Minnesota Vikings

ver the struggling Vikings to get to 8-8 on the year.

 

(8-8) Chicago Bears 17
(3-13) Minnesota Vikings 13

For another week Chicago’s offense sputtered and killed its own momentum with costly turnovers. Earl Bennett started the game off right with an early fumble, giving the Vikings possession and the opportunity to drive down for a field goal. A Percy Harvin run later in the first gave the Vikes a 10-0 lead and Bears fans reason to change the channel. Luckily, there was a second quarter. A rare pass to Roy Williams capped off the Bears’ only touchdown drive, but a throw off the hands of Toby Gerhart fell right into the lap of first-time Pro Bowler Charles Tillman, who ran it right back for 22 yards and six points. From there Chicago’s defense locked down, picking off Minnesota’s quarterbacks two times (a total of three) to secure the win.  

Continue reading "Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Recap: Bears 17, Vikings 13"

Let’s get this over with.

 

(7-8) Chicago Bears at
(3-12) Minnesota Vikings

I am not going to waste your time with an in-depth analysis over a game without a crap-ton of starters on both sides of the ball. There’s a lot of “Joe Webb isn’t that bad” talk around the NFL, but I’m not totally sold. He’s probably a better option that Christian Ponder or Josh McCown though. But he’s missing Adrian Peterson, so you can’t totally rely on him this week. Chicago’s defense is the best unit in this game, and that typically goes a long way. The Odds:

Continue reading "Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings"

o know more? Welcome to The Final Drive.

  

(7-5) Denver Broncos 35
(2-10) Minnesota Vikings 32

This is really starting to piss me off. Can’t SOMEONE knock this guy off the horse for ONE week? To be honest, this was probably Tebow’s best statistical game. He did complete 10 of his 15 passes. However, you can thank the defense for a timely turnover and Matt Prater for two clutch field goals. They are the real heroes.(9-3) New England Patriots 31

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 13, 2011"

(And how are the Chiefs 3-3? I call B.S.)(7-0) Green Bay Packers 33
(1-6) Minnesota Vikings 27

So Christian Ponder didn’t look half bad. That’s all I need to say on this one.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 7, 2011"

Wait… Kyle Boller’s starting? PROBLEM. (6-0) Green Bay Packers at
(1-5) Minnesota Vikings

HAHAHAHA. Can you say “bitch-slap?” That’s what’ll happen as the Packers swarm a rookie QB.(0-6) Indianapolis Colts at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive, Week 7, 2011"

to his “Greatest Return Man of All Time” status.

(3-3) Chicago Bears 39
(1-5) Minnesota Vikings 10

Before anyone else, Chicago’s defense really made its stand against Adrian Peterson. Lovie Smith stacked the box against the Vikings on first and second down, holding Peterson to only 39 yards on 12 carries. That forced the ball in Donovan McNabb’s hands, where it consistently landed short of the receiver or the first down marker, either way it didn’t matter to the Bears. They just want to get off the field. Minnesota’s offense never found its spark, though back-up Christian Ponder did relieve McNabb in the second half. That was after the Bears knocked McNabb around, sacking the veteran five times on the night. Julius Peppers notched two sacks of his own and dominated Charles Johnson throughout the game, bad knee and all.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 39, Vikings 10"

(1-4) Minnesota Vikings at
(2-3) Chicago Bears 

Mike Martz just can’t seem to catch a freaking break. After weeks of having to deal with outside blitzes and skilled rushers, the trend continues against the Vikings. Ends Jared Allen and Brian Robison have been terrorizing quarterbacks this season and have the speed on the edges to get around J’Marcus Webb and newly minted right tackle Lance Louis. Why can my Jay never stay safe? In order to keep Cutler upright, Martz has to remain committed to the run with Matt Forte. Exploit Allen’s aggressive nature and get draw plays with Forte up the middle where the Vikings are weakest. There are going to be opportunities to take in the passing game, especially if Cutler gets the play-action going. The question remains: which wide receiver besides Dane Sanzenbacher will actually step-up and make a play? Roy Williams or Johnny Knox have to make a statement tonight, assuming they can get on the field for more than four snaps.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Vikings at Bears"

the Bills, who could be coming down off the tremendous high that was taking down the Patriots.(0-3) Minnesota Vikings at
(0-3) Kansas City Chiefs

Battle of the Losers! The Vikings take their one-half-only show on the road to KC to take on the Chiefs, who are in complete and utter disarray. So if McNabb can just put together three quarters of halfway mediocre play, he’ll probably put up more points than the dysfunctional Chief offense can manage. At least one of these lousy teams will avoid 0-4. I’m betting on the Vikes.(2-1) Pittsburgh Steelers at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 4, 2011"

That takes some talent.

