The Vikings Take Long, Ugly Road Through October

If the Vikings can survive the October schedule, maybe this team is bound for a deep playoff run. Because the next four games will feel like the playoffs.








The schedule doesn't get much steeper: at New York Jets on Oct. 11, Cowboys at home on Oct. 17, at Green Bay on Oct. 24 and at New England on Oct. 31. Since 2000, these teams have combined for almost 400 wins, 22 playoff victories and, thanks to New England, three Super Bowls.







Here's a quick resume breakdown based on their NFL statistical ranking.







Jets (2-1)



26th passing (172 yards per game), 9th rushing (132.7 ypg), 21st total yards (304.7 ypg), 11th touchdowns (seven), 20th total defense (336.3 ypg), 27th pass defense (274.7 ypg), 4th rush defense (61.7 ypg)







Cowboys (1-2)



4th passing (311.2 ypg), 26th rushing (80 ypg), 5th total yards (391.7 ypg), T-18th touchdowns (six), 8th total defense (299.3 ypg), 14th pass defense (215.7 ypg), 7th rush defense (83.7 ypg)







Packers (2-1)



11th passing (246 ypg), 22nd rushing (95.3 ypg), 12th total yards (341.3 ypg), T-4th touchdowns (nine), 2nd total defense (260.7 ypg), 3rd pass defense (144 ypg), 18th rush defense (116.7 ypg)







Patriots (2-1)



10th passing (247.3 ypg), 10th rushing (123.3 ypg), 7th total yards (370.7 ypg), 1st touchdowns (12), 27th total defense (379.3 ypg), 25th pass defense (260.3 ypg), 20th rush defense (119 ypg)

Adrian Peterson Is Better Than Chris Johnson

   

Adrian Peterson With More Rushing Yards Than Chris This Season

Chris Johnson Tennesse Titans

     Who’s the best running back in the NFL? Fans and sport writers commonly debate the merits and accomplishments of Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson, but for one week, we have a clear answer. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has won the first battle of the 2010 season in a war that should go on all season. Peterson was the NFC’s offensive player of the week for his performance against the Lions on Sunday.







The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions by a score of 24-10. The victory was led by Adrian Peterson and his 160 yards rushing on 23 carries. He also ran for two touchdowns, including a career-high 80-yard touchdown scamper where he outran every player on the field.







And despite what my headline might say, I’m still on the fence about who is a better running back. They both have the rare balance of size and speed, and what they are able to do on the football field is mind boggling. Why did I write this particular headline then? Well, you read my entire post, didn’t you?

Vikings Defense Epitomizing Consistency Early In 2010 Season

EJ Henderson

Antoine Winfield



Ray Edwards



Jared Allen

Williams Wall

With so many different variables leading to ebbs and flows in the Vikings aerial attack along with other personnel finding a rhythm early in the regular season, the Purple are welcoming the bye week to rest and gain extra preparation for a Week 5 Monday night matchup against the New York Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium.







Yes, the Vikings have shown irregularities throughout the first 3 weeks. But one factor that’s been a consistent force is the play of the defense. Through 3 weeks the Vikings defense ranks in the top 5 in points (3rd-12.5 PPG) and yards allowed (5th-276.3 YPG) and also boasts an 8th-ranked passing (189.0 YPG) and rushing (87.3 YPG) defense.







The Purple have prided themselves on a dominant run defense ever since Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress’ arrival in 2006. The Lions were the latest team to face this staunch unit, as they were held to a season-low 63 yards rushing in last Sunday’s contest – nearly 100 yards less than Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s total for the game (160).







As the run defense continues its stout performance, so has the pass rush.







Obtaining such a balanced defense is one of many reasons the Vikings have yet to allow more than 14 points a game this season. Even with CBs Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin out for the first 2 weeks, the Vikings pass defense allowed only 237 yards against the pass-heavy Saints team in Week 1 and a dismal 114 yards in Week 2 against the Dolphins.







