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!!!!!