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