On Sunday
the Vikings (3-5) hosted the Washington Redskins (3-5) with so much on the
line. The two teams are coming off wins on the road and now with a win Sunday
will at least keep the playoff hopes alive.
The way
Sunday morning started out with a Redskins team bus getting in an accident as
one team bus rear ended the other on the way to the stadium. I add thankfully
no one was seriously hurt.
The other
big pregame event was the protest being conducted outside the TCF Bank Stadium.
My wife and I were walking to the stadium and saw two helicopters straight
overhead. We walked down as my curiosity got the best of me and wanted to see
the protest. It seemed to be packed. I know I read after the game that there
were over 3000 protestors.
It was quite
a morning with 2 big events and the kickoff has not even happened yet. Sunday
was NFL alumni weekend which as on display in the pregame.
Former
Gopher and Vikings player, Tyrone Carter blew the Gjllarhorn to signal the
Vikings were coming. The National Anthem was sung by Esera Tuaolo who played
for the Vikes from 1992-1996. I have heard him before and can assure you it is
beautiful to listen to. The honorary captain for the coin toss was Carl Eller.
I really
thought the crowd with player introduction and even much of the first half was
very quiet. I do miss the dome for the ear blowing noise at times.
I really
liked the first play of the game play call even though it was not successful. I
love the deep ball and for a split second I thought Greg Jennings may have a
chance.
I had
another deep ball down in front of me where I saw Cordarrelle Patterson running
free in what I thought was a for sure touchdown. It seemed Patterson quit on
the route. I did hear after the game the sun was a factor. I would have liked
to see a better effort.
I get frustrated
with special teams this year because it seems like 90 percent of punt returns
the Vikes are called for blocking from behind. Once again Sunday I see it again.
The other frustration comes with 3rd down for the Redskins and 5.5
yards for a first down. I see a Vikings defensive player encroach and there
goes a free 5 yards.
I feel at
3-5 the Vikes are on the slimmer side of making the playoffs but perhaps the
play that saved the day was Captain Munnerlyn intercepting an RGIII pass with
less than a minute left in the half. The Vikes end up scoring a TD before half
sending the team off the field in front of some happy fans and now are back in
the game being down 10-7.
I am
starting to feel when the Vikes get the ball late in the game and put it in
Teddy Bridgewater’s hand the team has a chance and on Sunday Teddy did his
thing calmly leading the team to the go ahead touchdown. I loved the call going
for two putting the game at 29-26.
The Redskins
get the ball back and it is time to hold your breath. I saw RGIII drop back on
3rd and 20 I get up yelling,” Get him, Get him and I thought the
defense did but all of a sudden there RGIII goes running for 16. You have got
to be kidding, I thought to myself. It sets up 4th down with the
game on the line. The entire stadium is standing and I see RGIII get loose
again and see a receiver open. It is so loud in the stadium and what do we see
next, we see the incompletion. Game over and fans are going bonkers. The fans
filing out were chanting, TEDDY, TEDDY,TEDDY
Thanks for
reading
Todd
Walkingstick
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