The team nearly sunk by the infamous sex boat scandal two years ago is back afloat. A team who started 3-6 ( 5-14 dating back to last years last ten games) and who many experts predicted at the bottom of the NFC North are just one win away from making its first trip to the playoffs in three years.
Two seasons removed from the departure of former MVP quarterback Daunte Culpepper, two seasons removed from the firing of head coach Mike Tice and a sex boat scandal that rocked the league; the Vikings are on pace to do something unparalleled in NFL history.
The Vikings are the leagues best rushing team, on both sides of the ball. Behind rookie sensation Adrian Peterson and proven veteran Chester Taylor the Vikes are averaging 172.2 yards per game. It doesn't hurt that the left side of their offensive line is anchored by three pro-bowlers in center Matt Birk, guard Steve Hutchison, and tackle Bryant McKinnie.
The Purple People Eaters of the past are back and in "gung-ho" fashion. The defense led by tackles Pat and Kevin Williams are giving opposing running backs no where to run, giving up an average of 70.7 ypg, seven yards less then then the next best team. With last years first round pick Chad Greenway back after a season ending injury last year, along with the impressive play of a young linebacker core the Purple People Eaters are looking near unstoppable, nearly.
The achilles heal of this defense however is a large one. Opposing offensives have been able to pass all over the Vikings--who are giving up 273.3 ypg. Even with the phenomenal play of Antoine Winfield and Darren Sharper (combined six interceptions) opposing quarterbacks have had a field day lighting up the Vikings secondary this season.
With a rush defense ranked first, and a pass defense ranked dead last the Vikings have still managed a respectable 8-6 record. Even with a lousy pass defense the Vikings only give up 18.4 points per game, 8th in the league and only two points more than the New England Patriots.
Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has improved drastically the second half of the season. With the exception of his absolutely awful performance against Chicago on monday night, Jackson has been a dependable starter thorwing five touchdowns and two interceptions during Minnesota's four game winning streak (before his four interception performance on MNF.) Don't get me wrong he's no offensive machine, but the parts are there for him to lead his team down the stretch.
The Vikings might be as Tony Kornheiser described them, "a team in the playoffs, but not a playoff team." It's not how you start, it's how you finish. If the Vikings win out and make the playoffs they will be riding a seven game winning streak into either Tampa Bay or Seattle, and if I was them I'd much rather play a lackluster Giants team who once again has backed their way into the playoffs.
No matter how this season ends it'll be a good one for a team many predicted to be last in the NFC North. A second year head coach despised by his own city and many of his players has finally gained the respect he deserves, a blossoming quarterback from Alabama State, a defense making their mark on the NFL, wrapped together by a rookie running back who many teams deemed too injury prone to be taken in the first round will soon be Rookie of the Year and a Pro-Bowler, the Vikings surely have the makings of a team with many promising seasons ahead of them.
The Vikings finish up their season hosting the Washington Redskins (7-7) at home and then will travel to Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos (6-8). The Redskins are currently one win out of the playoff picture and are looking to upset the Vikings to make their case for a playoff spot.
1 comment:
and if I was them I'd much rather play a lackluster Giants team who once again has backed their way into the playoffs.
Haha really? Well thanks to the new rule change in the NFL the division winners do not necesarrily get home field advantage on Wild Card Weekend.
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