The game last Thursday at home against Tampa Bay was very disappointing but it is time to move on quickly as the second half of the season begins this Sunday in Seattle.
Seattle has beat Green Bay and New England at home so this Sunday will not be easy. Let’s take a look at some info leading into this big NFC tilt.
The series has the Vikings only winning 5 of 11 including a 2-4 record in Seattle. The good news is the Vikings have won the last 2, and 3 out of the last 4. The Vikings in 2006 went to Seattle and beat the Seahawk 31-13. 2012 Vikings tight end, John Carlson was on Seattle team when the Vikings won out there in 2006.
The 2012 Vikings will face 3 familiar faces with special team’s ace, Heath Farwell, along with former wide out Sidney Rice. The Seattle offensive coordinator is Darrell Bevell.
Seattle’s kicker Steven Hauschka went to Mankato in 2008 for a try out only to lose out to Ryan Longewell.
Minnesota’s Chris Kluwe started with Seattle before heading to the Vikings in 2005.
In looking at some offensive numbers we find Percy Harvin is tied for first in the NFL with 60 receptions. The Pro Ballot is out as it is time to start voting. I am very excited to see how America views Harvin’s performance thus far.
A fact I did not realize is the Vikings are tied for first in the NFL with only 7 dropped passes as a team.
Adrian Peterson cannot have enough good words to describe him. He is the number one running back in the NFL with 775 rushing yards. Where would the Vikings be without him?
Blair Walsh continues to have strong numbers. He is tied in the league with 31 touchbacks. He also is tied for 3rd with 17 field goals made and also 4th in the league with 68 points.
In staying with the theme of special teams the top 2 return men in the NFL will be facing off Sunday. Percy Harvin leads the NFL with a 35.7 and Seahawk’s Leon Washington has a 29.8 average.
The Vikings special teams have done such a good job that the team is ranked second in the league starting at 25.3 yard line.
Seattle’s Head Coach Pete Carroll has Minnesota connections as he was the Vikings defensive back coach from 1985-1989.
Pete coached USC before taking the Seattle job. Three of the currents Vikings players played under Caroll at USC. They were Matt Kalil, Everson Griffen and Rhett Ellison.
Another connection with Carroll is former 1st round Vikings draft choice, Kenechi Udeze who was taken 20th in the first round in 2004. Udeze went to school at USC and too played for Carroll.
Kenechi was put on the injured reserve in 2008 after being diagnosed with leukemia. He was forced to retire in 2009.
Kenechi is helping coach Seattle as an intern with the Seahawks defensive line. I wish him all the health and happiness in the future. I met him several times when he was a member of the Purple and I can tell you that you may not find a nicer person.
It is getting closer to game time so my next blog will look at my thoughts on this tough upcoming battle.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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