I got home late Sunday after the game and was full of so excitement. I was emotionally drained yet was so excited to sit down and type my thoughts after the game of a lifetime.
I woke up after a good night of sleep and had thoughts pop in my head that I did not even think about when I was typing last night. This game had so many angles and story lines you could write a book.
I was reflecting back on the season that saw the team only loses one time at home against Tampa Bay. It was a loss and I feel if the team played that game was played 10 times I feel in my heart the Vikes would win 9 of those. It was just a game that did not typify the home schedule and the way the team had performed. Yes, it was a loss and I will leave it at that.
I will go back farther to the first game of the schedule. The Jacksonville Jaguars score a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Who can forget the 2 throws Christian Ponder made to get the team into field goal position and send the game into overtime? Who would have thought the 55 yard field goal made by Walsh would be the first of him making 9 more during the season? A perfect 10-10 breaking the NFL record of field goals made of 50 plus in one season is what this rookie out of Georgia did. I hear so much on TV with the controversy on whether a kicker is a football player. The man was as part of the team as anyone.
The last game of the season playing the biggest rival team with a game that had so much on the line. How did the game end? Yes, a field goal by Blair Walsh sending the team running onto the field in joy. The first and last home games ends with winning field goals. Do we have Mr. Clutch?
The Vikings last 2 seasons has been disastrous against the NFC North and after Sunday’s win finished 4-2 against these teams. What an accomplishment. I finally get a coffee at work from a Packers fan after I have had to buy the last 5 rounds.
The story of Christian Ponder is such a big debate on whether he can make it in the NFL as a legitimate quarterback. It has been such an up and down year and at work I take such a pounding from coworkers when Ponder had his sub 100 yard performances. It is not fun to watch him perform like that but I also have faith in Coach Frazier with the way he handles the quarterback.
I will not pronounce him Hall of Fame but the last 3 weeks he has really played well. Yes, I know 3 games is not a season. I do like how he battles and my assumption is he knows what the media is saying.
The guy in the last 3 weeks with each game basically a loss and out I thought he has done nothing to hurt the team and only helped. The fact that Peterson is the most feared weapon the Vikings have. Teams know this and stack the line of scrimmage only to watch AP go, go, go. The play of Ponder could not have come at a better time. I looked back at the stats of the last 3 games and was reminded there have been 0 interceptions thrown and he has thrown 4 touchdowns in this span.
I love the steps this man is taking for the positive. The game against Green Bay I remind you that it was said the Vikings offense cannot match the Packers high powered offense. The final score Aaron Rodgers 4 touchdowns Christian Ponder 3 touchdowns also Ponder’s passing rate at 120.2.
The throw that Ponder made late in the game with the Vikings on a 3rd and 10 knowing if they fail the ball goes back to Green Bay with a chance to win it late. I believe the Packers have one of the better pass defenses so to see Michael Jenkins wide open on the sideline was unbelievable. The fact he was so open was one thing but for Ponder to recognize this I say, Kudos to Ponder for getting the ball to him.
I may get ripped for supporting Ponder but I have to go with what I saw Sunday. The 2 biggest tests of the season facing San Francisco at home and then Green Bay I feel Ponder played the 2 best games of his career.
The cost of season tickets is so worth it as I can be in there and feel like part of the team. If you watch the game on TV you only see what is shown. If you go to the game you can watch whatever your eyeballs can handle.
It has been such a rewarding season and I know going to Green Bay will be tough. I feel like we played with them last time minus some turnovers and then Sunday’s ending in a win. It can and will be done.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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