Thoughts on the 2019 Vikes regular season

Each and every year the team and fans find out dates and time around draft time and then it’s a wait period to opening week. It’s like Christmas for me feeling like a little child who can’t wait for the present to open and in this case it’s a week 1 home match vs Atlanta.


The season was so crazy for the Vikes who take care of business in the first two home games vs Atlanta and Oakland but unfortunately the first two road games were as bad as it gets as Week 2 at Green Bay falling behind 21-0 before making a terrific comeback only to have an early season dagger to the heart when we see Kirk Cousins make a throw into double coverage to the mon of Vikings fans heard round the world. The other game was at Chicago and I happened to be in Wisconsin traveling so I did not see most of it and when I got home I watched the replay and I did not have the flu but after I felt like throwing up in disgust as both sides of the ball were destroyed.


The next four games with three vs the NFC East who in my opinion is typically a very tough division to play. The game in New York I was very nervous mainly because this was on paper a winnable game and add in rookie QB, Daniel Jones getting the start this game should be a W. The team did not let me down but then we come home to face the Philadelphia Eagles and to my surprise it was an easy win as I enjoyed watched Stefon Diggs running free through the Eagles secondary.


The Vikes go to Detroit and these games no matter what the record are a dogfight and usually low scoring but in this case the Vikes Offense put up 42 points but disappointingly the defense allowed 30. It is however a win and then back home to Thursday night football at home vs the Washington Redskins. The Vikes were picked as a huge favorite by Las Vegas I believe the spread was around 16. This makes me extremely uncomfortable as last year the Vikes were 17 point favorites at home vs Buffalo Bills and ended up losing 27-0. I feel if I know historic Las Vegas numbers don’t you think Washington reads the same info? Yes we won but did not cover the spread so I beg and plead Las Vegas to please stop making the Vikes such big favorites.


The season is half over and the Vikes are sitting at an impressive 6-2 as we were seeing big performances by Dalvin Cook and Kirk Cousins was starting to light it up.


The second half starts with a trip to Kansas City and I was feeling good only for one big reason and that was Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes was out as well as 2-3 other starters. Oh man this is such a winnable game and there I go thinking because 2^nd string Chiefs quarterback looks like he had never sat on a bench and yes the Vikes fall. This loss really hurt because now you go on the road to Dallas making it two straight weeks the Vikes have to play in hostile stadiums. The loss also hurt because Adam Thielen reinjured his hamstring, I was shocked he tried to come back this soon but I also wanted to believe he would be ok to play.


It makes it worse because the Dallas game is on Sunday night football and I have to listen to the announcers praise, praise and praise Dak Prescott and Zeke Elliott. The Vikes got the last laughs and surprised even me stealing a road win on Sunday night football. I remember all the pregame show clean sweep picking the Cowboys.


It’s been a crazy two weeks on the road with the Denver Broncos coming to US Band and the Vikes should win this easily. The problem is the Denver Broncos are an NFL team as well and took it to the Vikes 20-0 at half. I will never forget the fans booing as loud as I may have ever heard after that performance. I saw fans leaving by droves at half. I never leave and never will because you never know. I know the chance was slim because Minnesota showed no signs of life.


It had to be a butt chewing of a lifetime in the locker room because as you know the Vikes scored 27 straight to win 27-0. I will never forget standing the last four plays watching the ball thrown by the Broncos QB and each time I held my breath and on 4^th down I see the pass get knocked down and it was pandemonium in US Bank with the fans that were left.


The year the bye week came late and I will be selfish and say I needed the bye week more than the team watching these first 11 games. I am 54 and my heart needs to take a rest please.

The last 5 starts with Sunday night football in Seattle. It again I thought was a winnable game but Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson gets the job done. This particular night I did have it up to my eyeballs with Wilson being mic’d up and I felt we got to hear that way to much. Wilson is a top five Quarterback but enough is enough.


Alright playoffs are looking  good for the Vikes and 3 of the last four games are home and even better it’s the Lions, Packers and Bears oh my. Detroit again is a feisty team and hard to destroy with all their injuries including Quarterback, Matthew Stafford out for the year and the Vikes win by just 13 but it’s a win.


The team travels to Los Angeles Chargers to play in a strange stadium where every game I have seen when the Chargers play you see more opposing fans than Chargers fans and once again the Vikes fans take over the stadium and make it a home game. I was once again nervous because this is a game the Vikes tend to get tripped up but this time no tripping and in fact the biggest point spread road win in I believe 27 years.


It’s time for home cooking starting with the Green Bay Packers on Monday night football. The Vikes need to be the Packers and the Bears and they are the five seed. The fans are fired up and then exactly what the Vikes and fans needed, a fumble and return to the 10. US Bank was rocking and it was loud until the Vikes settle for a Field goal. It’s in my opinion a win for the Packers and they go on to win the NFC North at US Bank. Ouch!!!!


The Bears roll in with neither team apparently caring who wins but with the Vikes Coach Zimmer opts to rest the starters and this call will be talked about for weeks to come especially if the Vikes go one and done and then the starters will be rested for a long time.


It was a season with so much up and downs along with the Vikes going 4-0 vs NFC East and 3-1 vs AFC West. The Vikes 10 wins were against teams that finished with a 53-90-1 and one of the win was vs playoff bound, Philadelphia Eagles.


It’s the playoffs and anything can happen and this fan is hoping for a little shock the world in New Orleans.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

A tale of two halves as Vikes stun Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings came into Sunday’s home game vs Denver on a high after winning on the road on Sunday night football in Dallas. The team knew Denver has a top 5 defense so this would be a great chance to see how good the Vikes offense really is. A win would be huge for many reasons including it would be a win going into the bye week with a chance to get some much needed rest.


I got to the game my normal 1.5 hours early and I was so shocked to see as much orange as I did outside the stadium and when I entered it got worse as patches of orange jerseys in seats already. I don’t know a number but if you wanted me to guess I would say 70 percent Vikes to 20 percent Broncos fans and that might be low but I will say the orange does really stick out next to purple.


The fans seems to really be into the game as it was loud but as the half went the noise you heard was booing consistently. It was not a very fun feeling sitting amongst so much booing and honestly I can’t blame fans. There was so much to play for and a home game at that and the first half looked like Denver was the 7-3 team and the Vikes were the 3-6 team.


The first half really seemed to go Denver’s way by getting favorable calls or having a couple time real good pass defense and yet Denver receiver were making the crazy catches. I remember an end around to Broncos receiver, Sutton who stops and cocks his arm and there goes a pass and I see the catch and I shake my head wondering how on earth did they catch that pass? It was a half of my stomach not feeling good with so many things going run for the Vikings whether self-inflicted or not.


The Vikings offense struggled mightily and I saw no sense of hope at the time. The Vikes had ran 18 plays in 5 drives and had four first downs for the half, yes the half. I remember a play call on 2^nd and 19 and Minnesota calls for a draw play. You have got to be kidding as even I knew they were going to run the ball and it was things like that that made for an absolutely tough half to watch.


I wasn’t too high on the Vikings defense either letting a quarterback in his first road game ever to look as sharp as he did.


The half mercifully ends and the Vikes are down 20-0and a chorus of boos like I have not heard in a very long time rained down on US Bank Field. You just did not have a good feeling about the game but as they say play a full 60 minutes and we will see what happens.


