Friday, October 5, 2012

Looking to stay undefeated at home

A great start to the season watching the team we love break an 11 game NFC North Division losing streak, equaling win total from last year already, and winning 2 games at home after only 1 all last season. What are the hopes for Sunday?

The foot to the petal cannot stop. Confidence is good, but please Vikings do not be overconfident with the way this wacky season has started. The parody in the league that was hoped for by many I believe is becoming a reality.

The work the team has put into has been rewarded but as we know each Sunday will get tougher. A home game of all things would not be a good time to be lackadaisical and hope to get a win.

The way the defense has come out in the first 4 games is something to be proud of as a fan. The special teams unit is performing with the return game looking strong and coverage units making plays. The offense is learning together; add in a healthier Adrian Peterson and the future is looking bright for our purple crazed fans.

If you look at the two teams stats thus far you would think the Vikings are a clear cut favorite to win Sunday. The Vikings are 5.5 point favorites by Vegas lines.
Minnesota’s offense has got to be licking their chops in looking at what Tennessee has given up thus far in the first 4 weeks of the season. The Titans have given up an average of 38.5 point per game which is number one in the NFL. The Vikings offense to date is averaging 23 per game. After last week with fans upset the team could not score an offensive touchdown yet still won the game. Perhaps this is the medicine the doctor ordered.

Jerome Simpson showed glimpses last week of what he can bring. I envision one long bomb to Simpson and the place I call my 2nd home with 63,000 sisters and brothers screaming their purple lungs out will have that place going wild. Fans are ready after a frustrating last 2 seasons and not much winning. The team has a deep threat once again.

The protection has been so much better so far and the decision making by Christian Ponder has made remarkable improvements from last season. The dink and dunk passing, add in some Adrian Peterson power and now the deep ball can happen. The Vikings offense for so long has been seemingly predictable. Last Sunday Fans saw a change at the end of the game when Ponder threw a deep sideline pattern and Simpson went up and got it. I feel previous years the team may have run 1st and 2nd down forced into 3rd and long and get stopped. 2012 is here and with that comes a much appreciated change in philosophy.

The only disappointment honestly is not having John Carlson having more of an impact. It is early but sure would like to see combo of Kyle Rudolph and John Carlson. The size of these 2 along with their hands has got to get Offensive Coordinator Bill Musgrave excited.

I see nothing but success Sunday as the Titans will have to pick their poison. Teams have been able in the past to put 8 in the box and try to focus on Peterson. In 2012, a deep threat (Simpson), 2 viable tight ends (Rudolph and Carlson), a wide receiver who is Mr. Versatility, (Harvin) and a quarterback who not only is surprisingly fast and this season is making better decisions will give Tennessee’s defensive coordinator a lot to think about. The emergence of a healthier Adrian Peterson is the topping of this purple cake. It has been a while that a fan can think like this.

The defensive side of the ball is getting praise in the media which is rare especially after the last 2 seasons. The team speed with all the youth is so encouraging for the fans. The fact that Tennessee offense is averaging 20 points per game while the Vikings have averaged in the 2 homes games up 18 points per game. The final score should be Vikings 38 Titans 20 according to the stats.

Defensively the Vikings will face one of the best running backs in the NFL with the Titans, Chris Johnson. His performance of 141 last week cannot happen again and I believe it will not.

The Vikings only 2 home games they have faced 2 of the premier backs in the NFL. Week 1 they saw Jaguars Maurice Jones-Drew who rushed for 77 yards. Week 3, 49ers’ Frank Gore was held to 63 yards. Two power house backs and they were put in check. The hustle and team tackling was the ingredient to the blue print to the Vikings defensive success.

The one concern I have is with the Tennessee quarterback who will have veteran, Matt Hasselback. The Vikings pass rush could be at an advantage because of his age. He is 37 years old so if the team can force him to run, advantage Vikings. Matt has been in the league 14 years with 8 of those passing over 3000 yards. He has not played this long without be smarter than his opponents. His veteran leadership could be advantage Titans. I really feel the Vikings home crowd will play in causing the Titans offensively line to struggle with snap counts.

The special teams by both teams might be the difference with Titans kicker Rob Bironas who has an outstanding leg along with our own record setting Blair Walsh.

You cannot mention special teams without mentioning Percy Harvin, September special teams player of the month. As you may or may not know it is the first time in Vikings history a Vikings return man has won this honor.

The Titans have special team’s players of the month in Darius Reynuad. The Vikings coverage unit has been outstanding thus far and will need to stay up. Coach Mike Priefer has the guys playing well so expect nothing less but touchbacks and team tackling

I love the Vikings chances Sunday in getting their 3 home win of the year. The stats say 38-20 Vikes. I will go Vikings 31-10.

Go Vikes!!!!

Thanks for reading
Purplestick

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