During the Vikings 24-10 victory over the Lions on Sunday at Mall of America Field, the Vikings secondary welcomed back both Cook and Griffin in route to allowing 237 passing yards. After Lions star rookie RB Jahvid Best left the game with a toe injury, Detroit turned one-dimensional with its aerial attack and the Vikings quickly adjusted. Lions QB Shaun Hill was held to a 69.6 passer rating and was intercepted by LB Ben Leber and CB Antoine Winfield late in the game, putting a halt to any sort of comeback.







As the Vikings defense continues to show its consistency in both the run and pass rush, it’s well known that everyone needs to stay confident in their specific role with 4 straight games against talented offenses – at New York, home against the Dallas Cowboys and then 2 road games against the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.







“Going into the bye week you need to get more confidence going,” Vikings LB Chad Greenway told reporters after Sunday’s victory over the Lions. “Whatever injuries we do have, the bye week will take care of them and now we know the stretch we have coming out of the bye so we need to get at least mentally healthy.”

Bud Grant Sees A Bit of George Blanda In Vikings' Brett Favre

Remembering 20 Years Of Brett Favre

Brett Favre Throwing Touchdown

     Vikings' Brett Favre at the Metrodome on September 26, 2010. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)Pro Football Hall of Fame former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant equates George Blanda, in terms of durability, with Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.



"The main thing he had is, he played every week, and he played effectively," Grant, 83, said of Blanda, who died this week at age 83 and played in the NFL until almost his 49th birthday.



Favre has started 288 straight NFL games, a record for a non-kicker.



"In order to be great, you have to have durability, and he had that durability," Grant said of Blanda, a hall of fame former quarterback-kicker. "And when he was done (starting) and was a backup, he'd go in there when you needed him and he could still handle the ball."



Blanda played 26 seasons in the NFL. Favre is in his 20th NFL season.



"If Favre could kick," Grant said, "he could play another 10 years."



Grant, meanwhile, continues to hunt and fish. He just returned from Saskatchewan, where he hunted ducks and geese, and today is headed to his lake home in Wisconsin in pursuit of grouse.



On Friday, Grant will travel to North Dakota for Saturday's opening of duck season.



Like Blanda and Favre, Grant still has durability.



"I still can go," he said.

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings Defense Carry Team To Win...Get Used To It

AP Rushed For Over 160 Yards Vs Lions

  The Vikings finally turned over a new leaf on Sunday, collecting their first victory of the season.


It started out rocky, as Brett Favre threw an early interception that led to a Detroit Lions touchdown. Favre didn't look terrible, but again looked fairly rusty facing a poor Lions pass defense.




Favre mustered just 201 yards on 34 attempts with a touchdown and two interceptions. He continues to look his age in 2010.



Granted, Favre was a slow starter last season and can obviously still play at a high level. But we can't expect 2009 from him. It's not going to happen.




Sunday was the beginning of a pattern we can expect for the rest of the season: Adrian Peterson and the stout Vikings defense will carry this team.



Peterson continues to run with tenacity while protecting the football. He has zero fumbles through three games to go with 392 yards, three touchdowns, and a Peterson-of-old 5.6 yards per carry.



In reality, the run blocking has not really been better than last year, it has been merely adequate.



However, Peterson has run like the best running back in football. No disrespect to Chris Johnson, who had a solid day on Sunday, but Peterson looks unstoppable right now.





He cannot be tackled.




On Peterson's 80-yard touchdown run, he weaved through traffic, delivered a ferocious stiff arm, then simply outran the Lions secondary.


On multiple occasions through the first three games, Peterson has delivered impossible broken tackles, jukes, and bursts of speed. He simply will not go down without at least three defenders getting a lick in.




Not to mention, on Sunday, Peterson faced eight men in the box nearly all game long. Something Peterson saw less and less of last year with Favre and Sidney Rice connecting on deep passes.




