The game last Sunday for the Vikings not only was a win I also found some surprising numbers from the first week that may shock football fans.
There are many rating in the NFL but one rating that caught my eye was the quarterback rating. The NFC North not only has Ponder, but also Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Matthew Stafford (Lions), and Jay Cutler (Bears). The first week had Ponder’s the leader in this category with a rating of 105.5 followed by Cutler at 98.9, Rodgers had 93.3 and Stafford brings up the rear with a 69.4.
The week Blair Walsh put him 3rd in the NFC with 14 points only behind Matt Bryant (Falcons) and Billy Cundiff (Redskins) who each had 16 points. The 55 yarder by Walsh was also second longest behind David Akers (49ers) who had a NFL tying 63 yarder at Green Bay. What an opening week for the rookie kicker from the University of Georgia.
In speaking from a fan perspective the last 2 home games with the one Week 17 on January 31 that ended the 2011-2012 season and now week 1, September 9, I was able to see 2 new records set by Vikings players.
Jared Allen broke Chris Doleman team’s sack record on January 1, 2012 against the Chicago Bears and then last Sunday., September 9,2012 Adrian Peterson broke Robert Smith’s record for most rushing yards by a Vikings player. It is so rewarding to be in the crowd and get to see these records broken. The old saying records are meant to be broken and someday Allen and Peterson’s record may be broke but at least for now I can say I saw 2 new team records.
Sunday September 16th the Vikings travel to Indianapolis for the team’s first road game of the year. This will be the first time for the team to play in Lucas Oil Field. The Vikings are 0-10 on the road against the Colts. This includes the day when the Colts use to be the Baltimore Colts. The all-time record is 7-15-1 against the Colts with a 7-5-1 record at home and then the 0-10 on the road.
This would be a sweet win in hopes of a 2-0 record for the first time since 2009. This is also the first time since 1988 the team has played the first 2 games against AFC opponents.
The Colts have a new coach and his name is Chuck Pagano. The Vikings faced in week 1 a new coach in Jacksonville’s Mike Mularkey and now in week 2 another new head coach.
The Colts lost big in Chicago last week and now their first home game will be against the Vikings. There will be a lot of emotion in Indy with their prize rookie number one pick quarterback Andrew Luck making his home debut.
The game will be on Fox and have the announcing team of Thomas Brenneman and Brian Billick. I really like Billick and his insight especially being a former member of the Vikings coaching staff.
Week 1 could not have brought more excitement, what will week 2 on the road bring?
Next up: Thoughts on what needs to happen to get the all-important win on the road.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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