Vikes/Lions post-game thoughts

[PurpleMustReign]

What a game... this is definitely a game the Vikings would have lost the past two seasons. I am thoroughly impressed with the Vikings, especially the coaching staff and game planning, the last two weeks.

Let's keep this roll going!!

[S197]

One more thing to add, there's been talk about how rule changes have taken away the defenders ability to be hard hitters. I think today we saw great LEGAL hits by Brinkley and Smith. Greenway unfortunately had a bad helmet to helmet but it goes to show you can still lay someone out, just do it the right way with good technique.

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[Purple bruise]

If it hasn't been mentioned, Brinkley stepped up and appeared to have a very good game.

[PurpleMustReign]

One more thing to add, there's been talk about how rule changes have taken away the defenders ability to be hard hitters. I think today we saw great LEGAL hits by Brinkley and Smith. Greenway unfortunately had a bad helmet to helmet but it goes to show you can still lay someone out, just do it the right way with good technique.

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Cool, i figured out the app on my cell phone... i love the hit on megadouche. Good stuff!!

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[petev_sj]

I'm not negative on Ponder's performance today. Just remembering what happened to him against the Lions last year, I am sure both he and the coaching staff didn't want that happening again. When the score became 20 to 6, the offense went into conservative mode and it worked. Ponder did have a nice throw to Simpson at the end to take time off the clock. It's been that way to the whole season, Ponder makes the throws when he is needed to, give him credit for that at least.

[Mothman]

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.

That's my biggest concern about Ponder too. Overall, I really like the way he's playing but there are times when he seems to throw that quick hitter down the line of scrimmage when it's not open open. I realize it has to be thrown quickly so I don't know if he's missing something in his pre-snap read or if he just makes the decision before seeing the play is open but he's come close to throwing a pick on that basic play a few times this year. Whatever is going on, I hope he and Musgrave can address it before one of those passes turns into an INT.

On the other hand, I like that Ponder is increasingly willing to throw the ball away if a play isn't there and he made some beautiful throws today (like that 4th quarter pass to Simpson that you mentioned).

[PurpleJarl]

I really liked how Peterson Went between the tackles this game.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/splits/_/ ... n-peterson

check out the play by direction at the bottom

I feel like if he keeps this up we should see a lot fewer of those 10 second rushing plays that go for negative 3 yards.

Sláinte

[Mercy Percy]

I thought the vikes would only win 3 games all year but i've been optomistic throughout the off season and year. I am so glad about our draft. Great job by the front office. Kalil is great, Smith Is coming along nice , We all know about Blair but how about Josh Robinson !?!? What a gem to find him in the 3rd round. 5'9 170 against 6'5 230 and he did a great job shutting Megatron down. He can tackle also, it will be nice to have a fast young antoine prototype. !

[VikingLord]

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?

But they really didn't run all that much clock. Lions won the TOP battle 30:42 to the Vikings' 29:18. Lions ran 76 offensive plays to the Vikings 56 offensive plays. Vikes were 3-12 on 3rd downs and Ponder finished the day with a whopping 100 net yards passing.

If the Vikes don't get the big special teams plays it's very possible they would have scored 6 points and, despite the better defensive effort, lost the game outright.

I understand that everyone is happy about the win, but to say the offense did not play poorly is ignoring the facts. AD played well and that's about it. Ponder managed the game and didn't throw a pick, but at the same time he didn't make any really big plays, either, save perhaps the late throw to Simpson. I can't say if it's Ponder's fault that the passing offense remained so anemic, but this is an area they will have to improve significantly if they're going to stay in the win column going forward.

[Mothman]

But they really didn't run all that much clock. Lions won the TOP battle 30:42 to the Vikings' 29:18. Lions ran 76 offensive plays to the Vikings 56 offensive plays. Vikes were 3-12 on 3rd downs and Ponder finished the day with a whopping 100 net yards passing.

If the Vikes don't get the big special teams plays it's very possible they would have scored 6 points and, despite the better defensive effort, lost the game outright.

