Complete Game Once Again

For a second straight week the Vikings have shown their dominance throughout an entire 4 quarters. They did it this past week to a division rival that has a QB many in Minnesota clamored for in the offseason. The 36-10 victory just about ends the Bears’ playoff hopes, leaving them only extreme mathematical chances, and gets the Purple one step closer to clinching their own spot in the post-season.

The talk in the media, however, isn’t all about the Vikings. It’s been all about the Who Dat Saints, which I’m sure suits the Vikings just fine. The Saints beat a Patriots team that looked as though they were mailing it in this week and now everyone is contemplating their chances, along with the Indianapolis Colts, of running the table. Good! I hope they keep talking about that and forget about the Vikings. I don’t mean to make it sound like the media isn’t paying any attention to the Purple, because they are, but not nearly as much as the Saints. I’d much rather have it that way, though. Do any of you remember the 15-1 Vikings of 1998 and how the talk was that they were the best team the NFL had seen in years? If you don’t or it’s too traumatic to bring it back up, then let me remind you that they also went into the NFC Championship game 10 point favorites over the 14-2 Atlanta Falcons. Who won that game? Nevermind, it’s too painful. What I’m getting at is that the attention being focused on the Saints leaves the Vikings players humbled without the head-swelling that can happen when you’re all the media talks about. Head-swelling only leads to two things: 1) Migraines and 2) Critical, unexpected losses in big games. I’ll pass and I’m sure the Vikings will too.

Onto the fantastic game. The Silver Fox, once again, confirmed the fact that Brad Childress and the Vikings made the correct decision in bring him in. A stat line of 32 for 48 for 392 yards and 3 TDs isn’t too shabby. The only number that concerns me is the 48 pass attempts, but Childress explained this by saying they were just taking what the defense was giving them. I actually believe him, because the Bears were loading the box when Adrian Peterson was in and leaving decent receivers in man coverage. Favre made some throws that I didn’t know were possible and he kept firing even though his receivers had some early drops.

Percy Harvin is working hard at convincing people he’s the best candidate for Rookie of the Year. He had his first 100 yard receiving day of his career. Six receptions for 101 yards and a TD as well as 45 yards on the ground solidifies him as one of the team’s most dynamic players. He’s making tough catches in the middle of the field with defenders closing in. Not many rookies have the guts or skill to catch and secure a ball knowing contact is coming right after. He’s a triple threat (kick returner, receiving, rushing) and the Vikings should be grateful that he fell into their lap at Pick 22. No, seriously Chili…cheer up! Your team is 10-1!

The story of the game, however, was not the Silver Fox or Percy Harvin. It wasn’t Adrian Peterson’s rushing struggles. It wasn’t even centered around any specific player or team. It was the referees and their ability to throw a flag. I’m pretty sure they needed more treatment after the game than most of the players did. I’m really surprised there were no separated shoulders from all the times the refs went to their pockets to quickly throw a flag. Overall, there were 16 penalties and a number that were thrown and then picked up.

There were a few drives, in particular, that were extremely aggrevating. The drive which ultimately ended in a Visanthe Shiancoe touchdown was actually preceded by a nullified Shiancoe TD reception. The Chester Taylor TD run that was called back for a holding penalty on Bernard Berrian ended with a Ryan Longwell field goal. That drive actually had 4 Minnesota penalties and it was getting rather annoying. I get that you have to call them game as you see it, but at some point you have to let the guys play. The Adrian Peterson facemask was a garbage call because if you look closely, Hunter Hillenmeyer actually grabbed AP’s face mask and AP went to stiff arm and got his hand stuck in Hillenmeyer’s mask. If anything, there should have been two calls that offset eachother. It was a divisional game that was going to get a little rough, and the referees obviously didn’t want it that way.

Regardless of the referee’s attempts to nullify scoring drives, the Vikings pulled out a win and now are headed to Arizona to take on last year’s NFC Champions. It should be a fantastic game between two offensive powerhouses. Remember that Sidney Rice actually trained with Larry Fitzgerald this offseason, and so it will be an interesting side plot to see who has the better day.

Have a good one folks! Ragnar is…

Tags: Adrian Peterson, bears, Bernard Berrian, Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Chester Taylor, Percy Harvin, saints, Sidney Rice, Vikings, Visanthe Shiancoe