Peterson: starting or sitting? Vikings vs. Bears round 1

The big story this week for the Vikings is whether or not star running back Adrian Peterson will play against the division rival Chicago Bears. The Chicago Tribune ran a story on the cover of its sports section titled "No Adrian? Bears not buying it". The article says "[saying] Peterson won't play is like saying Charlie Weis will coach Notre Dame for the next five years." There is no stopping Peterson from starting.

ESPN's Madden '10 simulation has the Vikings winning 34-19, which is somewhat realistic. However, in the simulation, many factors are unrealistic including: Forte rushes 21 times for 99 yards, Ryan Longwell misses a 47 yarder and Favre only passes for 249 yards and 2 TD's.

The Bears defense gives up on average, 122.3 yards per game on the ground. This gives Peterson a great chance to break out with a huge game. If he weren't sick, I would say he gets more than 200, but, as it is he will get 150+. The Bears defense has been very stringent against the pass so far this year, ranking 8th in the NFL this year. Despite this fact, Favre will throw for 200+ and 4 TD's again.

The Vikings defense will absolutely crush the Bears terrible offense this week keeping forte under 50 yards, picking Cutler at least twice and generally dominating the game.

The high powered Vikings will seal the Bears fate of missing the playoffs with a stunning 45-14 blowout this week. Skol Vikings!

Review of the Seahawks game

Once again the Vikings pounded a heavily under matched team, absolutely destroying the Seahawks last Sunday. The final score, 35-9, showed just how bad the Seahawks are. In the second quarter's first score was a 23 yard strike to Harvin. From there the Vikings just kept hammering, scoring two more touchdowns in the second quarter on a 9 yard slant to Sheancoe and a 3 yarder to Berrian. To see those highlights and more, click here.

The most amazing play of the game was a Favre to Rice touchdown in the third quarter. After this play, the Vikings lead was extended to 28-0. After the Seahawks kicked a field goal, the Vikings were confident enough to put in back-up QB Tarvaris Jackson. Although he has looked better, Jackson seems to be more composed and comfortable in the pocket.

Jackson had a lucky break on a pass to Rice that was deflected. He showed more pocket calm and improved route reading skills on the TD pass he throws to Rice. Jackson's highlights start at the 3:00 mark on this video.

Many people have said that the Vikings didn't beat the Seahawks soundly enough. This goes to show how highly fans think of the Vikes. Favre, the NFL's highest rated passer, had an outstanding game, throwing only 25 passes and completing 22. He also had 4 TD's, 213 yards and a 141.8 QB rating for the game. That rating is only surpassed by his back-up Jackson's rating of 144.3.

Peterson had a mediocre game with 82 yards. He wishes that he could have held on the 83rd yard that he lost on his last two carries, each were for negative yards. If Peterson would have held on to that last yard, he would have stayed at 1000 or just over. He now stands at 999 yards for the season.

With 6 games left to play the Vikings magic number is 3. Any combination of Viking wins or Packer losses will give Minnesota a division title and a trip to the playoffs. Now, for the Vikes to secure home field advantage, I believe their magic number is 8. This would almost force the Vikings to win out and hope the Saints lose 2 or more games. Skol Vikings!

Week 11 preview: Vikings v. Seahawks

This week the Vikings host the 3-6 Seattle Seahawks, and are looking for their 9th win on the season. The Seahawks are lead by their QB Matt Hasselback who has a pathetic 58% completion percentage and no single receiver who has more than 600 receiving yards. Their starting running back, Julius Jones doesn't have 400 yards on the ground this year. To add to this he is out for Sunday's game with a chest injury. The back-up, Justin Forsett, has just under 250 yards on the year.

The Vikings, on the other hand, have the NFL's highest rated passer and the NFC's top receiver and running back in Favre, Rice and Peterson. The Vikings high powered offense will tear through the average-to-below-average Seahawks defense. Peterson will go for 150, Favre for 200+, and Harvin will take a kick back to the house for a TD.