Hats off to Peterson, who obviously put in a lot of hard work this offseason to get better. It will take a whole season to show it, but he looks like the best running back in football right now.




Another hats off to the Vikings defense. This unit looks much better than anticipated before the season.







Even when the offense falters, the defense is picking up the slack.







While they delivered just one sack, the Vikings hit quarterback Shaun Hill six times. They also forced two interceptions while giving up just 237 yards through the air. This despite the Lions attempting 43 passes.











The Vikings also gave up just 63 yards on the ground, despite a 21-yard reverse play by the Lions.







Overall, the Vikings secondary looks vastly improved. The front four have not produced a consistently nagging pass rush like last year, but coverage downfield has been excellent.







Rookie cornerback Chris Cook did a great job in his first major action and Cedric Griffin looked healthy after returning from a torn ACL.







A first-year starter at safety, Hussain Abdullah looked significantly improved over his first two games. He was on-time to the ball for the most part and made a couple big plays.







Overall, the Vikings defense did a great job on Sunday, as they have through each game this season.







Granted, this first victory came against the lowly Lions. There is no reason to immediately start dreaming of the Super Bowl, but there is hope.







Despite losing their first three games, the Lions played close with the 2-0 Chicago Bears and the 3-0 Philadelphia Eagles. This is a significantly improved Lions team. Beating the Lions in 2010 means more than beating them in 2009.







However, the Vikings need to show they can beat a legitimate contender. They'll have that chance in weeks five through eight.











The Vikings will face difficult tasks when they meet up with the New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and New England Patriots in consecutive weeks.







Three of those games are on the road as well.







To win those games, the Vikings need to take note of Sunday's game against the Lions:







Rely on the defense and Adrian Peterson to win football games. Hope for the occasional Favre-to-Harvin or Favre-to-Shiancoe hook-up, but above all, rely on Peterson and the defense.







The defense is certainly good enough to hold up against any team in football. They showed that when they held Drew Brees and the Saints to just 14 points.







The Vikings can win their next few games, but they will have to play their best football and avoid costly turnovers. Favre needs to protect the ball better and quit making risky throws.







If the Vikings can get away from relying on Favre to win every game, dish the rock to Peterson, and hit opponents in the mouth on both sides of the ball, they will have success. Just like they did on Sunday.

Adrian Peterson Leads Vikings To 24-10 Win Over Lions

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AP Has Another Big Day W/ 160 Yards Rus

   RECAP: Adrian Peterson continued his re-emergence as the Vikings' most valuable player with a dazzling 160-yard, two-touchdown performance to lead Minnesota to its first victory of 2010 against the always forgiving Lions (0-3). Brett Favre (23 of 34, 201 yards) was pressured plenty by Detroit's staunch defensive line and threw a pair of interceptions. But he connected with nine different receivers trying to establish some type of rhythm. His 24-yard touchdown strike to Percy Harvin tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter before the Vikings handed over the offense to Peterson.







MEANING: Favre and the passing game remain mostly inefficient but there is no mystery to Minnesota's offensive identity -- hand the ball to Peterson and let him pound the ball up field. The Vikings improve to 1-2 and salvage some dignity entering the bye week, with a brutal stretch of games looming against perennial playoff teams. They are off until Oct. 11, when they travel to New York for a Monday night matchup against reality show darlings the Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium.







PLAY OF THE GAME: First-and-10 at the Detroit 20 with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter and leading 17-10, Peterson hits the line of scrimmage, stiff arms C.C. Brown and out runs the Lions' safety for an 80-yard touchdown to put the game in a vise. It was Peterson's longest career run and the fourth-longest in team history.







ETC.: Linebackers Ben Leber and Chad Greenway recovered key Lions turnovers. Greenway







recovered Stefan Logan's muffed punt to set up Harvin's touchdown while Leber intercepted former Viking Shaun Hill's pass at the goal line as the Lions were driving for a score late in the fourth quarter. Antoine Winfield later intercepted Hill in the end zone with 58 seconds remaining to seal the victory.



