Purplestick

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Game info, key matchups and predictions for Week 2 in Chicago

Week 1 is over but the talk is still on going on Christian Ponder and can he get the job done. I have heard blame Musgrave’s poor play calling, the bad offensive line play, and the absence of Rudolph amongst some of the issues. Week 1 is over it is now time to hope as fans that the team took film work to heart and then play in Chicago better.

It is hard to believe to say this but week 2 is as huge of early game in the season as possible. A loss puts the team in a 0-2 hole but to complicate matters the Vikes would already have lost 2 tie breakers in the division.

I am going to stay on the high side and predict a win but before I go into that lets look at some game info and numbers involving these 2 teams.

Game time: Noon on Fox

Broadcasters-Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick and on the sideline will once again be Laura Okmin

Vegas point spread- Chicago by 6

Referee: Ed Hochuli

A LOOK BACK AT FUN FACTS FROM THE LIONS GAME

-Blair Walsh kicks another 50 plus field goal giving him 11 which ties Ryan Longwell’s team record of 11

-Jerome Simpson’s 140 yards is the most receiving yards by a Vikings receiver since Randy Mos had 150 in 2003. This is a shocking fact.

-Erin Henderson in his first start at Middle Linebacker recorded 14 tackles of which 11 were solo. It led the team. He also had his first interception in his career. What a way to start his 2013 season

BEARS VS VIKINGS HEAD TO HEAD SERIES

104 games played between these 2 black and blue teams. The Vikings lead the series in a close on 53-49-2. The Vikes are 21-28-2 in Chicago

The Vikings have not won in Chicago since 10/14/07

Leslie Frazier is 1-3 vs. Chicago

A win in Chicago would be Ponder’s first NFL road win

A win vs. Chicago on Sunday would be the first back to back win vs Chicago since 2008-2009 season.

BIG DAYS VS CHICAGO FOR VIKINGS PLAYERS

Jared Allen had 3.5 sacks in 2011 vs Chicago at home giving him the Vikings sack record surpassing Chris Doleman’s old record

Adrian Peterson in his 2007 rookie year had 224 yards rushing in Chicago

Greg Jennings had 8 catches for 130 yards with Green Bay as they beat the Bears in the NFC title game on 1/23/11

Harrison Smith returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown last season on 12/09/12

KEY MATCHUPS TO WATCH FOR

Jared Allen vs. 7 yr NFL vet Jerod Bushrod

Vikings defensive interior taking on 13 yr vet Robert Garza. Kevin Williams was back at practice on Tuesday so my hope of course is he will be there to plug the running holes.

Vikes linebackers vs screen plays from Jay Cutler to Matt Forte. I will assume the Bears will be salivating to have success like the Lions did with Reggie Bush

Vikes secondary vs Brandon Marshall. A second week in a row the team will see a big physical receiver.

Matt Kalil vs Julis Peppers

Ponder and receivers vs Bears secondary. The Bears are so good at creating turnovers. It will be huge to catch and hang on for dear life

Vikes special teams vs Devin Hester.

MY PREDICTION

I take the Purple 21-13. The whole key if the Vikings can get Jay Cutler to act like we all know he can. If things don’t go his way watch for the foot stomping and pouting.

The Vikes pass rush needs to be careful especially with the threat of a very good screen team in the Bears.

The win will not be easy as I spoke before 2007 was the last time the Vikes got a win in the windy city.

Ponder has a ton of pressure on his shoulders but I believe he will play better and help guide the team to a win.

Touchdowns by the Vikes will be 2 for Adrian and will break the 100 yard mark and Kyle Rudolph will appear and make a tough grab in the end zone for the teams third TD giving them the 21.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Review of the Lions game

Football is back and with that we can finally talk about games that matter whether a win or loss, it is something to discuss.

It is hard to believe we see a game in Detroit where Ponder throws for over 200 yards, Adrian scores 3 touchdowns, Jerome Simpson gets more receiving yards than Calvin Johnson and yet the Vikings lose.

