View Full Version : Holy crap, the Vikes are only a game out of the playoffs!!
glenn__davis
11-25-2007, 08:33 PM
And playing well with a relatively soft schedule down the stretch...
Det -- home game w/ reeling Lions
@SF -- better than their record, but still pretty bad
Chi -- not the Bears of last year
Was -- average
@Den -- a likely loss
Now in the NFL, who knows what can happen, but I can't believe they've still got a shot.
Yeah, quite the turnaround, very surprising.
oriolerockstar8
11-25-2007, 11:45 PM
Great to see there are some other fellow Vikings fans on here.
It will be tough and our D will have to carry us, but we might have a shot. If we do make the playoffs though that means our shot at getting Woodson in the draft is over. I dream of him and AP leading a stellar O.
CrimsonTribe
11-26-2007, 12:25 AM
Good, this means they will need APete down the stretch and won't be inclined to shut him down.
orioles119
11-26-2007, 12:32 AM
Without Peterson, they'll get chewed up in the playoffs. You can't count on Tavaris Jackson.
Without Peterson, they'll get chewed up in the playoffs. You can't count on Tavaris Jackson.
It's still unlikey they even make the playoffs, but Chester is also quite good, especially behind their line.
glenn__davis
11-26-2007, 07:19 AM
Without Peterson, they'll get chewed up in the playoffs. You can't count on Tavaris Jackson.
Oh, I have no delusions about them doing anything in the playoffs, even if they beat the long odds and actually make it. I just can't believe they're still in a position to have a shot.
NJOriolesFan
11-26-2007, 10:58 AM
I was actually thinking about this last week and used the Sagarin ratings to play out the NFL season. The Vikings and Cardinals tied for the last playoff spot at 9-7. Of course, the system had the Cardinals beating the 49ers and the Vikings losing to the Giants. Now that those two events were reversed it isn't so far-fetched for our beloved Vikings to make it.
I have no delusions of grandeur about it happening. However, I do think that the Vikings could match up well with Tampa or Seattle in the 1st round.
NewMarketSean
11-26-2007, 11:12 AM
They're an up and down team, that's for sure. With Peterson back and healthy, anything is possible, but they're not dead last in pass defense for nothing. And it doesn't take much to make Eli look bad. They are first in run defense though. They are hard to get a handle on this year.
NJOriolesFan
11-26-2007, 12:33 PM
They're an up and down team, that's for sure. With Peterson back and healthy, anything is possible, but they're not dead last in pass defense for nothing. And it doesn't take much to make Eli look bad. They are first in run defense though. They are hard to get a handle on this year.
I don't know what to make of the pass defense rankings. They are last in yards allowed because nobody wants to run against them so every team is throwing 45+ times per game. Even a good pass defense will give up 300 yards on a regular basis when they pass so much. The Vikes are for 7th in the NFL in INT's. The Vikes are tied for 11th in sacks, 1 sack away from being tied for 7th. They are also tied for 11th in pass TD's given up with 15; 13 TD's against would be a tie for 9th. Passing efficiency against they are 16th. Despite the dead last ranking in passing yards against, the peripheral stats suggest that they are about average to a little above average in pass defense.
With the league best run defense (Ravens are right there with them) they have given up 20.6 pts per game (13th in the league). Vikes have also scored 7 defensive TD's this year.
Overall the Vikings have scored 21.5 points per game vs. 20.6 per game. They lack a consistent passing game. Although Sidney Rice has improved in recent weeks, he needs to continue to play at this level and maybe even notch it up to a higher level. They need a 2nd and 3rd receiver, or better a 1st and 3rd receiver and Wade, Williamson and Ferguson should really be 4th, 5th and 6th receivers.
QB is a dilemma. Jackson has looked very good the last two weeks against Oakland and the Giants but I need to see this over the next 5 weeks to move my opinion from "what is Childress thinking" to "hopeful". Even though he is 27 of 34 for 320 yards with 57 rushing yards on 8 carries over the last two weeks, I still don't yet feel as if I am seeing the next Randall Cunningham or Donovan McNabb. But time will tell.
NJOriolesFan
11-26-2007, 01:51 PM
I just played out the NFC contendors and based on Sagarin ratings (which was only 70% accurate this week), this is how the NFC would end up:
1. Cowboys 15-1
2. Packers 14-2
3. Buccaneers 12-4
4. Seahawks 11-5
5. Vikings 10-6
6. Giants 10-6
First off, I do not believe that the Vikings will run the table, however, I am optimistic that the "system" has the Vikings favored in the rest of their games "as of now" and the Redskins, Eagles, Lions, Bears, Cardinals and Saints ALL "finishing" at 7-9. A 3 game "cushion" and a win against the team they are "supposed to" tie with is favorable.