Jared Allen, Kevin and Pat Williams and Ray Edwards will totally dominate the weak Seattle offensive line. The Vikings defense leads the league in sacks this season and should hold the Seahawks down while the offense nails shut their coffin to another terrible season.

ESPN's Madden '10 simulation game has the Vikings "annihilating" the Seahawks 31-17. Although this weeks game seems to be a gimme, I wouldn't discount a close game if the Vikings play poorly. However, if the Vikings play even moderately well, they will destroy the sorry excuse for a football team From Seattle. Skol Vikings!

Lions-Vikings Week 10 review

In a 27-10 rout, the Vikings had a lot of good Sunday. Favre is now leading the league in passer rating with 107.5, Peterson and Harvin are leading the NFC in rushing and receiving respectively, while Harvin is leading regular kick returners in average return length.

All four players had a good game Sunday. Favre led the Vikings with a season high 344 yards and a TD, the third game this season with over 300. Peterson chipped in with 133 yards on the ground and 2 TD's, his third time rushing for 100+ this season. Peterson also averaged a career high 7.4 yards per carry, some of which were quite amazing. However, the biggest story of the game was Rice. He set a career mark for receiving with 201 yards, doing so on only 7 catches. Three of these catches went for more than 40 yards. Rice came 10 yards short of breaking the franchise record set by Sammy White. Harvin has an ok game with 3 catches for 53 yards, with his big 40 yard grab being converted into only a field-goal.

Another week, another win and another step closer to the Super Bowl. The Vikings' future looks promising. Skol Vikings!

Week 10 preview: Lions at Vikings

The Vikings should have a great game against the Lions today, at least better than the last time these two teams met. The Lions have shown that are one of the several absolutely terrible teams in the NFL this year. The Vikings, however, are one of the top teams in the league, with most websites ranking them 3rd or 4th best overall.

Hopefully the Vikings will play better than they did in week 2.

In the end, Favre and Peterson will be great and the Vikings should have an easy time smothering the Lions offense and tearing through its terrible defense. Final score: Vikings 34, Lions 13.

Halfway through the season part 3: Rookies and new acquirees

At the halfway point in the season it becomes necessary to evaluate our new players, both rookies and newly acquired players. The Vikings had a great off-season this year picking up special-teamer Kenny Onatolu, cornerback Karl Paymah and most importantly the great Brett Favre. They are also now enjoying the fruits of an excellent draft this season with first-rounder Percy Harvin, second-rounder Phil Loadholt and third-rounder Asher Allen all in the starting line-up and fourth-rounder Jasper Brinkley is also getting some playing time as backup linebacker.

I will start my performance reviews with free agent pick-up Kenny Onatolu. Onatolu leads the Vikings in special teams tackles this year and is a big reason for the huge improvement in Minnesota's special team's play.

The second player I will focus on is Karl Paymah. He has been put on the spot with the injury to Winfield and has had to split time with rookie Asher Allen as Winfield's replacement, at least temporarily. Paymah has done a mediocre job as corner, but Winfield is still sorely missed.

The last off-season pick-up for Minnesota has been the most publicized, Brett Favre. Favre made the decision, after training camp was over, that he was able to play this season. Many reporters and fans have given him a lot of flack for skipping out on training camp. It has become quite clear, to all nonbelievers out there, that Favre was not in a good position to make a decision during training camp about his future. Favre has posted great numbers this year, averaging 240 yards per game passing. He also has the second highest QB rating in the league, Drew Brees has a rating 0.1 points higher. Favre also has a 68% completion percentage, fourth in the league, and has the distinct honor of having the highest TD-INT ratio of all starting QBs. To see how Farve ranks against all the other QBs click here.

First-round draft pick Percy Harvin, has become a huge threat for the Vikings, both as a receiver and as a kick returner. He averages 13 yards a catch and has three receiving touchdowns. Not amazed yet? Harvin has two kick return touchdowns and leads all consistent kick returners with an average of 31 yards per return. Harvin has also reigned in some fantastic catches in tight situations and it seems that Favre looks to him as his out in a pinch. Here are some of his many highlights including some sick juking.