The first half was brutal but the halftime show of Salute to the Military was priceless and videos of WWII were shown on the jumbo Tron and then five World War II veterans were announced to the crowd one by one. The ages ranged from 95-101 of these WWII survivors as they walked towards the end zone with the exception of one Gentlemen who was brought up by way of wheelchair. The first half was quickly put behind as thousands of fans rose to their feet in cheering for these five.  It was an incredible sight and a memory I will treasure for a long time.


I mentioned at half the booing and I forgot to add several fans left the stadium including the two next to me as they left in disgust of the team’s performance.


I wondered what kind of butt chewing at halftime by Coach Zimmer and staff knowing they heard the same booing fans and I heard.


The Vikings finally put together a drive and it’s a Kirk Cousins to Irv Smith Jr which was his first ever NFL TD. The fans in the stadium really seem to give a different sense as it 20-7 and as bad as we played we are not out of it.


The Broncos like they did all game seem to make the plays when needed and this time get a field goal out of it and its 23-7 now two touchdowns and two, two point plays to tie.


The whole first half had Cousins with 58 yards total in the first half but all of a sudden a fake handoff to Dalvin Cook, Cousins rolls to his left and throws a great deep ball and Stefon Diggs runs under it and it 23-13 but the two point failed.


This US Bank Stadium came to its feet yelling and screaming making it so hard to hear. It was such an opposite from the first half but again every time Denver needed a third down conversion they succeeded. It was so frustrating watching the Broncos success as the Vikings defense could not get off the field.


The Vikes did make stops but not as many as I would like to see and on offense funny the Vikes were passing as almost will moving down the field and in the end Dalvin Cook finds the end zone and we are down by three.


Are we going to make this huge comeback win? The Broncos at the time answer almost a no again as the Broncos move it onto field goal range and their kicker, McManus who I feel never misses missed it wide right. Is this a sign?


The Vikes get the ball and move again and funny another fake handoff, Cousins rolled left and down the field was a wide open Kyle Rudolph and I jumped out of my seat seeing that and now hoping Cousins would see him too and he did the Vikes are now up 27-23 coming back from a 20-0 halftime deficit.


The game is far from over as Denver is bound and determined to rip my heart out converting on several 3^rd down and long and even one or two 4^th down conversions,


There was not a single fan sitting in the final 10 seconds as passes were going to the end zone and all I could do is hold my breath in hopes of failure. I really appreciate the refs letting the players play because I fear there could have been pass interference called. The last play with: 02 seconds left in the game and I see Broncos Quarterback Allen drops back surveys the field and there goes the ball to the far right of the end zone. My heart just sank watching until I see the ball dropped at US Bank went into a frenzy as well as the Vikings players and coaches.


We all just witnessed the tied 4^th biggest comeback in team history by the Minnesota Vikings and the first in the last 100 NFL games including playoffs to come back from a 20 point or more halftime deficit.


The Vikes now have a bye week and my heart can rest after watching the Dallas game end on a failed hail marry pass and then the miracle comeback at US Bank. I am too old for this but I do love it.


Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Purplestick: Vikings get huge win in Big D

Purplestick: Vikings get huge win in Big D: The Minnesota Vikings vs the Dallas Cowboys in Prime Time in Dallas on Sunday night football with widely known stat the Vikes and Kirk Co...

Vikings get huge win in Big D

The Minnesota Vikings vs the Dallas Cowboys in Prime Time in Dallas on Sunday night football with widely known stat the Vikes and Kirk Cousins do not fare well typically. The Sunday night football poll shows 53 percent of America thinks the Vikes will win but the National Media on TV was asked and everyone had the Dallas Cowboys even Tony Dungy. You know what the game must be played and we will see in the end.


The way the game started the Cowboys moving the ball but not by ground rather by air saw the Cowboys get stalled and we see a 57 yard Field Goal attempt miss badly. Is this a sign of good for the Purple?


The Vikings did indeed respond and I for one loved the play calling as the very fast and good pass rush of the Cowboys was beaten repeatedly as Kirk Cousins succeeded with screen passes to Dalvin Cook. I absolutely loved watching Dalvin run after the catch. The play to end the drive was a Sports Center top 10 play and that was an unbelievable one hand catch by Kyle Rudolph and how he managed to keep his large feet in bounds. I am sure I am like most fans thinking Cousins unloaded the ball to get it out of bounds but funny Rudolph got in the way but in a great way and the Vikes went up 7-0.


The Cowboys have a huge offensive line and a very talented running back in Ezekiel Elliott who was stopped not only in the first half but all game to the point when it was all said and done Elliot’s yardage was the fewest ever in his career at home.


The Vikes score again by way of Cousins to Rudolph take two and the Vikes are winning 14-0 in Prime time playing a first quarter I wish they could bottle and keep for the future.


The Cowboy running game was stymied all night buy as much as I loved the run defense I was disappointed in much of the coverage seeing Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott seemingly finding wide open receivers way too many times. The Vikes did not sack Prescott enough but they did make him get flushed out of the pocket and then find his way to open receivers.


My first quarter I wanted bottled now in the 2^nd quarter we have a tie game at 14 and giving me a nervous feeling. Oh no is the primetime worry coming true? One of the biggest catches came by way of Stefon Diggs, It’s 3^rd down and Cousins throws a deep ball down field to Diggs and at first I wasn’t sure he caught it and it was ruled incomplete. Diggs gets up pleading his case and sure enough after I saw the replay as well as the NFL officials rectify the call and reverse and it’s a 26 yard catch. The Vikes kick a field goal later in the drive at 0:00 and it 17-14. This Field goal might have been the biggest one of the season especially after the Cowboys regained the momentum.


The second half opening drive by the Vikes get three more points and it’s 20-14 but I knew one touchdown by Dallas and we are behind for the first time tonight so I was not siting too comfortable as we had seen Prescott ripping up the Vikes secondary. 


My worry comes true as Dallas scores and it’s 21-20 on Sunday night football. Please Vikes don’t let us down. The Vikes use of Dalvin Cook was awesome all night either rushing or screen passes but it came down to 4^th and goal. Do the Vikes kick a Field Goal or go for it knowing if they go for it and fail the Cowboys would have to drive 99 yards. I loved the call of Dalvin Cook taking the hand off and with speed and power breaks the goal line and yes the Vikes are back up. I believed they should go for two trying to make it 28-21. One again I loved the play call of throwing it high to Kyle Rudolph knowing it was Kyle and only Kyle that would catch it. Yes, success and we have a 28-21 Viking lead.


The Cowboys get a field goal and once again I am nervous if we can’t get any points the rest of the way and Dallas gets a touchdown we lose.


The 4^th quarter was way too intense but yet we have seen a great game all night. A Dallas drive getting close to a touchdown sees a hand off to Elliott and the Vikings defense stuffs him. My biggest surprise came when another run by Elliott trying to run wide but trips and the Vikes stop him again. It brings up forth down and we see Prescott throwing towards Elliott near the sidelines but Vikes linebacker all world, Eric Kendrick’s knocks the ball down and it’s Viking ball.