I will add I really thought the receivers did a great job in helping Ponder with these stats. How about the miraculous catch by Simpson? Or the ball Greg Jennings caught that was thrown behind him.

This is a game where the Ponder bashers may take off even more. I hope not as it was only one game. I will say whether you are a Ponder fan or not that Christian leaves a lot talk about. It will not be boring in Minnesota this week in the media or by the fans.

The game itself was one of the strangest games I have ever seen. The first half alone has so much to talk about.

The first drive by Detroit made me concerned right out of the gate watching Detroit move the ball rather easily. I know it was the first drive so don’t get too worked up I told myself. The Lions made it look so easy so when it came to third and one deep in Vikings territory I had a bad feeling the Lions would be successful and then the unthinkable as Reggie Bush drops the ball leaving it 4^th and 1.

David Akers comes on to try the field goal which I thought win Vikings defense holding the Lions to just a field goal. The snap, the hold and next a botched snap by the Lions holder, Martin and the Vikings hold to Detroit to 0 points. Is this a sign of good luck for the Vikings?

The Vikes take over and what happens next there goes Adrian Peterson as Paul Allen on the Vikes play by play on the radio shouts out, “and he’s loose.” Vikings up 7-0 in a drive this took 13 seconds. A little info on this feat as it was the longest play by a runner on the first play from scrimmage since the merger in 1970.

This game was full of gifts by both teams:

The Calvin Johnson catch for a touchdown only to get reviewed and overturned. What a break for the Vikings. We now have a botched field goal and now a touchdown called back. It is the end of the first quarter with the Vikings getting outplayed but what counts is the scoreboard not stats.

Second quarter the Lions still continue to beat themselves. Detroit goes for 4^th and 1 and is successful so they thought. The bad news Lions get a holding called on tight end, Pettigrew and the Lions settle for a field goal. The Vikes still in the lead.

Ponder gets picked off and to my horror I see the Lions take it to the house for 6 so I thought. Lion’s defensive tackle, Suh costs the team a touchdown with the low block on Vikes center, John Sullivan. When I saw Sullivan on the ground and not getting up I was worried. I hope the NFL fines Suh for this one. If we lose Sullivan it would be a major loss.

The Lions driving again and our friend Lions tight end Pettigrew gives us a gift as he fumbles. This man is costing the Lions huge with the holding call on 4^th and one and now a fumble. The Lions are dominating stats but are trying their best to give the Vikes a win.

Lions quarterback Stafford has the ball tipped and a nice interception by Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson and the Vikes are in business.

The Lions continued to play foolish with a Vikings catch on the sideline and what do we see? A Lions defender, Delmas gets hit with a 15 yard taunting penalty. Thank you very much

The touchdown at the half by the Lions could really have been a major turning point. We see Lions running back, Bell goes up and over the pile to score? A great strip by the Vikes took a review to make sure it was a TD. A matter of centimeters from being Vikes ball but as it was Lions up at half with an unreal first half of unbelievable mistakes.

Lions run 45 plays while the Vikes run 19 and yet Minnesota is in the game?

Second half Vikes still have chances to win. Calvin Johnson could not score today if he wanted. Another catch for a TD only to see one foot go out leaving Johnson out of the scoring column once again.

Lions defensive, Ansah a split second early as he hits Ponder causing a fumble. Another break for the men in purple as it was called off sides, thank goodness.

A great catch made by Jerome Simpson and now we see Lions coach take his turn at a mistake. A challenge on a catch that was a no doubter now leaves Lions with one time out. Thank you, Coach Schwartz.

A Lions 3^rd and 8 Vikes make a huge stop as we see Harrison Smith make a great tackle setting up a punt for the Lions. A great play but a bad job by the TV crew as Greenway gets credit and of course talked about. It is frustrating when the play by play callers screw that up.

