Open Thread, Vikings @ Lions
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 8:57 AM CDT
in Game Threads
54 comments
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Ford Field
Detroit, Michigan
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+OT | F | |
| Vikings | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Lions | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
Just after 3 PM Central time this afternoon, these two teams will kick off what's shaping up to be one of the more interesting Vikings/Lions matchups in some time. Both teams looked relatively impressive in victory last week, but they're hearing from every corner that it didn't mean very much because of the opponent they played. The Lions put up 36 points on a pretty good Oakland defense (although they did trail going into the 4th quarter), and the Vikings thoroughly dominated the Vick-less (and defense-less) Atlanta Falcons. By the time this game is over, one of these two teams will probably get the label of being "better than people originally thought," while the other will continue being dismissed by the "experts" everywhere.
Obviously, the matchup of the Vikings' defense and the Lions' offense is highly intriguing. From reading various previews around the Internet, it seems that people expect that Jon Kitna will have no trouble repeating his performance against the Raiders (27/36, 289 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT) against the beloved Purple. However, in 2006 when the Vikings allegedly had the worst pass defense in the NFL. . .something that we've disproven here on numerous occasions. . .here were his combined numbers in two games against Minnesota:
51/83, 519 yards, 2 TD, 6 INT, 1 rush TD, 2 fumbles lost
That's 8 Kitna turnovers in 2 games (4 in each one). Throw in the fact that the Vikings had 30 sacks in all of 2006. . .but they managed to get Jon Kitna 8 times. I, frankly, think that Kitna has a better chance of repeating his 2006 performances against Minnesota than he does of repeating his performance from last week. Detroit's offensive line still isn't very good, and they present absolutely no running threat to the Vikings at all. Of course, you can say that about pretty much every team in the NFL, but it's especially true in Detroit's case. I would expect to see numerous Minnesota defensive linemen getting up close and personal with Mr. Kitna this afternoon.
When possession changes, I think the Lions are going to see more of a certain #28 than they have any desire to see. According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, it's looking more likely that Chester Taylor will not suit up this afternoon. I'm guessing that this means Mewelde Moore will be on the active roster this week, but make no mistake. . .this is going to be Episode 2 in the first season of the Adrian Peterson show, and I'd expect that it will be even more successful than the pilot episode. However, there's a pretty good chance that this game could be a coming out party of sorts for Tarvaris Jackson, too. Detroit's secondary is relatively atrocious (Fernando Bryant as a #1 CB? Really? Seriously?), and while the Lions will be putting 8 and 9 defenders in the box in a foolish attempt to counteract Purple Jesus, the Vikings' WRs will be getting open against said atrocious secondary. If Jackson shows the kind of composure he showed in the face of pressure against Atlanta last week, the yards (and, hopefully, touchdowns) will be there for the taking.
There's a part of me that also agrees with something that Pacifist Viking put on his site on Friday:
I have exactly the same sentiment at this point. These are the Detroit Lions. . .a team that the Vikings have beaten 10 straight times, 13 of the last 14, and 16 of the last 18. Minnesota's all-time record against the Motor City Kitties is 60-29-2. The Lions have added more talent and this and that and the other and yadda yadda yadda. I'll believe it when I see it. . .and until I see it, these are still the Detroit Lions we're talking about.
Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Vikings 24, Lions 17
Enjoy your Sunday, folks, and don't forget to throw some comments into the thread here. . .the more participation from everyone, the better!
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Format Correction
For the Detroit side of this one, feel free to visit our division rivals over at Pride of Detroit.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Inactives for Today's Game
RB Chester Taylor
S Mike Doss
DT Fred Evans
TE Garrett Mills
DE Erasmus James
OT Chase Johnson
FB Tony Richardson
Detroit
DE Ikaika Alama-Francis
LB Anthony Cannon
DE Jared DeVries
RB T.J. Duckett
RB Kevin Jones
OG Stephen Peterman
OG Manny Ramirez
Mewelde Moore is Adrian Peterson's backup today.
Jeff Dugan will start at FB in place of Tony Richardson.
The Vikings also have 5 WRs active today. . .Allison, Ferguson, Rice, Wade, and Williamson.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings get the ball first
1st and 10, Vikings, from the 21.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings driving
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And that stops the drive
1st and 10, Lions, from their own 20. 9:22 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lions driving
The Lions have been going no-huddle thus far.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Make it the 10
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
INTERCEPTED!
1st and 10, Vikings, from their own 20 when we get back. 6:35 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More proof that that's still Jon Kitna
Still scoreless with 22 seconds left in the first quarter. Vikings have 1st and 10 from their own 13.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Another Jackson INT
Man, I do NOT like the way this football game is going so far.
1st and 10, Detroit, from the Minnesota 39 when we come back from commercial.