(3-0) Detroit Lions 26
(0-3) Minnesota Vikings 23

Nearly as epic have been the collapsing Vikings, who can’t manage to hold onto double-digit halftime leads. How many of you saw 20-0 and thought “That’s the Lions I know,” only to get amazed when they fought all the way back to force overtime?

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 3, 2011"

hat officially means this game gets nowhere near my television.

(2-0) Detroit Lions at
(0-2) Minnesota Vikings 

On the other hand, I would LOVE to watch the Lions rip the Vikings apart. It would just be fitting and crazy entertaining. That secondary is about to get torched by Stafford and company. And then the Lions will be… 3-0? Wait… that can’t be. Detroit has to lose today… they HAVE to.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 3, 2011"

I’m betting he can’t.
2010 Record: 6-10
2011 Prediction: 7-9Minnesota Vikings

That’s right. I expect the Vikings to suck even harder than they did last year. They downgraded at left tackle (fat Bryant McKinnie to talentless Charlie Johnson), have one go-to receiver in Percy Harvin who could miss any week with migraines and another quarterback in the twilight of his career. I don’t doubt that McNabb was once a very good signal-caller, but he’s gotten far more inaccurate as he’s gotten older. He’s not the same guy who led the Eagles to all those NFC title games and that lone Super Bowl. Adrian Peterson may still be a top-three running back, but he won’t get those kinds of numbers behind this shoddy offensive line. Defensively, the Vikings are going to be exposed in pass coverage and run defense. Their safeties aren’t going to dissuade anyone from going deep and their linebacking corps is mediocre. Taking all these problems in account, we might see Christian Ponder sooner than expected.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The NFC North"

olid players in the lot, but I’m not sure there’s an immediate impact player among them.Minnesota Vikings

Christian Ponder at 12 overall? Really? So you’re saying NO ONE wanted to trade up at all. You couldn’t move up the two spots to get Blaine Gabbert instead? That guy actually deserved to be drafted that high, unlike Ponder, who should have gone 10-15 picks later. This is a classic case of a team draft for need instead of value. And with Joe Webb as the only quarterback on the roster, Ponder is almost certainly the starter. Good luck next year Christian. Let me know if Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers or Ndamukong Suh take you out to dinner before or after they wreck you.

Continue reading "The Best and Worst Classes of the 2011 NFL Draft"

Wait… scratch that last one.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings

My prediction: 10-6
What actually happened: 6-10
My result: **

Speaking of collapses, who would have thought the Vikings and Lions would end up tied in the W-L columns? Not this guy, that’s for sure. But it sure was sweet to see the Favre train so viciously derailed. Now they don’t have anything even remotely resembling a quarterback.

Continue reading "How Much I Effed Up: The NFC Edition"

only question is who gets home field? (Spoiler: It’ll be Atlanta.)

Getty Images(6-9) Minnesota Vikings 24
(10-5) Philadelphia Eagles 14

Whoops! Who saw that coming? That’s a massive stumble for the Eagles, who were fighting for a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. Instead, they have a meaningless game against Dallas next week and then they must prepare for the wildcard round, leaving the Bears with a bye. Joe Webb looked solid at QB for the

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Final Drive: Week 16"

ll they need to do is travel to Minnesota’s froze TCF Bank stadium and beat the now-Favre-led Minnesota Vikings, who are an indoor team playing in the cold. Time to break it down!

(9-4) Chicago Bears at

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings"

I just don’t see that happening.

(8-4) New York Giants at
(5-7) Minnesota Vikings

Delayed until Monday because of a Metro dome collapse (How has this never happened in Minnesota

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 14"

ic Mangini may be saving his job for another with tough gritty wins over solid competition.

(5-7) Minnesota Vikings 38
(2-10) Buffalo Bills 14

After Favre gets knocked out of the game on a play where he’s also picked off, Tarvaris Jackson comes in and gets a win… but tosses three interceptions himself …against the Bills secondary. Zoinks scoob. Leslie Frazier is going to have to lean heavily on that running game to earn that job.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 Final Drive: Week 13"

Period.

