Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings
Vikings 33
Ravens 31
Last week ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote a rather interesting article comparing this year's Vikings to the 1998 team. Since we were only five games in at that time, obviously it was based on potential. After watching the game today, I think it's clear that Seifert was on to something. Starting the game on fire, looking un stoppable having a nice 14-0 lead, Childress and Bevel went all Dennis Green and Brian Billick on it. Favre was having his way, the play calling was brilliant, and all of a sudden it turned to a conservative style of play. Childress decided to take the kick-ass out of his own kick-ass offense. As for the Defense, the 4th quarter collapse was vintage '98 Vikings as well. If there's anything this team could learn from the '98 Vikings, it's that the Prevent defense is no way to finish off a team. The Vikings need to figure out how to put teams away in the 4th quarter if they are going to continue to have success this year.
Favre
This spot has been all about Brett Favre so far this season, and this week is no exception. Favre has been nothing short of sensational, and if it weren't for him, this team would be at best, 4-2. Favre had another solid outing going 21 for 29 for 278 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He's got 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions on the season so far and his arm looks as good as it did the year he won the Super Bowl. After losing the lead, the Vikings needed a leader to calm things down and march down the field for the go ahead score. Favre did just that, including a huge pass play to his favorite target, Sidney Rice (more on Rice later). His poise, experience, and professionalism is what gave the Vikings a chance to win a game they should have lost.
Double Rice, please
I'm a sucker for Hibachi grills. I'm sure most of you around the country are familiar with Benihana if you're not sure what kind of place I'm talking about. When I'm there, I love the fried rice and always ask for a double dose of it (and please don't forget to pour that lovely seafood sauce on top) and a double dose of Rice is what we got in this game. The Raven's rookie sensation Ray Rice had an exceptional game and was a catalyst for the monster 4th quarter the Ravens had. He finished the game with 77 yards rushing with two touchdowns and 10 receptions for 117 yards. The Vikings have a Rice of their own and he's become Brett Favre's go to guy. Sidney Rice had the best game of his short career catching six balls for 176 yards. He's finally 100% healthy and becoming the receiver the Vikings and fans hoped he would be.
Defensive Collapse
I had a serious case of deja vu watching this game. One of the things that hampered the Dennis Green era of Vikings football was poor defensive play to finish the big games. The Ravens scored 21 points in the 4th quarter......21! Joe Flacco tossed for almost 200 yards and Ray Rice busted off a couple of runs this defense normally never gives up. Most of it was attributed to poor tackling even in the passing defense as there were far too many yards after the catch. Does one man missing make that much of difference? Ask the Pittsburgh Steelers how much Troy Polamalu as missed. Antoine Windfield left the game in the second quarter (something CBS NEVER mentioned during the broadcast). Karl Paymah filled in and was exposed several times, including the touchdown pass to Mason in which Paymah's back was to the ball. That's still no excuse to give up the type of yardage and scores this defense allowed in one quarter, and certainly not at home. This is a team game and from what I saw, this was a defense that either ran out of gas, or failed to finish with any kind of killer instinct. This needs to be addressed now or the Vikings will surely be handed their first loss in Pittsburgh.
Learn from the Best
The best team in the NFC is without a doubt, the New Orleans Saints. Their shellacking of the New York football Giants yesterday put any doubters to rest. What the Vikings can learn from them is to put your foot down on your opponents throats. They do not get a lead and then play conservatively. The Vikings have the offensive fire power to do exactly what the Saints are doing, yet Childress seems to enjoy giving teams a chance to crawl back into games. Sure losing Winfield and Sapp didn't help, but the offense is good enough to continue putting up points and keep teams at bay.
What's on Tap
The Vikings find themselves limping into Pittsburgh next Sunday. Winfield may be out for several weeks, Sapp's status is unknown at this time, Peterson tweaked is ankle, and Harvin's shoulder is a concern. With that said, this team still has the depth and talent to win this game, but if the defense continues to allow the yardage they been allowing thus far, it's going to be a very long day for the Purple. They cannot not afford to play conservatively on the offensive side of the ball in this one either. The Steelers will not back down, especially at home so it's imperative that the Vikings play a solid game all around.
6-0 is nothing to complain about. You have to make plays at the right times to put yourself in position to win games and the Vikings have done that. The concern right now is a trend on both sides of the ball that needs to stop if they truly want to be there come next February. I said last week that they need to go 2-1 during this tough stretch to be considered a legit contender. While the Ravens did indeed lose the game for the Vikings, they are still 1-0 and need to pull off one more win before the bye to set themselves up nicely for second half playoff push.
Till Next Sunday,
SKOL Vikings!
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