It's possible but it's equally possible they would have approached the game differently on offense if not for the two returns. They had the lead for this entire game. The 3-12 on 3rd down stat is admittedly poor but Ponder's yardage numbers don't include the two PI plays thrown to Simpson, which both resulted in nice gains and the two returns for TDs had some impact on time of possession.

Bad starting field position for the offense may have impacted their production too.

They can't afford to have this kind of passing and point production every week but this week, it was enough.

[dkoby]

But they really didn't run all that much clock. Lions won the TOP battle 30:42 to the Vikings' 29:18. Lions ran 76 offensive plays to the Vikings 56 offensive plays. Vikes were 3-12 on 3rd downs and Ponder finished the day with a whopping 100 net yards passing.

If the Vikes don't get the big special teams plays it's very possible they would have scored 6 points and, despite the better defensive effort, lost the game outright.

I understand that everyone is happy about the win, but to say the offense did not play poorly is ignoring the facts. AD played well and that's about it. Ponder managed the game and didn't throw a pick, but at the same time he didn't make any really big plays, either, save perhaps the late throw to Simpson. I can't say if it's Ponder's fault that the passing offense remained so anemic, but this is an area they will have to improve significantly if they're going to stay in the win column going forward.

I hear what you are saying, but, you are bound to get fewer offensive snaps when you score on special teams plays and have to kick right back to the other team after only 1 play. It always worries me when the Vikes score easily or really early in the game because the momentum usually will flip at some point in the game especially on the road. One thing the defense did was keep the lions off balance. I thought Brinkley really made some good hustle plays and limited YAC yards. Also the lions kept getting penalties and I think the Vikes are doing well in that area. They seem to be playing aggressive but with disapline. Not beating yourself is big for a young team. Gotta keep perspective on this team, We have a drafted QB that is showing considerable improvement who does not seem to choke when the game is tight. He seems to play as well in pressure situations as any other time. They are not turning it over and not killing themselves with penalties. I think it is refreshing. It's still young in the season. I think that Simpson will have 1000 yards this season, he's going to have to to get paid. LOL

[Eli]

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.

I like Brian Billick. A lot. He could get every name of every player wrong for all I care. He clearly follows and has respect for the Vikings' franchise, unlike most of the announcers calling games today.

[Eli]

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.

Yeah, those were disturbing. How can you throw to a guy two yards behind the LOS with a defender wrapped around his neck? The Vikings were trying way too hard to get the ball into Harvin's hands and need to temper those bubble screens before someone jumps one for a pick six. A simple handoff to Harvin out of the backfield would be wiser.

[losperros]

I like Brian Billick. A lot. He could get every name of every player wrong for all I care. He clearly follows and has respect for the Vikings' franchise, unlike most of the announcers calling games today.

I like Billick, too. In fact, I think he's pretty sharp at pointing out things about the games he calls. I've never noted any disrespect from Billick regarding the Vikings.

Yeah, those were disturbing. How can you throw to a guy two yards behind the LOS with a defender wrapped around his neck? The Vikings were trying way too hard to get the ball into Harvin's hands and need to temper those bubble screens before someone jumps one for a pick six. A simple handoff to Harvin out of the backfield would be wiser.

Any time a team gets one-note with a particular play and/or player they're asking for trouble. Harvin is a versatile player and he doesn't need to be doing the same thing all the time, so I hope the Vikings mix things up for him and count a little less on the bubble screens. That said, I believe the Vikings are going to open things up more often as the season progresses.

[lateral23]

I know it doesn't matter now, and I will obviously take the points and the win, but did anyone else see a flagrant hold on the opening kickoff return by Marvin Mitchell? The Lions player in kickoff coverage had two Vikes on him, I can't remember the other Viking on special teams, but he broke off the block and Mitchell had an obvious grab on the Lion's defender. I will have to watch the replay, but I think had he not been held, it may have had an impact on Harvin's return TD. I was surprised (and glad), that it was not called