Vikings-Rams Preview: Minnesota Fat on Dome Life

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

If there was a shred of doubt concerning Brett Favre’s ability, arm strength, motivation, or boyish enthusiasm, it was put to rest last Monday in the Vikings’ 30-23 win over the Packers. If revenge was indeed a factor, Favre showed it only by carving up the Green Bay pass defense for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

“My gosh,” says Favre, “my offensive line gave me so much time to throw that on one play I actually contemplated retirement and changed my mind twice before I had to throw.

“I think this game proves that I have no ill will towards the Packers. I feel I displayed the utmost respect and reverence in destroying them. If there were any hard feelings, well, that baggage has been ‘Packed.’

“I want to thank the Packers for allowing me to play for 16 years. Mostly, though, I want to thank them for not allowing me to play that 17th year. There’s no way I would have survived behind that offensive line.”

In stark contrast to the 4-0 Vikings, the Rams are 0-4 after their second shutout loss, a 35-0 whipping at the hands of division rival San Francisco. Quarterback Kyle Boller will face a Vikings defense that sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times.

Defensive end Jared Allen recorded 4.5 of those sacks and also forced a fumble, a performance that solidified his position as a front-runner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’ve already got my outfit picked out to wear to the awards ceremony,” says Allen. “It’s a camouflage wife-beater with a bow tie, accessorized with a cummerbund loaded with 12-gauge shotgun shells. You’ve got to dress to impress. Just as I do on the field. Not many guys can wear No. 69 and make it work. Me in jersey No. 69? Cool. Slow-pitch softball player in No. 69? Not cool.”

Help is on the way for the Rams. Conservative talk show blowhard Rush Limbaugh is partnering with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. Quick, somebody tell Limbaugh that there’s no such position on a football team known as “right wing.”

Minnesota would be ripe for the picking in a letdown were they playing anyone but the Rams. But Adrian Peterson takes control, giving Favre the chance to rest his arm with just 20 passes. Peterson rushes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams get on the board late on a Steven Jackson score, verifying that the lights on the “home” side of the scoreboard do, in fact, work.

Minnesota wins, 30-7.

Check out more game previews at www.sports-central.org

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Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings: The Traitor Awaits!

Pull out all the stops!

This game is for the NFC North lead, bragging rights between two rivals, and a memorandum on two quarterbacks.

Except the game really means none of those things.

No one cares who takes the division lead a quarter of the way into the season. What matters is who is standing in that position in January.

Bragging rights tend to be more significant for the team that wins the second game of the head-to-head. Sure, the winner of this game can brag for a few weeks, but the winner of the second game will have almost a year.

Besides, at one point, Dennis Green’s Vikings went 9-5 against the Packers, but won only two division titles to the Packers’ three. The Packers had a Super Bowl title and were 8-4 in the playoffs, while the Vikings won only one playoff game.

Which team had more to boast about?

Finally, this game is absolutely not a memorandum on the quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers has outperformed Brett Favre in the first 19 games of his career, and may well win ten times as many games for the remainder of it.

It would be no more fair to compare the two in this game alone- than it would to compare them for the years after “The Traitor” finally does retire- and only Rodgers is still winning games.

This one game will be won or lost as a team.

Too bad for Rodgers and Packers fans, because Green Bay simply does not match up well in this one.

Packers pass offense vs. Vikings pass defense: Slight advantage, Minnesota

The Vikings do not have a very good secondary, and the Packers have a deep and dangerous receiving corps. The Packers have last year’s sixth-rated, and this year’s eighth-rated passer, making this seem to be a clear edge for the Packers.

Except for one thing: Green Bay also has one of the worst offensive lines in the history of the NFL, especially with left tackle Chad Clifton out injured. With the pressure coming from one of the NFL’s premier front-fours, Aaron Rodgers may be lucky to survive, much less thrive.

Packers rush offense vs. Vikings rush defense: Huge advantage, Minnesota

The front four of the Vikings is even more stout against the run, than they are rushing the passer, with two of their three Pro Bowl players getting that recognition for run-stuffing.

This team led the league in rush defense over the past two seasons, and are facing an offense that has struggled to run the ball primarily because of the poor offensive line play.

Vikings pass offense vs. Packers pass defense: Huge advantage, Green Bay

The Packers boast three Pro Bowl players in the secondary and have forced more turnovers than any team but the New Orleans Saints; with one fewer game played.

The player they are facing is well-known to them, and also a prodigious turnover machine, committing more of them than anyone in the history of the game.

Green Bay’s pass rush is also much-improved over last season, with its return to health and the implementation of the 3-4 defense wreaking more havoc on pass protections.

While the Vikings line is solid, it will struggle in this department unless the Vikings run the ball so well, as to keep the defense from being able to effectively pass rush.

Vikings rush offense vs. Packers rush defense: Huge advantage, Minnesota

Unfortunately for the Packers, the Vikings will run the ball well. Adrian Peterson makes even the best defenses look pedestrian, and his power running style attacks the 3-4 defense better than most.

While the Packers have improved enough in this department to be in the middle of the league, the Vikings may be the best running team around, making this an extreme mismatch.

Special Teams: Advantage, Packers

Green Bay is struggling in this department, with Mason Crosby playing inconsistent, and coverage and return units being unspectacular. Punting has been better than expected, but nothing to lay ones hopes on.

But the Vikings are the worst team in the league in covering punts.

Last year, they gave up two touchdown returns in one game against the New Orleans Saints, and one each in the two games against Green Bay. They already have given up big returns this year.

Their kick coverage is mediocre-at-best, and their return games no better. They do have a reliable kicker, but he isn’t good at 50-plus yards or on kickoffs, and their punting game is only above average.

Intangibles: Advantage, Green Bay

The pressure is on the Vikings to win this one. If they lose, the Packers will be unbeaten in the division and own the tie-break over the Vikings, with Minnesota having to win in Green Bay to even things up.

The Packers are expected to lose, making this like playing with house money.

Also, Brad Childress is on the hot seat and Mike McCarthy is not; Mac is 5-1 against his rival counterpart. The Traitor will likely try to win this game on every play, bringing out his worst.

Prediction: 27-16 Vikings

The game will just not be in enough jeopardy to count on The Traitor losing it for Minnesota. The Packers will struggle to do anything offensively to make this one in doubt in the fourth quarter.

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Minneosta Vikings Won’t Need Brett Favre To Break Packers’ Hearts

The Monday night game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers has an abundance of storylines that ESPN has hammered into America’s collective consciousness for the past months.

Brett Favre trying to become the first quarterback in history to defeat every NFL team, against the team he crafted his legend with. Aaron Rodgers reprising the beleaguered role of Steve Young. Two favorites for the NFC North division title challenging each other. Fanbases forced to recognize the folly of sport. Rivals and Ryan Longwell. All of these storylines have been covered, except one.

The Vikings should run the Packers out of the dome. 

This is an ideal time for the Vikings to catch the Packers, and if they make the most of it, this game will be done before the fourth quarter.

Consider the Packers’ mess of an offensive line against the Vikings stout defensive line. The Packers have already given up 12 sacks through three games, and according to the latest reports, starting left tackle Chad Clifton won’t be able to suit up Monday. That leaves converted guard Daryn Colledge to block All-Pro Jared Allen, who is probably practicing his sack celebration dance right now.

Jared Allen is constantly practicing his sack celebration dance, though. Constantly.

The Packers passing game has not lived up to preseason expectations (207 yards/game, 18th in the NFL), thanks to the woeful line and a surprising rash of dropped passes. The Vikings pass defense has been much improved over past seasons, giving up an average of 168 yards/game, fourth best in the NFL.  

So if the Packers’ line can’t protect the pocket, Rodgers won’t have much of a chance in his personal battle against Favre. And if Rodgers were to get time, that might not even be enough.

The Packers defense will have a predicament just as intimidating: Adrian Peterson. Peterson has averaged 113 yards in four games against the Packers (including a 192-yard performance the last time these two played), and the Packers run defense has underachieved this year, giving up 128 yards/game for 10th worst in the NFL.  

Peterson, meanwhile, is averaging 119 yards/game this season, and the Vikings as a team are averaging 143 yards/game, seventh best in the NFL.

And Percy Harvin constantly gets touchdowns. Constantly.

All of that and Brett Favre’s relentless need to stick it to Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson. The paper and stats and momentum side with the Vikings on Monday.

But the Packers need the win more in order to keep ground in the competitive NFC North.

If the Packers win, the division would be tied between Green Bay, Minnesota, and the Chicago Bears. If the Packers lose, they would be two games behind the Vikings, and one game behind the Bears.

This is as close to a must-win game as a week four game can be, even without the added incentive of playing against their former idol. 

No one will be surprised if the Packers take the air out of the dome with a victory, the Vikings’ current and evident advantages notwithstanding. Any given Sunday, or Monday, as it were.

What if, as the cartoon says, Brett Favre has a senior moment, and throws to green and white instead of purple.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers could have gleaned something from the tape of the 49ers/Vikings game, when the 49ers reined in Adrian Peterson (save one 35-yard run). The Vikings’ excellent pass defensive statistics could be revealed by Greg Jennings and Donald Driver as nothing more than a mirage, or Ryan Grant unexpectedly pokes holes in the Vikings run defense.

The Vikings’ offensive line hasn’t created much time for their quarterback, for that matter; Favre could see Aaron Kampman many, many times.

That is where this game will be won, like every NFL game: in the battles between offensive lineman and pass rushers, between corners and wide receivers, running backs and blitzing linebackers, and obviously the all-important turnover battle. Any given Monday.

This is a big game for both teams, and not just because Favre is competing against Green Bay.

But that is pretty crazy when you really think about it. Favre versus the Packers, wow. 

It should be a great game.

For Vikings fans.

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Whitaker’s Week 4 NFL Picks

Lions @ Chicago Bears – The Lions’ poor defensive line will be the difference in this game, a game that Matt Forte will have his 2009 grand re-opening party.
My Pick – Chi-Town

Bengals @ Cleveland Browns – The Browns suck, and the Bengals are better than I or most thought. However, I don’t think this game will be a blowout.  Mainly because of the re-insertion of Browns quarterback Derrick Anderson and his ability to sling it deep, especially to WR Braylon Edwards, which will be tough for the slow safeties of Cinci to deal with.
My Pick – Bengals

Raiders @ Houston Texans – This game will showcase one of the best 1-on-1 matchups you will see all year in the NFL, WR Andre Johnson (the best WR in the game) vs. CB Nnamdi Asomugha (the best corner in the game).  Though it is true, I think Nnamdi will win that matchup (just like did last year when Nnamdi held AJ to 19 yards on two catches), the Texans are at home, and they are the better team.
My Pick – Houston

Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts – A good friend of mine asked me which will loss would be bigger in this game: the Seahawks’ loss of QB Matt Hasselbeck or the Colts’ loss of DE Dwight Freeney, and I wavered on my answer, but I did come up with one. I think Seattle will be missing Hasselbeck more because with LT Walter Jones missing another game, and his backup Sean Locklear probably missing this one too, Raheem Brock (Freeney’s replacement) will do just fine and so will the home team in this one.
My Pick – Indy in a blowout

Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – The fact that the Jagz (5-11 last year) have a win and the Titans (13-3 last year) don’t is enough karma for the Titans to get their first win in Jacksonville, Sunday.
My Pick – Titans

Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Canty DT/DE, Justin Tuck DE, Kenny Phillips S, and CB Aaron Ross are all starters for the NFL’s best defense, and they are all out for the team’s trip to KC.  Cheif No. 1, WR Dwayne Bowe, may be out, but that is the only major Chief starter who may be out for this game. And even if he does play healthy, Giant corner Corey Webster is more than capable of locking Bowe down, leaving the Chiefs one- dimensional on offense—with guys like DTs Fred Robbins, Barry Coefield, and Rocky Bernard all healthy, that other dimension for KC will be non- existent.
My Pick – NY Football Giants in a blowout

Ravens @ New England Patriots - This will be the week Tom Brady turns back into Tom Brady.  The Ravens’ corners are average at best, and as great as Ed Reed is, he can’t be everywhere at one time.  New England’s pass offense will be enough to give the Ravens their first loss of ’09.
My Pick – New England

Bucs @ Washington D.C. – Yes, Washington was the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions since George W. Bush was President, but the fact that this game in week four is in Washington, and the Bucs have nobody to handle Albert Haynesworth (Bucs Pro Bowl center is still out with a triceps injury).  So, first time starter Josh Johnson and the alleged run-first Bucs will have all sorts of problems all afternoon.
My Pick – Washington in a blowout

Jets @ New Orleans Saints – The story here is pretty clear, Saints’ O vs. Jets’ D.  The Saints have the best offense in the NFL, and I’m not talking stats or numbers (granted they are stat wize the No. 1 in the NFL, but I’m just sayin’), they just do.  The Jets have a very talented defense that is still missing starting OLB Calvin Pace, but even with Pace, they don’t have the NFL’s best defense.  Even better for the Saints, they are at home to host the Jets.
My Pick – New Orleans

Bills @ Miami Dolphins – Now I know Chad Pennington is out for the year and the other Chad (Henne) will be making his ever first NFL start, but LT Jake Long and RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will take all sorts of pressure off of Henne’s shoulders.  And if sack master JP, i.e. LB Joey Porter (he has a hamstring issue) plays this Sunday, he will be going against former RT filling in at LT Johnathan Scott (former backup now starter Demetrius Bell is out for week four with a groin problem), and Kirk Chambers, who is a former LT who will play RT (cuz Scott is moving to LT).  Chambers is going up against possible future HOF OLB Jason Taylor, so Trent Edwards will have little time to go deep to WRs Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.
My Pick – Miami

Cowboys @ Denver Broncos – The Broncos aren’t as good as their record that’s clear, but the Cowboys aren’t either.  If AJ Feeley is the quarter back for Carolina last Monday Night the Cowboys are 1-2.  And with Dallas gaping holes at the WR (TO gone) and OLB (long time Cowboy Greg Ellis gone) spots, they won’t get the ball down the field and they won’t get to Denver QB Kyle Orton.  With Denver getting better each week running the football, it will make things even easier for the Broncos through the air, especially since the Cowboys’ secondary has struggled all year.  By the way, the only QB the Cowboys have picked off all year is Jake Dellohme.
My Pick – Denver

Rams @ San Francisco 49ers – No Frank Gore, no problem.  No Marc Bulger (former first round bust, QB Kyler Boller will step in for Bulger), BIG problem.  The Rams are still without second overall pick RT Jason Smith, and last week the Niners put pressure on Brett Favre all day, (memo to those who don’t know already, Boller is not Brett Favre).  The Niners may even open it up a lil’ and might let Shaun Hill go for 300 yards for the first time this season, and why not?  The Rams are fourth worst in the NFL in yards per pass giving up 8.3 per.
My Pick – San Francisco in a blowout

Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers  – In recent history the current NFL Champs have owned the Chargers, even beating them twice last season.  So far this season, the Steelers are 1-2, and mighty ticked off at the fact they are 1-2, probably because they gave away their last two games at the end.  The Chargers on the other hand owe their first win this season (Chargers are 2-1) to a last second Phillip Rivers drive and Darren Sproles TD run, up in Oakland.  Willie Parker is out for this one, but LaDainian Tomlinson should play, the only problem.  The amazing thing is that doesn’t make much of a difference, Chargers Pro Bowl DT Jamal Williams is out for the year, and Mewelde Moore has done a pretty good job when he’s had to fill in for Willie Parker.  On the other side, the Chargers’ offensive line has been pushed around all year and center Nick Hardwick is still out (ankle injury), and the Steelers of course have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, even when Troy Polamalu is out.
My Pick – Pittsburgh

Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – Granted, the vaunted gave up 24 points at home to Shaun Hill and a rookie RB, but with Packers’ starting LT Chad Clifton still out, and his replacement usual starter at LG Daryn Colledge getting schooled by a half-way decent DE in Cinci in week two (Antwan Odom).  I’m sure Jared Allen could try for five sacks of his own, and put the hurt on Brett Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers.  Not only that, but hey, the Packers let talented Rams RB Steven Jackson go 163 total yards, and last time I checked, Adrian Peterson is more talented than any running back in the NFL, let alone Jackson.

My Pick – Minnesota

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Brett Favre vs. Packers: The Revenge Factor

Let’s make one thing clear.

Brett Favre says he is not out for revenge. This is about justice, and the football field is his court of law on Monday night.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Favre and Vikings coach Brad Childress stressed “team.” The focus going into one of the most important games of one man’s career is not about that one guy.

“I will never play for quote unquote revenge,” Favre said . “It’s too long of a season…at this stage of my career, it’s definitely not worth doing that.”

Fans are divided. The media has spun this Favre saga in and out of its premature grave, making even the most ardent fan indifferent. The stories just resurface all over again with the hype for this NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers becoming one of the greatest sports stories of our time.

And yet, this aging quarterback with a chip on his shoulder claims he doesn’t have a score to settle with the team that dismissed him.

So how are fans to perceive what his mindset should be going into this monumental game?

Take a closer look at the word overused by sports writers.

According to Wikipedia, “revenge (synonym vengeance) is a harmful action against a person or group as a response to a (real or perceived) grievance. Although many aspects of revenge resemble the concept of justice, revenge connotes a more injurious and punitive focus as opposed to a harmonious and restorative one.”

You see its negative connotation? This is not some subway shooter with a vendetta. More aptly put, “justice generally implies actions undertaken and supported by a legitimate judicial system, by a system of ethics, or on behalf of an ethical majority.”

Isn’t that more like it? Wikipedia adds, “revenge generally implies actions undertaken by an individual or narrowly defined group outside the boundaries of judicial or ethical conduct. The goal of revenge usually consists of forcing the perceived wrongdoer to suffer the same or greater pain than that which was originally inflicted.”

This sounds exactly like what Favre’s motivation was last year after he was traded to the New York Jets. With this refereed affair, he doesn’t have to take the law into his own hands. He doesn’t need the court of public opinion. The aging future Hall of Famer just needs one win.

Don’t be fooled by what Favre says. Just like his former head coach Mike McCarthy, he is playing it down. He says a player has to play with emotion to be successful, but still keep those emotions in check.

“If it doesn’t mean a whole lot to you, you shouldn’t be playing,” he stated.

Favre says he is preparing for this contest just like any other game because, “it gives us a chance to go 4-0. So, I can’t look at it any different…it’s one game.”

But he still has something to prove.

Obviously intimating his feelings about his bitter split with the Packers, Favre said, “either you’re told you’re not the best or you feel that someone is going in a different direction. I think you’d want to, you know, prove that you can still do it.”

Despite that mysterious arm injury that hampered the end of a promising campaign in 2008, he’s not washed up. The old gunslinger can still add to his highlight reel. Proof of that came just last Sunday, with the miracle finish against the San Francisco 49ers in his first home game in a purple jersey. You could see it inspired his team and turned many heads.

With a growing legion of believers now in Minnesota, Favre has more chapters to write. And we’re just getting to the good part of the story, maybe the climatic or anti-climatic finish.

“I want to play well. I want to lead like I expect to lead,” Favre said. And you can throw away stat sheets, especially if you are comparing his performance by the numbers with Rodgers, who replaced him in Green Bay. Pure and simply, “what matters is winning.”

He won’t need his surgically-repaired arm to propel his team to another victory with Adrian Peterson in the backfield. He just needs to take what his old pals on defense give him. Even if that comes in the form of disguised blitz packages. The veteran will be able to respond in several ways.

If he’s not out for revenge, it shouldn’t be like Jay Cutler’s first game in a Chicago Bears uniform against the Packers. There’s a lesson to be learned there. Don’t force the ball—take the sack if necessary.

You can expect to see the “game manager,” as he was in the first two games of the season. The 49ers secondary was an opportunity to open up the passing game. It’s a different situation with his old team.

As for motivation, Favre can find it anywhere. The reason why it is not about revenge, and foremost, would be to put his new team in a position to win a Super Bowl: The ultimate “revenge.” If he were about setting records, then a win against the Packers would mean he’s beaten every NFL team.

On the other side of the ball, the Packers might be in it for the wrong reasons. The players over there want to send a message. “There’s a new kid in town” and “you’re not wanted anymore.”

The players want to send a message that Rodgers is their man now. But doing it inside the Metrodome? The time to send that message should be next month, when their former golden boy returns home for a visit.

They aren’t thinking about retiring his jersey. Green Bay’s defense likely wants to bury it, with him in it. Everyone thinks the Packers will show Favre no love and put him on the turf and try to swipe passes every chance they get.

His game plan would be to not give them that mental advantage by not taking risks. So, if he doesn’t have an axe to grind, the old warrior will play within the confines of the Vikings game plan.

Now, he’s on record intimating he would have liked to stick it to Packers GM Ted Thompson, if he were given the chance last season. He even admitted after being shipped to the Jets that exacting revenge would have been the wrong motivation. He’s had time to reflect and put an awkward year in perspective.

This is a new situation. He holds the cards. He has hope to do something that Thompson deprived him of with that blueprint for the Packers that required rebuilding with younger, moldable talent and lots of cap space he wouldn’t share with free agent talent (like Randy Moss) to make the team better. That same blueprint required scrapping the old quarterback, exiling him like Napoleon to the isle of Elba.

So, if you want to think of Favre as the former Emperor—he’s back. He’d like to rewrite history and not have a battle like Waterloo. The old general has able-bodied troops to support him in his quest to retain control of what was rightfully his.

If the old quarterback prevails, so will justice. Just not now. Not after Monday night or the end of the season.

When the dust settles, he should be ironically grasping the Lombardi trophy with much emphasis.

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

Expert NFL Sports Picks: Week Four Predictions

This weekend will mark the quarter mark of the season for many teams and it seems like it has gone by extremely fast. While we’re learning a lot about some teams, the truth is we still have a long way to go.

Many of the teams that look good now will not look so good at the end of the year, and vice versa. Therefore, don’t underestimate an underdog at this point. You never know when an underdog is just starting to gel and start winning.

What should we expect from the Free NFL Sports Picks this week?

 

Oakland vs. Houston (Houston -9.5)

As long as the Raiders have JaMarcus Russell at quarterback, don’t expect them to do much in the way of offense. While they looked decent in the first half of Week One, they haven’t looked good since. Although they seemed like a good running team, they haven’t even been able to run much with the terrible play of JaMarcus Russell under center.

The Texans are looking good on offense, but it remains to be seen whether they can stop anyone.

 

Tennessee vs. Jacksonville (Tennessee -3)

The AFC South is one of the hardest divisions to play in in the league. Every week, there is some “knock-down, drag-out” matchup that comes down to the wire. Last week, it was Jacksonville and Houston, and this week should be about the same with this game.

Will Maurice Jones-Drew be able to continue his magic against the Titans defense? Chris Johnson should have a big game against the Jacksonville defense.

 

New England vs. Baltimore (New England -2)

The Patriots put up a good game last week against the Falcons, winning easily. However, their opponent this weekend will not go down without a fight. Many believe that the Ravens are the best team in football, and this should be a great game.

Can Tom Brady start to get in-sync with his receivers again? Or will Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense seize the day?

 

Cincinnati vs. Cleveland (Cincinnati -5.5)

Will the Cleveland offense ever be able to move the ball? This week “ Man-Genius” will try get things going by starting Derrick Anderson. Will Anderson actually make a difference?

For the Bengals, Carson Palmer looks like he’s back at full strength and should be able to move the ball against Cleveland. Look for this division rivalry to be a close game.

 

New York Giants vs. Kansas City (New York -8.5)

The Chiefs looked terrible last week against the Eagles. However, just because they looked bad, don’t count them out against the Giants. How many times have you seen a team look completely awful and then come out the next week and look like world-beaters? It happens all the time in the NFL.

This might be another blowout, but don’t rule out a close game at Arrowhead.

 

Detroit vs. Chicago (Chicago -10)

Detroit got its first win in the last two seasons last week. This week they get a much better Chicago team that has already knocked off Pittsburgh. Matt Forte should have a great game against the Detroit defense and get the ball in the end zone.

Will Matt Stafford be able to keep his offense moving against the Bears?

 

Tampa Bay vs. Washington (Washington -7)

This could be the least attractive game on the schedule this week. Both of these teams look terrible and they’re actually going to play each other this week. Anytime you’re an underdog to a team that just lost to the Lions last week, things are not looking good. That is the position that Tampa finds itself in this week after benching Leftwich.

 

New York Jets vs. New Orleans (New Orleans -7)

This could be the best game of the week as two unbeaten teams match up. The Jets look to keep things going behind rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. On the other side of the field, the Saints have the best quarterback in the league in Drew Brees.

Will the Jets defense be able to slow down the vaunted Saints offense? Look for an entertaining game in this one.

 

Buffalo vs. Miami (Buffalo -2)

Miami looks like they’re out to prove that last year was a fluke as they have stumbled out of the gate to an 0-3 start. The Bills haven’t exactly been lighting the world on fire, but they’ve looked better than Miami so far. Last week, T.O. was held without a catch for the first time in 13 years and he probably won’t be happy about it this week.

Look for him to start a new streak this week.

 

St. Louis vs. San Francisco (San Francisco -9.5)

The Rams look like they might challenge last year’s Detroit team for the worst in the league. They lost their quarterback and haven’t looked very good at any point this season. The Niners, on the other hand, have looked good for all but the last play of their third game.

On paper, this doesn’t look like a very even matchup, but anything can happen.

 

Dallas vs. Denver (Dallas -3)

The Cowboys have looked like a juggernaut at times and awful at others. A lot of it depends on how Tony Romo is playing in each game. If he can keep from throwing picks, look out for the Cowboys. This should be a good test to see if Denver’s defense is for real or just a mirage of bad scheduling.

 

San Diego vs. Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh -6.5)

Pittsburgh comes into this game as the favorite even though they are 1-2 on the season. Usually the oddsmakers give you the benefit of the doubt when you just won the Super Bowl. This should be a pretty even game as the Chargers are a talented football team. Look for a game that goes right down to the wire here.

 

Green Bay vs. Minnesota (Minnesota -3.5)

This game is all about the Brett Favre saga, but it should actually be a pretty good game between two teams. This one will be talked about all week, leading up to the game.

 

Make sure you check out Vernon Croy’s Expert NFL Sports Picks for Week Four of the NFL season.

Read more Minnesota Vikings news on BleacherReport.com

Packers-Vikings Preview: Favre-Venge? (Humor)

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

It may be full of cortisone, but there still seems to be some space left in Brett Favre’s right arm for a little magic.

