Win and In: Vikings vs. Packers Preview



Can Christian Ponder lead the Vikings to the playoffs with
a win over the Green Bay Packers?

As Vikings fans we began this season with the thought of slightly improving our record since we were in the rebuilding mode. If anyone would have speculated that the Vikings would be in this position, you would have been looked at strangely. This team has proven they can be clutch and win football games in key situations. So how will our favorite team defeat the adversaries in tomorrow's contest?

Let's Gameplan......

The Green Bay Packers have won the season finale nine years in a row. In season ending games in the last 19 years their record is 18-1. Which shows the seriousness they display even if their playoff spot may be clinched. The Packers are 28-5 in their last 33 games and have won twelve consecutive divisional games. They are looking to become the first team since 1967 to sweep their division two seasons in a row. The advantage for the Vikings is their 6-1 record, which gives them a boost in the moral category. The "Win and In" scenario certainly makes the urgency high and will keep us on the path to a victory.

Based on the statistics I have provided, this will be a daunting task, but can be done through the will and heart this team has displayed. The key is to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers and to force him to make mistakes, which hasn't been the trend. Aaron Rodger's in his last 9 dome starts has 27 TD's against just two picks. Rodgers is a decision maker and takes care of the ball very well. If we can't force turnovers, we must force sacks and collapse the pocket. The Packers are known for their distribution of the football and have been known to use 8 or 9 different receivers in the same game. We must contain this and can't get to "zone" happy in this game and will have to press the aggressive Packers receivers on a frequent basis.

The center of attention will be focused on Adrian Peterson's chance to break the single season rushing record (2,105 yards) held by Eric Dickerson. I love this attention and think it gives Christian Ponder a chance to make some throws up the field. That is if the Packers defense can stop Peterson who gained 210 yards on the ground in the matchup at Lambeau Field earlier this season. The gameplan will be to establish the run and hit the play action once the run has been dictated. Although we remember Christian Ponder's performance earlier in the season against the Packers, I think he has learned from his mistakes. If he simply throws the ball away out of halftime and doesn't try to force the issue, it would have changed the entire flow of the game. The "Buzzkill at Lambeau" was definitely a winnable football game, but mistakes continued to haunt the Vikings and caused us to eventually crumble. Tomorrow this cannot happen and it won't because we have the home field advantage and will have the crowd behind our favorite football team.

The Vikings defense must shut down the run and not allow the Packers to gain yards on the ground, which will lead to less ball control for the Packers offensively. We truly witnessed this in the previous matchup, as the Packers went on over a 7 minute drive to begin the fourth quarter, which put the game away. Packers running back James Starks was getting the edge and was killing the Vikings on the stretch play outside and between the tackles. The Packers will be without Starks, but the Vikings will have to compete with a familar foe in running back Ryan Grant. Time of possession is critical for the Vikings and keeps our defense from becoming tired from over 35-37 min of play, which we have seen in several of the losses this season.

The Packers have been successful in eliminating turnovers this season. The Packers have given up the ball 15 times this year, second fewest in the NFL. The Vikings have won the take-give three consecutive games, which have all resulted in wins. If we can cause a turnover early, our odds are increased dramitically and give us the best chance to win. For one, it gives the Vikings a short field and allows the Vikings more time to control the ball.

The next key comes from us, the Minnesota Vikings fans. We all know we will see our fair share of Packer fans filling up the stadium at Mall of America Field. We need to be twice as loud to drown out the sounds of annoying chants such as the dreaded, "Go, Pack, Go." This is our house and we need the stadium to be as electric as possible. I have a feeling the energy will be high and that it will be a playoff atmosphere in the air. Anyone who has been to an NFL playoff game understands the electricity and energy that is displayed in the stadium.

