It’s hard to argue that the Minnesota Vikings aren’t a premiere team in the NFL this year. Yet, it’s also hard to argue that they are. Their record thus far is 7-1, yet the total record of all teams they’ve played this year is 21-36; with three teams that have one win. Also, they aren’t even blowing these bad teams out. Their average margin of victory is eleven.
Their first real test came in Week 4 when Brett Favre played his first game ever versus the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings sneaked by and won by seven. In Week 6 versus the Ravens, the luck was on their side. Dominating the first half offensively and defensively, the Vikings went into the half up 14-3. It wasn’t until a 21 point fourth quarter that Vikings fans were about to witness a 44-yard chip shot in a dome for Steven Hauschka. As time expired, Hauschka hooked the field goal wide left, allowing the Vikings to slip by another game. What did this game do? Well, it weakened the Vikings for their next opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are the only team they’ve played with a winning record. After a very physical game, the Steelers came out on top 27-17.
Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson are arguably one of the best quarterback-halfback combinations currently in the NFL. But Favre really doesn’t have a number one receiver to hit to make the long play. Sidney Rice will do that for him once in a while, but he really isn’t a consistent playmaker yet. Peterson, on the other hand, can get 100 yards and a touchdown on his own. The Viking defense is also one of the best in the league. The past few years, their defense has always been highly ranked. But in 2008, they acquired Jared Allen, one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, from the Chiefs. Ever since, they’ve had a tough defense to crack.
One of the large problems with the Vikings defense is closing out games. In the second half alone, the Vikings have allowed 104 points, while in the first, they’ve only allowed 69. They have a few strong cornerbacks, but are definitely missing Darren Sharper as a shut down defender. They also lack safeties to accompany such a strong defense.
All in all, the Vikings are a very well rounded team. Although they’ve only lost one game, which was the only game they were truly tested by a playoff contender. As of now, the Vikings are one of the top teams in the league, but until they put a big win on the board, they aren’t as “real” as people say they are.
Hey kid, you think it’s so easy, come try and stand up to me on the goal line
-A.P.
I am a Vikings fan, so I don’t like what you say, but I have to admit that you raise some good points here. We haven’t gotten through the toughest part of our schedule yet, and I also think it willbe tougher for our team to prove it come late in the year. I think the defense is good, it just needs to do a better job at protecting leads.
hey kid–i like what you say, call me :)
Are you our “fan” voice? You sure are lukewarm. Favre has a lot of targets-Percy Harvin, Rice, AP, Dugan - look what he did airing it out to Rice against the Lions
. I agree the defense needs to do a better job of holding down scoring in the second half, but look what they did to Green Bay-holding them at the goalline.
The Vikings seem to play “up to” or “down to” the level of the team they are playing. A win is a win. I believe they will tighten it up against tougher teams in the playoffs. C’mon–some excitement and optimism. What do you need? A shot a Favre enthusiasm?