WEEK 15: Monday, December 20
vs. Chicago Bears 7:30 p.m.
WEEK 16: Sunday, December 26
at Philadelphia Eagles 12:00 p.m.
WEEK 17: Sunday, January 2
at Detroit Lions 12:00 p.m.
I bolded the Prime Time games. The Vikings struggled a little bit last year in Prime Time, especially at the end of the year. They finish this year with two on the road, which could be tough if one of them wasn’t Detroit.
I think the toughest string of games happens immediately after the Bye Week when the Vikings will have to play At the Jets, against the Cowboys, at the Packers, then at the Patriots. Maybe the Vikes are fortunate that Kurt Warner retired, because the very next game is against the Cardinals, followed by games at Chicago and against the Packers. Luckily the Cardinals should be quite a bit weaker this year, so it should give the Vikings a bit of a break in that stretch.
The Bye Week is in Week 4. As a fan, it’s nice to get it out of the way early, but I’m sure the players would prefer that it was later in the year so they can break up their season a bit more.
Sunday night football, national TV… and the Vikings played terrible. The Vikings got beat 30-17 in Arizona in probably the worst game that the Vikings played all season. There was very little to cheer about for Vikings fans after the opening minutes. At first it looked like the Vikings were going to play sharp, forcing a fumble on the second play from scrimmage and turning it into 7 points a few plays later, but it all went downhill from there.
Worst tackling in the Leslie Frasier era
All of a sudden it looked like the Vikings, who are normally good open field tacklers, forgot how to wrap anyone up. It seemed like anytime that anyone in red touched the ball, three guys in purple bounced off of him before he was finally brought down. I’m not sure how that even happens to a team. It’s not like it was one guy who missed tackles. It’s not like it was just the safeties. It was the entire team.
Where was the pass rush?
The Vikings went into the game leading the NFL in sacks. The Cardinals (wisely) turned their attention to stopping Jared Allen. Allen and the Vikings are used to that, and usually that leads to either Kevin Williams, Ray Edwards, or both picking up the slack until Allen starts getting freed up.
But nobody else on the defensive line seemed to be able to take advantage of the fact that the Cardinals were focusing all of their effort on Jared Allen. Allen was completely held back by the double and triple teaming that the Cardinals made him face… no sacks, tackles, or assisted tackles for Allen.
But there was no double teaming or chipping holding back Kevin Williams or Ray Edwards, who each had 1 tackle, 0 assisted tackles, and 0 sacks. Pat Williams had 4 tackles, but as is the norm, his production came mostly from the run defense.
Running game? What running game?
62 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Adrian Peterson had 19 yards on 13 carries. No holes. No intensity. No power. No speed. It didn’t look like the Vikings out there at all when it came to running the ball.
Injuries… bleh
Wow, for a team that didn’t deal with many injuries early this year, last night was hard to watch. Antoine Winfield was out again… at this point I’m starting to doubt that he even knows where his Vikings uniform is anymore. Herrera was out again, which means Hicks was starting. Then during the game, McKinnie and Loadholt got banged up (both returned later) which meant that at one point, our offensive line was made up of Artis Hicks, John Cooper, John Sullivan, Steve Hutchinson, and Ryan Cook. I’m surprised Favre is still alive.
Then we also watched Cedric Griffin get dinged up, Tyrell Johnson get a concussion, and of course, we (again) lost EJ Henderson for the year.
The EJ thing is frustrating. He had really been stepping up his game over the past few weeks. He finally seemed to be returning to the form of last year’s first 3 games.
What about Favre’s game?
Okay, here’s the point where I will look at the bright side a little more. It was certainly one of Favre’s worst games as a Viking, but looking at the stats, it wasn’t THAT bad. The two interceptions were painful to watch, and it was obvious that he wasn’t feeling as comfortable as he has been recently running the offense. He was forcing some throws that he hasn’t tried forcing much this year.
But, he completed 66% of his passes for 275 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Not his best outing, but certainly not terrible enough to panic as all Vikings fans seemed to be doing last night (myself included, to some extent). Favre has been spoiling us, but the fact is, he still has a 26:5 TD to INT ratio, he still has fewer interceptions than any starter in the league other than Vince Young (who has only started 6 games), and he is still the second highest rated QB in the league… pretty darn good.
So my hand isn’t reaching for the panic button just yet.