Last week, Favre’s 32-yard laser to the back of the end zone with two seconds left found Greg Lewis, giving the Vikings a 27-24 win over the visiting 49ers. Minnesota is 3-0 and leading the NFC North, with the Packers coming to town.

“Just when you think it’s time to call it a day,” says Brad Childress, “Favre does something unexpected to keep things lively. How many times has he done that in his career?

“Actually, a great feeling of unease came over me after that miraculous play. I was seriously worried that Favre might decide to go out while on top and retire right here on the spot.”

“But let’s be honest. Moments like these are exactly the reason we brought Favre here. It surely wasn’t for his flawless mechanics, or fluid delivery. Hey, this is Minnesota. If you’re looking for ‘fluid delivery,’ you give former Viking Onterrio Smith a call and inquire about the ‘Whizzinator.’”

The man who replaced Favre in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers, is looking forward to going head-to-head with Favre and the Vikings.

“This game’s not as personal for me as it is for Brett,” says Rodgers. “I can’t speak for the rest of the team, though.

“They seem to be really excited about the game, so much so that they’re taking up a collection of money to ‘take Brett out.’ I’m not positive, but I think the restaurant is called ‘Bounty.’”

As the game starts, memories of his time as a Packer wash over an emotional Favre, and the nervousness gets the best of him as his first pass finds a wide-open Donald Driver on the sideline. Favre settles, and he and Rodgers duel well into the night.

In the end, Rodgers leads the Pack on the game-winning drive, and Charles Woodson intercepts Favre to preserve the win.

Green Bay wins 31-27.

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The Green Bay Fog: There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool

On October 10th, Brett Favre will turn 40 years old. In the grand scheme, Favre is still a young man since 40 is the new 30 or some nonsense like that.

In football years, Favre is an old dog up to his old tricks. Just ask the 49ers, who watched the old dog snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat in week three.

The roller coaster ride that has been Brett Favre’s career the last few years makes me believe the old adage that there is no fool like an old fool. Unable to make a decision, making decisions out of spite and somehow getting what he wanted all seem to be results of the numerous blows to the head he has taken over his career.

Now Favre is about to lead his new team, the Minnesota Vikings, into a grudge match with his old team, the Green Bay Packers for a made for TV event next Monday night.

The Green Packers, with coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers, have seemed to be in a fog so far this season. Four INTs by Jay Cutler helped them win their opener. The Bengals scored 31 points on them in a week two loss and a game against the Rams is good for any team lost in a fog.

The fog will lift on Monday in Minnesota. The Packers will finally play their old player who has been gunning for them ever since they had the nerve to believe that he wanted to retire. 

Both Favre and the Packers moved on. Favre went 9-7 in New York and the Packers went 6-10 thanks to a bad defense last year. Favre has been learning his role with the Vikings and gone 3-0 during that process. The Packers rode through the fog to be 2-1 for this game.

Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both looking forward to Monday Night. They are ball hawks who must be dreaming about picking off Favre. Aaron Campman is probably dreaming about a three sack game. Defensive coach Dom Capers is probably dreaming about shutting down Adrian Peterson and making Favre have to beat them.

All of Green Bay is dreaming of a W.

Brett Favre is dreaming about taking his old team to the woodshed.

The game being in Minnesota is a factor but these two teams have played each other so often that the notion of home field advantage is overrated. The first quarter will be big for both teams. You can’t win the game in the first quarter but you can sure lose it.

This should be a classic NFL Monday Night game and I am going with the Packers. They will make the Vikings one dimensional and Al Harris, Charles Woodson, and Aaron Campman will all have their dreams come true.

The old fool has what he wants and let the bitterness begin when the storybook ending eludes him the first time around.

It will get even worse the second time around when he goes to Green Bay.

Packers 26

Vikings 17

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San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings: Week Three Preview

Here the Vikings sit at an undefeated 2-0.  Minnesota has started the season in the best possible way record-wise, but the team still has a long way to go.

Their first two wins have come against what looks to be two of the worst teams in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.

Week Three seems to be a little more difficult, as football legend Mike Singletary brings his physical 49ers team to face off against the Minnesota Vikings.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill has done everything the team has asked of him, keeping turnovers to a minimum and completing passes to keep the drives alive.

Through two weeks, Hill has 353 yards passing, one touchdown, and zero interceptions.

Frank Gore has also proved to be rather impressive thus far, rushing for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

San Francisco has proved to be one of the surprise teams early on this season, as they’ve beat the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks.

What’s even more impressive is the way they are winning games.  It’s not through a high-flying offense, but rather a stifling defense that ranks seventh overall at this point.