(7-3) Green Bay Packers 31
(3-7) Minnesota Vikings 3

Speaking of QB’s who won’t be back next year, how great was it to watch Brett Favre slip into crapitude? Seeing the performance some of the players were giving on the field and the ensuing arguments on the sidelines was more than enough of a sign that things were about to change in Minnesota. Brett Favre’s awful play this year got Brad Childress fired. It’s that simple. If anyone was going to plunge the Vikings’ season into despair, it should have been the Packers. Thanks Aaron Rodgers. Next week? I want to see Favre tears.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 11"

to convert on numerous short fields, the Chicago Bears came out of Sunday's 27-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings as clearly the better team. It didn't start off strong, but Chicago's defense (and even the offense) overcame early adversity and miscues en route to the victory.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 27, Vikings 13"

r a less-than-pretty win over the Bills last week, the Chicago Bears welcome in Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings for the first of their two meetings this season. The Vikings are flying slightly higher after an overtime win against Arizona last weekend, but at 3-5 their margin for error is slim. Let's break it down!

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Vikings at Bears"

games, but they need to improve their pass defense if they're going to keep up in the AFC.

(3-5) Minnesota Vikings 27
(3-5) Arizona Cardinals 24

FREAKING BRETT FAVRE! Seriously. Dude straight up RUINED my hopes for a Brad Childress firing with a career-high 446 yards through the air. Make no mistake about it though, the Cardinals didn't play well enough to win. Minnesota shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers that helped the hapless Cardinals get to 24 points despite only racking up 225 yards of offense. The real Vikings eventually showed up to play, saving Brad Childress' job for the week.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 9"

ing job with these impressive back-to-back outings.

(6-1) New England Patriots 28
(2-5) Minnesota Vikings 18

Looking past the loss we all saw coming, the Vikings are embroiled in chaos. Brett Favre can't avoid getting jacked up (dude looked like he had a concussion), Randy Moss can't avoid being Randy Moss (and therefore got cut today), and the defense can't get any pressure on the quarterback. Sidney Rice may be on the way back, but the Vikings are on the way down. Don't look now, bu the Patriots are 6-1 and have returned to the style of play that won them three titles. If the defense can keep improving week to week, the Pats will be difficult to slow down.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 8"

They just don't have the talent.

(2-4) Minnesota Vikings at
(5-1) New England Patriots

News Flash: Brett Favre WILL start in New England today. As if there was any doubt. If it gets out of hand (which it very easily could), he'll sit eventually. New England has been getting timely turnovers and great special teams play the past few weeks, putting their opponents in early holes. While they're getting healthier (except Favre, natch) problems will arise in Minnesota if they drop to 2-5. Just wait for it.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 8"

Simply not enough playmakers.

(4-3) Green Bay Packers 28
(2-4) Minnesota Vikings 24

If Favre can stop limping sometime this season, maybe he can avoid tossing three picks a game. Just a thought. With two fractures in his ankle, old man Favre could be on the bench for the next week or two. You can't tell me Tarvaris Jackson couldn't play up to the same crappy level. It's good to see Green Bay get a win over the Vikes and avoid the downward spiral, but they aren't playing up to their hype. Too many injuries and too much miscommunication last night between Rodgers and his receivers.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

n eye on Tom Brady's stat line, but I think Belichick's going to try and establish the run.

(2-3) Minnesota Vikings at
(3-3) Green Bay Packers

Some ye olden quarterback heads back to Lambeau Field this Sunday night, and he's bringing Randy Moss with him. The Packers are ripe for the picking with as many injuries as they've sustain lately, but I'm hoping with all I have that they can keep the Favre train in the station. (Could be a good euphemism.)

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7"

For Denver, Tim Tebow scored his first career touchdown... so you know... there's that.

(2-3) Minnesota Vikings 24
(1-4) Dallas Cowboys 21

Best. Panic Bowl. Ever. ...Okay, perhaps not, but it was at least entertaining. Dallas continues to shoot themselves in the foot with ridiculously idiotic penalties that negate field position and take away touchdowns. When is Wade Philips going to start coaching his players and holding them accountable? Oh that's right, never. Brad Childress' Vikings are closing in towards surface level, but they still have a ton of problems. Randy Moss hasn't been integrated fully into the offense yet and Brett Favre is taking too many unnecessary hits. Old man Favre won't last all season.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 6"

Romeo Crennel can't find a way to reign in that Texan offense.

(1-3) Dallas Cowboys at
(1-3) Minnesota Vikings

This might be the most pressurized game in the history of week six. One of these supposed Super Bowl favorites will be 1-4 after tonight and looking at a long road ahead to the playoffs. Dallas will take every opportunity to send the house at the injured Brett Favre, who could decide to retire at halftime, depending on how bad the game goes. I'm just saying. Watch for it.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 6"

we never see emerge from Reid's playbook.

