Vikes/Lions post-game thoughts

[thatguy]

I dont think the offense played poorly. They spent a lot of time running clock starting early in the 3rd ... Which i wasnt a fan of but it worked so who am I to complain?

The offense was in a postion to just not make mistakes which they did.

They did what they needed to to keep the game in our hands. I agree with you completely. They took off a HUGE chunk of time in the 3rd quarter at the end.

[Arma]

It was a hard fought win. 2 great special team plays made it so we didn't really have to be aggressive and force stuff on offense. Our defense played lights out though, and it looked like Megatron was scared at time short arming some catches.

[yezzir]

It was awesome to see Harrison Smith turn megatron into an average WR, if only for this game.

[indianation65]

As usual, conservative offense in the second part of the 4th quarter while protecting a lead can make a man's hair turn gray. It makes you crazy, because the other team is always given the gift of "time" to make a comeback. It's like watching your favorite NHL team continually play "perfect pass" powerplays, and "never" shooting. It makes you want to scream at the television. Therefore, a win is a good win, but let's build the offensive confidence by occasionally running up the score. I'd like to see the Vikes do that here and there! A bully in the NFL always has room to brag!

...wisdom

[PurpleKoolaid]

It was awesome to see Harrison Smith turn megatron into an average WR, if only for this game.

That hit was HUGE. And then the next throw was dropped by a Lion TE. A little luck, and a little skill, nice to see things go our way and a former Irish player make such strides.

[yezzir]

This was a great win for the Vikings. They broke their losing streak within the division, put together back-to-back wins for the first time in a long time, and after just 1/4 of the season, they've already equaled their win total from 2011 and secured at least a share of first place. Congratulations to everyone involved.

What has really impressed me the last two weeks is the way the Vikings have clearly been a more physical team than their opponents, on both offense and defense. They've looked well-prepared in both games and they appear to be a team that's gaining confidence quickly.

This wasn't the prettiest win you'll ever see but in the end, that doesn't matter at all. A win is a win. The defense and special teams carried the day today. Harvin and Sherels both delivered great returns for scores and the defense contained one of the more high-powered passing games in the NFL. They got a little too soft on the Lions TD drive but otherwise, they were quite good.

I haven't read 99% of the game thread but I'm guessing there were plenty of complaints about the offense. They've had and will have better games but again, they were physical today. The o-line controlled the line of scrimmage most of the game, specially in the running game, and Peterson was a beast. He gained a ton of yardage after contact and is looking stronger with each passing week. Ponder made good decisions with the ball and Simpson was definitely a factor in his first game with the team.

I think field position may have influenced the offensive strategy and point production a bit. I'm not sure what the Vikes average starting field position was but I think the majority of their drives started inside their own 20, if not their own 15.

There's room for improvement all around but considering the low expectations for the Vikings this year, I can't be anything but thrilled with the win and a 3-1 start!

I'd give game balls to Harvin, Sherels, Peterson and (I'm so happy to say this) the safeties. Smith and Sanford both made big plays today and Sanford, in particular, had an excellent game.

There were some things I saw that I didn't like but overall, there was a lot to enjoy about this one and I'm in way too good of a mood after this win to dwell on the flaws in the Vikings performance. 3-1!

Amen brother. A win on the road is a win. Sometimes through passing, sometimes through running......and.....sometimes through special teams

[Purple bruise]

This was a great win for the Vikings. They broke their losing streak within the division, put together back-to-back wins for the first time in a long time, and after just 1/4 of the season, they've already equaled their win total from 2011 and secured at least a share of first place. Congratulations to everyone involved.

What has really impressed me the last two weeks is the way the Vikings have clearly been a more physical team than their opponents, on both offense and defense. They've looked well-prepared in both games and they appear to be a team that's gaining confidence quickly.

This wasn't the prettiest win you'll ever see but in the end, that doesn't matter at all. A win is a win. The defense and special teams carried the day today. Harvin and Sherels both delivered great returns for scores and the defense contained one of the more high-powered passing games in the NFL. They got a little too soft on the Lions TD drive but otherwise, they were quite good.

I haven't read 99% of the game thread but I'm guessing there were plenty of complaints about the offense. They've had and will have better games but again, they were physical today. The o-line controlled the line of scrimmage most of the game, specially in the running game, and Peterson was a beast. He gained a ton of yardage after contact and is looking stronger with each passing week. Ponder made good decisions with the ball and Simpson was definitely a factor in his first game with the team.

