So we get blown out and lose EJ. That’s great.

And thus starts the downward slide of the season. Well it was fun while it lasted, anyway.

My skepticism, so long kept in check this season, has come roaring back and it would appear with very good reason. :(

Childress and his offensive staff consistently bring an over-talented team to big games like scared children. I don’t think he has any idea going into AZ what a winning game plan looks like. The instant that Arizona went up he should have forced his offense into a grinding run game with Adrian Petersen slowing, and eventually reversing, any momentum that the Cardinals might have taken on special teams. Why does AP never get hand-offs between the tackles in the first half any more? By going to the pass and occasional pitch, which every defense in the league will be keyed on to protect the edges in the first several drives, the Vikings force their offensive line to establish themselves laterally against stacked and stunting defensive fronts. How can you expect your hogs to be physically dominant when you require that they run after stunting run defenses toward the edge? Who cares if we have to punt a couple times in the first quarter if by the third and fourth quarters we have moved the line of scrimmage into the defense’s part of the field and gassed their playmakers up front? The Vikings pass protection is as good as their ability to wear down defensive linemen with the hardest hitting running back in the league. Also, why doesn’t Childress realize that Favre can still throw the ball from outside of the pocket? I’m not a mastermind, but a timely boot would seem to be the logical progression from frequent double tight end sets.

the turkey callers on outward bound are driving my cat insane

are hot garbage. How else to put it?

I bet Cincy is just pissed that the ‘genious’ chilly got M. Williams from them in free agency huh? Perhaps there was a reason that an at the time horrid defense didn’t want him back.

What else can you say boys? A horrendous mar on an otherwise great season, 10-2 and still in very strong command of the NFC # 2 seed. The only thing that REALLY matters from tonight was the loss of not only a good football player, but a great man. EJ, our thoughtsare with you man.

We need real leaders on the defense now that EJ is gone…while Pat and Kevin are there, they really only can help control the line…

First off…. Our two losses so far this season are teams that were in the Superbowl as of last year! Another thing to think about is that this game will most likely get a chance to be replayed!

Vikings are on their way to go onto a #2 seed. If that happens, they’ll most likely play against the winner of the WC game that involves the AZ Cardinals. If that so happens, we get a rematch, and we will get it at home. Coming off of a bye week, while all players are well-rested & healed up. Cardinals will maybe go into that game a little over-confident, and Vikings will go into that game with thoughts of revenge.. It’ll be at home which will make it difficult for the Cardinals.

Defensively, the Vikings didn’t get a real good chance to know which QB to prepare for. With the decision last minute, that may have affected them.

Offensively, our O-line was battered up. This gave AP no open lanes to run, forcing Favre to throw often and under pressure. Throwing often & under pressure can result in picks.

The only true traumatic issue of tonights game was a loss of a great LB. Now a new LB has to come in & step it up. With a full 100% healthy return of A. Winfield, that may be the edge that levels it all out.

On an additional note, defensively, the tackling was purely ugly. Numerous missed tackles, and tackles that still let the player gain additional yardage. Happened numerous times.

Around halftime, I kept thinking to myself, are the Vikings intentionally throwing this game? I mean, I know that they can do better offensively. Their #s were bad… Even though, they played horribly, they still managed 17 points on the board.

The edge is now off of the NO Saints.. Let’s hope they start a losing streak (NY Giants went 5-0 and than lost 4 & Denver Broncos won 6 straight with a few straight losses)
However, lets hope it doesn’t happen to the Vikings and we should be in great shape.

I hope none of the boys will be caught for SPEEDING tonight…the only one might be Chillydog trying to get out of town pass the waiting media.

What has happened to our offensive line? I mean the pass protection is o.k, but the run blocking is horrible. We used to watch games on Sunday just waiting for the moment when Adrian would bust out for 60 or 70 yarder for a TD. This doesn’t happen any more because we are a pass first team, and never beat the opposing teams defensive line down. We need to go out and run the ball for the first quarter, give adrian and chester some touches regardless of if we might have to punt the ball away to start the game. I also think that we need to start running the ball left, especially when the ball is lined up on the right side of the field. Great runners need space to make people miss, and running right every single play is not working.

Been a bad week for most good teams

Saints nearly losing to a bad team – w/ the luck of fluke plays to help them with the win.
Patriots lose to the dolphins
Steelers lose to the Raiders

Titans had their winning streak come to and end with the Colts.
Dallas lost to the NY Giants (Helps gives us breathing room with the 1st round bye.)
    Now the Cowboys and Eagles make the push for the division.

Another loss, could be a blessing in disguise…
Lots of stuff to work on obviously.. No reason to Panic!

Offensive Line: D- A couple of times I thought they were pass protecting on run plays they were so far back in our territory after the snap. They also were back in Favres face most of the night causing hurried throws and deflections.

Running backs B- They tried, they failed but I blame this much more on an poor rush block from the line than the running backs having serious issues.

Receivers: C They didn’t get open, the hot routes weren’t there. They weren’t terrible but most of them never got the ball moving like we’re used to.

QB: D- I know the line was piss poor but I expect Brett to be able to call off at the line. He should have seen some of the blitzes coming and handled them better. He was getting pressured all day long and should have either got his hot routes set up or changed the play calling (We should bench him his season is over)

D Line D- No pressure on Warner. If I see Jared Allen throw an arm at a running back one more time I’m going to shoot him with a bow. They did not have the dominant pressure on Warner that they should have. And they stopped the run as well as a knitting circle could have.

Linebackers: Not going to grade them due to the horrific injury suffered by EJ. When something that bad happens, well you have to cut some people a break. All prayers to him and his family.

Secondary: F- maybe a 0. I’m pretty sure Boldwin will be using this film next time he does his contract negotiations… Our Safeties were either paid off or on drugs there is no reason they should have sucked that badly last night. And the tackling was simply atrocious.

Special Teams C- Poor tackling again let the Cards have great field position. We returned decently when we had the chance but we gave them to good of field position.

Coaching: D+ No, none, nada,. zip changes to the game plan. It was a terribly called game. In the second qtr they showed signs of brilliance but penalties and stupidity sold that drive out.

Refs C- they need to go back to ref school to look up tapes on what pass interference is, even Collinsworth was stating they weren’t calling it… Not that it lost us the game, but it did suck.

I like to browse through here after games to get a feel for Viking nation and for the most part it is good with good opinions, but this is crazy. You people act like every team should just lay down for us and of course lets whip the the whipping boy Childress it’s all the coaches fault. Really, is it really the coaches fault… have you ever played organized football? Do you people always overreact like this?
Sometimes you get punched in the mouth and you eat a !@# sandwich, that’s football.

One day they can look dreadful, the next they murder you. I’m of the opinion a reality check every so often is good for a team; I wouldn’t fret, your lot’s the best team in the division (annoyingly) so there’s no need to panic…

I’m surprised nobody has even said the word here. I’m not naive enough to think that the Vikings could have won last night, but didn’t everybody else notice how much the Cards line was holding Allen and Williams?

Granted, the refs were calling a consistent game, but I thought the Cardinals could have been flagged a number of times. A really poor officiating day all around. Can’t believe you can award the Saints the ball in overtime…not sure it was even a fumble. Then Sensabaugh was clearly held as Brandon Jacobs rambled down the sideline for what was the game-winning touchdown. Right in front of the ref!! Sensabaugh certainly would have been able to push Jacobs out of bounds. Huge play.

Anybody else have a strange giddy sensation watching Favre get into gunslinger mode? I wish he was still a Packer, so we could intercept him still.