This is the most important game the Vikings have participated in since the 2009 NFC Championship Game in New Orleans. Both teams understand the critical nature of this game and know that a "Bliss or Miss" scenario is on the line. The Green Bay Packers would love to end the Vikings season by winning a huge rivalry game on the road. I can already feel my nerves building much like I did the morning of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. I know if we can execute the gameplan, hit Adrian Peterson in the run game, and put pressure on Aaron Rodgers, we have a chance to win this game and clinch a berth in the playoffs.

Injury Report (via NFL.com):

Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
GB
Randall Cobb	WR	Ankle	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
C.J. Wilson	DE	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Alex Green	RB	Concussion	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jordy Nelson	WR	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Davon House	CB	Shoulder	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
Evan Dietrich-Smith	G	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jerel Worthy	DE	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Josh Sitton	G	Concussion	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
James Starks	RB	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Out
Charles Woodson	S	Collarbone	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Tom Crabtree	TE	Hamstring	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Mason Crosby	K	Illness	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Jeff Saturday	C	Neck	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
MIN
Brian Robison	DE	Shoulder	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Jared Allen	DE	Shoulder	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Marcus Sherels	CB	Quadricep	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Phil Loadholt	T	Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Chris Kluwe	P	left Knee	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Marvin Mitchell	LB	Illness	Did Not Participate In Practice	Probable
Adrian Peterson	RB	Abdomen	Limited Participation in Practice	Probable
Antoine Winfield	CB	Knee	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable

The injury situation is low for the Vikings and should have little worries heading into kickoff on Sunday. Brian Robison is the most concerning as he has a AC joint sprain in his shoulder. In the event he is inactive, Everson Griffen can effectivley rush the passer as well as Robison. All indications are pointing towards Robison playing through the pain, but we won't know until closer to kickoff tomorrow.

On the Packers side, Randall Cobb is the biggest question mark and will be a game-time decision. Cobb injured his ankle in a 55-7 win over the Titans on Sunday. Cobb was very limited on Friday, but will most likely be inactive in hopes to have him 100% for the playoffs.  Jason Wilde of ESPN.com Milwaukee is reporting that the odds are stacked against Cobb and that he is most likely out for tomorrow's contest. A true win for the Vikings as Cobb is a major threat for Green Bay in all facets of the game.

Jordy Nelson was injured in the last matchup between the Vikings and Packers and hasn't returned to game action. Nelson participated fully in practice, but will also be a game time decision. The Packers have been so successful with James Jones as the main receiver, they may want to ensure Nelson and Cobb are both ready for the playoffs.

The most important and final key to a Vikings victory is an important aspect of the game. The Vikings need to dictate the tempo and need to score early. The Vikings aren't built to play from behind. If we can control the tempo, Adrian Peterson can carry the ball and kill the clock and ultimatley keep the ball out of Aaron Rodger's hands. In the first matchup this season, the Vikings allowed Rodgers to dictate the tempo by being placed in the no huddle from the start of the game. This is something that can't happen and is one of the major keys that will lead to a happy Sunday for Vikings fans.

Overall, the Vikings need to play the same style of football they have been over the past few weeks of the season. If the Vikings can dictate the tempo, pressure Rodgers, establish the run with AP, and stop the Packer running attack, we can push ourselves one step closer to football immortality.

I can't wait until the ball is hoisted in the air at 3:25 pm ct. tomorrow and the Minnesota Vikings begin their mission to Football Americana. Let's be loud as fans and support our team win or lose because deep in our purple hearts we know our team has outlived expectations.

So let's add another exclamation point to a season filled with many moments, memories, and passions of Vikings football all over the great state of Minnesota.

Skol Vikings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Team Destined for Success

Can Everson Griffen and the Vikings
scare away the rest of the league and make
a run towards the postseason?

As a fan of this team, I cannot express the way I feel about the outcome of the 2012 season. If we were to lose the last game vs. the Green Bay Packers, I would still be amazed by the resilience of this team. The odds were against us from the start of the season and still are in some of the national media outlets. A 3-13 team in 2011, has made their way to 9-6 with the chance to defeat the Green Bay Packers to join the playoffs. This is a complete credit to the coaching staff and Rick Spielman for the way they drafted and molded this team. When you break down the draft picks and the way they have contributed, it is truly amazing. Matt Kalil is one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL, Harrison Smith is a fearless safety, Josh Robinson is a shutdown corner, Jarius Wright has emerged as a vertical wide receiver, and Rhett Ellison is a major cog in the success of Adrian Peterson this season.