The 49ers secondary is a strong, veteran group that will likely not fall for the play action.  They play a tough zone and make it hard for opposing quarterbacks to get the ball off to the receivers.

The hard-hitting 49ers will have some stiff competition themselves, as they go up against the No. 1 rusher in the NFL, Adrian Peterson.

Peterson managed 180 yards rushing in Week One and added another 92 in Week Two. The problem here lies in the 49ers rushing defense that has only given up 106 yards rushing total.

Also, the last time Peterson faced the 49ers, he was held to just three yards on 14 carries.  But the 49ers forgot that Minnesota has two backs capable of having 1,000 yard seasons and allowed backup Chester Taylor to rush for over 100 yards instead.

Quarterback Brett Favre may be in a little trouble this week as Patrick Willis looks to put a pounding on the offense.

Favre has been sacked seven times already this season due to an ineffective offensive line in pass-protection.

The hasn’t stopped Favre from posting a 77.1 completion percentage and three touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings look stronger than ever.  Antoine Winfield has played well so far this season.  Teams haven’t thrown his way hardly at all this season, and are instead targeting Cedric Griffin, a strategy that has proved to be costly more than once already this season.

The defensive line is getting solid pressure and has seven sacks in their first two games.

As far as injuries go, both teams a little dinged up, but nothing major.

Running back Frank Gore injured his ankle last week, but he will likely start anyway.  Backup running back Glen Coffee and guard David Baas should be ready as well.  Justin Smith was also on the injury report, but it’s been reported numerous times that it’s not injury related and he will play.

Running back Adrian Peterson, linebacker E.J Henderson, safety Madieu Williams, and tight end Jim Kleinsasser have all been limited in practice this past week, but all players should be ready for Sunday.

This looks to be a great game between a couple of 2-0 teams.  With the best two players from the 2007 draft going head-to-head (literally), this is going to be a battle of strength and endurance.  I’m not quite sure if the 49ers are for real yet, but they look to be heading in the right direction.

 

Key Matchups

Adrian Peterson vs. Patrick Willis: Peterson got lit up in the first meeting, but has the tide turned since then?

Frank Gore vs. Vikings defense: Can Frank Gore get the first 100-yard game against the Vikings since 2007?

Brett Favre vs. 49ers blitz: We know they’re going to blitz, but can youngsters John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt hold their own?

Shaun Hill vs. Vikings Front Seven: Can the 49ers hold the aggressive Vikings back?

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 27, San Francisco 49ers 13

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49ers-Vikings: The Gunslinger vs. Samurai Mike

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

How would one describe San Francisco’s 2-0 start to the season, which has the 49ers atop the NFC West standings and has generated a sense of gaiety in a city that has longed to return to the glory days of old?

“Whatever you do,” says Mike Singletary, “just don’t call it ‘flaming.’

“Sure, we’re off to a hot start, but we’ve earned every bit of it. This isn’t your daddy’s 49ers team. We won’t beat you with Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks and receivers, nor will we stop you with a hard-hitting safety and his nine-and-a-half fingers. Hey, what’s the difference between Ronnie Lott and a phone number? A phone number has ten digits.

“All joking aside…in a moment. What do you call a steamy erotic drama starring Ronnie Lott and Kim Basinger? Nine-and-a-half Digits. Okay, I guess you guys didn’t know that Samurai Mike had a sense of humor.

“Of course I do! I rapped on ‘The Super Bowl Shuffle.’ What’s funnier than that? There may not be a West Coast Offense here, but there is a West Coast rapper in the house.”

Like the 49ers, the Vikings are 2-0, with two road wins, and flawless play from Brett Favre, who set an NFL record with his 271st consecutive start. That broke the record of Minnesota defensive end Jim Marshall, who set the mark from 1961 to 1979.

“I’m honored to pass the great Jim Marshall,” says Favre. “It’s truly amazing to be able to start that many consecutive games as a defensive end. It’s even more amazing that he did so without retiring once.

“The last thing I want to do is overlook the 49ers with the Packers coming here on October 5th. But it’s hard not to. I’ve had that date circled on my calendar since the schedule was released. But you know me. Between all the retirements and all the comebacks, I’ve got a lot of dates circled on my calendar.”

Does the winner of this contest officially claim the “for real” tag, signifying it as a legitimate NFC contender?

You bet.

And the NFC rushing lead will likely be decided, with Adrian Peterson looking to extend his 35-yard lead on Frank Gore.

Peterson wins the battle, rushing for a hard-fought 110 yards and a score, and the Vikings win the battle, 22-19.

 

 

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