Can I feel good yet? No as my heart stops as I see a pitch out to Dalvin Cook and he bobbles it in the air at the Vikes 10 yard line. Oh no please somebody from the Vikes please get it or Dallas is in great scoring territory and thankfully Cool comes through. The Vikes do end up punting and I thought was strange seeing the Cowboy player call a fair catch when clearly he could have gained 10-15 easy yards. Is this a sign the Vikes are going to win?


The game is coming to a close as all Dallas has left is one Hail Mary pass and when Prescott heaves it towards the end zone by stomach was churning, my hands were sweating and all I could see is something bad to happen. The Vikes played well and deserved the W on the road and finally the ball is in amongst too many sets of hands but the best set was Jayron Kearse’s hands and game over Vikings win!!!


It’s a game the team needed for so many reasons such as stay a game behind Green Bay and a huge win in the NFC all together wild card or division.


I was so happy so many guys stepped up as once again Laquon Treadwell makes a needed catch, Olabisi Johnson comes through, along with Rudolph’s two touchdowns and a two point play. It was last week I really thought Cousins passes were too high and many times uncatchable but Sunday night he put it where they needed to be.


If I was a coach and I handed out a game ball O would hand it to CJ Ham who as a fullback I thought he had his best game of his career making so many awesome blocks to help Cook and Alexander Mattison.


I mentioned how much I loved the run defense and it was done without Linval Joseph in the middle so players stepped up awesome in his absence.

It was a great win and a great night sleep!



Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Purplestick: Vikings lose very winnable game in Kansas City

Purplestick: Vikings lose very winnable game in Kansas City: The Vikes came into the game Sunday knowing that Patrick Mahomes would not be playing and Matt Moore would be the quarterback. They also kn...

Vikings lose very winnable game in Kansas City

The Vikes came into the game Sunday knowing that Patrick Mahomes would not be playing and Matt Moore would be the quarterback. They also knew key Chiefs players were out on both sides of the ball. The Vikes would face the 30^th ranked Chiefs run defense.


All these mentioned above should be a sign of a possible road win and add the amount of Vikes fans that traveled to Kansas City. It was cool to see on TV all the purple clad fans doing the Skol Chant and counter the Chiefs fans with the arm motion of a chop. The bottom line a lot of arms going every which way but straight. I say Thank you to all the Vikes fans that did travel to watch the game.

The way the game started out seeing Kirk Cousins seemingly really out of sync with his receivers with many high passes. It was also hard to watch the offensive line both pass and run blocking as the running backs really did not have many holes.


I thought it was strange on two of the first Vikes drives that on 3^rd down one was a deep pass into double coverage and the target was Laquon Treadwell. I also struggled with the decision to run Ameer Addullah on 3^rd and four or five.  The fact the officials gave the Vikes the first down I was shocked because I felt it was not even close. In saying that I was hoping the Vikes would hurray and snap the ball before Andy Reid could challenge it and yep too late and the call I feared but knew is the Vikes were indeed short.


I thought officiating struggled mightily but some was rectified. I struggled to watch Eric Kendricks obviously get interfered with by the Sammy Watkins and glad Coach Zimmer challenged but shockingly last the challenge,


The call with Treadwell’s catch and then a flag calling Offensive pass interference on Laquon but thank God it was reversed and the catch was good. I was so sure they would not overturn it as the announcers made the point very very few were changed back but thank God this was,

The Vikes have been playing so well but Sunday things happened that just don’t normally at least lately.


I know Kirk Cousins did have three touchdown passes but his accuracy really seemed out of whack as even his touchdown pass to a wide open Abdullah was very high so thank God Ameer went up to get it and after that it was an easy touchdown,


The extra point missed by Dan Bailey has not happened for a very long time and that missed point had me worried much of the game escpeically one that was tight and back and forth.


I loved the punt and down at the Chiefs I believe three yard line I was thinking stop and get the ball in great field positon. The Vikes had allowed one run touchdown all season and we see the unthinkable a 91 yard touchdown run which not only the longest in the NFL this year but ties a Chiefs team record. This was definitely not a good sign for my good feeling of getting a win.

I did like the screen passes the Vikes used but unfortunately used too many times as the Chiefs did a great job of recognizing it and in the end cost the Vikes field position especially the last drive when the team had a chance to maybe win the game.


I loved the Vikes pass pressure late in the game and even causing a big field position loss causing the Chiefs to attempt a 54 yard field goal.  The snap, the hold, the boot and there it goes 54 plus and good. This is not a good sign!!!!


The day went bad many times as the Chiefs defense line just dominated making the offense pass and run very inefficient at times.


I was so excited late in the 4^th when we sack Moore and the Vikes get the ball with the score tied 23-23 but the play calling and execution was pathetic. The Vikes were forced to punt and od all times to get off a bad punt occurred and the Chiefs are in Vikes territory. The defensive play of the game sees another sack and forces Chiefs in to long yardage but don’t you know it the Chiefs receivers came up huge. It seemed all game when the Chiefs needed yardage the Chiefs receivers came through whether it was one handed or two handed they caught the tough balls.


I was surprised how little Stefon Diggs saw the ball as this was a big game for him to show up especially after Adam Thielen left early.


The last play of the game an attempt of a game winning field goal I thought Coach Zimmer should have called a timeout but he didn’t as I see Danielle Hunter coming hard but no good and the ball goes through the uprights and the Chiefs win 26-23.


This was a game that should easily have been won as I feel the Bears and Packers games should have been wins. I give the Chiefs credit because they played a huge defensive game and really shut down Dalvin Cook and the Vikes running backs.


It seemed like Sunday was a game coming off a bye week and not one where Cousins was just named NFC Offensive player for the month of October.


Oh well life does go one and it’s time to get ready for the next game.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Purplestick: Kirk Cousins gets first ever Thursday night win as...

Purplestick: Kirk Cousins gets first ever Thursday night win as...: I was so excited to head to US Bank Thursday night and get there early so we could take in a little NFL Network pregame out on the Plaza on...

Kirk Cousins gets first ever Thursday night win as Vikes beat the Redskins

I was so excited to head to US Bank Thursday night and get there early so we could take in a little NFL Network pregame out on the Plaza on one problem. I was so excited at 4:15 to hit the road and then the ugliness of 35 heading north and we sat so long that between the construction and fans in Minneapolis we got to our seats twelve minutes before kickoff.


I tell you was this a sign to come for the night? Steve Jordan was the leader of the Skol chant and because he was trying to make his way to the platform on the 2^nd level giving so many high fives the Skol chant started a split second before he did. 


The stadium was absolutely beautiful which I am sure you saw but to be in it there are no words to describe unless of course you don’t care for the color purple.


Tommy Kramer was honorary captain which for me meant so much as I was a huge Kramer fan and even met him in Owatonna at a Johnny Holmes concert at the bowling alley.


I mentioned the struggle to get there was one thing and was it a sign as we shall see. It was truly great to see Case Keenum out for the coin toss but as a Redskin and we see the Vikes get the ball first.


I remember siting and just watching the field and I see Stefon Diggs wide open by 10-15 yards and I see Kirk Cousins deliver the ball and I jumped out of my seat as I thought for sure Diggs was gone. Yes credit the Redskins for their hustle but then I saw Diggs fumble and recovered by the Redskins. Is anything going to go right tonight?


