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