I think field position may have influenced the offensive strategy and point production a bit. I'm not sure what the Vikes average starting field position was but I think the majority of their drives started inside their own 20, if not their own 15.

There's room for improvement all around but considering the low expectations for the Vikings this year, I can't be anything but thrilled with the win and a 3-1 start!

I'd give game balls to Harvin, Sherels, Peterson and (I'm so happy to say this) the safeties. Smith and Sanford both made big plays today and Sanford, in particular, had an excellent game.

There were some things I saw that I didn't like but overall, there was a lot to enjoy about this one and I'm in way too good of a mood after this win to dwell on the flaws in the Vikings performance. 3-1!

Great insight as usual

[dkoby]

Good post,
I do have a little concern that Ponder still turns and fires (sometimes) without really determining his target. He really got lucky twice where he turned and fired once right to Avril and the other one I think to Harvin, who was blanketed. Otherwise his play is pretty smart.
Being a Viking fan for so long, I completely expected a letdown today and it never came. So hats off to the coaching staff for getting them ready and challenging them to perform. I thought the pass to Simpson in the forth took guts and was delivered beautifully by Ponder. Also the offensive line has been playing well and controlling the line of scrimmage, something I think most of us thought we wouldn't be saying this year.
Harrison Smith, wow, great hit on CJ to knock the ball out. I think Pettigrew heard him coming on the next play and he grew alligator arms and did not catch a TD.

There seems to be no completely dominant teams this year so who knows what is possible for the Vikes. The division win on the road is huge. record wise and confidence wise.

[Hunter Morrow]

Harvin and Scherels are tremendous assets to team. Great return men and touchdown threats. Our ST played excellently and has two supremely talented returners...

It will all get written off as luck.

Same thing with the D. We let them pass for 300 yards. We got lucky. No. We got a huge lead and then prevent Ded with some of the best secondary play I've ever seen from a Vikings team for 40 minutes and won the game. We also completely shut down a Hero of the Week player, Mikel LeShoure.

Well well well. Was that luck too? Our defense holding back to back teams to 13 points is luck?

[losperros]

You have to play each game based on the circumstances and when we get up big on special teams touchdowns it'd be silly to ask ponder and the offense to take unnecessary risks. The most impressive thing to me was just how physically dominate the Vikes were today on both sides of the ball. We were STUFFING the run with only 6-7 guys in the box, didn't give up any big plays and were breaking up passes with big hits. Peterson had about 5 YPC and over 100 yards rushing.

The best part is we won on the road and should have a great chance of sweeping them at home later on.

I agree with the above. But I still think the Vikings offense will open up things as Jerome Simpson becomes more acclimated with their passing game. The same goes for Ponder. I think his arm strength is underrated and he seems to have touch on the ball. At some point, the Vikings will probably find themselves in a game where they need to complete some medium to deep passes. I'm not convinced (yet) that they can't do that, should that need arise. I think a lot of it will have to do with what kind of protection Ponder receives from the Vikings OL.

I especially agree with this being an important win because it's on the road.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Harvin and Scherels are tremendous assets to team. Great return men and touchdown threats. Our ST played excellently and has two supremely talented returners...

It will all get written off as luck.

Same thing with the D. We let them pass for 300 yards. We got lucky. No. We got a huge lead and then prevent Ded with some of the best secondary play I've ever seen from a Vikings team for 40 minutes and won the game. We also completely shut down a Hero of the Week player, Mikel LeShoure.

Well well well. Was that luck too? Our defense holding back to back teams to 13 points is luck?

Call it what you want, but we wont get 2 returns for a win every week.

We wont get that many dropped balls every week.

We wont get those PI calls go our waty every week.

And If our O plays like it did today, we wont win every week.

A win is a win, enjoy it. But dont expect everyone to come out saying we are going to the SB. Our Oline and QB need alot of work.

[Hunter Morrow]

You make your own luck. Unless you play the Packers. Then the refs make it for you.

[J. Kapp 11]

Who on earth at the beginning of the season thought this team would have beaten San Francisco at Detroit (on the road) in successive weeks?

Not me.

GREAT job by our Vikings. With winnable games in the next four, including three at home, suddenly this team looks like it could make some noise.

[yezzir]

P.S. The American golfers should be ashamed of their collapse today. Makes me sick.

[Hunter Morrow]

Mothman should call the games instead of Billick. That dummy gets 5 names wrong a game and for somebody who spent almost a decade with the Vikings you'd never know it with how biased he is against them.