Open Thread, Rams at Vikings

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 10:52 AM CST in Game Threads

St. Louis Rams at Minnesota Vikings
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Another game has come and passed. . .
Another team has kicked our ass. . .
Wake me up. . .when the season ends.
-Sung to the tune of Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends"

There's actually a song for that based on the 2005 Vikings. . .I can't find the link at the moment, but when I do I'll post it here. I'm sure (hopeful?) that whoever did the '05 version will come up with an updated version for '06.

With the Rams (and pretty much every non-New York Giant team in the NFC) being eliminated from playoff contention with the Giants' win last night, neither team is playing for anything here. The only "drama" in this one is the return of Scott Linehan and Corey Chavous to the Metrodome, as well as seeing if the Vikings can set the modern-day rush defense record. On top of that, we need to see if Tarvaris Jackson will be able to rebound from his performance at Green Bay last week.

I think all of those things will happen. . .I also think the Vikings end the season with a 6-10 record.

Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Rams 28, Vikings 24

My commenting in the thread might be a bit limited. . .I've got some work stuff I need to get done that I've been putting off for the last week or so. Feel free to participate, though!

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Comments

Gordon starting at CB

Well, at least it's not Ronyell Whitaker.

Guess that makes Whitaker the nickel. . .not sure who the dime guy is going to be.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 11:57 AM CST reply actions

Coin Toss

The Vikings win the final coin toss of the year, and have elected to receive.

Opening kickoff coming up.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:01 PM CST reply actions

Well, that didn't take long

On 3rd and 2, Jackson drops back to pass and hits Ron Bartell for a touchdown.

Unfortunately, Ron Bartell plays for St. Louis.

Wilkins tacks on the extra point, and it's quickly 7-0, Rams.

13:38 left in the first quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:06 PM CST reply actions

Rams extend the lead

Vikings come up with a stop on 3rd and 2, forcing the Rams to settle for a 42-yard Jeff Wilkins field goal to make the score 10-0, St. Louis.

Rams' scoring drive went 52 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:18 to accomplish.

10-0, Rams, 6:44 left in the first quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:22 PM CST reply actions

TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!

Great drive by the Vikings.

Vikes punch the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run. Jackson did an outstanding job on the entire drive keeping plays alive and moving around.

Vikings' scoring drive went 64 yards in 10 plays, taking 4:40 to accomplish.

10-7, Rams, 2:04 left until halftime.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:38 PM CST reply actions

Three and out for the Rams

Two drops and an incompletion, and the Rams have to punt. Good series by the Vikings.

MeMo gets the punt back to about the 35.

10-7, Rams, 1:34 left in the first quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:42 PM CST reply actions

End of first quarter

The Vikings respond with a three-and-out of their own, and the Rams pick up 5 yards before the clock runs out on the opening quarter.

2nd and 5 for the Rams from their own 18 when we get back.

10-7, Rams, start of the second quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 12:47 PM CST reply actions

Turnover, Vikings

T-Jack floats one out to the left with Susan Guttweiler's killer wrapped around his ankles, and Ron Bartell ends up with his second INT of the afternoon.

Not surprisingly, our RT got abused again on the play. Don't know if it's Rosenthal or Johnson in there at the moment, but they both suck, so it's fairly irrelevant.

10-7, Rams, 10:37 left until halftime. Rams have 1st and 10 from their own 47 after we get back from the commercials.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:01 PM CST reply actions

Rams score again

The Vikings actually allow. . .gasp. . .a rushing touchdown, as Steven Jackson takes one in from 4 yards out.

Wilkins knocks through the extra point to make it 17-7, Rams.

St. Louis scoring drive went 53 yards in 6 plays, taking 2:25 to accomplish.

17-7, Rams, 8:12 left until halftime.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:23 PM CST reply actions

Two-minute warning

Rams are threatening again at the 2-minute warning, as they've got first and goal at the Minnesota 9-yard line.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:24 PM CST reply actions

Touchdown, Rams

Steven Jackson gets his second TD of the afternoon, as he takes a shovel pass from Bulger and takes it in from 10 yards out.

The booth is reviewing the call to see if Jackson fumbled prior to crossing the goal line.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:26 PM CST reply actions

Never mind

Touchdown, Steven Jackson.

Wilkins knocks through the extra point to make it 24-7, Rams.

Rams' scoring drive went 79 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:54 to accomplish.

24-7, Rams, 1:15 left until halftime.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:29 PM CST reply actions

Halftime

Still 24-7, Rams.

I think I made my final score prediction a bit too optimistic.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:35 PM CST reply actions

Rams score again

Wilkins his a 53-yard field goal that probably would have been good from 63.

Rams' scoring drive went 22 yards in 7 plays, taking 3:35 to accomplish.

27-7, Rams, 11:25 left in the third quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 1:56 PM CST reply actions

Surprise! Three-and-out for Minnesota

Yep, this is still Brad Childress' offense.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Again, sorry for the comments

I'm neck-deep in PowerPoint over here.

Then again, the action on the field really hasn't warranted a lot of comments to this point. The Rams are stomping the Vikings. . .the end.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:12 PM CST reply actions

Hope you started Steven Jackson in FFL

Because he just put his third TD into the end zone. 34-7, Rams.

St. Louis drive went 73 yards in 12 plays, taking 6:04 to accomplish.

34-7, Rams, 4:16 left in the third quarter.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:16 PM CST reply actions

Methuselah in at QB

Jackson takes a sack and gets up limping, so the Vikings have put Brad Johnson in at QB.

Not like things can get any worse.

That brings us to the end of the third quarter. One quarter of Vikings' football left for the season. . ."enjoy" it as much as we can.

34-7, Rams, after three quarters of play.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:30 PM CST reply actions

Another TD for Steven Jackson

59 yard run for the Rams, making it 41-7.

I'm pretty sure they lost the rushing record there, too, thereby making the came completely meaningless at this point.

Rams' scoring drive went 86 yards in 4 plays, taking 2:23 to accomplish.

41-7, Rams, 11:09 left until the season (mercifully) ends.

I expected a loss today, but this performance has been beyond pathetic.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:44 PM CST reply actions

TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!

After a huge kickoff return by Bethel Johnson and a pass interference call that took the ball down to the 1, Chester Taylor punches it in for a Minnesota touchdown.

Longwell knocks home the extra point, making it 41-14.

Drive went 35 yards in 3 plays, taking 1:41 to accomplish.

41-14, Rams, 9:28 left in the ball game.

by Christopher Gates on Dec 31, 2006 2:47 PM CST reply actions