The Vikings sitting in the 6th seed for the playoffs right will not get a better test than they will on Sunday in Houston. Las Vegas odds have Houston favored by 7.5 points.
This season has been incredible with the Vikings winning 8 thus far. One more victory makes 9 which will equal the total wins of the last 2 season’s totals with 3 in 2010 and 6 last year. It is hard not to be excited about a possible playoff game after suffering through the last 2 seasons.
The 2012 draft has turned out to be one of the better ones I can remember. The efforts by each of these young men cannot go without being thanked and makes the future even brighter with these draft choices having one year under their belt.
The game Sunday will have John Parry as the referee and has had this position since 2007. The info I find out each week has shown me that the father of Parry is the Supervisor of officials of the Big Ten football conference.
The Vikings are going to have their hands full Sunday with the powerful, number one seed in the AFC as of right now. In looking at the injury front the Vikings look to be in good shape. The fact that Chris Cook will be in uniform and get some playing time is huge.
It is week 16 and by now team injuries are mounting. I know Houston is the opponent but checking around the NFL, the New England Patriots this Sunday have 19 players questionable if they will play. The Vikings have just one and that is Brian Robison. The injury bug has really seemed to have not hit the Vikings thus far.
I can remember back in Training Camp the Vikings switched their normal morning pads practice to the afternoon in the heat and in pads. Is this the difference in the health status of the team being in better shape from this switch? I do not know the answer. It is only something to think about.
The most fun I believe to watch in this game will be like every week with Adrian Peterson against the Houston defense. The challenge this week has the Vikings 4th ranked in the NFL in rush offense but Houston has the 5th ranked rush defense in the NFL. I believe the Vikes offense will win this battle. Adrian is not only going towards a record but he is playing in his home state. I cannot think of two better incentives for Adrian to be successful along with the offensive line and add in fullback, Jerome Felton.
The one thing the Vikings have improved in this year is cutting down in penalties. The 2011 team ranked 23rd for most penalties accepted against them and this year they are 4th. The team absolutely needs to continue this trend especially on the road and against the AFC’s best.
I was hoping Houston would have home field wrapped up by now so the test would be a little easier for the Vikings. It now will be even better to challenge this young Vikings squad.
This game features great players going against each other making for an NFL fan’s dream to watch battles like this.
Adrian Peterson leading the NFL in rushing and Houston’s own, Arian Foster as two of the best running backs go head to head. A man who is threating to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record again the NFL leading touchdown scorer.
The defense each has a great sack man with Jared Allen who had 22.5 sacks last season goes against the Texans’ J.J. Watt who is threating to break Michael Strahan’s NFL sack record. Watt comes in with 19.5. This will be so fun to watch as you got to know Jared will not get shown up by Watt. It will be a fun completion to watch. Will the Vikings or Texans’ offensive line do a better job? I believe Minnesota will dominate and swat Watt back and keep him in check.
The other fun battles will be the kickers with each kicking 5 field goals last week. The difference is Blair Walsh 3 of his 5 were over 50 yards.
I am so pumped for this game. It has been a couple years since we can say in Week 16 the game matters and not for a high draft pick. The Vikes will get a pick but I would rather see a playoff run and get a lower first round pick.
The game is noon Sunday and a win would be a great early Christmas gift for all Purple fans. I get excited just thinking the Vikes win, Peterson rushes for 150 and then Green Bay coming to Mall of America Field. What a last game of the year Vikings fans will get, the hated Packers coming and Peterson getting a chance to break records against those cheese heads.
It all could happen but first we need a win in Houston. I believe it will happen.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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