped the ball on the ground. That should have been the end of the review, the whistle blew, end of play. Move on. That didn’t happen. The replacement refs over ruled the play, totally breaking protocol that a whistle blown ended the play, and reversed the call giving the 49ers a first down. Thankfully, rookie Josh Robinson picked off Smith ending that horrible sequence of plays.

Staying on the topic of Gerhart, first of all, what was he doing on the field at the end of the game when the Vikings were trying to kill the clock? Adrian Peterson had 88 yards rushing today, why wasn’t he in to close the game out? Why did they keep Gerhart in after his second fumble? And his third fumble? Three fumbles in a row. I know Peterson is still a step back, but he ran hard today, and he did have 88 yards. if he is the “Guy” then damn it, give it to the guy. The team needs to know if he can carry the load.

It is now time to award the MVP for game three. Who was worthy today? Jared Allen with sack and forced fumble at the end of the game? Percy Harvin and his 9 catch, 89 yard effort? Chad Greenway’s two sack and 13 tackles for the day? Blair Walsh and his perfect kicking season so far, nailing a 52 yard field goal and all three extra points and sending all four kickoffs into the end zone?

All good performances indeed, but today, the MVP is none other than Christian Ponder and his 198 passing yards on 21-35 for two touchdowns and no interceptions, and his 33 rushing yards including a 23 yard scamper for a score. (Run Forest Run) Although these numbers do not seem worthy of MVP status, the 49ers are a formidable team with a top 5 defense and Ponder controlled the game moving the chains time and time again. Congratulations Christian!

The Vikings travel to division rival Detroit next Sunday and the Lions will still be stinging from today’s loss to the Titans. Stafford was hurt and will have an MRI tomorrow but is more likely to suit up and play.

Is it just me or do the Lions start off slow and then score like wild-fire late in the game, every game? Take not of this tidbit of knowledge Viking coaches, for the Megatron and company are just waiting to line up against the Viking secondary.

To add one more tidbit for next week’s game, Viking receiver Jerome Simpson will make his debut. The Vikings desperately need the deep threat receiver as Jenkins and the rest are not getting down field. With the added vertical threat of Simpson, the Vikings offense will only improve. And playing the Lions, in Detroit, after they came off a tough loss, the Vikings will need all the help they can get.

SKOL VIKINGS!

Back To Viking Thunder Archives

LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL