What We Learned: NFL Week Three

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

Week Three had some major upsets, and a few tricks thrown in as well. Let’s take a look back at some of the big stories.

 

That Old Favre Magic

Two weeks into the NFL season, and Brett Favre has done little more than manage a game, a task either of his backups could do, and still make them 2-0. They do have one of the top NFL running backs in Adrian Peterson. However, Favre was finally called on in the fourth quarter against San Francisco, and boy, did he deliver. With 89 seconds to go, the Vikings were down 24-20, starting on their own 20 yard line. Favre drove them, completing all five of his passes, leading them to the 32 yard line of San Francisco’s with 12 seconds left. On the next play, Favre found little-used WR Greg Lewis in the back of the end zone to complete his 40th career game-winning drive. This one play just summed up why Minnesota took such a chance to get Favre back one last time.

 

An Unimpressive Beginning

It’s been two years and three games since Michael Vick played in an NFL game. Finally, on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, Vick came back and did…absolutely nothing. Well, that’s not all true. Vick, who has only practiced with the Philadelphia Eagles for a short amount of time, played his responsibility as a decoy well. Overall, Vick was on the field for 11 snaps, and had a total of seven yards on one rush. Ironically, it was the other Eagle backups, QB Kevin Kolb and RB LeSean McCoy who had a big day for the Iggles, who won 34-14 over Kansas City. As the season progresses, look for Vick to get some more action while he adjusts to his new team.

 

The First One Is Always The Sweetest

Dec. 23, 2007 was the last positive day for Lions fans. That day has since been replaced with Sept. 27, 2009 as the Detroit Lions won their first game in their last 20, beating the Washington Redskins 19-14. Coach Jim Schwartz and rookie QB Matt Stafford also celebrated their first career victories. While their 19-game losing streak will go down in history as the second longest in NFL history, for the Lions and their fans, all they’re concerned with is a new streak. This one has a more winning attitude to it.

Kudos must also go to Schwartz, who sent his team back out to celebrate the victory with the 40,000 plus fans who have been supporting the Lions through thick and thin.

 

All-Star Injury Squad

The NFL talks of adding an extra game or two, but at the rate of the injuries occurring, they’re won’t be anyone left to play that extra game. In fact, an all-pro team could be designed with the injured players. Key injuries include RBs LaDanian Tomlinson, Frank Gore, Jamal Lewis, Marion Barber, LB Brian Urlacher, DE Dwight Freeney, QBs Donovan McNabb and Chad Pennington, WR Wes Welker, CB Aaron Ross, S Troy Polamalu, and others. It’s a long season, and for some teams, a key injury to a franchise guy can really affect the team’s psyche and performance.

 

Way Too Early MVP Predictions

1. Peyton Manning: 983 yards and seven touchdowns in just three games, he is the reason the Colts have once again taken first place in the AFC South, and the team shows no signs of turnover issues with a new coaching staff in place.

2. Adrian Peterson: Even after his non-breakout game against San Francisco, the Minnesota Vikings RB is still a huge reason for their 3-0 start, with 357 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in 2009.

3. Drew Brees: The Greatest Show In The Air is led by Brees, with his 841 yards and 9 touchdowns already. He had a non-descript game against Buffalo, but still has the talent and the tools to put points up and lead New Orleans to victory in the coming weeks.

 

Contenders and Pretenders

It’s early in the season, but who’s getting off on the right foot?

Are the Jets for real? Raise your hand if you saw them 3-0 after games against New England and Tennessee. Well, it’s true, behind rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the suffocating defense, the Jets are 3-0 heading into a showdown against New Orleans this weekend.

The New York Giants recommitted themselves to the rushing game this past week, and it showed as that and a combined defense effort led them in shutting out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-0. It was the first road shutout for the G-Men since 1983. The Giants are 3-0 for the second straight season.

The Baltimore Ravens are using their offense to put points on the board, and it has given them a 3-0 start in coach John Harbaugh’s sophomore season.

As always, there are teams struggling to live up to the hype early on this season as well.

Three losses last year, three losses this year. It’s the same old for the Tennessee Titans, except they’ve lost all three games in a row this season. Who would have thought Albert Haynesworth made that much of a difference.

An inept win over St. Louis and a pathetic loss to Detroit makes the Washington Redskins a huge pretender. Combine that with the NFC East division, and coach Jim Zorn might not make it out of Week Two.

The Miami Dolphins are stuck with one of the hardest schedules this season, and it is clearly affecting last year’s AFC East champs, as they are 0-3 already this season.

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Power Rankings: Week Three

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A Look Back at the 6 NFL Teams that Passed on Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson, aka “All Day”, aka the “Dominator”, is without a question the best running back in the NFL right. At this rate, he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame in the future.

He runs with speed, power, fury and a little chip on his shoulder for teams passing him in the 2007 draft.

Teams questioned his durability with his aggressive running style.

Let’s take a look back at the 2007 draft to see which teams passed on Purple Jesus.

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Come Back To Reality Vikings Fans

During the past week, I have taken a lot of heat for my article on the Vikings not winning the division. Many people have told me I cannot be a Vikings fan or that I was ridiculous for not thinking they would win such an easy division. Personally, I find these accusations outrageous and quite entertaining

Being a fan is not all about blindly following the team and liking every decision they make every step of the way. It is also not about having one hundred percent confidence in them every single year.

The team has made questionable decisions this year that I do not approve of. I do not see how that makes me any less of a fan. People are entitled to their opinions.

My opinion is that Brett Favre is too old and many people are looking at the Favre of the past, the same Favre that has tormented the Vikings throughout all of his years in Green Bay.

Favre is not ageless.

The man is a future hall of fame quarterback and he has one of the best running games in the NFL to work with, so sure, he gives the Vikings a better chance of success than a quarterback (Tarvaris Jackson) that has frequently struggled to keep teams honest, but in my opinion, the Vikings still have a long road ahead of them to the Super Bowl.

The Packers are a very good team this year; you have to tip your hat to Aaron Rodgers, he has become one of the better quarterbacks in the game. Their defense is back from injuries that plagued them last year. It will undoubtedly be a battle for the NFC North this year.

My prediction of the Vikings only making the wild card is not saying I do not like the Vikings. I am taking many different factors into consideration when making the prediction. My personal opinion is that ESPN’s analysts that love Favre have drilled into everyone’s minds that he is god’s gift to the planet, making many people’s views one sided. 

Hopefully the Vikings do make it to the playoffs, make it to the Super Bowl, and win it all. I just have not seen it in them for myself, so for all people accusing me of being a Packer fan, or not knowing the game: Get over it.

The fact of the matter is the Vikings have some competition to deal with. It won’t be a cakewalk for them like ESPN and other analysts make you think, the sooner you come back to reality, the better.

 

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

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Thursday Morning QB: Your Procrastinator’s Review of the Browns/Vikings

Monday morning my ass. I’m too busy reading articles about the games. I watch all the big plays on Sportscenter, YouTube, and my DVR. And quite honestly, I’m too f’n hungover to start jabbing nonsensically on the old typer. Now, by Wednesday or so…

One of my favorite pastimes is to read visiting news sources about the big beat down they took from the Vikings. Of course, it doesn’t always work that way—many times the Vikings “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory,” and I’m left wincing from comments on news sources like Cleveland.com.

But this Monday, I was able to revel in the spastic fanbase being both embarrassed and outraged, in all their unflattering moniker endowing glory: 

Dudes, Lerner hired “Man-gina”, what did you expect? 8-8?

Also, Brady Quinn is affectionately known as ”Noodles,” “Queenie,” and “Brady Frye.” And that’s coming from the Browns fans—that’s not Derrick Anderson loyalists.

I also garnered Browns nation has the belief Cleveland was hanging with the Vikings, and the Browns merely failed to play a complete game. If only the team could have played all four quarters, instead of just a half game—goes the contention—the Brownies would have most likely won.

A quick look at the scoring results of Adrian Peterson’s career by quarter shows this is not the case. The Vikings’ game plan is to run the ball in the first quarter to set up success in rushing it in the fourth. As a result, the first half was merely the offensive line softening the opposition for AP to run wild in the second.

For proof, I give you Adrian Peterson’s 28 (two postseason) career Touchdowns by quarter:

 

1st Q  – 5

2nd Q – 7

3rd Q  – 6

4th Q  – 10

As a result, the best way to beat the Vikings is to throw the ball down field early and often. In recent history, they’ve had a poor pass defense, largely because of their stout run defense—the Vikings have led the league in rush defense the past three seasons. Get up in points and you make the Vikings beat you throwing the ball, not pounding it with Adrian. And the only way to do that is to pass.

In looking at the the Browns game, we can see they did not in fact do any of that.

Amazingly I found this quote from the Minneapolis StarTribune:

“Afterward, Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards told Winfield that Cleveland’s game plan was to stay away from the Vikings left corner. Edwards also shared another interesting nugget of information that surprised Winfield.

“He said the game plan was for them to run the ball,” he said. “I was telling him, ‘We’ve got too much beef in the middle for you to run the ball. “

Too much beef, indeed.

Further, the Browns ran 55 offensive plays, 35 passes, and 20 rushes. At first glance, it seems they tried to pass by the Vikings through the air.

But once again, breaking the game down by quarter, you can see 26 of the 35 pass plays came in the fourth when the game was safely put away. They passed three times in the third, 10 in the second, and a mere five in the first—when it was the most imperative time to gain a lead and force the Vikings QB to beat you, not their RB.

Clearly “Mangenious” and his game plan had a less than desirable effect. A team with less talent can beat a team with more, but they’d better have a real genius wearing the headphones. One at least, that would not play directly into the opponent’s strengths.

Adrian Peterson 2,000 Yard Watch

180 yards per game = +55 yards for a 2,000-yard season, and -7.5 yards for a 3,000 yard season.

Un – f’n – believable…

 

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

Adrian Peterson Did the Work, but Brett Favre Deserves Some Credit

You’re right, Minnesota fans. Adrian Peterson deserves the credit for the Vikings’ 34-20 victory over the hapless Cleveland Browns.

Most of it, anyway.

Yes, 180 yards rushing isn’t easy to come by. And scoring three touchdowns, well, that’s the definition of “carrying” an offensive load.

Peterson, while every bit as dazzling and athletic as advertised, wouldn’t have had as much success on Sunday if it weren’t for Minnesota’s sound offensive line, quality play calling, and well-rounded supporting cast.

Having an elite defense doesn’t hurt, either.

But the main factor that is being glazed over is actually how “little” Brett Favre impacted the game statistically.

While NFL analysts and writers commented on how Favre’s presence made a world of a difference, all I see on B/R is how AP deserves 100 percent of the credit, how Favre “did nothing,” and that he’s still washed up.

But I don’t see it that way.

I actually even think it’s arguable that Favre will help AP in 2009 more than AP will help Favre.

True, Peterson is already the coined “best back in the league.” He already has an NFL rushing title, has topped 1,700 yards in a season, and with three scores on Sunday, is seven touchdowns away from three-straight seasons of 10 or more trips to the end zone.

Still, it’s hard to imagine him having that great of a game with Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center.

It’s not because he’s not good enough; he most certainly is. And it’s not because the Browns are a good defense; they most certainly are not.

But the way things were headed at half-time, with Cleveland taking a 13-10 lead on a Josh Cribbs punt return, the Vikings were in a sticky situation—one that begged Brett Favre to help them get out of.

Because let’s be honest…

Before Peterson put the game away with his 64-yard touchdown run, the game was still in question. It took a Favre touchdown pass to rookie Percy Harvin and another Favre-led drive to a field goal to give the Vikings a relatively convincing 27-13 lead.

Yes, Adrian Peterson was the man of the hour. He was the money-maker.

But Brett Favre’s presence behind center kept the Browns guessing, gave AP room to run, and lifted the Vikings over the Browns.

No, 110 passing yards isn’t much. But maybe we’re looking at the wrong numbers. How about zero interceptions?

How about a 95.3 passer rating? How about a 66.7 completion percentage?

Favre wasn’t Drew Brees or Tony Romo on Sunday. Both because he didn’t have to be, and he didn’t mind playing second fiddle.

And that’s why he’s the real MVP for Minnesota after Week One. Despite all of the cries toward his ballooning ego, he put it aside and let someone else take all the credit.

So, like it or not (like him or not) let’s give a little back to the old guy.

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

How Quickly We Forget

Ho-hum.

Ho-hum, 180 yards. Three touchdowns, ho-hum.

Let’s talk about Brett Favre! Splendid! What did you think of that throw, Mr. Elizabeth Hasselbeck? Did it have the tight, crisp spin of a Brazilian pole-dancer?

Percy Harvin caught three balls! Blimey! And then Brett tackled him and then they hugged and then it got a little awkward and then children’s eyes had to be covered and then raunchiness was redefined and then a nun wept.

Adrian Peterson, 180 yards, three touchdowns, a 64-yard ankle-breaking zig-zag through blocks and defenders, the brick stiff-arm, and a rocket booster-like dead sprint…ho-hum.

Expected.

Has it gotten to this point already? It usually takes a DWI or a season in Oakland or The Plastic Ono Band before we start taking greatness for granted.

But barely three seasons into his career, and Adrian Peterson gets the back seat after gaining more rushing yards than 28 National Football League teams?

Ho-hum, let’s talk about the special teams. Nothing special there, am I right?! Huh?! Yeah!? Sorry.

Just step back for a second and think: Peterson is on pace for 1,800 yards and 30 touchdowns, with six games left in the season.

The 30 touchdowns will obviously come down – Chester is a vulture, Brett has got a lot of free Wranglers thanks to the one-yard touchdown pass, and Jeff Dugan is goin’ get his! – but 1,800 yards through 10 games?

Sure, why not.

It’s an outlandish and foolish statement, but so what? Have you seen this “human”? Or his future “opposition”?

The Vikes are playing in Detroit next week. The Lions just gave up 358 passing yards and six touchdowns to Drew Brees and the Saints. Despite all those passes, running back Mike Bell was still able to rush for 143 yards.

Mike Bell. He couldn’t get yards in the Mike Shanahan running back machine.

The lesson is, as always, Detroit’s defense might not be that good this year.

Peterson could get 300 yards next week, and only with Peterson can such an outlandish and foolish and drunk statement be taken somewhat seriously; i.e, Adrian Peterson is the reason Superman keeps some kryptonite around, in case Adrian turns evil.

But, as we all know, Superman keeps some kryptonite around because he’s suicidal. Being the world’s savior is too much pressure for one man, even a Superman. Or a Christ. But that’s a story for another day.

The Vikings won Sunday – and will continue to win, or lose – because of many reasons. It’s a football team; there is always more praise or criticism to go around, don’t get me wrong.

Yes, they won because Brett Favre completed important passes; because Percy Harvin gets first downs; because Chester Taylor is a professional; because Kevin Williams makes impact plays; and because the E.J-led defense made the important third down plays.

But while it’s a football team, and they win and lose as a football team, the Vikings will go as far as Adrian Peterson can drag defenders.

He is the bread butterer, and no one can ever forget this.

Especially you, Brad.

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NFL Week One Headline Blunders

As I look back on NFL Week 1 and recall all of the headlines I’ve seen and they’re not what I expected. 

Stories are being told to the ears that want to hear them.

I’m not saying the headlines are false, but they’re not telling the entire story.

The first one: “Favre’s Debut: Vikings Victory.”

In Brett Favre’s first regular season game in purple, the Vikings did indeed win. He even threw a touchdown pass to another new Viking, rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin. (Everyone’s seen the highlight of Favre jumping all over Harvin in the end zone.) 

But let’s be honest. 

After only throwing for 110 yards on 12 completions, I don’t know that Favre should be getting all of the credit for Minnesota’s hot start. 

The headline should run: “Peterson Leads Vikings To Blowout Victory.”

Adrian Peterson almost single-handedly outscored the Browns in what was easily the most impressive performance of the week. Some may want to argue that the Saints’ Drew Brees had a better week, throwing six touchdown passes. But that was against the Lions. 

When you’re tearing off ridiculous runs that justifiably draw comparisons to Jim Brown and Walter Payton, you are the best player in the league and you, sir, are doing your thing.

Here’s another headline, fresh off the presses: “Brady and Patriots Pull Off Fourth-Quarter Miracle.”

Tom Brady was Tom Brady in the second half last night. He worked out those early jitters and happy feet  as Bills defenders fell around his feet. It took him almost three quarters to figure it out.

But he got it.

Two touchdowns in 2:06. Vintage Brady. 

Most other quarterbacks would come out down 24-13 in the fourth quarter and try to do too much. A pick-six later, their team is out of it. 

Not Brady.

The man simply goes to work. You’ve got to be up on Tom Brady and the Pats by at least 30 points going into the fourth, or your daydreams will become nightmares. He deserves credit, this I will not argue. However, the foundation for the comeback was laid by the Bills and defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

How about: “McKelvin, Bills D Lay Down Monumental Choke.”

The question may be a bit rhetorical, but it has to be asked. What do you want to do when you’ve got the lead on defense? One would likely think, “I don’t know. I guess we ought to get that ball back and run the clock out.”

Well played.

You’ve won the opportunity to step up with me and berate Fewell. Apparently he finds it acceptable to go with the prevent. 

Everybody just run back to the end zone. It’s not like you’ve been shutting down one of history’s most prolific passers or anything. 

Just start giving them 15, no, 20 yards at a time.  Surely they’ll get greedy and just chuck it to the end zone. And there we’ll be waiting.

Wait, they scored? Surely there’s no time left. Two and a half minutes and they’ve got three timeouts? Well, I’ll just go talk to my kick returner, Leodis McKelvin, and make sure he takes a knee. Every kickoff has gone into the end zone, so I’ll just make sure he knows. He’s all ready to head out there? Ah, forget it. I don’t want to get in his head.

Apparently McKelvin was in need of that advice.  After the game he told reporters, “If I’d run that play another 99 times, I’d bring it out another 99 times.”  There you go, champ. Be ignorant in the face of your game-costing misdeeds.

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Monday Morning Hangover: 10 Thoughts On NFL’s Opening Week

What does a 27-year-old wannabe sports writer and Tom Brady have in common? We’re both nearly 6’4″? Maybe we both like tossing footballs around? Oh, we’re both good looking?

All of the latter is true, but there’s one big thing we have in common. We’re both making comebacks tonight. Well, today. I’ve been on a three-week hiatus from Bleacher Report because the Internet has suddenly became too rich for my taste.

We all know about the knee injury heard ’round the world at the beginning of last season to Brady.

Today marks the first game of his comeback.

His shoulder injury was much ado about nothing, and he seems healthy and ready to be at center stage again. And what better defense to play his first game against other than the Buffalo Bills?

As I prepare for what will be the last of an exciting, breathtaking, heart-pounding opening weekend, I looked into the football mirror and pulled out 10 stories that engaged my football intelligence and got me going.

OK, it’s really a Coors Light bottle, but who cares anyway.

 

10. The Dallas Cowboys Pound the Bucs Without T.O. Anyone Surprised?

I wouldn’t even consider this a story worth mentioning if it weren’t for ESPN constantly talking about how the Cowboys would look without T.O, blah and blah.

If anyone thought that Owens was that important to that Cowboy offense to the point that Tony Romo wouldn’t know what to do with himself, they must go on informative football dates with Jessica Simpson.

Romo is a prolific QB that knows how to chuck the ball, even if he had a core of receivers from Bleacher Report.

Not to mention he has former No.1 receiver Roy E. Williams, healthy, an emerging Miles Austin, the do-everything TE Jason Witten, and an overlooked Patrick Crayton.

With the subtraction of T.O’s antics, which obviously bothered Romo, the Cowboys will be better off without Mr. T.O.

All Romo needs is the help of his defense, which looked shaky at times in Tampa.

With the N.Y. Giants coming to party at the new Dallas Stadium, DeMarcus Ware and company better practice tackling horses to get ready for Brandon Jacobs.

 

9. What Happened to the St. Louis Rams?

I know the Rams were terrible last season, but we could partially attribute that to injuries to QB Mark Bulger and RB Stephen Jackson amongst other players, but what excuse could they use for Sunday’s dismal performance?

Maybe Bulger had a finger ache? Jackson had a slightly torn toenail?

I’m not even remotely sure of how you can get blanked by the Seattle Seahawks 28-0. Zero. Dunkin Donut hole. Not one point.

This was the greatest show on turf not too long ago, but now are the greatest show on the sideline because their drives end so fast.

Matt Hasselbeck made his return from an injury-riddled 2008 and looked pretty good throwing for 279 yards and three TDs, but did turn the ball over with two INTs.

It didn’t matter, because the Rams defense was a tow bridge that just let everything wearing a Seahawk on their helmet through. Pitiful. Can they be the 2009 version of the Detroit Lions? Or will the Lions be the 2009 Lions, again?

 

8. The Arizona Cardinals Were A Fluke Last Season

When the Cardinals represented the NFC in the Super Bowl last season, I asked myself, “Is this the best team out of the NFC?”

No.

Sorry to Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin, but they were not the best overall team in the conference, but they got on a hot streak and beat anybody opposing them in the playoffs.

I give them all the credit for that, but this year they may not even make the playoffs. Coming out and starting the season 0-1 to the San Francisco 49ers won’t help.

Warner passed for nearly 300 yards, but threw two INTs and his leading receiver was Tim Hightower. Shaun Hill outperformed Warner and didn’t turn the ball over while passing for 209 yards with a touchdown.

This was with a 22-carry, 30-yard performance from Frank Gore and a receiving corps of Isaac Bruce, Vernon Davis, Josh Morgan, and Arnaz Battle.

The Cardinals have problems. They better pray for Boldins to heal quickly.

 

7. The Detroit Lions Will Not Score 27 Points Again This Season

Matthew Stafford looked OK yesterday. His defense didn’t. Good luck guys.

 

6. Reggie Bush Is Officially A Bust

Everyone has been scared to admit that Mr. Bush has totally underperformed since he and his lackluster buddy Matt Leinart arrived in the NFL.

I’ll do the honors: Reggie Bush is a bust. Period. No arguments.

I actually like Reggie Bush. He seems like a stand-up guy, and aside from his mistake of actually dating Kim Kardashian after Ray J had fun with her on camera, he’s made good decisions off of the field.

But unfortunately for him, he hasn’t while on it. Aside from a few punt returns for TDs, Bush hasn’t provided Drew Brees and the Saints with much.

His statline from Sunday: seven carries, 14 yards, five receptions, 55 yards, two fumbles, one lost.

His teammate from USC Leinart has already been topped by Mark Sanchez in one game, and Mario Williams has eaten Bush’s lunch.

Welcome to mediocrity Reggie. Don’t stay too long.

 

5. The Chiefs Put Up 24 Points On the Ravens Minus Matt Cassel

I always thought Brodie Croyle had a better chance as an actor than a football player, until Sunday.

With Matt Cassel out to injury, Croyle had 177 yards passing with two TDs and no INTs, all against a much heralded defense in Baltimore. This was thought to be an afterthought of a game, until about 2:30 Sunday afternoon.

That’s when fans figured out Croyle and his Chiefs came to play. Even though the final score looked a bit lopsided, it wasn’t at all. Maybe the Chiefs can be this year’s Cardinals, especially when Cassel returns.

In the loaded AFC, maybe not.

 

4. The Washington Redskins Need A Makeover

DeAngelo Hall has lost it. Albert Haynesworth has gotten rich and no longer hungry. Carlos Rogers and Sam Smoot are second-tier corners. Clinton Portis is beat up from years of hits and injuries. Santana Moss is irrelevant. So is Antwaan Randle-El. Jason Campbell is a career backup.

It’s time to start anew, Washington.

 

3. Jake Delhomme Is Just Plain Ridiculous

The Carolina Panthers are loaded with talent and should contend for the division.

Oh, and Jake Delhomme has turned the ball over 11 times in his last two games dating back to last season.

Seriously, what is wrong with this guy?

The man who took over the “Jake the Snake” nickname after Jake Plummer suddenly retired is starting to actually look like him. Maybe John Fox should rename him “Jake the Fake” after his latest performances.

At some point somebody in that locker room is going to LeGarrette Blount him in the worst way, and nobody will care.

His turnovers are causing the team to lose, and they know it. Fox tried to be diplomatic in the press conference and say it’s never one guys fault, but in this case it is.

If Delhomme doesn’t get his act together soon, like next week, the Panthers will be showing Jake the gate.

 

2. Ladies and Gentlemen, Jay Cutler Has A Problem

The man who whined, cried, and babied his way out of Denver had his worst nightmare last night at the hands of a healthy Green Bay Packer defense.

The problem everyone knew he would run into showed its hideous face immediately against the Packers, as Cutler repeatedly had nobody to throw to.

His receivers are young, inexperienced, and just not that good. There’s no Brandon Marshall or Brandon Stokley to get the ball to, just Devin Hester who was his best target, Earl Bennett, and Greg Olsen.

Johnny Knox looks like a good change-of-pace receiver, but not a consistent, dependable target. The Packers made sure that Olsen wouldn’t kill them, and the result was four picks thrown by Cutler that could’ve easily been six or seven.

The overconfident Cutler felt like his arm and talent could overcome the lack of talent and experience at receiver and make those guys great, but so far he’s just making himself look bad.

Somebody needs to call Matt Jones or someone.

 

1. Brett Favre: The Decoy

Brett Favre’s statline from Sunday: 14-for-21, 110 yards, one TD.

Adrian Peterson’s statline from Sunday: 25 carries, 180 yards, three TD’s.

Favre did just what he needs to all season for the Vikings to be successful. Hand the ball off to Peterson, watch him run through and around defenders, and throw the ball efficiently when necessary.

That’s all he has to do. Favre doesn’t need to be the risk-taking gunslinger for this team to be successful. If he makes the right reads and throws when it’s time, that offense will speak for itself.

If Peterson stays healthy, the Vikings can win a lot with this formula. With Adrian’s running style though, it’s always the high possibility of injury. Chester Taylor is no Peterson, but could fill in well if that does indeed happen.

For now, the Vikings have a winning formula that’s as potent as it is effective. Wasn’t Percy Harvin one of the best picks of the draft for this team? The Vikes are dangerous.

 

Opening weekend of the 2009 NFL season was like a great night of drinking. You had so much fun and memories that you can’t possibly remember it all, but when you wake up with that weird feeling, it was worth it because you had such a good time.

Fortunately, there’s more to come in the form of a Monday Night doubleheader featuring T.O, the return of Brady and the always fun Raiders.

Until next week, enjoy your hangover and your Monday night, and stay thirsty my boys and girls.

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

Vikings Leave Much To be Desired, Despite a Convincing Win in Cleveland

The Minnesota Vikings were the victors in their week one bout with the Cleveland Browns, capping off the game with an outstanding 64-yard touchdown run by Adrian “All Day” Peterson (his third touchdown of the day).

In spite of the 34-20 on the scoreboard; however, I was all but impressed by the Vikings’ performance.

Disappointed, in fact.

Beyond Adrian Peterson’s 198 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns coupled with rookie standout Percy Harvin’s promising playmaking ability, little appeared different from last year’s Division winning Vikings team.

Don’t get me wrong, a 10-6 record is formidable, sure. But the Minnesota Vikings aren’t aiming towards the Division title. The Super Bowl, as many analysts and critics muse, is a very real possibility given the talent spread around this Vikings team.

The Vikings’ gaze is set upon the Vince Lombardi Trophy, as a team reminiscent of last year’s Wild Card runner-ups just won’t cut it anymore…especially given the tough division they’ve been dealt. It’s not quite the NFC West.

Now in all fairness, I don’t mean to dog on the Vikings, and I certainly don’t mean to downplay their achievements on Sunday afternoon. A 34-20 win is definitely not something to take lightly. With that being said, there were several blaring shortcomings during Sunday’s game, and unfortunately, they were the same shortcomings that held the Vikings from achieving their goals last year. For instance:

 

Special Teams

I’ll give the Vikings’ return game some credit. The addition of Percy Harvin has given the kick return a new, sleeker, meaner look. It’s only a matter of time before that guy finds the end zone on a kickoff. Also notable was the addition of punt returner Darius Reynaud, who averaged an impressive 27 yards-per-return with a long of 36.

However, the team that gave of six touchdowns on special teams last season—a league worst—failed to show any signs of improvement, giving up a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown by Josh Cribbs. In games such as their away game at Soldier Field last year, special teams touchdowns can be the difference between a win and a loss, as the Vikings gave up two special teams touchdowns and lost by seven points in that game.

 

The Passing Game

Again, to the Vikings’ credit, Brett Favre didn’t look like Gus Frerotte tossing three INT’s to one TD or anything, but the Vikings brought in Favre to strike fear into the opponents’ backfield, keeping them from stacking eight or nine guys in the box against Adrian Peterson (who still manages to have outstanding games, I might add).

That didn’t happen, at all.

Favre compiled 110 passing yards to five different players, while Peterson muscled through dehydration, cramps, and an arm spewing blood, to record 180 yards rushing, 18 receiving, and three touchdowns. This was all through the course of 25 rushes and one reception. Hardly, what I would call a passing game.

Granted, Favre isn’t necessarily supposed to be the Vikings’ gunslinger/quasi-franchise quarterback, but I can’t help but think back to the 1998 season when the Vikings brought in another star quarterback who was also well past his prime to lead the second most productive offense in the history of the NFL (only surpassed by the 2007 New England Patriots).

Randall Cunningham could throw the ball, and so can Brett Favre. I wouldn’t expect Favre to be as productive as Cunningham, necessarily. Let’s face it. Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Percy Harvin aren’t Cris Carter, Randy Moss, and Jake Reed, but they aren’t incompetent oafs either.

Air the ball out, Brett!

Or maybe Childess: Let Brett air it out. Let Percy Harvin air it out. Hell, let someone throw the football!

Speaking of others throwing the football, this leads me to my final grievance about the Viking’s week one performance…

 

Where Is This Fabled Vikings’ Wildcat Offense?

I was dismayed that the Vikings didn’t let the cat out of the bag this week. Every third down, my heart fluttered a little bit as the Vikings broke from the huddle, and each time, it was crushed when Favre lined up behind center and Harvin lined up in the slot.

I can only speculate that the Vikings aren’t going to reveal anything about their rendition of the Wildcat, until they absolutely need to. If that’s the case, then I wouldn’t doubt if they withhold the Wildcat until their week four Monday Night Football brawl against their arch-rival, the Green Bay Packers.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Childress wants to keep their toughest opponents guessing, giving them as little to work with on film as possible.

Or things could actually be as they seem…a flashy paint job on an old vehicle. The same Minnesota Vikings we all know and love.

The team that always manages to fall just short.

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