The worst part of last night’s game
When the score was 30-10 and there was less than 6 minutes in the game, why was Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson on the field? We were not going to make up a 20 point deficit (we were not even going to try, since we didn’t even attempt an onside kick). We had just watched the leader of our defense break his leg. We’re in position to make a run in the playoffs. Why were we risking our two best players?
I wouldn’t have been opposed to sitting even more guys… Rice? Harvin? Chester?
My Current Outlook
The game was frustrating to watch last night, but even great teams have bad games. If you want to be reminded of that fact, read THIS very good post at the Daily Norseman that talk about some recent great teams that have had really bad games.
Overall, 10-2 is great, and it’s been over 10 years since we’ve seen a Vikings team with that record. Realistically we’re not playing for home-field advantage anymore, but we still have a 2 game lead when it comes to the first round bye, and if we don’t have to worry about overtaking New Orleans, it actually takes a lot of pressure off the last few games of the season, which means we should be able to head into the playoffs with Favre, Peterson, and the rest of the starters being fairly fresh.
And speaking of Peterson… He’s almost 400 yards behind for the rushing title. It’s not going to happen this year unless Chris Johnson gets his foot ran over by the team bus.
If it was up to me, I would play Peterson sparingly over the next 4 games. I don’t mean sit him, I mean split his reps evenly with Taylor. Don’t pound him up the middle much. Overall, keep him as fresh and healthy as possible. Maybe a little rest will rejuvenate him for the upcoming playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings will be heading to the desert to face the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals this Sunday Night!
It’s already week 13. Wow. The Vikings are 10-1, which I will have to truthfully say I didn’t expect at this point. The next couple games could be tough, though, as the Vikings play the Cardinals Sunday followed by the Bengals next week.
Shiancoe and Winfield out?
Last week it was Peterson and Winfield listed as questionable. This week Shiancoe takes AD’s place on the injury list. Shiancoe took a couple big hits in the endzone last week, which is what caused the issues, I would guess. Shiancoe has become a HUGE part of Minnesota’s offense, especially in the redzone, so hopefully he’ll be able to play Sunday.
As for Winfield, I don’t know what to guess. He made a statement saying that it would be a game-time decision whether or not he’s on the field Sunday. He’s been practicing this week. I’m hesitant to guess, though, because I really thought he’d be back for the Lions game, and that was 3 games ago!
Will Adrian Peterson spend time on the bench?
There are fans around the internet that think that Peterson should sit on the bench for a little while every time he fumbles the ball, but that’s not what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about the 109 MPH in a 55 MPH zone speeding ticket that he received.
I think he needs to sit at least a quarter, maybe a half. I hate to say it, because I want him to be able to challenge Chris Johnson for the rushing title, but I also know that the Vikings have prided themselves on proper conduct, and going 54 MPH over the speed limit is not proper. In fact, it’s stupid and irresponsible.
…and aside from him causing danger for other people, what about himself. What a waste it would be for such a talented person like Adrian Peterson to end his career (or worse) because he wrapped a BMW around a tree.
I was not amused.
Will Kurt Warner play for the Cardinals?
A couple weeks ago Warner went down with a concussion. Last week Matt Leinart started in his place. Reports say that Warner has been practicing this week, but he’s also been sharing snaps with Leinart. Coach Childress said that he thinks that Warner will play.
Stylistically, both of them are pocket passers, so I don’t think it matters to the Vikings defensive gameplan a whole lot. As a fan, I want a win… especially late in the year. It’d be nice to have an easier game by facing Leinart, but my guess is that Warner will end up on the field.
-Attack through the air
The Cardinals have struggled with pass defense. The Vikings have been improving their pass game. Both need to continue on Sunday. Just a note… last time Favre played the Cardinals, he put up 6 TD passes.
-Play smart pass defense
Last year I heard an unbelievable stat… Warner had a better rating and completion percentage on plays that he got blitzed than he did on plays with just the d-line rushing. I don’t know if that stat stands this year, but the fact is, Warner handles the blitz as well as anybody in the NFL. That means that our defensive backfield has to be strong in coverage, because unlike some of the QBs we’ve played recently, it’s hard to rattle Kurt Warner.
My Prediction
I think Warner will play, and I think it’ll be somewhat of a shootout, but I think the Vikings continue rolling. Vikings win 42-35
The Vikings are 10-9 all time against the Arizona Cardinals. Brad Childress is 2-0 against them as a head coach. Brett Favre is 4-1 against them as a starting quarterback.
