Gryphon
Merge Ahead
- Messages
- 3,407
- Reaction score
- 31
Posted: December 7, 2007
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=315656
So who's the squad from the "other" conference that can create the most consternation in January and, if applicable, February? The Cowboys? Packers? Seahawks?
How about the Vikings?
Crazy as it sounds, the team that got "blowed out" (thanks, Emmitt) by the Packers in Week 10 is one of the hottest teams in all of football after a trio of wins against the Raiders, Giants, and Lions.
The first was a no-brainer, given the generally sorry state of the Oakland franchise. The 41-17 shocker in the Meadowlands was viewed by some as an aberration. But the demolition of Detroit raised eyebrows, especially in light of how Minnesota moved the ball with a previously one-dimensional offense.
The offense has been the biggest surprise over the past three games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a statistical bottom feeder earlier this season, has a passer rating of 69.6. He's almost back to the mythical "Kordoza Line" of 70.7, which is the career mark of former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart. More importantly, Jackson is 6-2 as the starter in his second NFL season.
Rookie phenom Adrian Peterson has been contributing significantly. He still leads the NFL in rushing with 1,197 yards despite missing two games with a torn knee ligament. The fact that the Vikings won both of those games proves that Peterson isn't indispensable, thanks to the presence of Chester Taylor.
The defense has been stuffing the run since converting to the cover 2 last season, and it's gradually improving against the pass.
So with the skills to move the ball on the ground and the ability to stop other teams from doing so, the Vikings are a team that can cause trouble when the climate turns cold. If, for example, the Vikes are required to return to the scene of their 34-0 thrashing at the hands of the Packers and it's windy and snowing, who would have the edge? The team that scores the bulk of its points through the air, or the team that can run and stop the run?
Or what if Minnesota goes back to Dallas? The Vikings played the Cowboys tough at Texas Stadium, leading the game in the third quarter until the Cowboys blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown.
Before the Vikings can get a shot at one of the best teams in the conference, they need to qualify for January play. The Vikings likely need to run the table in order to ensure a playoff berth. Minnesota is tied with the Cardinals and Lions at 6-6. One loss would make things interesting, but two would make the postseason a long shot.
The way they're playing, four more wins in the month of December aren't out of the question, especially since the Vikings play the 49ers, Bears, Commanders, and Broncos -- four teams on the wrong side of the .500 mark.
With nine teams jostling for two wild-card spots, it might be wise for Cowboys fans and Cheeseheads to hope that the team in purple ends up on the outside looking in when the time comes to extend the season. Given their composition and increasing confidence, the Vikings suddenly could be good enough to beat anyone in the NFC once winter begins.
And I can't believe I just typed that.
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=315656
So who's the squad from the "other" conference that can create the most consternation in January and, if applicable, February? The Cowboys? Packers? Seahawks?
How about the Vikings?
Crazy as it sounds, the team that got "blowed out" (thanks, Emmitt) by the Packers in Week 10 is one of the hottest teams in all of football after a trio of wins against the Raiders, Giants, and Lions.
The first was a no-brainer, given the generally sorry state of the Oakland franchise. The 41-17 shocker in the Meadowlands was viewed by some as an aberration. But the demolition of Detroit raised eyebrows, especially in light of how Minnesota moved the ball with a previously one-dimensional offense.
The offense has been the biggest surprise over the past three games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a statistical bottom feeder earlier this season, has a passer rating of 69.6. He's almost back to the mythical "Kordoza Line" of 70.7, which is the career mark of former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart. More importantly, Jackson is 6-2 as the starter in his second NFL season.
Rookie phenom Adrian Peterson has been contributing significantly. He still leads the NFL in rushing with 1,197 yards despite missing two games with a torn knee ligament. The fact that the Vikings won both of those games proves that Peterson isn't indispensable, thanks to the presence of Chester Taylor.
The defense has been stuffing the run since converting to the cover 2 last season, and it's gradually improving against the pass.
So with the skills to move the ball on the ground and the ability to stop other teams from doing so, the Vikings are a team that can cause trouble when the climate turns cold. If, for example, the Vikes are required to return to the scene of their 34-0 thrashing at the hands of the Packers and it's windy and snowing, who would have the edge? The team that scores the bulk of its points through the air, or the team that can run and stop the run?
Or what if Minnesota goes back to Dallas? The Vikings played the Cowboys tough at Texas Stadium, leading the game in the third quarter until the Cowboys blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown.
Before the Vikings can get a shot at one of the best teams in the conference, they need to qualify for January play. The Vikings likely need to run the table in order to ensure a playoff berth. Minnesota is tied with the Cardinals and Lions at 6-6. One loss would make things interesting, but two would make the postseason a long shot.
The way they're playing, four more wins in the month of December aren't out of the question, especially since the Vikings play the 49ers, Bears, Commanders, and Broncos -- four teams on the wrong side of the .500 mark.
With nine teams jostling for two wild-card spots, it might be wise for Cowboys fans and Cheeseheads to hope that the team in purple ends up on the outside looking in when the time comes to extend the season. Given their composition and increasing confidence, the Vikings suddenly could be good enough to beat anyone in the NFC once winter begins.
And I can't believe I just typed that.
