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| WALSH GAME WINNING KICK IN OT |
The day began as I started out making my way up 35 going
north to the game. My initial thought was I in Minnesota because for the first
30 miles or so I either saw cars with Illinois or Iowa plates going buy me.
I got to the stadium and did not fare much better as I got
to my seat and discovered Bears fans in front, behind and next to me. I must
say as the game went on these were some of the best fans I have encountered
from the opposition.
The Vikings offense was announced Sunday and when it came
for Ponder to get announced the booing rang out throughout Mall of America
Field.
The booing soon continued as Chicago kicked off but not as I
had hoped. Bears kicker, Robbie Gould kept the ball away from Minnesota’s
newest weapon, Cordarelle Patterson. This did not please the fans as they
showed their displeasure by booing the Bears. I guess I do not blame teams from
kicking to the number one return man in the league. My other thought was, what does
this do to a kick coverage team confidence when the coach calls for short
kicks?
The first 3 drives by the Vikings resulting in 3 different
sacks of Ponder certainly did not help his cause in keeping the boo birds quiet.
I must add with all the criticism of Bill Musgrave’s play
calling I thought the best play of the year was called in the 2nd
quarter when Cordarrelle Patterson lined up as the running back and Toby
Gerhart was put out wide. The play resulted in a touchdown from Patterson who
exhibited his speed and strength.
I will also add I do not know if I have ever been to a Vikings
game where the players coming on and off the field seemed real disorganized. I
would watch Safety, Robert Blanton and linebacker, Marvin Mitchell come on,
come off and come on again each taking turns. It seemed like mas chaos. It
seemed the offense had the same watching receivers struggling to know if they
should be on the field or not. It was a strange sight and one that I have not
seen with the amount it did happen. I am not the coach and maybe it was
designed that way but as a fan seemed out of character.
The first 3 quarters had a few nice plays by both sides but
generally other than that it seemed boring with no one wanting to score.
The fourth quarter and overtime I got my money’s worth, I
thought the play of the game came with less than two minutes left in the game
with the Vikes on their own 8 and it is 4th down. If the Vikes don’t
make it the Bears take over and will win. The drop back by Cassel and finding
Jerome Simpson for 20 yards was unbelievable. Is this going to be Minnesota’s
day finally? The Vikes end up getting a field goal late in the fourth quarter
by Blair Walsh. I figured overtime for sure after this.
The next surprise to me was after seeing Bears return man,
Devin Hester being bottled up or fair catching for the majority of the game now
take this kick and go 57 yards. I thought for sure he was gone until I see
Vikes kicker, Walsh make the play of his early career by forcing Hester out of
bounds.
The overtime was as exhausting as I have ever seen. Fans
from both teams saw Blair Walsh kick the game winning field goal so we all
thought. The Vikings fans were jumping up and down while the Bears fans were
sunken in their chairs in disappointment. The next thing we see a yellow flag
and the Vikings were called for a face mask taking away the field goal. Bear fans were back on their feet in hopes of
maybe stealing a win.
The Bears drive to field goal range. I still question Bears
coach, Trestman for calling for a 47 yard field goal so early in downs. I
thought they should have tried passing at least once but instead the Bears line
up for the game winner. My seats are even with the goal post he was kicking at
so I had to wait to see what the umpires did with their arms. I saw the motion
of no good along with a huge crowd noise as he missed it.
I see Bears fans sit again in disbelief and then the Vikings
fans get another shot. The play of Adrian Peterson on Sunday was as good as I
have ever seen at home. He took the last drive and put the team on his back.
The team puts Blair Walsh out for another shot and this time he did not
disappoint. The VIKES WIN!!!!!
PLAYERS THAT IMPRESSED SUNDAY
QB- Matt Cassel led the team back from a 10 point deficit.
He also had the completion on 4th down.
WR’s- Greg Jennings showed Sunday what he is capable of when
used. Jerome Simpson seemed to make the catch when needed. Jarius Wright has
been playing better as of late and then Sunday made the grab on the sideline
while falling.
RB- Adrian Peterson- 35 carries for 211 yards and breaking the
10,000 yardage plateau. The 35 carries is a personal high and the 211 yards all
I can say is I was there to see it happen.
LB- Audie Cole who has taken over the middle linebacker spot
has really looked sharp and on Sunday he was consistently around the ball.
DB- Xavier Rhoes is really emerging and on Sunday played
Brandon Marshall very tough as Marshall did not have many receptions.
DE- Brian Robison and Jared Allen I thought had a very good
day in keeping pressure on Bears quarterback, McCown.
K- Blair Walsh making the game winning kick, along with his
game saving tackle.
MY SURPRISE OF THE DAY
The amount of fair catches made by all world Devin Hester. I
even talked to Bears fans by me who were shocked in what they were seeing.
BEARS FANS- I had Bears fans shake my hands in congratulating
us on the Vikings win. These fans were super nice to talk to and discuss our
dislike for the Packers team.
SUMMARY
The subject that will not go away is if the Vikings win our
draft choice drops. I was at the game and it is hard not to cheer for the
Purple. You can see the excitement on the sidelines by the players. Fans may
not want the wins but the player’s sure do. It is beating a fellow division
team and bragging rights for the fans at least for this day. I am emotionally
drained yet so happy the result in the end was a win.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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