The home
opener was finally here and I made the trip to TCF Bank Stadium to see my 150th
home game of Vikings football on Sunday.
This is the
3rd game of the year and what I have found out is two things amongst
many starting with parking. The first 2 preseason games we took the light rail
to TCF Stadium. I have found that parking by the old Metrodome in a lot right
across from the Spaghetti Factory you can pay 4.00 to park. I then caught the
green line light rail for 7.00 for my wife and myself making a total of 11.00. The
train drops you off right behind the stadium. The only issue I found is after
the game the thousands of fans that try to get on all at one. You need much
patience.
Sunday’s
home opener we tried parking on campus at a place called the East River Road
Garage for 10.00, cash only. The walk is a lengthy one but ten dollars is not
bad. The trouble after the game is sitting in traffic.
My advice is
take the light rail and avoid the traffic jams just remember it is a waiting
period in which to catch the next available light rail.
We got to
the stadium and it was wall to wall purple outside the stadium making for a
beautiful sight. The next thing I like to check out is prices of different
drinks or foods. I am not a beer drinker but had to see what the charge is and
8.75 is what I found. The other surprise was the price of cotton candy which
was a whopping 9.00 for a bag.
The excitement
was building as game time approached. I witnessed in pregame 4 military
parachuters coming over head and landing on TCF Bank Stadium field. The last of
the four was holding a rather large United States flag. It was an incredible
sight to see these 4 come in so accurately.
The Vikings
offense was introduced to the fans in which I was curious to see how loud the
stadium would get. I will admit I did not think it was that loud after being
spoiled for years in the dome having my ears blasted out at times.
The player
that drew the loudest cheer was Cordarrelle Patterson who seems to be picking
up steam as a new fan favorite.
Patriots
kickoff with all eyes on Patterson in hopes of the electrifying kickoff return.
We watch the ball go out of the end zone making the first of so many
disappointments.
The Vikings
drive down the field and made it look so easy as the drive ends in a touchdown.
I actually thought the crowd was louder for the touchdown than the player name announcements.
I am so pumped seeing the Vikings go up 7-0 against the powerful New England
Patriots.
I loved the
play calling on that drive. It seemed like the Patriots were so focused on
Cordarelle Patterson they forgot about the other receivers.
The Vikes
stop the Patriots giving the ball back to the Vikings offense. The crowd was
really getting into the game.
The game
changed real quickly when Vikings quarterback, Matt Cassel threw the first of
his 4 interceptions and we saw the Patriot defender take the ball all the way
to the one. The crowd just went silent and it seemed to take the crowd out for
the rest of the game.
The Vikings
had such a good chance to make it a one score game right before half but then
the unthinkable. A blocked Blair Walsh field goal attempt and fans sat and
watched the Patriots take it to the house 9 seconds before half. The crowd was stunned and upset.
The Vikes
get the ball back and take a knee really getting the crowd mad so much that they
booed the team off the field at halftime.
The second
half saw fans filing out quickly early in the fourth quarter and we heard
repeated chants of Teddy, Teddy, Teddy!!!!!!
The offense
just had too many turnovers leaving the Patriots with good field position. The
team gave up 30 but I will go on the ledge by saying they didn’t play necessarily
that bad.
If you look
at the stats Brady numbers aren’t monstrous finishing with 149 yards passing
nor were the Patriots team totals which totaled 292. A good team takes advantage
of what a team gives them and that is exactly what New England did. A team that
wins big you would think the stats would correlate but not Sunday.
My 2 biggest
disappointing players of the game: Matt Cassel just looked so lost making some
terrible decisions. I also thought left tackle; Matt Kalil really struggled as
well today.
I was
disappointed with the last of use of Cordarrelle Patterson not giving him the
ball enough. I would love to see him line up in the back field and try it. I am
not sure why but feel the team has nothing to lose. He is fast, talented and
wants to score. Please give him the ball.
I also came
into the game looking for a ferocious pass rush on Brady but that never
materialized either.
I look at
the NFC North the first 2 weeks and know if Minnesota can get back on track in
week 3 they will be right in it for the long haul. It is a long season and know
Coach Zimmer will make sure there are not 2 weeks in a row like this.
I am
disappointed but know it is only week 2. I also know the weather was beautiful
Sunday so much that my wife and I got sunburned.
Thanks for
reading
Todd
Walkingstick
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