Getty Images

(4-1) New York Jets 29
(1-3) Minnesota Vikings 20

On a night when Brett Favre's off the field sexting drew the attention from the boastful Jets, age again reared its ugly head. Sacked four times, intercepted once and fumbling twice, Favre and his aching elbow just couldn't complete the comeback against Rex Ryan's defense, even with Randy Moss. Now the Vikings are deep in a hole and staring up at the Packers and Bears. Mark Sanchez wasn't dynamic under center, but he avoided the big mistakes and made enough throws when they needed him to. Rushing for 155 yards on the ground, the Jet offense took advantage of a Viking defense that simply wore down. Good times.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 5"

b might finally get his job back with a good performance or two starting with Sunday night.

(1-2) Minnesota Vikings at
(3-1) New York Jets

Gee, is there any storylines to cover for Monday night? This might be the one game of the year that the Jets are not the biggest plot-line draw. Brett Favre gets his deep threat in the recently acquired Randy Moss who might get to face an injured Darrelle Revis for the second time this season. You can bet he'll be looking to make a big impact on Monday night.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 5"

to mount some offense against Mike Singletary's fuming defense.

(0-2) Detroit Lions at
(0-2) Minnesota Vikings

While Detroit is right in-line with an 0-2 record, no one expected the

Continue reading "Joe's NFL Opening Drive: Week 3"

until he gets hurt.

(2-0) Miami Dolphins 14
(0-2) Minnesota Vikings 10

Hey Minnesota, have you met the real Brett Favre? He showed to the Metrodome on Sunday, as did his three interceptions and fumble in the endzone for a Dolphin touchdown. Ha! For some reason Favre doesn't get along with Bernard Berrian, who isn't getting passes thrown his way in Sidney Rice's absence. Brad Childress finally gave Adrian Peterson the ball, racking up 145 yards on 29 carries, but it still wasn't enough to overcome the mistakes of number four. On the Miami sidelines, you have to be impressed with the 'Phins' defense that held the Vikings back on repeated goal line trips, but the offense has left little to be desired in these first two games. 29 points in two games normally doesn't get it done. Chad Henne needs to throw more than 15 passes if they expect to compete in the AFC East.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 2"

This just screams low-scoring.  (1-0) Miami Dolphins at
(0-1) Minnesota Vikings This is one of the bigger "show me" games of the weekend, featuring two teams who did little to impress the last time they were on the field. Miami barely beat Buffalo and Minnesota couldn't muster more than nine points and looked out of sync. Chad Henne has to take advantage of Minnesota's still-weak secondary to take the pressure of Ronnie Brown and the running game, which won't find many holes against the Viking front seven. Brad Childress can't forget about Adrian Peterson this week or the Vikings will be in an 0-2 hold in the division. (1-0) Baltimore Ravens at

Continue reading "Joe's NFL Opening Drive: Week 2"

Playoff and probably Super Bowl-bound.

 
Aaron Rodgers, cuddly soft.

Minnesota Vikings

All hail the miraculous Brett Favre! He doth rise again! With a spectacular regular season in the rear-view mirror, Favre finally returned to lead a Vikings team that is not the same. They still have the electric Adrian Peterson, who still has fumbling issues. (Until I see otherwise, I don't believe he's changed.) Rookie Toby Gerhart will spell Peterson often, but Peterson has to overcome his problems to keep his "top back" status. Favre-favorite Sidney Rice will be out an extended period of time after hip surgery, leaving the Vikes thin at receiver. Bernard Berrian still has imposing speed outside the numbers, but he and Favre haven't quite caught on yet. Hopefully Percy Harvin overcomes his migraine problems and becomes a fixture in the slot. Trading for Greg Camarillo gives Favre a reliable target, if not quite a dynamic one. As it was last season, the offensive line has its faults. Tackle Bryant McKinnie was owned on the outside on a regular basis and the center position wasn't as solid as they'd like after Matt Birk left. Current center John Sullivan has missed the entire preseason and training camp with a calf injury, but is likely to start the season.

Continue reading "Joe's NFL 2010 Season Preview: NFC North"

a 31-28 win over the Vikings.

