The game starts out with a bang or so we thought with Percy Harvin’s opening kickoff return for a touchdown. It was so loud in the dome; fans were going crazy and add in Harvin cranking the football against the wall in excitement after scoring all for not with the dreaded yellow hanky laying 90 yards behind the play. It is so neat to sit in the upper deck and watch holes opening for the players as one advantage of going to games.
The kickoffs of Blair Walsh have been so deep all year that to see the short kickoffs in the first half and by short I mean in the end zone but not out of the end zone was strange. Walsh has spoiled me so far.
The punts by Chris Kluwe were not the bombs he usually hits but they were sure effective as the Vikings special teams did a great job Sunday of containing 2011 Pro Bowl return man, Patrick Peterson. Kudos to Coach Priefer, and the Vikes special teams on a job well done in containing Patrick.
The Vikings have seven sacks Sunday, yet struggled to tackle especially running back Stephens-Howling. This little 5’7” little jitterbug was unbelievable. It was just another story of Sunday watching the Vikings defense hammer quarterback John Skelton time after time. The defense made the stops when they had to with example 4th and 1 quarterback Skelton takes a jolt from Sunday’s leading tackler, Antoine Winfield. The team did not tackle as well as usual but still team hustle was evident Sunday. I appreciate all the team did to get the win.
The play of Chris Cook and the rest of the team in shutting down All Pro Larry Fitzgerald Jr was very impressive. I kept an eye on Fitzgerald when I could and he just did not have the space to get open.
Harrison Smith’s pick six was so fun to watch as the place erupted. I watched him cut way back towards the sideline weave his way toward the end zone. I saw him get to the 5 yard line and I was just hoping he could finish. It was the first interception return for a touchdown by a rookie since 2003.
The left side of the offensive line did such a nice job of opening holes for Adrian Peterson. What a pleasure to see the miracle man come through on Sunday. The one play that indicated how good Sunday went for Peterson was he looked to have 5 yard gain and then through his pushing with the help of teammates gained 5 more for a 10 yard run.
The talk Sunday on the way home on the radio was the play of Christian Ponder. It was unbelievable to be at a game watching a quarterback throw for 58 yards including 2 interceptions and the team still wins.
It is so strange to watch a win but yet much to talk about as far as concerns on the play of Ponder. Jerome Simpson still has not had the impact I had hoped for thus far. He did draw a pass interference call which is helpful.
This young defense continues to make strides and the team speed continues to be evident. It was not the best tackling performance but the end result is a W.
The last strange event, but this one was good, was the weather. I thought it was very cool temperature wise in the dome and after the game coming outside into 70 degree weather. It was warmer outside then inside.
A crazy day of football is now in the books and Thursday back at it with Tampa Bay coming to town.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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