The Vikings were looking to strengthen their already deep offensive line when they drafted Phil Loadholt in the second round of the draft. Loadholt has been a great big man up front for the Vikings and has helped Peterson stay a consistent threat even when the box is stacked.

The Vikings third round pick Asher Allen, has been forced to bring his game extremely early in his career. He is currently splitting the role of replacement corner with Karl Paymah. Although Paymah is probably the better option right now, Allen definitely has more potential and will probably be Winfield's eventual replacement.

The Vikings are now reaping the benefits of the most beneficial off season since the acquisition of Randy Moss. On the road to the Super Bowl, they seem a worthy contender. More tomorrow on the Lions game.

Halfway through the season part 2: the future

The Vikings will face in the second half of their season, teams with a combined record (through week 8) of 28-29, compared to their first half opponents who are 23-35. This shows just how difficult the Vikings second half will be. I have broken down each of the Vikings remaining games in the regular season, ending with a prediction, win or lose.

Week 10: Lions (1-6) at Metrodome. This game should be a good game for Peterson, as the Lions give up, on average, 118 yards on the ground. Their pass defense is also weak, so look for a balanced attack with both Favre and Peterson shredding the Lions defense. However, never discount the amazing Calvin Johnson, who always has a big game against the Vikings. The verdict: nothing like their last meeting. Favre 300+ yards, Peterson 125 yards, Harvin takes a kick back for a Td and the Vikings win in a rout.

Week 11: Seahawks (2-5) at Metrodome. The Seahawks are another team giving up, on average, more than a 100 yards per game rushing and 200+ passing. With ex-Viking Nate Burleson as their leading wide-receiver, they can't be that good. The verdict: Peterson goes wild with 200+ and Favre has a low key game with 175 passing and the Vikings blow the Seahawks out of the air and take home a win.

Week 12: Bears (4-3) at Metrodome. For the third week in a row, the Vikings Are facing an opponent who gives up 100+ yards rushing per game. This game should be very interesting, with the teams trading scores throughout the game. The verdict: a win, but not the way the Vikings would like to win.

Week 13: Cardinals (4-3) at Arizona. The Vikings will be killed by the Cardinals if their pass defense doesn't hold. I think it will but Larry Fitzgerald could turn the game around at any time. After the game against the Panthers, the Cardinals rush defense was exposed. The verdict: Peterson rushes the Vikings to victory with 250 yards on the ground.

Week 14: Bengals (5-2) at Metrodome. The Bengals are the toughest team left on the Vikings schedule record-wise. With Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco, they will be very hard to stop. Regrettably I turn in the verdict as a loss, although Favre will have a good day with over 300 yards passing and multiple TDs.

Week 15: Panthers (3-4) at Carolina. The Panthers despite their mediocre record, may be the toughest opponent the Vikings will face. With perennial pro-bowler Steve Smith and two headed running attack featuring DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart, the Panthers are much better than their record says. If Jake Delhomme has a solid game with no picks, the game will be close, but if he gets picked several times it will be a blowout. The verdict: Vikings win, but its a close down-to-the-wire game.

Week 16: Bears (4-3) at Chicago. Adrian Peterson just dominates and Adrian Peterson rides the pine. The Vikings Peterson rushes for 175 and the Bears Peterson gets maybe five carries. The Vikings run all over the Bears in an embarrassingly brutal defeat.

Week 17: Giants (5-3) at Metrodome. The Vikings see the light at the tunnel and look towards the playoffs. At this time they have already won the division and clinched a spot in the playoffs. The decision is: do you play for the win or do you play safe? My prediction is that they play for the win and, if they gain a large lead they put in some of the backups to let the starters get a little rest. The verdict: Vikings win if they try; if not, they will lose.