With two minutes left to go in a 28-all tie, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings marched the ball down the field in the hopes of setting up a game-winning field goal. A costly 12-man in the huddle penalty put the Vikes in a third and 15 situation, forcing Brad Childress to call a pass. It was there that the Brett Favre gunslinger of years past appeared on the field, throwing an interception to end any hopes of ending this game in regulation and to keep the Saints' hopes alive. And then there was overtime. The Vikings never saw the ball, so Favre's last play on the field as a Viking (this season, anyway) ended with an interception. The Saints started at the 39 and drove the length of the field, with three plays receiving lengthy reviews, ending in a 40-yard Hartley field goal.

Continue reading "Saints in the Super Bowl after 31-28 ..."

They'll cover.

Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
6:40ET FOX 

After blowing up the supposedly superior Dallas Cowboys last week in Minnesota, Brett Favre and the Vikings are traveling to a different dome for the NFC title game, this time in New Orleans. Hopefully for coach Brad Childress he brought Adrian Peterson and his running game along for the ride. They'll need it to keep Drew Brees and the Saints offense on the sidelines. In an opposing dome, the Viking o-line must maintain their composure and avoid costly penalties that will put Favre in obvious passing situations. Percy Harvin is expected to play after missing practices all week with migraines. Minnesota's defense can rush the passer and stop the run with the best of the NFL, but they are weak in the secondary. Getting to Brees early and often could shift the balance in their purple-flavored-favor. Will Favre reach the Super Bowl and ignite sports nation in two weeks of hype?

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Conference Championship ..."

ng the "fooled" pundits who thought the Dallas Cowboys would have the upper hand over the Minnesota Vikings in their divisional round match-up. How wrong we were. Tony Romo turned the ball over three times en route to an embarrassing 34-3 loss to Brett Favre and the Vikings. 

Continue reading "Cowboys make quiet exit from playoffs ..."

The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday"

Now, onto the last week of the regular season with this edition of the Final Drive! 

(12-4) Minnesota Vikings 44
(8-8) New York Giants 7 

Way to not show up for the last two weeks of the season G-men. You're ensured some massive roster changes with your less-than stellar effort. Meanwhile, the Vikings jumped back into the two seed with the Eagles' loss, giving old man Favre a week off before mounting a Super Bowl run. There's cause for concern in Minnesota after the Vikings have failed to get Adrian Peterson going heading into the playoffs. We'll see how that plays out in two weeks.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 17"

I know the game was meaningless for the Bears. There's not a huge difference between 5-9 and 6-9. Lovie Smith's job status could have been decided already. Jay Cutler was going to have a poor season either way, right? That being said...

Continue reading "What I learned from the Bears' 36-30 ..."

Color me not impressed.

 

(11-2) Minnesota Vikings 30
(9-4) Cincinnati Bengals 10

After being thumped by the Cardinals, the Vikes took their frustrations out on the visiting Bengals. Carson Palmer did not break the 100-yard passing mark while Brett Favre let his defense do all the heavy-lifting. If Childress can give Favre some rest in the next few weeks, Minnesota will be in prime playoff position, even if they can't catch the Saints.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 14"

Continue reading "Bears are demolished by Vikings 36-10"

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings"

Must be nice to have that many weapons.

 

(7-1) Minnesota Vikings 38
(4-3) Green Bay Packers 26

So Favre has swept the Packers and has looked calm doing it. Great, now we’ll never hear the end of it. Green Bay just couldn’t mount enough offense to dig out of a 21 point third-quarter hole. They tried valiantly, every time it got close Favre and the Vikings would smoothly march down the field and shut the door. Aaron Rodgers got beat up yet again, you have to feel sorry for the guy. Adrian Peterson failed to reach 100 rushing yards for the sixth time this season and the Vikings are STILL 7-1. That’s what they needed Favre for. Now we wait and see how the aged one holds up down the season’s home stretch. Next week’s bye should help. Gr.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 8"

They need to bring it to take out the Giants and lay claim to first place. 

(6-1) Minnesota Vikings at (4-2) Green Bay Packers 

I hear this is a big game. Really. If it weren’t for the World Series, this game would be on Sunday night. (And would force MLB to move their game if it did coincide. There’s no winning against the NFL.) Favre returns to Green Bay wearing a purple #4 jersey. What better drama can you get? (Unless they met again the playoffs… can you say premature Super Bowl?) After a Favre pick and interception were returned for touchdowns last week by the Steelers, I think Brad Childress will maintain a healthy dose of Adrian Peterson against a still-gelling Green bay defensive unit. (Yes GB held the Lions and Browns to three points total, but I’m not sold yet.) 

Continue reading "Joe’s NFL Opening Drive: Week 8"

To the Final Drive of week 7! 

