Detroit... our second home haha. Trivia question- Who was the team we played against in our "home" game at ford field in 2010?
Well well well. Won't this be fun! Last year's two games against the Lions sure were. First one we were up 20 and they came back and won in OT (see link below). McNabb was our QB... ACK! Seems like 10 years ago! The second game we started out awful in Ponder's worst game ever probably. He had 3 INTs and a fumble, they lead directly to two TDs. Then WEBB came in and scored on a 60+ yard scamper and drove us to a first and goal down 6 with under a minute left. We failed a play or two then they face masked him for a fumble that they recovered 50 yards back. We should have had another first and goal... oh well.
Cue the benny hill music. Who needs replacement refs?
Everyone is wondering about STAFFORD and MEGATRON... if Matthew is playing, if they'll light us up. I have no idea. We did pretty good against Crabtree, Moss and V. Davis last week though. I am sure many Viking fans are starting both of them on their stupid fantasy team though. I hope they don't do well. We are playing more man and our safeties this year, though not great, are a lot more consistent. (And getting better every week) They'll still have some miscue- some guy will beat us over the top and the safety will arrive late but... let's not hope it's for a game winning TD or FG like last time. Remember when they found Megatron on the long completion in OT last year. Ouch I hope we can string 4 quarters of offense, defense and special teams together. We are a team built for a physical game, a possession game, a bend but don't break defense that occasionally can make the big play. This game will come down to big plays and field goals. Let's hope this isn't the game where Ponder throws his first INT or WALSH misses his first FG. What do you guys think? I think it's anyones game. It will be close no matter what they have been year in and year out. I hope AP has a big game, he AVG 99 yards and has 8 TDs vs them, he also loves turf and playing indoors. Also let's not forget we have JEROME SIMPSON back. He'll be good for 5 for 80 I bet. (I hope)
tee hee
Jared Allen also likes to play the Lions. In 13 games he has 9 sacks. Not bad. He's a turf guy too. (54 sacks on turf vs 51 on grass in 20+ less games) Our only other road - day - turf game this year was in INDY, we started out awful. Hopefully Ponder and Company won't repeat that. Hell let's see some razzle dazzle. Do a hurry up for no reason. Do a reverse WR option, run WEBB in a wild cat. Pressure is on Detroit for this one. Let's have some fun go in there and get the W! SKOL!
I think I was the only person I know who wasn't expecting the Vikings to get blown out. (Edit- and David C. in LA) My pregame sentiments...(time stamped by twitter)
"HELLO!?"
Obviously we played a real solid game, the opening drive, the end of the first half when we blocked a FG w/52 seconds, then got our own FG. Early in the fourth quarter with the long TD drive to put us up 11... Then things got downright freakish at the end with the turnover fight between each team, the officials giving 4 time outs, Gerhardt fumbling 3 in a row etc. I'm glad they didn't stick AP in he already had 25 carries and to be honest after the first two, I thought, "No way Toby fumbles again." Weird shit happens. He will probably fumble once the rest of the season.
So what did that game accomplish besides the obvious 2-1 record. As far as Vikes fans go, a lot. Lots of people are being cured of their negativity and downright paranoia... I admit I too thought a couple times that the NINERS would get within three, kick and recover an onsides kick but then the miracle happened.
We got an interception.
Wait, who picked that off?
Even THEN it wasn't over, we fumbled, they recovered and on the next play Jared Allen said "eFF this" went in and got his first sack/forced fumble of the season (Robison recovered). We were then able to take the knee. The key here is, between a few 3 and outs and 2 turnovers, it was our DEFENSE making plays down the stretch to win this game. Let's reflect on that... the DEFENSE.
They definitely get my game ball.
Robison went went to Jareds for his gift wrapped pigskin
Ponder played stellar, here is a video recap... seems the announcers are warming to Ponder's ability. I'm not surprised at all by his success thus far. Vikings only had one penalty, created 3 turnovers, had long drives... against one of the "best" teams in the league.
All in all there is nothing but positives the only negative was the end of the game shenanigans with the fumbles and challenges etc but thanks to our defense we were unaffected by the Niners extra possessions. The "old" vikings would have let them back in the game. We did this with out any deep threat... Look at these pedestrian numbers for San Fran.
I pity the fool who started them against us in fantasy haha
IT was a pretty great game, not perfect but definitely refreshing. Next up, a hungry Detroit Lions team coming off a huge comeback loss... my sentiments about the game? They're still the Lions. Sure they swept us last year but once was in OT the other 34-28 on the road. AP and ALLEN own the Lions. No reason we can't win. I think the spread is Lions -4. Here's some bulletin board fodder for the vikings from a betting site.
Though Christian Ponder is playing well for the Vikings to start the season, I still see him having a hard time against a Detroit Lions defensive line. The Lions are still giving up less than 100 yards on the ground so Ponder will have to make throws. With or without Matthew Stafford who is currently questionable, I still like Detroit to cover.
Yeah cuz he had such a hard time against the Niners defense right? SMDH Ponder has played the Lions once, in their house, it was the game where he threw 2 TDs but was pulled for 2 bad interceptions and Webb lead the comeback and we lost on the last play, first and goal, when they face masked Webb for the fumble. (it wasn't called) Ponder was also sacked for a fumble TD on the opening drive. So that's two defensive touchdowns they scored. Unlikely to happen again this time around. Ponder will be fine.
This was a horse shoe and hand grenade kind of game...
Kid was elusive
Obviously the Colts had more Luck that day. We pitter pattered for 3 quarters then turned it on. We had a valiant comeback to tie it up scoring two touchdowns in the last 6 minutes. Only to watch Luck make consecutive long completions with just 30 seconds left and set up Vinatieri for the game winner.
The first 3 quarters every Vikes fan was bored, listless, waiting for anything to get going. Our only offense was Percy Harvin. But these games are 4 quarters. We finally got productive and scored a couple. Though one was a lucky double tipped ball in the end zone.
If the game ended in the 3rd quarter there would be a lot of grumbling and bitching by Vike fans, and rightfully so, but I am glad our young offense showed some heart and a never say die attitude. All in all Ponder played well, no interceptions, efficient passing. We just didn't have a lot of options. Hat tip to the Colts defense for that. They also sacked Ponder 4 times. We only got Luck once i believe, on that huge 3rd and long play at the end of the game. We would have had 7 sacks against a QB who wasn't mobile. Oh well.
Another non sack
Over all you come from the game saying, "well, we're 1-1, and we won one we shouldn't have and lost one we shouldn't have" and it seems fair enough. We haven't played a complete game yet. And if you look around the league the list of 2-0 teams is quite odd. It would have been nice to steal another one but if we can start playing 4 quarters of solid football we will be OK.
