Open Thread, Falcons @ Vikings


Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F | |
| Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 24 |
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day get one more yard
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
-Tom Petty, The Waiting
Well, folks, here it is. . .the moment of truth. The big one. The day we've been looking forward to since 31 December 2006. We've talked all off-season about how this Vikings' team should be much improved over last year's version, and now we finally get to see if it will come to pass on the field of play.
At the risk of sounding a touch on the arrogant side, I think we got a pretty damn good team to start out with. Atlanta's big strength for the past couple of years has been their running game, and the Vikings (until proven otherwise) still sport the best run defense in the NFL. Joey Harrington has a 1-6 lifetime record against the Vikings, and has never won at the Metrodome. All eyes in this one will be on young Tarvaris Jackson, young Adrian Peterson, and the rest of the youngsters on the offensive side of the ball for Minnesota. Will #7 be able to move the football on third downs when he needs to? Will #28 show even more flashes of why he was considered the best pure RB prospect to enter the NFL Draft in recent memory? I think the answer to both of those questions will be a resounding "yes," and the Vikings will start out their season with a 1-0 record.
Gonzo's Fearless Score Prediction: Vikings 20, Falcons 13
Strap it up, ladies and gentlemen. . .it's time!
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32 comments
Comments
Inactives
S Mike Doss
WR Robert Ferguson
DE Erasmus James
OT Chase Johnson
TE Garrett Mills
DE Jayme Mitchell
RB Mewelde Moore
Atlanta Inactives
OL D'Anthony Batiste
OL Tyson Clabo
DT Rod Coleman
S Chris Crocker
DE Josh Mallard
TE Martrez Millner
OL Quinn Ojinnaka
Well. . .this leaves us with 2 halfbacks (Taylor and Peterson) and 4 receivers (Wade, Rice, Williamson, Allison) active today, and only 2 backups on the offensive line. Also, it looks like Allison will be fielding punts in Moore's absence.
Not sure if I like this.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Chin is Behind Us
He also picked the Bears to be this year's disappointment.
One more Viking backer. . .yes!
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Looks like the Vikes get the ball first
Adrian Peterson returning kickoffs? I'm not sure if I like that idea, either.
1st and 10, Vikings, from the 25.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings driving
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings punt
The third down play wasn't bad, but Boselli (who's calling the game) is right. . .Sidney Rice needs to know where the sticks are on that one. No good catching a 4-yard pass on 3rd and 6.
1st and 10, Falcons, from their own 11 yard line.
Still scoreless, 10:42 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Stupid play by Ben Leber
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!
KEVIN WILLIAMS!!
Absolutely outstanding play by #93 as he got his hands up, knocked the ball down, and grabbed it. . .took it in for the TD.
54 yards on the return.
Longwell hits the extra point to make it 7-0, Vikings.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice defensive series
A big tackle for loss by Henderson
And the Falcons come up WELL short on third down.
Bobby Wade fields the punt and actually does a decent job. . .gets about 13 on the return.
7-0, Vikings, 5:59 left in the first quarter.
1st and 10 from the Minnesota 23 when we get back from commercial.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Peterson in at RB
Nice.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Taylor hurt
Man, I hope this isn't serious. . .AP is going to be our only active HB if it is.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings punt again
7-0, Vikings, 0:34 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3 and out for the Falcons
Wade returns the punt to about the 45 yard line. Good field position for the Vikes to start with.
7-0, Vikings, 14:01 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
3 and out for the Vikings
1st and 10, Falcons.
7-0, Vikings, 12:45 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
In breaking news
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Falcons driving
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Long drive for the Falcons
44-yard FG attempt for rookie Matt Prater misses wide right.
Vikings ball on their own 34 when we get back.
Still 7-0, Vikings, 3:58 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The new backup HB is
Tahi is listed as a FB. Probably because Tahi is listed at 254 pounds.
7-0, Vikings, 1:56 left until halftime. Minnesota has a 2nd and 7 at the Atlanta 49.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings punt
Atlanta burns their third and final timeout right before the punt.
Another great punt by Kluwe. . .50 yard net for Kluwe on that one.
1st and 10, Falcons, on their own 18. 58 seconds left with no time outs.
Looks like the Falcons will just be content to run out the clock.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And that's halftime
It ain't pretty. . .but so far, it's working.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Falcons start the half with a 3 and out
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting graphic from Fox
Uhhhhhh. . .why?
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings driving
1st and 10 on the 50 with 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And just as I say that
I'm not sure if Jackson needed to throw that ball quite that hard.
1st and 10, Falcons, from their 41. . .9:02 left in the third quarter.
Still 7-0, Vikings.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings add to the Lead
Drive went 60 yards in 10 plays and took 4:17 off of the clock.
Vikings 10, Falcons 0 with 1:46 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's a two-possession game
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 1:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
On to the 4th quarter
Vikings 10, Falcons 0 after 3 quarters.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a pass rush!
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Falcons get on the board
Falcons drive covered 47 yards in 14 plays and took 7:23 to accomplish.
Vikings 10, Falcons 3, 9:23 left in the game.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!
Make sure to catch the highlights tonight if you didn't see it. . .because it was spectacular.
60 yard TD pass from Jackson to Peterson.
Scoring drive went 80 yards in 4 plays, taking 2:04 to accomplish.
Longwell adds on the extra point to make it 17-3, Vikings, with 7:19 left to victory.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!
Longwell hammers home the extra point to make it 24-3.
2:37 left to victory.
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good lord
If I'm the Vikings' defense, I'm pissed.
And we conclude the game with a sack by. . .KENECHI UDEZE!?
Udeze!? Really!?
Holy crap, that caps off a great day for the Vikings.
Final Score: Vikings 24, Falcons 3
by Gonzo on Sep 9, 2007 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Ok, it's not, but the rundown is appreciated by this expat.
by NMUSpidey on Sep 9, 2007 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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