(5-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 27
(6-1) Minnesota Vikings 17 

It’s about time I see Brett Favre being Brett Favre. That fourth quarter fumble and tipped pass/interception cost the Vikings another comeback win and an undefeated season. For shame. You should probably run Adrian Peterson more and stop 40-year old Favre from passing 51 times. Just a thought. Without Antoine Winfield, the Vikings’ secondary and run support is nowhere near as intimidating. Ben Ben and the Steelers are back in the division running after troubles the first weeks of the season. Troy Polamalu is all the difference in the Pittsburgh D.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

*shudder* Here’s the best of week seven in my Opening Drive! 

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings at (4-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 

So in spite of their early problems while without Troy Polamalu, the Steelers have emerged 4-2, trailing a half game behind the Bengals for the division lead. They welcome in the still streaking Vikings, who are making the rounds on the Brett Favre victory tour. Polamalu practiced this week and is expected to play, which should healthily improve the Steelers’ run and pass defense. Against Favre and Adrian Peterson, they’ll need Troy at his best. With Ben Roethlisberger coming off a 400-yard passing game of his own and Vikings Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield doubtful with a foot injury, this has potential to turn into a shoot-out. 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7"

are also 4-2, but technically behind since the Bengals beat them head-to-head.  

(6-0) Minnesota Vikings 33
(3-3) Baltimore Ravens 31 

Why won’t anyone beat the Vikings?! Steven Hauschka’s missed 44-yard field goal keeps the legend of Brett Favre in Minnesota going strong for another week. Who thought that the Baltimore defense would be the team’s weakness this season? They don’t deserve to be called “good” with the amount of points they’re allowing. Take that Ray Lewis.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 6"

y quick takes on some of the weekend’s NFL match-ups. 

(3-2) Baltimore Ravens at (5-0) Minnesota Vikings In one of the better match-ups of the weekend, Brett Favre and the undefeated Vikes get their toughest challenge to date when the surely fuming Ravens come to town. I don’t know if I can imagine that team after losing three straight. I’d be scared. Still, Minnesota has a stout defense of its own. Favre and Joe Flacco need to protect the ball because each offense excels at cashing in on turnovers. Man I hope the Ravens win. 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 6"

Maybe Rashard Mendenhall earned a few more carries for himself? 

(4-0) Minnesota Vikings 30
(2-2) Green Bay Packers 23 

Brett Favre won the Brett Favre Bowl. Surprised? I’m not. As hard as I was rooting for the Packers (and I was, it was so weird), it never seemed as if they could overcome Minnesota’s defense until it was too late. They even shut down Adrian Peterson, holding him to 55 yards on 25 carries. But Favre was efficient with the long ball and more importantly never turned the ball over. Aaron Rodgers had two turnovers, both of which led to touchdowns. (He also took a safety. Completely inexcusable in that situation.) Still, they’ll meet again. Next time it will be in Green Bay. 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 4"

ill have to rely on Big Ben’s arm to get a second victory. 

Green Bay Packers (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-0) 

Can this hype get any bigger? Brett Favre’s former flame comes to town to face their old quarterback and his newfound Minnesotan lover. Aaron Rodgers should be just fine, Brett’ll hand off to Adrian Peterson quite a bit, but I wonder how Green Bay will play on defense? Daring Favre to beat you by stacking the line of scrimmage may work, but it might result in public backlash if Favre throws the Vikes to victory. Either way, I’m sitting down Monday night and rooting for Green Bay as hard as I can.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 4"

he fans that actually showed up to see it.

  
Get ready to lose next week.

(3-0) Minnesota Vikings 27
(2-1) San Francisco 49ers 24 

We’ve all seen or heard of Favre’s late game heroics. I blame Mike Singletary’s defense, which put only two players on the endzone. There were five Niners in the middle of the field! Everyone knows when they need a touchdown on the final play of the game you stack men in the endzone so they can bat the ball down. Horrible call from a good coach.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 3"

ssure for his inept offense that barely put away the Rams last week.

San Francisco 49ers (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (2-0)

One of these two hard-nosed squads will finally lose this week. Unfortunately, Niners QB Shaun Hill can’t put up enough points up to hang with Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings for very long. Mike Singletary’s defense needs to go above and beyond if they’re going to stay undefeated.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 3"

n Cincinnati, let’s take a look around the league in this first edition of the Final Drive!