It’s Wednesday again! Time for this week’s music video. This week the Vikings will be taking on the NFC Champions from last year, the Arizona Cardinals.
This Week’s Minnesota Vikings Song Parody and Music Video:
(by the way, I finally got week 12’s MP3 posted as well)
Lyrics for Won
Title: Won
Written by: Jason Hannah (The Jazzy One)
Parody of: One
Originally Performed by: Metallica
I can remember just one thing
about Super Bowl 43
Arizona failed to reach
That Super Bowl gold ring
And here we are in week 13
The cards play host to the Vikings
To us it is quite plain to see
The Vikes will bring them pain now
They hold their breath as they watch the Cards
Lose to the Vikings
Cardinals will taste the defeat
All that they see
Purple and Gold and
They can not run
they can not drive
trapped by our D
Near their own end zone
Vikings have taken this game
taken the ball
taken the victory
taken their will
taken their hope
taken their souls
Beat them in their home
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Four offensive players were chosen ahead of Vikings running back Adrian Peterson in 2007. They were QB Jamarcus Russell (Raiders), WR Calvin Johnson (Lions), OT Joe Thomas (Browns), and OT Levi Brown (Cardinals)
When I look at the 2009 season and the Minnesota Vikings current roster, I have to admit that I get very optimistic. To a lot of guys around the net that want to have a negative outlook on the team, I know that will make me a “homer”… even though I don’t live in Minnesota… but I honestly have a good feeling about the Vikings this year.
The team has good players at pretty much every position on the field. We have the best running back in the game (no offense to Mr. Tomlinson), we have playmakers at receiver, we have a solid offensive line, a great defensive line, great linebackers, and good defensive backs. We have a good kicker and a good punter. Our special teams has made improvements over last year’s squad, and no matter what you think of Brett Favre, most would agree that he’s a step up from Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte, who led our team to a 10-6 record last year.
Looking over the schedule, I think the Vikings will go 11-5 this year.
I think they’ll finish 2-2 with Chicago and Green Bay combined, both of whom should be tough.
I also think that in the games with Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Seattle, Carolina, and New York, the Vikings will come out 3-3.
That puts the Vikings at 5 and 5. I feel very confident in the Vikings beating the Lions both times to make it 7-5, and I also think the Vikes will handle Cleveland, San Fransisco, St. Louis, and Cincinnati just fine to give them the other 4 wins.
I’ll break down my thoughts a bit…
Week 1: Minnesota At Cleveland
I think the Vikings already have this one in the bag. The Browns are a struggling team with a new coach who had problems choosing his starting QB. Even though I think Mangini is a touch overrated as a “genius”, I think he’ll be able to turn the Browns into a decent team if he’s given time. I just don’t think it’ll start in week one. The Vikings are 1-0
Week2: Minnesota At Detroit
I was confident about this game before the season was even close. Detroit is coming off the worst season in NFL history. Detroit will not lose 16 games this year, and they’ve done a good job at cleaning up a lot on the team, from the very top down, but like Cleveland, I just don’t see the turnaround happening all at once, and I don’t see it happening against a team that’s stacked like the Vikings. The Vikings are 2-0
Week 3: Minnesota vs San Fransisco
The home opener, and Favre’s first official time in the dome! (I’ll be at this game!!) Another win for the Vikings, who will be off to a great start at this point. The 49ers are struggling at their quarterback position, and the Vikings don’t struggle against the run. Last time the 9ers played the Vikings, they held Peterson to something like 11 yards, but the nice thing about the roster this year is that even if they can somehow stop our run, we’ll have weapons in the passing game. That being said, they WON’T stop the run. They stopped it a couple years ago by putting 9 guys in the box. Favre would have a field day if that happened this year. The Vikings are 3-0
Week 4: Minnesota vs Green Bay: MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
I struggled with predicting this one. I really do think Green Bay is going to have a solid team this year, and I really do expect the Vikings to split with them. Logic would say that they’d each win at home, but for some reason I don’t think so. I think Rogers will come in hot, and I think it’ll be a shoot out on Monday night. I think the Vikings will look good, but I think the Pack will win this one. Rogers will have some bragging rights from beating Favre in their first meeting. The Vikings are 3-1
Week 5: Minnesota at St Louis