I really thought that fumble take the crowd out of the game and my fear is coming true. I absolutely hate point spreads especially with Viking games. It was last season the Vikes were favored by 17 over Buffalo and we lose. The Vikes come in 16.5 point favorites over the Redskins and if I know it, the Vike know it don’t you think the Redskins read the same social media or paper we do?


The Redskins’ Adrian Peterson ran hard all night and was so impressive but a sack of Keenum and fumble recovery by the Vikes stopped the momentum but the Vikes offense I thought would light up this so called bad Redskins team was forced to settle for a field goal.


I really thought Case Keenum looked sharp most of the first half and that had concerned me coming into the game as he would look to light up our secondary. The deep ball he threw to the end zone and pass interference was called on Xavier Rhodes giving the Redskins the ball at the two had my heart beating way to fast. The Vikes have only allowed one rushing touchdown all season and true to form the defense came up huge forcing a field goal.


The Vikes were on their own side of the ball and went for it on 4^th down but I absolutely had the play call with Cousins a quarterback keeper and yep it failed giving the Redskins the ball in potential scoring territory. The Vikes line had absolutely no push and credit the Redskins defense they held strong.


I really thought the Vikes offensive line struggled most of the night as it seemed the Redskins front seven controlled the line of scrimmage. It was said in post-game the short week could have had an effect on their legs as there were way way to many penalties on the Vikes for holding.

It seemed every time either Dalvin Cook or Alexander Mattison would break a big run we would see a yellow hanky laying in the area of holding and unfortunately it was a hold and the big play was called back.


It’s a win and 4^th in a row and I saw a lot I liked and some obviously I didn’t like. I was a big fan of the screen pass to Cook, Mattison and even Kyle Rudolph. I had to laugh because on the big screen they have a showing of fastest players of the game and one had Kyle Rudpolph at 17.1 mph. What who are they kidding, Rudolph 17 mph. That was my laugh for the night. It seems he catches passes and efficiently gets the ball up the field but I would still like to see the 6’8” man muscle more and lean forward not out of bounds.


There was a shot of Cousins 19 mph on one play and I am thinking where does this timer come from? Diggs, Theilen, Cook yes, Rudolph and Cousins no way.


The night was supposed to be a blow out and it didn’t happen and again a win but I will add it’s the first booing of the offense a couple times and it was easily heard.


Xavier Rhodes continues to be a talking point and again Thursday night Keenum went after Rhodes in my opinion a lot and I wonder if Keenum had not left the game with a concussion just what the game would have been like.


I thought the touchdown drive by the Vikes was awesome but strange if that makes sense as the team had three timeouts and wasted so much time leading up to the TD. Was that their plan to give fans anxiousness because it worked for me? The play call on 3^rd and goal made my stomach come up to my throat as I saw Cook on the handoff and I thought he was stopped but credit Cook for the unbelievable effort to get in.


Boy I thought Adrian Peterson looked very good all night with the jump cut and 14 yards that really impressed me. It’s funny because I read all week AP would play but would play with sprained ankles and I definitely don’t think he ran like someone who had ankle problems.

I continue to be impressed with Dan Bailey’s Field goal making going four for four Thursday night including a 50 yarder which was the biggest because a miss and would have given the Redskins good field position.


One thing god about being home watching is when it comes to plays in question. Dan Bailey kicks a field goal and gets leveled and yet no call and I see Coach Zimmer and staff livid and I wonder why no call? Bailey went down hard and no way he could have faked that.


The Halftime was awesome seeing Steve Jordan be inducted to the Ring of Honor. It was even nice to see the New Orleans Saints all Jordan’s son, Cam to be in attendance. My wife and I always get a kick out of the Wilf’s because they are great owners and I appreciate that they are not public speakers as they take their paper out of their suit coat and lay it on the podium and both in monotone voices read what they have written. Oh well I love Jordan being part of Vikes history.

I also add with Adrian Peterson in town towards the end of the game the amount of fans standing and cheering and I did not hear any booing it was an incredible scene as AP is shown on the big scoreboard and his waving to the fans. What a scene


It’s a win and much to be talked about but it makes for a nice drive home after a game.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Third win in a row and maybe the biggest win of the season

The big game came Sunday as the Vikes traveled to the Motor City to take on an improved Detroit Lions team. I was worried two fold as I knew the Lions would come in mad after the controversial loss at Green Bay and if the Vikes would lose the chance to win the NFC North would take a huge hit. The Vikes already have lost to the Packers and Bears and simply can’t afford a loss at Detroit.


The way the first quarter was going and I see the Detroit offense moving the ball as they did most of the day I saw the Lions score and making it 7-0 and seeing the fans and the Lions pumped. 


What I did like all game Sunday was the Vikes offense able to punch back and match touchdown for touchdown. It really was a strange offensive game as typically the Vikes-Lions games have been low scoring recently in fact the Vikes won both games last season and the Lions did not get a touchdown in either game.


I loved how the Vikings offense has Kirk Cousins rolling out and use play action as Sunday it worked to perfection seemingly every time.


The fist Viking touchdown was one of beauty as Kirk put the ball where only Adam Thielen could catch it and did he ever, but as we know it was Thielen’s last play of the game as he left with an injury.


The Lions march and again go up but I can copy and paste as the Vikes match them with another touchdown and this one goes to rookie, Olabisi Johnson which was his first ever NFL touchdown. Yes the man who stepped in for Thielen I thought did a great job when called upon.


The Vikes actually get the go ahead touchdown as Cousins finds fullback, CJ Ham who caught his first NFL touchdown in his career. Ham played college football at Augustana College is Sioux Falls, South Dakota so a big moment for Ham and his family.


These Lions were pesky as the Vikes just could not stop the Lions as often as I would have liked and once again we are tied 21-21. We had a shootout in the Motor Coty which I am a fan of. I love offensive games big time.


The Vikes once again later in the game have a first of the year as Kirk find Tight End, Kyle Rudolph for his first touchdown of the season in fact first tight end touchdown of the year and made the score 35-20. I have been mystified all year with the lack of use of Kyle and the rest of the tight ends. On Sunday both Rudolph and rookie tight end, Irv Smith Jr both came up with big catches all game Sunday.


The game played by the offense was so impressive because the fact the Lions did get three touchdowns the Vikes offense got six on the day with two coming by way of Dalvin Cook’s 2 touchdown runs.


I can’t help myself by saying but this man Cook’s name must be in the early conversation of NFL MVP. He has a monster game in getting 142 yards rushing. The man's runs are simply put, amazing especially the one that essentially ended the Lions hopes.


The words red zone are talked about heavily in the NFL and Sunday the Vikings were in the rec zone five times and five times they got touchdowns.


One area that does not get enough credit as we know Cousins gets the praise as well as receivers, tight ends and running backs but none of this can happen without the offensive line. I had been critical of the pass protection by the offensive line but the last three weeks the line has played lights out as Kirk was not sacked once by the Lions.


It was such an impressive offensive performance that I was not the only one happy as I saw Coach Zimmer presented game balls to not only Cousins he gave a game ball to every offensive player and I don’t know if I have ever seen that.