Minnesota Vikings 34, Cleveland Browns 20

For Brad Childress’ sake, this should be the formula for every Vikings game this season. All Favre has to do is throw a downfield pass every now and again in between hand-offs to Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Short accurate passes to Viking playmakers will keep this offense balanced.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 1"

Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland’s own quarterback drama will be outweighed by the incoming team’s signal-caller. Brett Favre on the Vikings will be a never-ending story until it well… finally ends. But who knows when that will be? With a stout defense anchored by Kevin and Pat Williams (who apparently will not be suspended), all Favre has to do is not make mistakes. Handing off to Adrian Peterson is the best recipe for his success. His experience and threat of downfield passing could be enough to get the Vikings to the postseason.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 1"

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer is reporting that he expects the recently “retired” Brett Favre to join the Vikings sometime in the next few weeks. 

Glazer quotes a few anonymous Vikings about Favre’s signing, with one saying “I’m telling you it’s already done.” Yet another Viking told him “I don’t know if it’s done, but I think he’ll be in by the third preseason game.”

Continue reading "Is Favre STILL Not Retired?"

ed ESPN’s Ed Werder of his decision to stay retired  after telling Brad Childress of the Minnesota Vikings.  Favre explained that he was unsure of his body’s ability to withstand another grueling NFL season and the training camp and preseason schedule that accompany it.  

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Then all the talk of his next destination -- the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Oaklan Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns -- won't come with all the baggage of

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So there is barely any news on the Chicago front. After waiting over five hours to make their only pick of the day at number 17 in the second round (49th overall), the Chicago Bears made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears sent their 2nd round selection to Seattle and received the Seahawks’ 3rd round (68th overall) and 4th round (105th) choices, both of which will be on Sunday.

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Philadelphia Eagles 26, Minnesota Vikings 14

Too bad Minnesota, too bad. (Sorry, that’s the Bears loyalist in me coming out. Wont happen again I swear.)  Coach Brad Childr

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Dolphins have a real chance to keep their Cinderella season alive.

Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

Donovan McNabb’s tumultuous 2008 season has a chance for a happy ending if he can lift his team to a victory on wild-card weekend over his former offensive coordinator Brad Childress, now the Vikings head coach. Childress’s squad has gone through two quarterback changes this season, as Tarvaris Jackson was replaced by Gus Frerotte early in the season, only to return to the starting line-up late as Frerotte struggled. Jackson hasn’t been called on to do much offensively besides hand it off to Adrian Peterson coming out of the backfield. Minnesota’s defense will need to capitalize off of any turnovers the Eagles offense may commit, or they won’t be able to match Philly’s point output. Philadelphia’s blitzing defense will attempt to confuse and pressure the young quarterback, so the running game will be needed in order to keep Jackson upright. For the Eagles, Brian Westbrook is the offense. When he’s healthy, the Eagles win. Andy Reid may have finally learned to hand the ball off with more regularity, and it has been paying dividends in the form of Eagle victories. A solid rushing attack keeps McNabb from making too many mistakes and having to win the game on his own. If the Eagles are going to continue on in the post-season, it’s going to be thanks to Westbrook.

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

It seems only fitting that what could end up as the Chicago Bears’ final game of significance this season comes against their biggest rivals the Green Bay Packers. If you choose to recall week 11’s trouncing at Lambeau Field, revenge would be that much sweeter. Oh, I hear revenge is a dish best served cold. Well, with an expected high of only seven degrees in Chicago, it could be on the menu Monday night. This time around, the Packers have been eliminated from playoff contention, and the Bears are the team fighting to stay alive. Since the Vikings chose to lose four fumbles to Atlanta yesterday, the Bears are playing with a purpose. 

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2 and 3-win teams this weekend, New England has the tougher road to hoe.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Shocking as it may sound; the Atlanta Falcons have the opportunity to rebound from a 4-12 disaster last season to 11-5 and into the 2008 playoffs. They’ll need Dallas or Tampa Bay to stumble in the final two weeks, but Atlanta will be a dangerous team in January because of their ability to run the ball behind Michael Turner and Matt Ryan’s outstanding play under center. Heading to the dome won’t be easy, but with the Vikings’ All-Pro defensive tackle Pat Williams out with a broken right scapula, Turner will have an easier time up the middle. Minnesota is going with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback for another week, a move that could make or break their season. Sure, he’s played well for six quarters, but he’s only been called on to throw 27 passes! Adrian Peterson will be Jackson’s best friend if he can establish himself against Atlanta’s defensive unit.

