More Sports

Hey everyone,

It's been a crazy week so I haven't had a chance to write much. I have some topics other than sports I wish to rant about, just haven't had the chance yet. So for today, more Vikings talk.. Also, congrats to Alex and Danielle on their wedding :-D.

Was anyone else getting as nervous as I was during the Vikings/Lions game on Sunday? I, like the other Vikings faithful, fancy the Vikes as a Superbowl contender. They sure did not look like it though trailing the Motor-City Kitties, who have now not won in 19 games, 10-7 at half time. And our seven points came at the end of a late second quarter drive, capped off by a Favre-Shiancoe hook-up. I was feeling a little nervous.

But, with what seems to be the pace for the Vikings this year, they went on a 20-3 scoring streak to win the game with a final score, 27-13.

Some Highs and lows from the game: Adrian Peterson got off to a rough start, fumbling the ball in the Vikings first posession. Peterson flubbed the hand-off from QB Favre and it went rolling right to the waiting Lions. It was a fumble clearly on Peterson, as watching the replay he took his eyes off it before it was in his arms, looking for a good cut-back lane. Just like baseball, you have to watch the ball in before you do anything else with it. AP, like the rest of the Vikings, had a slow first half, but recovered in the second to finish with 92 yards and a touchdown. Including one very AP-like touchdown scamper for 27 yards.

Favre looked good, I really have no complaints with him thus far. He is taking quite a few sacks, which I would blame more on the offensive line. But being 40 years old and possessing litle ability to scramble, I'd rather him tuck the ball in and not try anything crazy that winds up in an interception. But you really cannot complain about 115.3 passer rating. This was Favre's 271 consecutive start, breaking former Viking Jim Marshall's record. To give you an idea of this length of span, to break This record, the Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford would have to start every game from now until 2026. Yeah.

Speaking of the offensive line, Bryant McKinnie looked pretty terrible again. There were miscues all-around, and maybe I just focus on McKinnie's, but for someone who is a leader on the line, he needs to step up and protect his aging QB.

Defensively we were alright. Too much over-pursuit in the first half lead to some big gains by Lions RB, Kevin Smith. Jared Allen and company, seemingly trying to retaliate for a chop-block last year that landed Allen on the side-lines, looked angry and flabber-ghasted trying to stop the Lions in the first half, even taking some un-ncessiary penalties. They did settle down, getting two sacks throughout the game. Including one by Jared Allen, marking his first of the year. The other note-worthy player, Chad Greenway, had a funble recovery and two interceptions in this game, doubling his career INT total. He did miss a couple key tackles early, but made up for them with big plays. This also marked the 25th consecutive game in which the Vikings have not allowed a 100-yard rusher, though we might have some problems next week again Frank Gore.

Not much else to say except that Percy Harvin continues to look good, I would look for him to get at least one kick return TD this year. The Vikings have fared well against these weak teams, but will need to figure out a way to get some first-half potenc or they are going to have problems keeping pace with teams such as the Steelers and Packers later in the season.

Thats about it on the Vikings and for the post, later in the week I hope to post some thoughts on the Twins and Wild. As well as some other topics not sports related.