Nfc North

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

To me, this Sunday's Minnesota Vikings-Atlanta Falcons matchup is very even: On defense, the Vikings are clearly the better squad.  Offensively, though, the Falcons have more star talent (Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White) than the Vikings, so, again, a big effort from Adrian Peterson will likely be the key to victory.

Continue reading "Vikings/Falcons Preview: An Even Line"

In the wake of all the playoff hoopla surrounding the Vikings seemingly imminent (famous last words, I know) clinching of the NFC North sometime during the next two weeks, news came down that DT Pat Williams suffered a fractured shoulder and will miss 2-6 weeks.

Continue reading "Pat Williams Eats Fractured Shoulders For Lunch"

Because of my work schedule, I was unable to preview this past Sunday's MN/Arizona game.  However, had I done so, I would have predicted a 35-14 Arizona victory (that was the number in my head).  I would have gotten the scoring correct, at least!

Continue reading "Vikings 35, Cardinals 14: An Impressive ..."

Well, anyone reading this blog likely watched Sunday's contest between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, so I'm not going to provide a summary.  Suffice it to say, though, that the Vikings got away with playing another terrible game yet walking out with a victory.

Continue reading "Vikings 20, Lions 16: Getting Away ..."

Coming into Sunday night's nationally televised contest against the Bears, the Vikes were a team (and a fan base) that expected a victory.  Remarkably (if you know anything about the Vikes in pressure situations!), that is exactly what transpired, with an exclamation mark!  Why did the Vikings have no excuse not to win this game?  A quick recent-history lesson:

Continue reading "Vikings 34, Bears 14: Doing What Needed To Be Done"

In 1961, the first year of the Minnesota Vikings franchise, the Vikes opened their inaugural season against the powerhouse Chicago Bears.  Nobody (probably not even the Vikings themselves) gave themselves much of a chance against the class of the NFL, but on that day a young whippersnapper named Fran Tarkenton threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns to beat Da Bears 37-13 that, in all reality, rivals Super Bowl III (Joe Namath over Johnny Unitas) in "upset factor".

Continue reading "Vikings-Bears Preview: Nothing Too Special"

Based on the statistics sheet, this game should have been much closer than the actual final score indicated.  The Jaguars got more first downs than the Vikings (17-15), more passing yards (286-104), and held about even in time-of-possession.  However, the Vikes dominated the game in two key areas: turnovers recovered (five) and rushing yards (122-35).

Continue reading "Vikings 30, Jaguars 12: One Tough Son Of A Gus"

Eleven weeks into the 2008 NFL season, the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings all sit atop the NFC North division with identical 5-5 records.  The Bears have overachieved, the Packers the opposite, and the Vikes are right about where I thought they would be.  Here's a quick look at the remaining schedules for both teams, and how I think each will fare down the stretch...

Continue reading "Vikings, Bears, Packers...The Rest Of The Way"

Wow...I don't think I've ever pegged a Vikings matchup as exactly as what I did before last Sunday's MN-TB contest.  Unfortunately, my incredibly accurate prediction came in a losing effort.

Continue reading "Tampa Bay 19, Minnesota 13: A Tale ..."

It’s been a weird year, especially for sports. The Boston Celtics finally picked themselves up from the bootstraps to win a championship. Neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees amounted to anything more than a bunch of overpaid whiners. They are even tearing down Yankee Stadium.  

Continue reading "All Good Soldiers"

As the Minnesota Vikings left the field in the first half of Sunday's lackluster contest against the Detroit Lions, Vikings fans reigned down boos on their Purple.  Midway through the second half, chants of "Fire Childress!" could be heard booming through the Metrodome.  With the type of anemic offense the Vikings have had over the last three years, there is good reason that Childress should be doing no more than updating his resume by now.  On the other hand, the Vikes ARE 3-3 this season and tied with Green Bay and Chicago (next week's opponent) for first place in the hapless NFC North.

Continue reading "If I Were Ziggy..."