The Vikes in the game even as ugly as it was. Dertoit was given 2 gifts by the Vikes defense on 3^rd downs with one 15 yd personal foul penalty on Guion and later 3^rd down Lions and Vikes secondary makes the mistake. We see 2 third down conversions because of penalties. Please don’t give gifts like the Lions do?

The biggest play of the game came with the Vikings down 27-24. The Vikes have the ball with a chance to to tie or go ahead. We see Ponder take snap from center and trip only to see the handoff muffed to AP. What if no fumble what would the Vikes have done on that series? Only speculation because now it does not matter the game is over.

Offensive player of the game: AP but I must also give a nod to Jerome Simpson

Defensive player of the game: Harrison Smith with his monster hit in the 2^nd half

I cannot believe the amount of panic by Vikes fans. It is only the first game, Was it ugly? Yes at times but with all the mistakes film work should be interesting at Winter Park. I have faith week 2 will go better.

That’s all for now

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Predictions for the game plus key matchups to watch for in Sundays opener

Are you ready for some football? Can you believe the time has come? It is no longer weeks of anticipation now it is coming down to hours, minutes and seconds until kickoff.

Matchups to watch for:

Jared Allen vs 2^nd year Left Tackle, Reily Reiff (Lions 1^st round draft choice in 2012 chosen at # 23)

Vikings linebackers vs. Lions 2 Tight ends (Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler) this will be a great start for Erin Henderson in show casing his coverage ability as Lions like the deep seem pass.

Vikings middle of the offensive line (Center –Sullivan and Guards, Fusco and Charlie Johnson) going against Lions Defensive Tackles, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley)

Lions QB Matthew Stafford vs. Vikings young secondary

Lion’s Wide receiver, Calvin Johnson vs. Chris Cook or Xavier Rhodes

2 rookie punters- Minnesota’s Jeff Locke drafted in the 5^th round at # 155 and the Lions’ Sam Martin also drafted in the 5^th round but at # 165. Which rookie punter will punt like a veteran?

Prediction:

Vikings 31 Lions 10

The Vikes will score 4 touchdowns. I predict Ponder will throw a TD to Kyle Rudolph for one score. AP will have 2 rushing TD’s along with 161 yards on the ground. The final TD comes by way of a special teams return. I believe Marcus Sherels will return one for a 2^nd year in a row in Detroit or a kick return to start either the game or half by Cordarrelle Patterson.

The Lions ended at 4-12 in 2012. I believe they are way better than their record showed. This team will be a high scoring offensive team this year but Sunday they will only get 1 TD.

Lion’s receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is just too good to get shut out. I believe Stafford will find him for the lone TD of the game for the Lions.

Notes from around the league:

78 undrafted rookie free agents made the 53 man roster of 32 teams. That is a little over 2 per team. What a feat to accomplish. Vikings, Zach Line is one of them. Congrats to Zach!

Other NFL news: Former Gopher quarterback, MarQueis Gray was cut from the 49ers but made the 53 man roster for the Cleveland Browns. I am hoping he is still on the Browns when they come to Minnesota for the home opener.

One fantasy note: I had my draft and was able to get Kyle Rudolph. I really feel he is due a big break out season.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Facts, figures and other info in helping you get ready for the Lions game

The time is getting nearer to kickoff and I am struggling in waiting for noon on Sunday. I have read up as much as I can and will continue. I would like to share some more numbers with you regarding the game in Detroit.

The game against Detroit will be Minnesota’s first opening day on the road vs. a divisional opponent since 2008. The Vikings playing in Detroit in Week 1 is only the 2^nd time in franchise history that this has happened with 1971 being the other year.

The Vikes have played Detroit four times total in Week 1 in history with Minnesota have a 3-1 lead.