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Sunday night’s battle for first place completely reversed direction over the course of five consecutive plays. The Chicago Bears, up 7-3, had first-and-goal inside the five-yard line of the Vikings and looked ready to take a 14-3 lead in what could be a defining game of their season. Following an incompletion over the middle to Greg Olsen, a Matt Forte run off left tackle, a Jason Davis run up the middle, and a Forte run up the middle, the Bears turned the ball over on downs. On the very next play, Gus Frerotte found ex-Bear Bernard Berrian on the sideline behind broken Charles Tillman coverage for a 99-yard touchdown pass. Minnesota went up 10-7 and proceeded to humiliate the “Mediocre of the Midway” for the rest of the night. 

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Manning has become worthy of his draft day drama and has his team in a great position to repeat.

Minnesota Vikings (5-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3)

Instead of former starter Tavaris Jackson’s 150 yards, one interception outings, the Vikings have Gus Frerotte’s 300 yards, three interception days. I suppose that’s an upgrade. Quarterback is still the issue in Minnesota, as Frerotte is not the present or long-term solution. Adrian Peterson must stay healthy for his Vikings to secure the NFC North crown, which is the only way any North team will make it into the post-season.

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the backfield, giving Atlanta the league’s best rushing attack.

Green Bay Packers (4-4) at Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

In a division that will likely send only one team to the playoffs, NFC North divisional match-ups are critical. Both teams are looking to make ground on the division leading Chicago Bears, who face the unbeaten Titans. Green Bay has faltered this season in spite of Aaron Rodgers’ tremendous play at quarterback. Their running game simply hasn’t produced like the Packer teams of previous years. The defense showed up against the Titans last Sunday, but there’s no telling what kind of performance they’ll deliver in any given game. 

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If you had told me the Minnesota Vikings would score 41 points and rack up over 400 yards of offense on my Bears, I would have thought twice about watching such a slaughter. Lucky for me I had no such prior information, so I tuned in to witness the shootout at Soldier Field. I’m glad I did, as the Bears hung on in a thrill-fest.

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The Bears will get the chance this Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings in the first of their two meetings this season. Both teams, along with the Green Bay Packers, are tied atop the NFC North with matching records of 3-3. One team must make a move to get ahead of the pack now (no pun intended), or they will still be trapped in a three-team dogfight for one playoff spot. If the Bears intend to claim that spot, beating the Vikings at Soldier Field is they way to start.

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The Jags can’t afford to lose these games, as Indianapolis is due for a winning streak.

Minnesota Vikings 30, New Orleans Saints 27

This game was just weird. When Drew Brees goes for

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ll get his opportunities out of the play action pass, which needs a set-up from the running game.

Minnesota Vikings (1-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-0)

Minnesota finally got on the winning track last week against Carolina. Unfortunately, they now have to deal with the buzz saw that is the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are one of the best defensive teams in the league and are hoping to stake their claim in the AFC North. With the Colts and Jaguars both sitting at 1-2 going into this weekend, the Titans are anxiously stockpiling wins. So far Kerry Collins has made more plays in the passing game and far fewer mistakes than Vince Young, even without the threat of the quarterback scramble. It’s an interesting story to watch, as each week the Titans win is another week Vince Young won’t return to the starting line-up. Minnesota has recently made its own quarterback change, but out of desperation, not due to injury. Gus Frerotte heated up last week in the second half their much-needed win against Carolina, so coach Childress should feel better about his quick decision to bench Tarvaris Jackson for the rest of the year. Adrian Peterson needs to visit the end zone multiple times this week if Minnesota wants to escape Tennessee with a win.

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, some interesting AFC versus NFC matchups, and a key divisional game.

Carolina Panthers (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)

It’s hard to say there’s a “must-win” situation in week three, but the Vikings are staring one right in the face. With the rest of the NFC North in tough conference match-ups, Minnesota needs this victory to star catching up to the top of the division. Starting Gus Frerotte at QB should add some experience to their offense and produce more than the five field goals they put up against Indy last week. Carolina is looking to stay ahead of the rest of the NFC South, who all sit at 1-1. Now they have Steve Smith back, fresh from his suspension. Jake Delhomme looked dangerous already, now he has his favorite weapon back.

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I hope you read anyway.

Indianapolis Colts (0-1) at Minnesota Vikings (0-1)

It’s hard to believe that with the off-season hype surrounding these two teams, one of them will start the season at 0-2. Minnesota should be able to use the same strategy the Bears employed to win, only with greater success. The Williams boys on the defensive line for Minnesota should cause even more problems for Manning, while Adrian Peterson will gash the Colts soft run defense.  For the Colts to avoid a loss, Peyton must exploit a Vikings secondary that couldn’t hold down Aaron Rodgers.

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