Coach Frazier has a legitimate chance to be named NFL Coach of the Year, based on his success and the immediate turnover of this roster. Weeks ago many were criticizing Leslie on the way he had the team structured, starting with Christian Ponder at the quarterback position.

Ponder is another player on this roster who deserves praise for the way he has responded to criticism over the past few weeks. The way he played vs. Houston was the way he needs to play down the stretch for the Vikings. He completed passes and was solid on third down conversions. He was flat out cold blooded in several situations and was firing the ball through the air. Like I mentioned several weeks ago, Ponder hasn't had the luxury to sit behind an experienced veteran quarterback to marinate his skills. He was thrown into the fire immediately and is learning on the fly. Lets cut him some slack and give him the support he needs for our favorite football team to be victorious on Sunday.

How about the Vikings defense and the way they have played over the past 3 weeks? This part of the team is playing with a ton of passion and grit each and every week. Allowing only 6 points to the top team in the AFC is an impressive feat. The pass rush has been great at causing turnovers which have been key to Vikings victories this season. The defense will be key on Sunday and will need to force a turnover to increase the Vikings chances of winning. Brian Robison will probably be back on Sunday, but many question if this is really a benefit. Yes it is and will enhance the Vikings pass rush in several elements. For one, Robison has always had success against Green Bay and always finds a way to get to Aaron Rodgers. Everson Griffen has been one of the most valuable players on the defense side of the ball and is truly a huge surprise this season. There are ways to place Griffen and Robison on the field at the same time and to elevate the pass rush to a new level. The main theme is pass rush, which will force quick decisions such as interceptions or fumbles.

Our secondary is the most improved area of this team. Josh Robinson was a great addition as a nickel cornerback and A.J. Jefferson filled a major void when Chris Cook was injured. The beauty of the situation is the timing of Cook's injury where he is now available for the last two games of the regular season. He has evolved into a shutdown cornerback and matches up well with tall, lanky wide receivers in this league. Oh yes, we can't forget about the veteran Antoine Winfield, who is playing at an elite level each and every Sunday. Winfield is one of the best run support cornerbacks in the NFL and has been pivotal in the Vikings defensive success.

Safety play has been at the highest level in arguably 10-15 seasons. Harrison Smith alone has provided the Vikings with the leadership and fearless play needed at this position. Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford have rotated and clearly have been benefited from Smith's reps in practice.

Can we forget about the offensive line on the offensive side of the ball? This group has been simply amazing and has been pivotal in the Vikings 4th penalty ranking in the league. The holding and false start penalties have been minimized and have provided the Vikings to play ten yards to ten yards. The league frustrated me earlier this week when none of the Vikings offensive lineman were voted to the Pro-Bowl behind one of the single best running attacks in NFL history. How can a recently demoted Jeff Saturday get the nod over John Sullivan? The league needs to establish a policy where only active starters are able to be attend the Pro Bowl. It just really irks me that a group like the Vikings offensive line can be overlooked. Hopefully the Vikings won't have to worry about the Pro Bowl and are focused on preparing for NFL immortality that week in Football Americana.

I believe this team has the chance to do great things if they can sneak their way into the postseason. I could see the chemistry from the first time they walked onto the practice in Mankato during Training Camp that this team was something special. The way they conduct themselves, connect with the commmunity, and display themeslves on the field, make them one of the best in the NFL. Despite the outcome of the game, I will still proudly wear the purple and gold as I know my team has beaten the odds in my mind and in the minds of Minnesota Vikings fans across the world. These types of games are the ones that unite us as a Vikings Football community!

So let's get loud, dawn the purple, and cheer loud for this is our state, our team, our Minnesota Vikings!!!

AP for MVP

Adrian Peterson is one of the best running backs to ever put on a uniform in the NFL. He is playing at an elite level fresh off a tear in his ACL, MCL, and PCL. The remarkable story is his effectiveness in less than a year from this type of injury. He his having his best season ever and is on pace to break the single season rushing record (2,105 yards) held by former running back Eric Dickerson. The only task ahead is to rush for 294 yards over the next two games against Houston and Green Bay. Houston has the fifth ranked run defense in the NFL allowing only 90.8 yards per game. This will be Peterson's toughest game en route to busting the record. Adrian was successful in Green Bay, rushing for 210 yards in the previous matchup several weeks ago. Many people have been asking me over the past few days; does Adrian Peterson really have a chance to break the single season rushing record? My answer is an empathic yes due to several reasons that have made Peterson successful.

First of all, can we really doubt Adrian Peterson? Less than a year removed from major knee surgery, he is playing at an MVP caliber level. Is there any reason to think he won't be able to finish what he has started? He is cutting with fierce movement and is getting laterally faster than any running back in the NFL. If the offensive line and fullback can seal the edge, Peterson will hit the hole, make several cuts and will bust for a long run. Much like we have seen over the past few weeks vs. St Louis and Chicago. Peterson has a competitive edge and has his eyes not only on the record, but on the prize of the playoffs.

Peterson should win MVP and will do so with the most professional class of any who have received this award. Adrian was awarded the Vikings Community Man of the Year Award for his active role in the community and was recently awarded the Ed Block Courage Award by his teammates for his recovery from his knee injury. Not only am I proud of Adrian Peterson's play, but the way he handles himself on and off the field. He makes an impact on many young children who look up to him. He is by far an idol of all Minnesota Vikings fans and deserves all the accolades he can receive.

In my previous post, I was very frustrated coming off a debacle at Lambeau Field. I took a few weeks to reevaluate and allowed myself to analyze the issues that were making me lose sleep at night. Watching the way this team has battled and has played until the final whistle, has brought great pride to me. I know that on any given Sunday, my team will play at it's highest level. I was very critical of Christian Ponder, but I have a whole new take on the whole situation.

When you take a look at the most elite quarterbacks in this league, they were all given adequate time to learn from a veteran. We must remember Ponder was never given this luxury and is only in his second season in the NFL. Despite his poor decision-making, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings defense have carried the load and have the Vikings in a position to make the playoffs.

There are several scenarios for the Vikings to make the playoffs, but the one key is for them to win the last two games. The can clinch a playoff berth if two of the three NFC East opponents including Washington, New York, or the Cowboys lose this Sunday and the Vikings can defeat the Houston Texans. A remarkable feat considering the Vikings were 3-13 last season. It certainly is a praise to Rick Spielman who drafted the best rookies in the league that could make an impact immediately.

I'm proud of the way the Vikings bounced back and the way they have handled themselves in adversity. No matter the outcome over the next few weeks, I will be very proud of my team and the successful season they have had. They proved many people wrong and have the chance to continue this trend on the road to the NFL playoffs.

We will have much more later this week, previewing one of the biggest Minnesota Vikings games in several seasons as the Vikings look to continue their winning ways in Houston at Reliant Stadium.

Lambeau Buzzkill Analysis



Is Christian Ponder's time with
the Vikings running out?

Words cannot describe the thoughts going through my mind as I take a look back at this game. What an absolute buzzkill to a season that had bundles of potential. A defense that was emerging, a career year for one of the best running backs in the NFL and nothing to show for it. Once again we are witnessing that a quarterback and a coaching staff are holding up a decent team from making a run to the playoffs. Christian Ponder's decision making was terrible and he made the worst throw of his NFL career outside of halftime. I'm frustrated by the way the plays are being called and how a wide receiver didn't record a reception until two minutes left in the game. This is partly the wide receivers responsibility, but based on watching tape back, receivers were open, just not targeted. Ponder has had three less than stellar games this season and has never been pulled from the game to think about his mistakes. We all hated T-Jack and rightfully so, but was he ever quite this bad? I checked out the stats and it isn't even close. Leslie Frazier should have made a statement and displayed that these types of decisions are unacceptable.

 

In yesterday's game, the Packers defense couldn't stop the run, which was more reason for Joe Webb to enter the game. His scrambling ability and arm strength would have been successful and could have salvaged a winnable game. He wouldn't have missed Adrian on the wheel route at the start of the 4th quarter and wouldn't have made near the amount of poor decisions Ponder has continually made. I don't understand why Coach Frazier can't stand up and make an executive decision to improve our offense. When our defense allows only 23 points, we should be winning ball games. This all starts with coaching and may eventually cost Frazier his job if he is using Ponder as a crutch. I understand as an organization we drafted Ponder and would like to see him develop into the future of this franchise. I like Pander’s personality and want him to succeed, but are we playing to develop quarterbacks or to make the playoffs? That's the question I want answered and it will be very soon.

In order to completely see whether playcalling is yielding the offense struggles, or if Ponder is the problem, is to replace Ponder with Webb to see if the issue is still present. Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming Ponder entirely for this loss, but it rested heavily on his shoulders. Coach Musgrave is part two of the equations, but it currently is unknown based on the way Ponder is playing. Receivers were open during the game, but is the playcalling a contribution to the struggles? I believe it is and that it will cost Musgrave or possibly the coaching staff their jobs.

 Leslie Frazier has been anything but successful as the head coach of this team. With a 9-19 record as full head coach of this roster, he hasn't led this team to victory. He won several games as an interim coach, but he wasn't the man in charge of scheming and doing everything to defeat the adversary. Leslie has one of the best personalities and has always been friendly to fans and members of the Minnesota Vikings, but this is a business. In the NFL, teams want to win and our team is in the process of developing quarterbacks. Everyone refers to Frazier as a piece of Tony Dungy, but Dungy was unsuccessful in Tampa Bay and then made his way to Indianapolis, where he was given one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history in Peyton Manning. The Vikings organization hasn't had a stable quarterback since the days of Fran Tarkenton and have relied on veterans to carry them at this position. Now we draft a quarterback, in hopes to find one for the future and we look terrible on the field. Why are quarterbacks like RG3, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson more successful than Ponder, with a year less experience? They were elite quarterbacks coming out of the NCAA and had proven themselves. Ponder was definitely a reach and was not worthy of the 12th overall selection.

Ponder's poor arm strength was a concern coming out of Florida State and the issue is still prevalent in his play. The Vikings organization preached that through work they would fix this issue and develop Ponder into an elite level quarterback. This hasn't happened and was a key factor this organization pushed during the offseason. Frazier must believe that if Ponder shows progress during the last four games, he may be able to save his job. A coaching staff's job is to develop players and mold them into an elite level, but Ponder has been a failure. I'm not ready to give up completely on Ponder, but based upon his current level of experience, we should be seeing improvement, not regression.

Our veterans need to step up and rally this team to the point of winning ballgames down the stretch. I think the guys respect Leslie and the coaching staff, but want to win. We are burning away talent of veterans such as Adrian Peterson, Chad Greenway, Percy Harvin, and Jared Allen in the prime of their careers. It is sad to feel like talent is being wasted and because of the future, these players are being thrown down the drain.

We've had chances to defeat Chicago and Green Bay and both were missed opportunities. With better play from Ponder and elite coaching, we could be at the top of the league. I believe the only way we will be able to connect the dots is by placing Joe Webb in the game to see where the problem is coming from. I respect 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh for making a decision to start Colin Kaepernick. Alex Smith was struggling and Kaepernick had the hot hand. Harbaugh felt like making the switch at quarterback gave his team the best chance to win. Coach Frazier should think about his decision to stick with Ponder during the last few games of the seasons. If Ponder is struggling in the first half of the game vs. the Bears next Sunday, Frazier must make a statement and remove Ponder from the game. The "boo-birds" will be in full swing on Sunday at Mall of America Field and this time Coach Frazier might just cave into the pressure of the fans.