I think this is another “sure thing” for the Vikings. I think the Rams are going to struggle again this season, and they’re going to compete with the Lions and the Raiders for the spot as the worst team in football. Easy win for the Vikings. The Vikings are 4-1
Week 6: Minnesota vs. Baltimore
Tough game, mostly because of Baltimore’s defense. I think it’ll be a low scoring game. Baltimore will keep the Vikings offense in check, but they’ll have trouble scoring on the Vikings defense. I could see this game going to which ever team can score a defensive touchdown. I’m gonna give Baltimore the edge. The Vikings are 4-2
Week 7: Minnesota at Pittsburgh
Another tough game, and another defensive battle. I think the Vikings will have the toughest time running all year when they go to Pittsburgh. I do think, however, they’ll have a little more success in the passing game than they did against Baltimore the week before. I also think the Vikings defense will be able to control Willie Parker and whoever he may be sharing carries with. I think the Vikes will force Big Ben to try to beat them, and I don’t think he’ll be able to. I give this one to the Vikings. The Vikings are 5-2
Week 8: Minnesota at Green Bay
Favre’s triumphant return to Lambeau. I’m giving the Vikings this game, just because of that. Especially if the Packers beat them in week 4. I think Favre will come in fired up, and he’ll be ready to throw. I think the Packers will know that and try to prepare for that, which will give Adrian Peterson a free pass as well. Not only do I give this game to the Vikings, I think they’ll win big. The Vikings are 6-2
Week 10: Minnesota vs Detroit
I’m giving this one to the Vikings, because, well, it’s Detroit. I think Detroit will be fairing better at this point of the year, and they may even have a win or two under their belts, but in the end I think the Vikings will be too much for them. The Vikings are 7-2
Week 11: Minnesota vs Seattle
This could be a tough one, depending on how well Seattle’s offense is clicking. Hasslebeck, if he’s healthy, is able to put some big numbers up, and he might give the Vikings defense a little trouble if they can’t get pressure on him. I don’t think, though, they’ll be able to stop the Vikings running game, and I think Peterson has a big day. Vikings win. The Vikings are 8-2
Week 12: Minnesota vs. Chicago
A tough game… lives up to the “black and blue”. Peterson typically has good games against Chicago, which is a good thing. Chicago should have a better passing game this year, though, than they have in the past. Maybe they can keep their offense on the field a little longer? In the end, it won’t matter. Vikings Win. The Vikings are 9-2
Week 13: Minnesota at Arizona
A lot of people have the Super Bowl Runner-Ups having a down season this year, but I just don’t see it. They have two of the best receivers in football, and a quarterback that just won’t quit. We played them pretty well last year, but I think they’ll be tougher this year. Kurt Warner gets better when he’s under pressure, and the Vikings won’t be able to contain Boldin and Fitzgerald. Cardinals win this one. The Vikings are 9-3
Week 14: Minnesota vs Cincinnati
I think the Vikings will be just fine against Cincinnati. The Bengals just aren’t a solid team. I give it to the Vikes. The Vikings are 10-3
Week 15: Minnesota at Carolina
Here’s where things get rough. A lot of the sports analysts are saying that the Vikings need to have the playoffs wrapped up by Week 15, and I agree. I think the Panthers will beat Minnesota, and I think it’ll send the Vikings into their first losing streak of the year. Unfortunately that losing streak will be sending them into the playoffs, which is never a good sign. I give it to Carolina. The Vikings are 10-4
Week 16: Minnesota at Chicago
I hope I’m wrong here, but I think the Bears will be tough enough to split with the Vikings, and if that’s the case, I have to give them the nod at home. Unfortunately for the Vikings that comes between two other games that they could potentially lose. The Vikings are 10-5
Week 17: Minnesota vs New York Giants
The bright side is, we’ll once again have the Giants for the last game of the season. I think the Giants are going to win the NFC East this year, with their biggest competition coming from Philadelphia. If the Giants have the playoffs wrapped up, they’ll play a lot of their backups again. If not, it could be a tough game. I’m assuming, though, that they will be in at this point, so I’m going to give it to the Vikings. The Vikings finish at 11-5
I’m not overly confident on my choices on the “tough” six games outside our division, but I think it’s fair to assume the Vikings can split those games. I think hoping for an 11-5 season is pretty realistic this year.
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Week2: Minnesota At Detroit
I think this is another “sure thing” for the Vikings. I think the
Week 13: Minnesota at Arizona