0-0, 14:48 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Re-spot of the return
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Touchdown, Lions
Jason Hanson tacks on the extra point to make it 7-0, Lions with 11:09 left until halftime.
Scoring drive went 51 yards in 6 plays and took 3:39 off the clock.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great return by Williamson!
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 3:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!
Jackson completed the drive with a 1-yard run.
Drive went 43 yards in 7 plays and took 2:44 off the clock.
7-7, 8:25 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
J.T. O'Sullivan in at QB for Detroit
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lions forced to punt
1st and 10, Vikings, from their own 13.
7-7, 5:08 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand
I don't get it.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Two-minute warning
7-7 tie with 2 minutes left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lions settle for 3
Drive moved 55 yards in 8 plays and took 2:24 to accomplish.
1:06 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And that's halftime
Eh, the Lions were up 17-3 going into the 4th quarter at the Dome last year and Minnesota wound up winning, so I'm not terribly worried yet. If the penalties and other assorted crap keep up the way it has been, it's going to be hard to get anything going.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Third quarter kicking off
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
INTERCEPTED!
That gives the Vikings 1st and 10 on their own 30.
10-7, Lions, 13:42 left in the 3rd quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jackson's third INT
Jackson trying to go deep. . .might have gotten hit. . .but it ends up in the hands of Gerald Alexander. Alexander brings it back to the Detroit 30.
Crap.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For some reason
If we start off the next drive with a pass, I might just scream.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lions get a gift
For crying out loud, what a terrible call.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 4:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Touchdown, Lions
Scoring drive covered 31 yards in 7 plays, taking 3:23 to accomplish.
Lions 17, Vikings 7, 10:06 left in the third quarter.
There's a lot of time left, but I'm starting to get an even worse feeling here.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Allison back returning kicks now
We really, REALLY need to score on this drive. . .and we really, REALLY need to see more of Adrian Peterson.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings make it a one-score game
Vikings' scoring drive moved 27 yards in 8 plays and took an even 4 minutes to accomplish.
Lions 17, Vikings 10 with 5:57 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!
9 yards on the return for Edwards, and Longwell knocks home the extra point to make it 17-17.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think I might have just felt the momentum shift.
17-17 tie, 5:08 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Small correction
Either way, I love me some Williams boys.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, it was KW
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
INTERCEPTION!!
They might have to review this one to see if Smith came down in bounds. If it gets reversed, the Lions will have 4th and 11 and will probably bring in the FG unit.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Play stands
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting stat from Fox
Currently, they're -1.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And we're through 3
Minnesota has 3rd and 1 deep in their own territory when we come back. I don't have the exact distance, because NFL.com's GameCenter seems to have shut down for whatever reason.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Trading punts
The defense is REALLY starting to get after J.T. O'Sullivan right now.
I hate seeing injuries happen to anybody, but I'm happy that it's O'Sullivan back there and not Kitna at this point.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jackson's FOURTH INT
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Kitna back in at QB
The turnover battle is even. . .things are NOT looking up.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
VIKINGS BALL!
Forced by Sharper, recovered by Winfield.
1st and 10, Vikings, at their own 19.
6:45 left in the game, tied at 17.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Clock ticking down
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 5:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Two-minute warning
17-17 when we come back from commercial, 1st and 10 for Detroit.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hanson MISSES THE FIELD GOAL!!
Vikings now take over on their own 38-yard line with :45 left and no time outs.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Now Longwell on to attempt the field goal
And he HIT THE UPRIGHT. . .NO GOOD!!
Son of a bitch. . .looks like we're going to OT.
Longwell had plenty of distance, but drew it too far back.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Overtime coin toss
Man. . .we sure could use another one of those big returns like we got earlier.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jackson hobbling
Into the game comes. . .Brooks Bollinger.
Oh, shit.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings matriculating the ball downfield
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bollinger fumbles the snap
That's the 10th turnover of the game. . .5 for each team.
Lions' ball at midfield, 11:35 left in OT.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More turnovers
by Sean Yuille on Sep 16, 2007 6:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Big run by Brian Calhoun
Hanson on to kick the FG. It's going to be about a 36-yard attempt.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Game over
Lions 20, Vikings 17.
What a terrible, ugly football game.
by Gonzo on Sep 16, 2007 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What a game
by Sean Yuille on Sep 16, 2007 6:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Silver Lining
But to think I wasted a perfectly good Chimay on this game...
by Rev Vike on Sep 16, 2007 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jackson Stinks
Jackson was terrible. Seriously, he's been Ryan Leaf bad. The Vikes would have won that game if they had Kelly Holcomb at QB.
Their biggest problem last year was turnovers from the QB. So far that looks to be the same this year. 5 in 2 games. And last week's game almost doesn't count because the Vikes won against probably the league's worst team and never had to get to the Red Zone (a first in NFL history for both teams)
by MadTownVikesFan on Sep 16, 2007 7:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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