I don't want people to get the feeling that I'm the type of Vikings fan that sways whichever way the wind blows. I'm not that type of fan. I want to see the Vikings win football games and it is very frustrating to watch us be so close, but yet so far away from Winnersville, USA. I respect the individuals that I critiqued during this article, but the NFL is a business and the job is to win football games. Ponder and Frazier are great people, but have struggled to be successful over a period of time in which we should see improvement.

I hope more than anyone that if Ponder gets the opportunity he proves the fans, coaches, and organization wrong by winning convincingly next Sunday. If we see a similar performance, his job could be in jeopardy. I want to see this team win the last four and give themselves a realistic chance at the playoffs, but with the type of play coming from the most important position on the field, 52 players will have to wait to reach their ultimate dream.

It's a sad, sad, day Vikings fans, but let's stay positive and hope the issue will be resolved by itself in the form of 4 successful games to close the season.

 

 Until then Loserville, USA................

Vikings vs. Packers Preview

This image is something Vikings fans will need
to see for our favorite team to become
victorious Sunday at Lambeau Field.

The Minnesota Vikings are about to embark on one of the biggest games in recent seasons. A win improves our record to 7-5, a loss drops us to 6-6 and limits our postseason chances. Divisional games are huge, especially when they are against teams that are ahead of you. The Green Bay Packers are fresh off a 38-10 loss to the New York Giants last Sunday. The Vikings are also looking to bounce back after a tough 28-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Which team will bounce back and make an attempt to better improve their playoff picture? It all will come down to five keys that the Vikings must accomplish to walk away victorious at Lambeau Field.

1) Control Time of Possession- our defense was on the field for nearly triple our offense last week and this was a big factor in the loss. As the game proceeded the Vikings defense began to become more tired which caused Chicago to pick us apart offensively. In addition, if you allow the Packers offense to be one the field the entire game, they will wear you down very quickly.

2) Pressure Aaron Rodgers- last week was one of the worst games I have witnessed our defensive line play in a long time. We allowed Cutler too much time and allowed him nearly 8 seconds to make a decision during several occasions. This definitely cannot happen today, as Aaron Rodgers will make excellent efforts to extend the play.

3) Establish the run with Adrian Peterson early- the Vikings were put into a difficult situation last week, when they were playing behind for nearly the entire game. We must control clock and pound the ball with Adrian Peterson. The Packers have a vulnerable run defense, but it won't matter if we don't get it started within the first quarter of the contest.

4) Hit the Tight Ends- Look for Kyle Rudolph to be targeted frequently in the early part of the game today. The Packers will be without Clay Matthews who would generally shade the tight end, so rookie Dezman Mozes will be a target. Rudolph has a great skill set and should be a point of emphasis in the redzone.

5) Utilize Jarius Wright- Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave indicated he was establishing new plays to revolve strictly around Wright. This will be especially important with the absence of Percy Harvin for today's game. It won't be important if our receivers can't receive the ball like last week. With a plentiful amount of drops, the Vikings will be blown out by a Packers team that takes advantage of missed opportunities.

Overall, these keys will help our chances to win a huge Northern Division Collision vs. one the Vikings most hated rivals. The all-time series between Green Bay is 53-48-1 favoring the Packers, but the Vikings have a 1-0 edge in the playoffs. In addition, the Packers have won 7 of the last 10 meetings between the two rivals.

I have no predictions today because as Viking fans we know what needs to happen and the importance of today's game. Hopefully by 3:30 today our team will be 7-5 and injected with life going throughout the rest of the season. I will be proud of my Minnesota Vikings even with a loss and will know that we gave our best effort.

Let's go Vikings fans! SKOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!