It hasn't been pretty, but the Vikings have a 9-0 lead over the surprisingly struggling Indianapolis Colts. Minnesota still has offensive issues in the passing game, but the defense is stepping up today after an inconsistent outing against the Green Bay Packers in last week's regular season opener.
Adrian Peterson continues to dominate having outgained the Colts in total yards in the first half. Manning and the Colts have managed to get their passing game going in the second quarter, but the Colts run defense is still trying to figure out ways to stop the 2007 Rookie of the Year. Peterson has 118 yards rushing on 14 carries for an 8.4 yard per carry average.
Minnesota got on the board early in the first quarter after Antoine Winfield picked off a Peyton Manning pass. The Vikings' drive stalled and Ryan Longwell booted a 45-yard field goal to make it 3-0.
Another stalled drive in the second quarter resulted in a Longwell field goal from 27 yards and then the Vikings got another, this time from 53 yards, at the end of the half to make it 9-0.
Minnesota continues to be inconsistent on offense however, as they will begin to muster up drives on either big runs by Peterson or by chip passes from Tarvaris Jackson that chew up yardage. But then for one reason or another, Minnesota's momentum just drops and a stuffed run here, a sack there, and an incompletion kills the drive. The Vikings also need to keep working the ball downfield in the passing game. Jackson has taken a few shots, but I believe the Colts defense is ready to give up a big play through the air. They've been stacking the line to stop Peterson and he still racks up yardage. The coaches have to recognize this and set up Jackson with the opportunity to make a play deep downfield.
With the way the defense is playing right now, they can afford to risk it a few more times.
Anyways, I better get back to watching the game. Hopefully Peterson continues to find holes and the passing game opens up as a result of it. And hopefully the defense keeps on getting after Peyton Manning to keep the pressure on the Colts.
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3 comments:
The Vikes choked like dogs.
They should of easily won, and now they're in a huge deficit to the Packers. I personally don't think they'll get out of it, especially because they have the Panthers and Titans in their next two games.
They should beat the Titans (because they run so much), but I really do think they're in deep trouble.
It's a shame for this team to have the best player in football and not have an offense that produces anything. If Tavaris doesn't develop soon, this team is gonna need to look for other options at qb. Having Peterson should give the Vikings the edge in a weak NFC North.
I enjoyed this post a lot, especially knowing final outcome. I enjoyed how opptomistic you were. Although you root for a different team then I do in the NFC North (I'm a Bears guy), it's nice to hear that others are frustrated with a bad team.
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