The Vikings will make it through the rest of the season sustaining only one or two losses, leaving them with a 13-3 or 14-2 record going in to the play-offs looking ahead to a possible Super ring.

Halfway through the season part 1: review

The Vikings have a bye week this week. So as a sort-of makeshift report card, I have reviewed the first half of the season, week by week.
Week 1: The Vikings absolutely beat up the over-matched Cleveland Browns, 34-20. Adrian Peterson is the star with an outstanding game, 180 yards and 3 touchdowns, including this amazing run. Brett Favre is mediocre with only 110 yards and one touchdown pass.

Week 2: The Detroit Lions continue their pathetic losing streak against the Vikings, losing 27-13. Peterson almost gets 100 yards for the second week, but comes just short with 92 and only 1 TD. This game was a little too close at halftime, but the Vikings outscored the Lions 20-3 in the second half.

Week 3: The Vikings eke out a 27-24 win against the previously undefeated 49er's on a last second Favre-Greg Lewis touchdown connection. Favre finally has a breakout game with 301 yards and 2 TDs. Peterson chips in with 85 yards.

Week 4: Brett Favre meets his former team for the first time in a different uniform and also becomes the first QB to beat all 32 teams, beating the Packers 30-23. Jared Allen and the defense dominate the Packers with a total of 8 sacks. Allen had 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a safety. Here are the highlights. Favre also had a memorable game with 271 passing yards and 3 TDs. However Aaron Rodgers also had a great game, 384 yards and 2 TDs.

Week 5: The absolute beating, 38-10, the Vikings put on the Rams this week was almost laughable. The Vikings were extraordinarily efficient: Favre had 18 completions for 232 yards and a TD, Peterson had 14 carries for 63 yards and 2 TDs and Percy Harvin had 4 receptions for 66 yards.

Week 6: The Ravens almost overcame the still undefeated Vikings, scoring 21 points in the 4th quarter alone, but the Vikings still held on to win, 33-31. This game was a quarterback's war. Favre threw for 278 yards and 3 TDs and Joe Flacco threw for 385 yards and 2 TDs. Peterson finally rushes for more than the century mark, with 143 yards, but no TDs. The Ravens' kicker Steven Hauschka, who had been released by the Vikings in training camp, had a 44 yard field goal try with 2 seconds left. He missed wide right and lost his chance at revenge.

Week 7: Favre has his biggest game, 334 yards, in the Vikings first loss to the Steelers, 27- 17. The highlights include; two defensive TDs for the Steelers and a kick return for a touch down for the Vikings Percy Harvin. In the end of the game, Favre's fumble and Taylor's butterfingers-turned-pick and the bogus penalty that called back a Viking's touchdown ultimately decided the final score.

Week 8: In Favre's return to Lambeau, the man was in top shape with 244 yards and 4 TDs in the drubbing of the Packers, 38-26. My hypothesis for Peterson to have a huge game was wrong. However, he did have 25 carries for 97 yards and 1 TD. Rodgers has another great day against the porous Viking's secondary, with 287 yards and 2 TDs. The game started off with a fumbled snap that was recovered by the Packers, who cashed in on a field goal later that drive. However, the Vikings responded by scoring and scoring and scoring. These scores include a 4th and1 TD run by Peterson and a miraculous TD catch by Harvin. On this play Harvin was triple-covered and when he went up to catch the pass, all three Packers crashed in to each other allowing him to run untouched into the end zone. This play occurs just before the 3:00 mark in these highlights. Later in the second half, Bryan Robison tries to return a squib kick and is stripped. The Packers recovered. After the Packers last touchdown, they tried, unsuccessfully, to make a 2-point conversion. (I told you so!) The Vikings' defense finishes the game with six sacks, bringing their 2 game series total to fourteen. Percy Harvin finishes the game with 261 total yards.

The Vikings finished the first half of the season 7-1, and are poised to win the NFC North in a rout. I will review the next half of the season tomorrow.