The offense was awesome to watch and I did enjoy the pressure the front seven did put on Matthew Stafford it’s the secondary that is concerning and to pin point more the play of Xavier Rhodes and Trae Wayne leaves me holding my breath when I see a pass coming their way.


You know Rhodes s frustrated when he breaks his helmet after slamming it down on the turf. The first quarter had way too many defensive holding penalties that can really be a gift to the offense as its five yards and an automatic first down. In all fairness I believe a hold can be called on every play by wither side of the ball as it’s just a matter of who gets caught.


I did have to laugh as I saw a Lions fan in the front row in a referee shirt and the man had a yellow flag in his hand and he promptly dropped it onto the turf from his front row. This issue of missed calls is way out of hand and I have no idea how to fix it. 


The Vikes are now on a three game win streak and in that Cousins has thrown for 300 yards or more and his passer rating has been over 130 in those games.


The Vikes have had two bad losses but is playing like the team I had hoped for when the season started and the way they are playing it’s hard to not be excited.


We have a huge game Thursday night as the Vikings host the terrible Washington Redskins. I say it’s huge because it’s a chance to make a national statement when they crush the Redskins an then its 10 days off to the next game.


Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!!

Vikes blowout Eagles at US Bank

The Vikes come into Sunday’s game needing to make a statement vs a potential playoff team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes, each came into the game (3-2) and a win by either team could be a potential tie breaker so obviously I would like a Vikes win please.


It seems the last three weeks the Vikes have faced teams with key players out and Sunday was no different as the Eagles had three new defensive backs in so a chance for Kirk Cousins and the offense to salivate. 


The beginning to Sunday’s game was extra special as the honorary captain was Casey O’Brien a four time cancer survivor, also a walk on at the U of M as a place holder as Sunday was Crucial Catch Sunday in which the NFL paid tribute to all cancer survivors and remembering those who we have lost.  The standing ovation for Casey was so emotional watching him wave to the US Bank Crowd.

The player into was also cool as it went as usual except for the fact with no fires allowed in stadiums the Vikes used the big screen to show an old video of the fire coming out of the dragon which I thought was very cool and the lineups went on as usual.


The Eagles had come in being tough against the run allowing just over 60 yards per game and the Vikes had averaged over 160 a game so which team would win the battle?


I was happy with the coin toss and the Eagles deferred to the 2^nd half meaning the good guys would start on offense. The first play call of the game was a pass which I loved because can I assume the Eagles would think run?


The first drive in fact I loved the whole drive and even better Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen in the corner of the end zone for six and after Dan Bailey kicks the extra point it’s 7-0 Vikes and even better it took half the first quarter.


The Vikes offensive game plan all game I  give a A plus as we saw reverses, double reverses and just plain creative play calling.


I sat in my seat in the 2^nd level and watched Eagles # 32 Rasul Douglas get torched repeatedly. I saw Stefon Diggs beat Douglas off the line of scrimmage and as I got up from my seat watching a beautiful deep ball and Diggs running under it and gone for six. I saw same play later as again Diggs torches Douglas and again a beautiful deep ball and again Diggs is gone. I watched Douglas pointing back at fellow Eagles seemingly saying come on man I can’t cover #14 on my own he is too fast.

The Vikes are up 24-3 and US Bank is rocking like it has for the first time all year and  when the Eagles went on offense it was obnoxiously loud and I was loving it.


It felt as though game over although as a Vikes fan I better not feel to secure even though up 21 because the Eagles did in fact make a charge and made it 24-10 and driving for a another score when the drive stalled and the Eagles set up for a Field goal right before half to make it 24-13 except for one problem a direct snap to the kicker and I see him roll out my heart became beating way to fast and I see the pass  followed by a great pass deflection by Anthony Harris into the waiting arms of Everson Griffen. I saw the return on at first I felt so good it was going the other way for a TD but a trip by an Eagle player and it was halftime.


The fans gave the team a loud ovation as they were heading to the locker room but know we still have another half of football.


Third quarter we saw the Eagles get to within 24-20 and you could feel the nervousness as US Bank was getting quiet and I heard a loud E-A-G-L-E-S coming from a corner of the stadium.


The drive of the year came when the Vikes take the ball, drive it and end it on a beautiful 11 yard pass Cousins to Diggs. I thought how on earth did Diggs keep two feet in is beyond me and yes I did see the replay over and over sat shaking my head in disbelief in seeing this catch. It was Diggs first third touchdown of the day and it was the first time in his career he caught three and the first time since 2005 the Vikes had a receiver with three since Marcus Robinson.


I watched a Vikes team Sunday where I will use the word love in the things I saw including I feel it was by far and away the BEST performance by the Offensive line all year. I thought the pass protection was unreal but I also add how I loved Cousins rolling out. This Eagles front seven is very goof and very physical. The Eagles come in giving up just 60 yards a game and the Vikes were able to get over 100. It was good blocking and Vikes running backs running hard and powerful to get the yards needed.


I had said previous the Vikes three wins were vs not very good teams so Sunday’s win over a 3-2 Eagles team was impressive and really needed. You have to take care of business at home no matter who comes to town.


I mentioned I loved the Offensive line play but also loved the linebacker play by Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr. It seems this season Coach Zimmer has called blitzes at the right time and Sunday was no different as the blitz was dialed up and we saw Kendricks and Mackenzie have a meeting in Carson Went’z office and they took the big man down. The pass break up these two come up with can never be forgotten.  The play of these two week in week out is incredible.


The Defensive line did not get a ton of sacks but what they did all day Sunday was harass and make Wentz uncomfortable all day and I appreciate their efforts.


Danielle Hunter did get one of the sacks Sunday giving him 46 in his career and thus makes him to get the most sacks in NFL history before the age of 25.


One of my favorite moments of Sunday after a Vikes interception by Alexander I see a team sprint to the end zone to do a celebration pose and I see Kendricks come to the left and do a handstand. Kudos Vikes for this great pose!!!


Sunday was a huge win as I said but there a still 10 games left so for Sunday I will enjoy a beat down of the Eagles at US Bank.


I also offer up I was concerned about the behavior of the guest Eagles fans and we did have some behind us a few rows but all in all what I saw and heard was nothing bad.


That’s all for now

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Vikes get first road win of 2019

The Minnesota Vikings came into Sunday’s game vs the New York Giants needing a win badly for many reasons but one I feel was big was the Stefon Diggs drama this week. A loss and things could really spiral quickly out control and its only week 5.


It was last week the Chicago Bears were down six starters and Quarterback, Mitch Trubiskey was knocked out so I thought getting a win would be a little easier but obviously I was incorrect.

The Giants come in down three Linebackers and running back sensation, Saquon Barkley was out of the game so with this info would the Vikes be able to take care of business.


The Vikes defense would face rookie Quarterback, Daniel Jones who has lead the Giants to two straight wins but has not faced a defense like the Vikes. The Giants also come in to the game being the only team in the NFL to score on their first offensive series each week with three touchdowns and a field goal. The game is set up for a good Vikes challenge so will they win or let me down. Kirk Cousins has been shredded by the media and fans so how will he perform?


I really enjoyed the first half of the game by the Vikes starting out with a very good drive including passes caught by Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. The offense really moved and what I like even more was seeing Kirk roll out not just once but many times during the game and having great success.


