I was
shocked earlier in the week when I read the Bengals put in for an extension to
get more time to sell the game out vs the Vikings. The Bengals have a chance to
clinch a playoff spot and potentially lock up their division all in one day.
This might be one of the stranger storylines in the NFL to me after watching
how the Bengals easily destroyed my beloved purple team.
The opening
kickoff was a true surprise as the Bengals actually were brave enough to kick
to Cordarrelle Patterson. The potential rookie candidate of the year almost
made them pay. I thought what a great way to start a game on the road with a
great return and great field position.
The swing of
emotions did not take long as Cincinnati strips Cassel and run it all the way
back to the 4. It seems this sums up the Vikings season. We have so much hope
and within seconds it is all gone. As a fan I did appreciate the hustle by Toby
Gerhart to run the defender down. Yes, the Bengals scored 2 plays later but
still to see a player not give up was appreciated.
The swing of
emotion for Vikings fans early as the team goes down 7-0 on the road come back
to make a great play. We find Matt Cassel rolling out right and find a wide
open Jarius Wright for a touchdown. I loved the play but even a nicer touch as
we see Wright go to the crowd and give the ball to a Vikings fan in the front
row.
The play of
Fred Evans Sunday was unbelievable. I can understand a little being offsides
but to have 3 in one day is unexplainable and 2 of those in the same drive.
The announcer’s
team of Dick Stockton and Ronde Barber had just as bad of a day as Evans. I
could not believe how many mistakes especially Stockton made calling out
players. In the game early we see Audie Cole go down yet Stockton tells fans on
TV that Everson Griffen is down. Oops !!! We see Vikings punter, Jeff Locke
lined up to punt and Stockton calls out a different players name other than
Locke. Oops. The Bengals line up in the Wildcat offense with Mohamed Sanu (#12)
lined up as quarterback with Dalton out wide. Stockton announces Dalton gets
the ball. Oops, wrong player again. In the 2nd half Bengals
offensive lineman, Andre Smith is down in agony while we have Stockton call out
it was Andrew Whitworth. Oops, Stockton misses again. I don’t know what was
worse today with Stockton’s guesses or the Vikings offensive 3rd
down efficiency.
The Vikings
got beat down pretty easily on Sunday but I can’t help but be frustrated by
another blown call by the refs. I refer to Jerome Simpson in double coverage
getting clearly pushed down by the Bengals defender. It hurts even worse when I
hear TV announce, former defensive back, Ronde Barber even make a comment that
it should have been interference. This play would not have helped the Vikes win
yet it would be nice to get some help once in a while.
The halftime
might have been the best part of the day today. I absolutely loved the little
bit that was shown with tiny monkeys riding on the back of dogs and herding
sheep. If that did not make you laugh I do not know what would.
I am a fan
who who would rather see if the Vikes were to loose I would rather see a game
like today. Those losses with less than a minute left are so hard to take. A
game like today was over early. It was just a matter of the final.
The player
of the day today without a doubt was Cordarrelle Patterson. The return ability
he offers makes me totally forget Percy who? The smile on his face is so nice
to see. The touchdown run out of the backfield for 35 yards was awesome. He too
made a great gesture like Wright as Patterson went to the stands and gave the
ball to a Vikings fan in the front row. I am so excited to know we are going to
have him in purple for a few years.
The game
plan today was simple by Cincinnati as far as the passing game went. It goes
like this, when Chris Cook is in there we will throw it at him. Cook gave up 2
touchdowns today and there were not real pretty in his coverage effort. It is
truly frustrating to watch a guy get burned over and over.
One more
example of the season not meant to be is like this: The Vikings have a 4th
and 3 and Cassel completes the ball to Jennings for a first down. One problem
and that was Cincinnati had called timeout before the ball was snapped. The
next try the Vikes fail and it is first down Cincinnati going the other way.
The 2013
road part of the schedule ended Sunday with the loss to Cincinnati leaving
Minnesota with a 0-7-1 record. This is the 3rd time in team history
where the Vikes did not win one road game.
I have never
seen a season like this with so much hope and so many games that were within
reach of a win. I love this team to death but will be ready to go to the dome
next Sunday and watch the team close the book on the season.
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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