Minnesota leads the all-time series 68 wins 33 losses and 2 ties. Minnesota is 37-13-1 at home and in Detroit they are also on the winning side 31-20-1

Coach Frazier is 2-2 vs. Detroit. The Vikes ended last season on a 4 game winning streak to end the regular season so a win in Detroit would make it 5 in a row. The Vikings are also looking for their 30^th opening day victory in team history. Minnesota swept the Lions in 2012 so a win Sunday would make 3 in a row.

Lions-Vikings connections:

Lions Wide Receiver Nate Burleson was a Vikings from 2003-2005

Lions Quarterback, Shaun Hill played for Minnesota from 2002-2006

Lions Offensive Coordinator, Scott Linehan was Minnesota’s O.C. from 2002-2004

Vikings player’s big totals vs Lions

Jared Allen in 11 games vs. Detroit has 39 tackles and 13.5 sacks. In 2011 Jared had 6 sacks in 2 games alone.

Chad Greenway in 12 games has 73 tackles

Adrian Peterson has 1165 yards rushing in his career vs. Detroit including the last time these teams met AP had 171 yards and a touchdown.

Looking at the roster

Oldest member: Kevin Williams (32 years old)

Youngest: Sharrif Floyd (22 years old)

Most Seasons with Minnesota: Kevin Williams (11)

College with the most Vikings- Notre Dame (5) (H.Smith, Rudolph, Carlson, Sullivan and Blanton)

Conference with most Vikings: Pac 12 (9)

Largest Vikings: Phil Loadholt (6’8” and 343 pounds)

Smallest Vikings: Marcus Sherels (5’10” and 175 pounds)

Vikings have 9 former 1^st round picks on team:

Sharrif Floyd, Cordarrelle Patterson, Xavier Rhodes, Matt Kalil, Chad Greenway, Adrian Peterson, Christian Ponder, Harrison Smith and Kevin Williams

Minnesota also has some very impressive stats from 2007-2012 and hope we can keep these up:

Rush yds per game in the NFL

1-Minnesota 13784 rush yds good for 143.6 per game

2-Carolina 13,101 rush yds good for 136.5 per game

3- NY Jets 12,423 rush yds good for 129.4

Highest Avg per carry

1-Minnesota 2855 carries 13784 yds good for a 4.8 per carry

2-Philadelphia 2523 caries 11782 yds good for a 4.7 per carry

3- Carolina 2815 caries 13101 yds good for a 4. 7 per carry

These numbers are very impressive and with AP shooting for the record if the Offensive line can block the way they did last year the sky is the limit for 28.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

Monday, September 2, 2013

Vegas numbers regarding the Purple along with a little game 1 info

The preseason games are over, the 53 man roster and practice squads are set for now all we need is the noon kickoff in Detroit.

Let’s look at some numbers regarding the Vikings in the early stages of the season.

Odds to win the Super Bowl

Denver and San Francisco both are 6/1

Seattle 17/2

New England 10/1

Atlanta and Green Bay both 12/1

Houston 16/1

New Orleans 18/1

Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas and NY Giants are all 25/1

Baltimore and Pittsburgh both 28/1

Washington 33/1

MINNESOTA, Indianapolis, Detroit and St. Louis come in at 40/1

As you can see Vegas believes the NFC North has some very good teams. This division is the best in football and we see that play out this season.

Week 1 has the Vikes in Detroit. The Vegas line as of Monday has the Lions installed at 4.5 point favorites.

Since 1992 Minnesota is 21-18 versus the point spread. In the last 3 seasons Minnesota is 3-0 versus the point spread and the last 3 games in Detroit the Vikes are 2-0 versus the spread.

I seem to remember Percy taking the opening kickoff for a TD and later Marcus Sherels returning a punt for a TD in Detroit last year. It was also Sherels birthday that day.

Game info

At Detroit noon on FOX

Broadcasters: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick with Laura Okmin on the sidelines.

Next up: I breakdown the matchup in Detroit later in the week

Thanks for reading

Purplestick