I was disappointed the team ended up with three points but at least its points and on the road. I loved the running game by Dalvin Cook all day and seeing Alexander Mattsion with success thanks to a bulldozing offensive line. 


The next possession after stopping the Giants we see the Vikes strike on a beautiful touchdown pass from Cousins to Thielen and the Vikes are up 10-0. Awesome it’s how we needed to start out.


I watch Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes in pass defense and I could not do better obviously but they seem to really struggle at times. I remember Giants quarterback having a wide open receiver by 7-10 yards and Jones over threw thank God but as I look at the replay the Giants player got Waynes turned way around and completely left Waynes in the dust. We got lucky as it should have been six or is it really the Vikes day?


The Vikes get another three later to go up 13-7 and after the Giants were stopped again the Vikes take the ball and match again. It was this time Dalvin Cook takes the hand off and makes a Cook like run and thinking he was headed for pay dirt when Giants player, Jabril Peppers punches from behind the ball out and Giants recover. Oh man we could have been up 20-7. 


The positive on this if any is the Giants are deep in their own territory so maybe the Vikes can hold them and get the ball back in good shape. What do I see? A great defensive play call and we see a blitz and better yet we see Anthony Barr in the end zone hitting and stopping the running back and it’s a Vikes safety.  This day seems to be going all purple as even with mistakes things are coming up roses. 


I had mentioned I am concerned about the play of Rhodes and Waynes at times and with that said I thought #21 Mike Hughes played a game of a lifetime as he had a huge end zone pas break up and two near interceptions.


There were so many good things but along came concerns as once again way to may penalties as Sunday 12 calls against the purple. I also thought a terrible decision to throw a challenge flag by Coach Zimmer on the pass interference call on Waynes. I thought I hope that lost challenge does not come back to haunt and thankfully I did not. The three sacks taken by Cousins is too many but the bright spot was Cousins did not fumble. There that is my list of bad so onto the good which there is many.


I start with the much maligned Kirk Cousins who was as they say in the business was balling. I saw incredible touch passes I still can’t believe he fit in. I am a big fan of the screen pass to Dalvin Cook and let Cook do the work. The 86 yards receiving in the first half was a career high in receiving yards and it was only halftime.


It’s incredible to know Dalvin Cook rushing and receiving yards equaled 218 yards and the Giants team for the game ended up with 211. Incredible one player out gains an entire team, Wow!!!

It was an emotional week with the Diggs drama and Thielen speaking out and Cousins publicly apologizing for not getting the balls to his guys saw Sunday Diggs and Thielen both used and add Obisi Johnson who had a big 4^th quarter vs the Bears came up with big catches vs the Giants.


I really loved the game Anthony Barr played with his safety in the first half and the game ending diving interception. One of the secondary who I never have to worry about is all world, Harrison Smith who once again made plays when needed. This guy never stops amazing me with his hard but clean hits.


I thought the Vikes pass rush was awesome all day with four sacks and relentless harassment of Daniel Jones all day making him uncomfortable.


It was great to see Vikes kicking unit stand out and because of the efficient offense I believed we punted one time all game. I loved seeing Dan Bailey go four for four on Field goals including one hitting the upright and bouncing in. It’s each week I feel less and less nervous about the kicking which I haven’t been able to say in quite some time. I love Bailey’s kickoff which seem to be very consistent on touchbacks with the exception of one that was taken back way too far.


I love seeing Marcus Sherels back in purple and even though he has not had a big return as of yet I know there is a guy back there I can count on not making the mistakes of fumbles.


It was a great day in the Big Apple and Sunday showed why you can’t assume anything. The Chicago Bears beat the Vikes badly not score wise but out played all game by the Bears. The Vikes beat the Raiders rather easily and then we see Sunday in London, England the Raiders shock the world and the Bears. As they say in they say in the business that’s why we play the games.


Thanks for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!!!!

Vikes get 500th win in team history destryoying the Raiders 34-14

Vikings game day was finally here and it was a home game vs the Oakland Raiders and Las Vegas had the Purple favored by 9. It’s all set up for an easy win but last year a 17 point underdog Buffalo Bills came into US Bank and dominated and embarrassed the Purple at home.

The talk all week was the 84 million dollar man and how he can beat the so called easy teams while struggle vs the teams that are strong. It’s really not an opinion the stats speaks for themselves.

The Oakland Raiders are a professional team and I know the Vikes can’t take them lightly or it will be a long day at US Bank. This was the 25 game at US Bank with the record 17-7 thus far and a win Sunday would be the franchises 500^th plus the day was to celebrate the 1969 team so everything needs to go right to make it a great day for the purple.

It doesn’t get any better for me that to see the Purple People Eaters with Larsen, Page, Eller and Marshall leading the Skolt Chant. It was also emotional in US Bank as a 96 year old World War II veteran lead the National Anthem by playing it with his harmonica. If this did not give fans a chill or two your pulse needs to be checked. It was an incredible seen seeing so many thousands of fans cheering for this man.

The honorary captain for the game was good old # 11, Joe Kapp so once again fans were going crazy. We had all this excitement and the ball has not even been kicked off yet.

The Raiders won the coin toss and deferred to the second half meaning the much maligned this past week, Kirk Cousins will get to show the fans hopefully a better day and I believe he would.

I will never forget the first play of the game but as Cousins took the snap he got tripped up and took a loss. Can this really be how the game is going to start? A fan a row or two behind me said “Hey, Eli Manning is looking for a job.” I hate to say it but I felt a little chuckle from myself. I must say other than that one play I thought Kirk played a very good game but not great.

I had read and heard all off season how Kirk would roll out a little more and Sunday we saw it more than once and this fan was happy. The first touchdown was one of beauty as Cousins came out left and threw a very nice pas downfield to Adam Thielen who managed to get a touchdown. I must admit the Vikes were given a few gifts as one of the highest flagged team year in and year out took some dumb penalties but oh well it helped the Vikes and we are up 7-0.

I really thought both lines from the Vikes showed up big time as the defensive line made Raiders Quarterback uncomfortable quite a bit harassing him and also shutting down the Raiders run game big time.

I loved the Vikings offensive line play maybe best all year road grading on the run game and not allowing a sack to the Raiders. I do also think Cousins played a game where he ran the ball himself to help situations out.

The touchdown by Dalvin Cook was one of strength by the OLine and Cook and the touchdown by Adam Thielen was blocked beautifully making it easy for Thielen to cross the goal line and it was Thielen’s first ever NFL rushing TD.

I said earlier I loved the Vikes defense all day with the exception of a Raiders flea flicker that somehow fooled the Vikes seemingly completely because that TD was way to easy. I don’t know if it was communication problem all I know is US Bank got kind of quite as it was now 21-7.

The Raiders get the ball in the 2^nd half to start and it was huge for the Vikes to shut it down and force a punt and the Vikes did just that. I think the sail was now completely out of the Raiders.

I loved how the Vikes once again cranked up the run game and In the end Viking rookie Alexander Mattison leaps a defender from what seemed to be the five yard line and fly five yards to pay dirt for his first ever NFL touchdown.