Sagarin would also predict that both the Vikings and Giants would win their first games based on their current ratings. That would lead to the following matchups prior to the NFC Championship:
Vikings @ Packers
Giants @ Cowboys
Now I have no faith in Manning or Jackson. However, if the Vikings were to get to that position, a big factor will be because Jackson remained consistent and did not blow any games and my faith in him would be increased.
While the Packers did blow out the Vikings 34-0 in Green Bay 3 weeks ago, it would still be an intriguing matchup in a cold Green Bay in January with a healthy Peterson and a healthy Taylor going against the Packers while the Packers running game is suspect against a good Vikings defense and Longwell having the kicking edge for the Vikings in Green Bay. If it were ice cold in Green Bay does it favor the home team Packers and their pass-happy offense or does it favor the Vikings with their run happy offense and stellar run defense?
I know I am getting WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ahead of myself. The Vikings are likley to continue to be inconsistent and miss the playoffs and I could just be getting all charged up over a single game where we beat up on a team who gave us a chance for four big opportunistic scores.
TinCup
11-26-2007, 01:56 PM
MY Vikings season wouild be rather complete provided they whoop it up and beat them RedddSkins. :D
NJOriolesFan
11-26-2007, 04:19 PM
I'm greedy; I want to keep winning. Although from where I live, nothing could be sweeter than to beat the G-Men.
glenn__davis
12-03-2007, 08:39 AM
Minnesota wins big over Detroit.
Chicago, New Orleans, Washington all lose as well.
Tied at 6-6 right now with Detroit and Arizona. But Detroit's schedule is much more difficult, and does anyone ever expect Arizona to make the playoffs?
Big road game against SF this week.
NJOriolesFan
12-03-2007, 10:30 AM
I still think we go into Denver at 9-6.
TinCup
12-03-2007, 01:56 PM
What are your guys opinion of Childress?
Or of Tavaris Jackson???
NJOriolesFan
12-03-2007, 02:23 PM
Jackon is 45-58 (78%) over the last three weeks, with 504 yards, 3 TD's, 2 Int's and 13 carries for 77 yards. His QB Rating is 105.8 over those three weeks and he is 2-0. More importantly, he has a presence over the team and is becoming a good leader and has zip on his passes. He is developing quickly.
He seems very mature and aware and is developing quickly. The jury is still out on him as three games and 58 passes is a small sample but I love what I see. I have changed my view from we need a QB in the offseason to MAYBE Jackson is the QB of the future. The next four games will go a long way in determining what I think of his future.
As far as Childress, he seems like a very methodical, robot-like persona. I want to see a little more out of him but he isn't built that way. He had a very tough childhood and he doesn't let too many people get too close. He is very reserved and tight to the vest. He is also very stubborn. Honestly, his personality isn't far different that Belichek with a mix of Coughlin. But if he wins, maybe more emotion will come out.
I've become a Vikings believer now that Tavaris is playing well.
glenn__davis
12-04-2007, 12:33 PM
I'd like to give my opinion of both Childress and Jackson, but unfortunately I've gotten to see one half of one Vikings game so far this year, and Bollinger was playing.
I can tell you that just 3 weeks ago, Vikes fans were willing to ride both of them out on the rail. Obviously that's changed a little now. Also, NJO is correct -- Childress, Bellicheck and a Christmas tree could have a personality contest, and the Christmas tree would win.
But to sum it up, I think Vikes fans are cautiously optimistic about both of them. They were so down on them that they're going to have to show a little more before people get really excited about them.
Looking forward to finally getting to see them in the MNF game against Chicago.
NJOriolesFan
12-04-2007, 01:03 PM
I'd like to give my opinion of both Childress and Jackson, but unfortunately I've gotten to see one half of one Vikings game so far this year, and Bollinger was playing.
I can tell you that just 3 weeks ago, Vikes fans were willing to ride both of them out on the rail. Obviously that's changed a little now. Also, NJO is correct -- Childress, Bellicheck and a Christmas tree could have a personality contest, and the Christmas tree would win.
But to sum it up, I think Vikes fans are cautiously optimistic about both of them. They were so down on them that they're going to have to show a little more before people get really excited about them.
Looking forward to finally getting to see them in the MNF game against Chicago.
You need the NFL Sunday Ticket or at least the NFL Network so you can watch them play. I agree catious optimism is the best way to put it.
EddieO's21
12-06-2007, 10:52 PM
i can't believe i thought i was the only die hard vikes fan around here...at least other can share my misery :rolleyes:
oriolerockstar8
12-31-2007, 02:01 PM
Man.. i miss the days of Culpepper and Moss.. atleast we were fun to watch!
Dracula
12-31-2007, 02:37 PM
Just curious, but how did you guys become Vikings fans? Did you grow up around there or something? I'm a skins fan but think its cool that we have a decent amount of Vikes fans on here.
Usually there are a lot of NFC east fans around the DC/Bmore area haven't really run into any Vikes fans.
But anyways, if T Jack ever turns out decent than I think you guys have a bright future. Peace out!