I'll get this out of the way: I am psyched as a fan that somehow the Purple are 3-3 and tied for first in a very weak NFC North Division, but they in no way shape or form deserved to win this game with how they played. Lucky for them, Detroit didn't deserve to win it by just a little larger margin as well (or they got screwed).
Brad Childress for the second week in a row was bailed out and basically handed a victory by a pass interference call that put them deep in the opposing team's territory on an end of the game drive. He was also fortunate again that the referees may have missed the call on another fumble play, though I personally still think Calvin Johnson was not hanging on to the ball as he went down. From what I saw, that's just how it looked to me. I say this because he got knocked the (bleep) out on that play and crumpled to the turf in a heap, and when that happens muscles and nerves go limp, and for this play that means he was not holding onto the ball, and I have a feeling that is what one of the refs saw and the head referee trusted his guy more than the replays. But I get the feeling I'm in a very small minority on this call. Either way, the Brad Childress blueprint for winning has now become having blown calls go his way and throwing it deep to draw pass interference penalties when they need a big play.
I also severely question why they did not go for two after Bernard Berrian broke his big reception for a touchdown. Ya, it was still a little early, BUT with how this game was going and how your team was playing, how is going for 2 not the right call?!? If you make it, you have tied the score in a game where both teams are struggling mightily and the feeling to me was they might not get another chance (and after that a FG was blocked, and a pass interference penalty set up the winning FG, so they were lucky they got that chance) . And if you don't make it, what difference does a 10-8 score make compared to a 10-9 score? Not a single shred. Personally, my philosophy would be if I can tie a game with a 2 point conversion at ANY point in the game, I'd go for it. Yet another piece of evidence that the Childress philosophy is to play not to lose, instead of playing to WIN.
The coach deserved every one of the 'Fire Childress' chants that erupted, and the players have a right to be upset about all those Boo's, but they were not directed at the players themselves on this team because I know for a fact these fans think they have got a group of players that can do great things. That is why the Boo's came down, because they are not playing up to there potential and they were directed at yet again the unimaginative and poor playcalling, the bad gameplanning, and lack of adjustments that is present week in and week out that causes this subpar play.
There were players and plays that hurt the Vikes chances, ie. AD fumbling, holding calls bringing plays back, etc... etc... But the Vikes still only converted on 3 of 15 3rd downs and as I sit on my couch and call out several plays before they happen keeps most of my blame for the uninspiring effort against the worst team in the NFL on the coach.
OFFENSE
Gus Frerotte and Bernard Berrian again looked like they have a good chemistry though Berrian did most of the legwork on the big pass play. B.B. has been earning his paycheck the last 2 weeks and continues to make an effort toward proving his worth. Gus also threw for 296 yards which has to be a team high for the Vikes under their current coach (which is pathetic), but it was nice to see. Adrian Peterson got back above the 100 yard markas well but also lost 2 fumbles to kill drives which probably would have produced points and made this game more tolerable.
As a team however, the Vikings only converted 20% of their 3rd down plays to keep drives alive and this is well below average and can not continue if they want to have a shot at the playoffs. This is also a stat that relies heavily on the playcalling of the coaching staff, who scores yet another F on my report card as this was the one team your offense should have been able to dominate. There also was yet another 3rd and short play where they threw it deep, I can't describe to you how much I hate those play calls.
The Good: Bernard Berrian.
The Bad: Everything Else.
The Ugly: Playcalling and gameplanning(for the third week in a row).
DEFENSE
These guys continue to go out every week and do everything they possibly can to keep Childress from losing them the game, and this should not be a position they should be put in. But Detroit QB Dan Orlavsky also helped them big time by demonstrating his lack of awareness and running out of the endzone for a safety.
DT Kevin Williams 4 sacks is a great stat line and he dominated the one-on-one matchups the Lions continued to give him the entire game. He looks like he has become the biggest benificiary of having a legit pass rushing DE in Jared Allen lining up alongside of him.
There were some big hits yet again in this game as S Darren Sharper laid out and produced the Calvin Johnson fumble later in the game which was one of those plays they had to make to keep the Vikes in it.
Detroit is a bad team on both sides of the ball and the Defense was able to do much more than what they should have had too for the Vikes to win this game in keeping them to only 10 points.
The Good: The Kevin Williams show.
The Bad: can't think of any off the top of my head.
The Ugly: Dan Orlavsky spotting the Vikes the games winning 2 points.
Now, with all that said, the Vikes did still pull out the Victory, and are still tied for the NFC North Division lead with the Bears and the Packers, so there is still hope and potential for something good to happen this season. But like all the fans at the game sending out the 'Fire Childress' chants, I just can't get excited about these guys with him at the helm and with how they have gone about pulling out their victories. I want this team to be, and think they should be great, but if you wan't the chants and boos to stop, you have got to show me a lot more.
Skol Vikings! 'Til next time...
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