The game Sunday saw a lot of good and the team dismantled a big underdog seemingly easy. I don’t know if I ever felt uncomfortable once during the game even with the Raiders getting their touchdown fairly easy.

I have struggled watching this team wondering why as they professed I took that the Tight End group would be used more often in this new offense and the first two games I just did not see it.

Sunday the Tight Ends came up big as Kyle Rudolph made a nice screen pass catch and rumble close to the goal line. I love Kyle and how big he is but every time I see him catch the ball he runs as if he knows he is going to get hit soon. We finally saw rookie, Irv Smith Jr. used with one a very nice deep seam pass which he caught and took it down field and he also was involved with two more catches ending his day with three catches for 60 yards which I found out was a new Vikings Rookie tight end team record with thee 60 yards. It seems weird because 60 does not seem that much but regardless it is indeed a new Viking record.

A lot of Viking players stepped up Sunday but a couple need to be talked about and shown some love starting with Mike Hughes who saw the field for the first time since last season when he tore his ACL. He played nickel corner and made a difference as his name was called by the Stadium PA more than once. What a tremendous story and the other was Linebacker # 50 Eric Wilson who had 11 tackles and a sack. He is making a name for himself each and every week thus far and with the absence of Anthony Barr I really thought Wilson stepped up huge Sunday.

The kicking story as you know has been crazy but Sunday I thought kicker Dan Bailey had his best game in a long time with four for four extra points, 2 field goals and all kickoffs were touchbacks. Raiders kicker, Daniel Carlson as you may know was the Vikes kicker last year but after the Green Bay tie was waved and the Raiders pick him up. It's gone so good in Oakland for Carlson he had gone 17-17 in field goals until Sunday when his lengthy attempt hit the right upright. It's incredible to see the kicking struggles the last few seasons until Sunday for Bailey

The Vikes have now destroyed two opponents at home and one road game should have been a win but will now get tested by far the most next Sunday in a 3:25 National game so we will see how the much maligned Cousins who can’t win the big game will fair. I am going out on the limb and will say Kirk will play lights out and the Vikes win a huge NFC North Battle 17-4.


That’s all for now

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Time to toughen up

Week one of the Vikings had many people high on what they saw including myself but I also know I really needed to say a good to great game in Week two to see if something was building early as it may be.

It was last year same early game at Lambeau which should be a player and dream come true as no one has to sit in the stands or play on the frozen turf so Vikes adds have to be a little better with the weather being a factor other than maybe a little wind but no snow or freezing rain.

The game last season was a winnable game for the Vikings except so many misses by our rookie kicker, Daniel Carlson who was released soon after and funny he gets picked up by the Raiders and has a very good season.

This year once again was tough to swallow because as bad as the game started for the Minnesota Vikings falling down 21-0 to the Packers early yet stopped the team the rest of the way including holding Aaron Rodgers to less than a hundred yards. The saying a tale of two halves well in this case a tale of a quarter vs the other three quarters.

I know when Dalvin Cook ripped off the 75 yard touchdown to get Minnesota on the board I was a little less nervous. I watched the defense make adjustments and the defensive line make Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket which was a great sign. Is there a better picture than when the TV cameras show Rodgers face and he has the look of frustration.

It really was a case of throw the first quarter out the window and watch the Vikings defense take over, the Minnesota Vikings run game become huge and our big money quarterback had some nice throws but not enough. He had Stefon Diggs open deep but overthrew his by less than a yard and noticed the Packers pass rush made Cousins throw the ball too high for the receivers.

It’s a game I look back and yes know we lost but is Green Bay really a better team? Is there defense as good as TV spoke after the Packers had beat Chicago in Chicago? I watched the Chicago-Denver game and Chicago’s offense is terrible. I guess I do not have an answer on just how good or bad the Packers are.

I know the offseason I heard and read how the Coaches were going to have Cousins roll out more instead of sitting in the pocket and getting killed. I remember the preseason and the first two games the Vikings OLine had not given up a sack and Cousins would roll out. I guess I am not seeing early on this rolling out happening.

The awful throw to virtually end the game for the Vikes has been beat to death by fans and media so I do have my thoughts but assume are the same as all other fans.

The Cousins throw, Diggs costing the team 15 yards along with kicking adventures is over and we do move on but first before I leave this subject I was shocked the amount of comparisons I saw of stats with Christian Ponder vs Cousins. The stat that Cousins is the 31^st rank quarterback early on is horrifying. I saw a Facebook meme showing Cousins with a Santa like bag over his shoulders with the dollar sign on the bag exiting Wisconsin. I am not sure what I am more horrified by: the way the game ended or the stats and comparisons of our big buck quarterback.

The team is 1-1 and thankfully has a home game as they entertain Raiders Coach Jon Gruden and his team. It was last year the Buffalo Bills came in a 17 plus point underdog and what happened in case you forgot: the Vikes were destroyed. It’s a chance this Sunday to show many things to the home fans and even though it’s early the Vikes have a ton to prove. I know the team has capabilities but I also know we are facing a potential tough D and a very good quarterback in Derek Carr.

I can’t wait to see the Vikes get back on the winning track and make it 2-1.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

SKOL!!!!

Border battle ends with much frustration

The Minnesota Vikings coming off a very impressive home opening win traveled to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers who got a huge road win in Chicago so winner of this game would be in first place 2-0.

The game is over and in the books but will this game be talked about for at least this upcoming weeks of the what ifs.

The way the Green Bay Packers started the game with a four play drive and I say it looked way too easy as the Packers are quickly up 7-0 and I see the dreaded Lambeau Leap. Oh come on Vikings this is not how the day I going to go is it?

I really liked the Vikes moving the ball giving me the feeling as though I will see a tie 7-7 but no the Packers defense stiffens and the Vikes never dying kicking drama gets into the game to put three point on the board. I see the snap, the hold and there the ball goes wide and I sat on my couch in disbelief as I see the Packers make the Vikes defense look silly and then a missed Field goal. Is today Friday the 13^th even though I know it is Sunday.

My stomach pain did not get any better as I see the Packers once again make it look easy and now it is 14-0 and I am sitting in shock. Yes it is tough to win in Lambeau but going down two touchdowns quickly makes the percentage of winning go down faster and faster.

I really thought Vikes quarterback, Kirk Cousins have one of the worst first halves I have seen in a long time as this time I see him get pressure from the Packers and what happens? Yes, the dreaded fumble and my stomach was getting tighter as I watched and then another Packer touchdown and folks the Purple is now down 21-0 in the Border Battle and I am seeing too many Lambeau leaps.

I will say as many negatives I saw the positive I saw was in the crowd and that was the beautiful color of purple in the crowd. I was very impressed with the showing of Vikes fans.

The score is 21-0 and I am wondering where on earth is the team I saw last week but then at last I see # 33 Dalvin Cook take the handoff and there he goes 20 mph and 75 yards and it’s now 21-7.  It’s been brutal to watch but know football can change on a dime as we are now down only two scores. It can be done Vikes, you have the fire power to do it.

I do think after the 21 points of seemingly ease that the Vikes defense finally came to play as not another Packer score the rest of the game giving the offense so many chances to cash in.

