Afterthoughts - Vikings vs. Panthers

Sure glad a friend called me at 10:30 in the morning on Sunday with an extra ticket to the game, very fun game to watch at the Metrodome....Anyway, on to said game...

Isn't this how every one of them should go? After a shaky at times 1st quarter, Frerotte ironed the bugs out and did everything he needed too to keep the Vikes in control of this game. A 22 play, 11 minute scoring drive is all the proof you need for that. Defense was again phenomenal, and closed this one out convincingly with consecutive sacks on the Panthers final drive, forcing them to turn it over on downs.

OFFENSE:

Well whattya know? a passing game does exist in Minnesota. Granted, it wasn't flashy, but everything that needed to be done in the passing game was accomplished. They even completed a big play to Bernard Berrian, remember that guy?

A banged up Adrian Peterson is still a monster RB, and seeing Chester out there more was a good thing too. People forget about him, but he's still probably the 2nd or 3rd best offensive weapon on the team, and should be utilized more.

The Good: Running game again top notch.
The Bad: Penalties killing drives and scoring plays.
The Ugly: Visanthe Shiancoe catching a TD. (ugly for Carolina)

DEFENSE:

If they hadn't already had a coming out party, this was it. Carolina's highly touted RB duo of Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart amounted to what is considered in the real world as 'nothing'. A whopping 42 yards on 17 carries.

E.J. Henderson's Superman dive over two lead blockers to flatten Stewart 5 yards in the backfield was the play of the year so far for me on defense. That is, until Antoine Winfield came untouched off the edge and demolished Jake Delhomme, forcing a fumble, picking it up, and running it in for a TD. Don't look now, but if this team goes on to be a contender, that play is the turning point in their season.

Pass rush was also phenomenal, to the point that Delhomme said it was the worst beating he had received since being sacked 8 times in a game a few years ago. He was never comfortable, and as a result Steve Smith's return to the lineup was spoiled miserably, as was the Carolina passing game, so entire offense for that matter.

Pure Dominance by the Purple People Eaters.

The Good: 5 sacks, numerous hurries, uncomfortable QB.
The Bad: NONE.
The Ugly: E.J. Henderson blowing up everyone who has the misfortune of coming within 10 yards of him. Another Fantastic game from the MLB.