UP NEXT: Vikings at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, ESPN, KFAN-AM 1130

Vikings Need Convincing Win To Forestall Panic

C'mon Seriously.......Let's Win

Vikings Need To Pummel The Lions

An 0-2 start by the Vikings is no reason to panic. However, a calamity against the Detroit Lions today at the Metrodome and card-carrying members of Purple Nation would be fully justified in jumping off the IDS Tower, throwing themselves on the tracks at the nearest light rail station and/or watching several hours of prime-time network television. The latter, death by boredom, might be the most horrible of all.



First, let's define calamity. Obviously, a loss qualifies. But a squeaker of a victory in which the Vikings luck out? Calamity. A come-from-behind last-minute rally for a victory? Calamity. Anything other than an impressive show of muscle on offense? Calamity.



It won't be enough for the Vikings simply to beat the Lions. They need to look good doing it. They need to look in sync.



"We could care less about looking like we're in sync," guard Anthony Herrera said. "Football isn't about looking pretty. It's about winning."



But Anthony, there's a panic brewing. Vikings fans are the new Red Sox fans, anyway. They are convinced that terrible events are inevitable. There is fatalism at work here. The locals believe in predetermined misery. It's as if free will has become a nonfactor. Am I getting too technical?



Put it this way, the overriding feeling appears to be: "What will be, will be. And it will be bad." An impressive, sharp-looking victory at least might put a smile on people's faces for a little while.



"We aren't here to please anybody," Herrera said. "We're here to win. People think that stuff's got to be pretty. That's Pop Warner. It's about winning football games."

He's right, of course. But so am I. If the Vikings look lousy against Detroit, win or lose, just imagine how interminably long the upcoming bye week will seem.



Obviously, it's all about the offense. Specifically, it's all about the passing game. Adrian Peterson ran hard and gained 145 yards against the Dolphins. Unfortunately, it was the one yard he didn't get — on fourth and goal from the 1 — that was the most important. Still, he's not the problem. What we have to figure out is if the wide receiver corps is underachieving or under-talented.



Big difference there. Under-talented can't do it. Underachievers might do it.



I'm undecided as to the answer. Bernard Berrian is playing like he's never been a primary target in his life. He's like a hockey player who suddenly is skating against the other team's top checkers. Or a mop-up relief pitcher who suddenly has been called on in a close, important game.



Greg Camarillo simply hasn't been used. Either he's running the wrong routes or not getting open. One of his primary strengths always has been his route running. And he never really gets open. At least, not wide open. He has made a career out of hanging on to the ball in traffic. So I don't know what the deal is.



Greg Lewis always seems like an afterthought. Once in a great while, a ball will be thrown in his general direction and we'll all say: "Oh, Greg Lewis. I forgot about him." Other than his last-second catch against San Francisco early last season, he's done virtually nothing.



Percy Harvin can't get healthy enough to be a factor. Normally, getting the ball in his hands is a very good thing. Right now, though, he's struggling and is as out of sync with Brett Favre as anybody.



Newcomer Hank Baskett at least can run fast downfield. Maybe he will be a significant upgrade to the receiving corps. What we do know for sure is that the wives' section of the Metrodome received an upgrade with the arrival of Baskett's wife, former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson.



I just don't know what to make of that group. Two (Baskett and Camarillo) are newcomers, one (Harvin) is banged up, one (Lewis) is an afterthought and the other (Berrian) simply isn't getting the job done. Somebody needs to step up and be a hero.



The Detroit game is the perfect opportunity. The Lions are 0-2 — they're always 0-2 — and aren't going anywhere. They perhaps are better than in recent years but remain a team the Vikings should steamroll. This ought to be the game in which the receivers build their confidence. It should be the game that puts the Vikings back on track.



Most likely, it will be. Because if it isn't, well, the alternative is too depressing to think about.