I really was mystified on a Packers drive when they failed on 3^rd down and with 4^th down went for it having no chance as the Vikes defense penetrated and stopped the Packers and now the Vikes have possession and cash in as Dan Bailey connects on a field goal and its’s now 21-10. Oh boy we have a game and as down as I was got equally pumped knowing the defense was playing better and just hoped the offense would start cashing in more and more.

The Vikes got another break as it appeared to be a snap to Aaron Rodgers who was not ready and Viking rookie Hercules Mata’afa jumped on the loose ball. Oh things are getting exciting as I was thinking a touchdown and we can possibly creep up and steal a game on the road.

I see Kirk Cousins launch a deep ball into the end one into double coverage by the Packers and actually I thought very good coverage by two Packers defenders and into Stefon Diggs hands for a touchdown. I watched the replay over and over and have no idea how the Packers did not intercept but credit Diggs for great concentration. I then see exactly what the Vikes did not need and that was Diggs taking his helmet off in celebration and there goes the yellow hanky. Good grief 15 yards and now the extra point is 40 yards away.

I was kind of wondering if the Vikes would go for two and potentially make it 21-18 but because of the penalty it left Coach Zimmer with the decision he had to kick the extra point. I see the snap, the hold and a Packer player flying around the corner and yes it was partially blocked and no good. The Packers 21-0 lead is now 21-16 and very much a game.



The officiating obviously will be a talker even though the results will not change but I thought it was strange when FOX TV announcer Chris Myers said it seems like every penalty was going against Minnesota.

The touchdown reversal call with the officiating calling it blocking down field when clearly he should have stated an illegal pick was hard to swallow as our luck the Minnesota Vikings are the first team in the NFL to have a reversal.

I will say officiating was terrible but it did not cause the loss as Minnesota just shot themselves in the foot way to many times. A game that was 21-0 seems funny to say that this game was very winnable.

I loved the running attack by Dalvin Cook having a career high 154 yards and Alexander Mattison adding 25 yards. I loved the offensive line blocking on the run but still struggle to watch the pass blocking as Cousins has very little time.

I struggle still after the game knowing the Vikes drove the ball down the field with a great running attack and then seeing Kirk Cousins drop back and throw into the corner of the end zone in double coverage and yes the dreaded interception. Why? Why? Why? It was incredibly disappointing knowing the Vikes were so close at taking the lead and maybe winning.

It’s only one game and it’s so early and yes the way they came back only to lose is incredibly painful but as I always say as a fan I still get up the next day and go to work and life does go on. The win would have been huge going to 2-0 and tie breaker with Packers going the Vikes way but it was not meant to be.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick

Vikes win Vikes win

The home opener was finally here and like I had written earlier I had no idea what the team would be like as preseason really did not show generally much to get excited about.

The atmosphere was so great to be a part of although I looked down to the left and seemed to be a lot of fans still waiting to get in as a new system has started and seems to be slow early in the season so hopefully the bugs will be worked out.

The Minnesota Vikings all-time leading tackler, Scott Studwell lead the Skol Chant and blew the Gjallarhorn to get the crowd even more fired up as if they really needed that because this is Week one and football is back.

The kicking saga all offseason with who will be the kicker finally revealed itself and the man to win the job was Dan Bailey and we see him start 2019 with a bomb of a kickoff with no return. This was a great start but the Falcons first offensive play the tone was set for the day when we see Falcons’ quarterback, Matt Ryan sacks by Anthony Barr and the frenzy of US Bank was in full emotion.

The Falcons fail to convert their first down and Falcons’ punt team came out and what do we see next? I believe a massive missed blocking assignment because Viking Eric Wilson came up the gut seemingly untouched and blocked the ball cleanly. I wanted so badly to see someone pick up the loose ball and take it for sox but did not happen. Oh well the Vikes offense is set up deep in Falcons’ territory and the offense did not disappoint as we see a Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen for a quick six. The extra point the last few years has been awful to watch but Bailey did not disappoint nor did he all game. I really thought Bailey had one of his better kicking days for the purple extra points and kickoffs.

The Falcons get the ball back and in the drive we see Vikes Safety, Anthony Harris make an unbelievable interception taking the ball from newly highest paid receiver, Julio Jones seemingly right out of his hands. Julio is an amazing receiver as he is so big, physically and gifted but when it comes to facing the Vikes he seems to really struggle so I jokingly like to Who Jones instead of Julio as he is not a factor in these games. Sunday he had 6 catches for 31 yards so really was nicely shut down.

The interception gives the ball Vikes great field position and once again the Vikes cash it in on a great run by Dalvin Cook but could not have been great without very nice blocking.

The first quarter end and the Vikes are up 14-0 in a quarter I have not seen this good in a very long time. The only complaint was the untimely encroachments by the Vikes giving Atlanta free first downs. This quarter seeing a sack, blocked punt, interception and two touchdowns could 2019 really start out any better?

The second quarter was not as exciting with the exception of Falcons running back, Devonte Freeman being hit nicely but Vkes Trae Waynes and I don’t think Waynes realized he separated the ball as he got up from the hit and seemed excited he made the play but his teammates were jolly on the spot and its Vikes ball. One again the Vikes capitalize except a longer field but this time Kirk Cousins does a quarterback keeper diving across and it’s six more for the Vikes. It’s halftime and the team I love is shutting out what I consider a pretty good offense from Atlanta.

Halftime had a great touch as the Revolution did a mini concert and the packed US Bank was able to enjoy Prince Songs.

Second half was boring compared to the first half as the Vikes did score one more touchdown for the game and basically put the game out of reach and we saw a couple garbage time touchdowns.

There were so many things I like about the game and I will start with the new punter, Britton Colquitt who had 3 or 4 bombs all 50 yards or over and had a nice punt downed inside the ten yard line. I will say for week 1 he was worth the money.

I liked the pass rush all day as the team’s sack numbers were not huge but they seemingly were back harassing Matt Ryan all day and making him feel uncomfortable. I do think Ryan is a very good NFL QB but Sunday the Vikes made him look just ok but I was surprised when I got home and read he threw 46 times and over 300 yards.

The Vikes run defense all day was out of this world and I loved seeing the sideline to sideline pursuit really bottling up the Falcons running backs.

The play of the Vikes safeties I give a letter grade of an A as Anthony Harris had the big early on interception but later as the Falcons were down on the Vikes two and Ryan threw the ball deep in the corner of the end zone where Harris made another unbelievable interception as I watched the Falcons tight end seemingly give up on the ball as I am assuming the pass would go out of the end zone whereas Harris leaped, caught and kept both feet in bounds.

I also like every single game I watch see # 22 Harrison Smith time after time make play after play well on Sunday we saw Ryan connect with a receiver near the sidelines except Smith took exception and cleanly pushed the receiver out of bounds so no chance to keep his feet on.

Sunday was a strange game in the fact where Kirk Cousins threw for just around 100 yards while Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen got their hands on the ball very few times. We saw the Vikes run for over 170 yards a very impressive number.

I am still concerned about Cousins in the pocket as he just does not seem to feel the heat but to his credit no turnovers as he is being creamed. It was such a good day to be a Vikings fan and with the game being out of hand many fans left early making it a little easier to make our way out of US Bank.

It’s going to be a great week at work knowing the Vikes won and now travel to Green Bay for Packer week.

Thank you for reading

Purplestick