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It’s really been my goal ever since I started blogging to choose ONE player of the game every time the Vikings win. After the first three games I mentioned how it was tough to choose one, but each time I was still able to do so.
This week I can’t.
This week, we are going to have two.
But, as is the norm for these posts, before I talk about the player (uh… I mean players) of the game, I want to talk about some honorable mentions.
First of all, the whole offensive line needs to be mentioned. While it’s true that they didn’t really open many holes for Adrian Peterson (except on the short TD run… that hole was HUGE), they did a tremendous job at blocking for Favre. The same line that allowed Favre to be hit time and time again during the first 3 games didn’t allow a single sack this week. On one play, Favre even had 7.3 seconds to throw, which is an eternity… and he STILL didn’t get hit.
Then there’s Antoine Winfield. The guy had 9 tackles last night, plus an interception, plus he was a big part of stopping the run, particularly on the series that led to the safety.
And there’s Sidney Rice. 5 catches, 70 yards, a TD, and TWO very important recoveries of back to back onside kicks from the Packers.
But the nod this week has to go to Brett Favre and Jared Allen.
First of all there’s Favre. 95% of the hype surrounding this game was because of Favre. He could’ve came out and disappointed. He could’ve came out and tried stupid things that led to turnovers. He could’ve just plain stunk.
Instead he came out and passed for a 77% completion percentage, 271 yards, 3 TDs (to three different receivers), and no interceptions. He answered a lot of questions that Vikings fans had about him, namely about his ability to carry the team if Adrian Peterson wasn’t producing. Favre kept the offense moving, and he made just about every kind of throw that you can ask your quarterback to make.
Then there’s Jared Allen. To quote Brett Favre, “Jared Allen is a beast.” Allen got the luxury of not playing against the Packers starting left tackle, and he took full advantage of it. He chalked up a career high 4.5 sacks, including one for a safety, and one where he caused a fumble. He had 6 tackles and 1 assisted tackle. He chased down Rogers all night long. He helped stop the run. He hit receivers after they caught the ball. He was all over the field. He was half a sack away from tying the Vikings all time single game sack record… and when you’re half a sack away, that means you got to the QB the same number of times. (It just so happens that Brian Robison is pretty darn good from the other end, and got to Rogers at the same time as Allen once).
Both of them played amazingly well, and I think both of them contributed very heavily to the Vikings win!
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