The
Minnesota Vikings came in 3-0 while the Dallas Cowboys were 0-2 and after the
game ended we saw the Vikings remain undefeated and the Cowboys remain winless.
Yes, Vikings win 28-14 giving Coach Zimmer another win in preseason.
The record
is nice but as preseason goes means absolutely nothing rather how do the
Vikings players perform? Who stood out? Who made too many mistakes? Which
player is putting pressure on the coaches not to cut?
The Raider
game last weeks is a game I am sure Blair Walsh would like to forget as well as
the coaching staff and hope Blair can come out Saturday night in Dallas and
rectify things. Walsh started out in the first quarter with a much needed field
goal made. I know I sat in my chair nervous for Blair knowing pressure on. Yes,
the distance was only 28 yards but the point is it went through the uprights
for a 3-0 Vikings lead.
The Cowboys
quarterback threw a very nice pass to Terrance Williams which in my opinion
should have been for shorter than it ended up going all the way for 6. A
defensive mistake cost the Vikings a long touchdown catch and run. I felt a bad
angle taken by safety, Robert Blanton but also could have been caused by
Blanton and Harrison Smith colliding didn’t help either, but regardless 6
points for the bad guys.
The Vikes
down 7-3 get another big play from a controversial player from last week in
Cordarrelle Patterson in which he was questioned of his route run that resulted
in an interception in the Raiders game. What does Patterson do? He takes the
ball 107 yards for a kickoff return touchdown. The move on the kicker and that’s
all she wrote, touchdown Vikings. I do get concerned with players when they are
10 yards or so from the end zone and they seem to high step it or slow down
just a little. Please just cross the goal line and then celebrate anyway you
want.
Dallas goes
down and scores the go ahead touchdown on a play where no pass rush and you
give Tony Romo that much time that he will make you pay the price and he did.
Cowboys go back up 14-10.
Vikings get
another big field goal this time from 45 yards out so big self-esteem boost for
Blair Walsh again and Vikes are within a point.
This would
be the last point the Cowboys would score in the game. This is the 4th
game in a row for the Vikings that they did not give up any points in the
fourth quarter.
Yes, the
Vikings scored 2 more touchdowns on runs by Dominique Williams along with a beautiful
2 point pass from quarterback, Tyler Heinicke to Chase Ford making the final:
Vikings 28 Cowboys 14.
PLAYERS AND POSITIONS THAT STUCK OUT
I am
obviously have nothing to do with cutting or making the team but I can still be
impressed with players.
-The Vikings
defense holding Dallas to 0-11 on 3rd down
-Teddy
Bridgewater going 9-9 is playing out of his mind this preseason. His 38 yard
connection with Mike Wallace down the sideline was one of perfection.
-Taylor
Heinicke who I have no idea if he will make the team as quarterback in my mind
was very good tonight showing ability to scramble and had a strong arm. His
stats, 11-11 for 83 yards and a 98.1% Quarterback rating was amazing.
- Antone
Exum Jr. lead the team in tackles but what I loved was his hard hitting and not
backing down. The man in my mind will be on the 53 man roster. I would love to see
him paired up with Harrison Smith as 2 hard hitting safeties.
- Erick
Kendrick, what can I say? The man is pure hustle and what a tackler. One play I
go back to is Kendricks is clearly being held by an offensive lineman yet Erick
still gets in on a tackle.
-Edmond
Robinson, 7th round 2015 draft choice has really played his butt off
now 2 straight games. The linebacker group is going to be a tough group to make
cuts from and after Saturday night coaches’ decision just got that much
NEGATIVES ABOUT THE GAME
I love this
team but even I can’t overlook some serious problems in the win over Dallas
starting with:
-way too
many penalties with 11 for 80 and yes I know Dallas had 11 as well
- Third down
conversion going 0-11 is very concerning but I also know in the regular season
the team will have Adrian Peterson
OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
It is a win
and no serious injuries to the Vikings players. Blair Walsh does go 2 for 3 so
an improvement from last week. I believe this might be the best linebacker
group we have had in many years. Quarterbacks continue to look sharp. I would
like to see Jerick McKinnon break more tackles and I would definitely love to
see Matt Asiata get more carries next week. Yes, one more game and it’s off to
regular season. I leave Saturday with the feeling even more that the Vikes will
make noise in 2015.
Thanks for
reading
Go Vikes
Todd
Walkingstick
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