The Minnesota
Vikings came into Denver after winning 2 in a row at home after getting embarrassed
on Monday night football in San Francisco in Week 1. Denver comes into the game
undefeated and boasting the number 1 defense.
A road game on
national TV and the Vikings are playing in the high altitude and comes in as a
touchdown underdog. The defense is facing a future Hall of Fame quarterback so
how would a Mike Zimmer team fare?
The way the
first drive went by Denver was concerning but the bend but not break settled
down and hold the Broncos to a Field Goal. Win goes to the Vikings defense!!!
The Vikings
put a decent drive together but stalls and puts into the hands of struggling
Blair Walsh’ foot and the kick was up and there it goes wide left. Oh no, can
the Broncos cash in on a possible momentum changer?
The answer
was a resounding yes, as Broncos running back, Hillman takes the ball wide left
and there he goes 72 yards for a touchdown. Oh boy that’s all we need as the
announcers had been talking how much the Broncos running game had been
struggling. The Broncos up 10-0 at home, so how would the young Vikings react
to a 10 point deficit?
The pounding
Teddy Bridgewater took over and over I really had more respect than I already
had. The Broncos defense at times absolutely made the Vikings makeshift Offensive
Line look silly.
The first half
even though the Vikes were down 10 I could not help be impressed by the Vikings
defensive effort. Yes, Manning had his share of completions but the young
defense came to play.
Vikings
linebacker, Anthony Barr made the play of the half for the defense for an absolutely
beautiful interception which the offense got 3 out of and we have a game.
Denver gets
a field goal to go back up 10 but the no quit Vikings come back on a much
needed drive with veteran receiver, Mike Wallace coming through with a big
catch and then the touchdown. We have a game at halftime as we are only down 3.
The second
half had Denver drive the length of the field
and the Vikings made a huge stop down on the goal line setting up 4th
and short. Does Denver go for 3 or do they risk it and try for 6 knowing if
they fall short the Vikings would really have the momentum?
Denver Coach
Kubiak rolls the dice successfully as Manning finds a wide open tight end for an
easy 6. Denver goes up by 10 again. Can Minnesota keep coming back?
Fourth
quarter begins with the Vikes down by 10 so can this team find the energy to
make a game of it? The team answers first with a much needed field goal to cut
it to 7. We have a game and then the Vikings drive again with just over 10
minutes left in the game and Minnesota is in Denver territory faced with a 4th
and short.
Do we go for
it or play the field position game? The Vikings offense got a huge spark as
Adrian takes the handoff deep in the eye and behind two huge blocks from
center, Joe Berger and left guard; Brandon Fusco Peterson hits the huge whole
and is gone for 6. We have a tie game at 20.
Denver does
what a good playoff contending team does and drives the ball but ends up only
with 3 leaving the game in doubt.
I will say
Xavier Rhodes had a tough guy to defend all game in Damarius Thomas and Rhodes
had a few flags thrown against him but on this drive Rhodes made a touchdown
saving knockdown.
I love this
team for many reason sand one of them is plays like this. Rhodes had a tough
game but he never stopped competing and it paid off.
Yes Denver
did get a field goal but it could easily have been a touchdown. The Vikings had
a chance to drive and were driving but the way the drive ended typified the day
for the Vikings offensive line all day as the Broncos defense got to Teddy and
stripped him.
In years
past I would have been totally bummed out way more than I was today. The
Broncos defense created havoc all day for the Vikings offensive line which
honestly I kind of expected.
I have so
much respect for Teddy as he took a pounding all day but was resilient and gave
the Vikings a chance to win on the road.
I have so
many players I loved to watch on Sunday. How about the play of rookie wide receiver,
Stefan Diggs along with Adam Thielen who made his first NFL start? The 2
combined for 12 catches with each hauling in 6. Diggs had 6 for 87 yards and
Thielen had 6 catches for 70 yards.
Veteran
receiver, Mike Wallace had 8 catches for 83 yards including a touchdown. Mike
seemed to really make the clutch catches when the team needed him.
The
offensive line took a beating but I did see one block from tight end, Rhett
Ellison crushed Broncos Linebacker, Von Miller. I do not know if I have ever
seen anyone destroy Miller like that by any NFL team.
One player
that may have gone unnoticed was punter; Jeff Locke who I thought really had a
very nice punting performance.
The defense
I can’t give the defense enough credit which may sound strange after a loss. I absolutely
love the game played by 3 in particular and they were Safety, Harrison Smith
along with Linebacker, Anthony Barr and defensive tackle, Linval Joseph.
Every fan
has thoughts after a tough loss but today’s game I will stay positive. The team
never quit and the defense picked off Manning twice along with holding him just
under 220 yards at home. How many teams can say that?
I love my
team and now a bye week followed by a home game with the Kansas City Chiefs
coming to TCF Bank Stadium.
Go Vikings
Have a great
week everyone and thanks for reading
Purplestick
Todd
Walkingstick
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