This Could Be the Longest Day in Vikings History
by Christopher Gates on Jan 23, 2010 10:36 AM CST
in Minnesota Vikings 2009 Season
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PrintAs I begin typing this, it's about 9:30 AM on Saturday morning. According to the countdown clock in the left-hand margin, we're still approximately 32 hours away from the kickoff of the 2009 NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings. If you thought time stood still between the regular season finale and the Dallas game, the time between now and kickoff is going to seem infinitely longer.
We're still awaiting word as to whether or not 2009 Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin is going to be on the team flight to New Orleans today. The flight is scheduled to leave Minneapolis sometime today, and Harvin's physical condition will determine whether he's on the flight or not. Harvin is once again battling the migraine headaches that have hit him off and on over the course of this season. The headaches have only caused him to miss one game (Minnesota's 30-10 defeat of the Bengals in Week 14), and he made the trip to Carolina despite not feeling 100% as well.
I know that the Cowboys took Harvin out of the game last week with their kickoff specialist blasting the ball deep into the end zone every. . .er, both. . .times the Cowboys had to kick off. (That's what happens when you only score three points.) But it sure would be nice to have the kid out there for this one, whether it's returning kickoffs or lining up in the slot or the backfield or all of the other things that Percy brings to this team. It's clearly a different offense when #12 is out on the field. . .while Darius Reynaud and Jaymar Johnson both have some talent, neither of them are on Percy Harvin's level.
After the jump, I'll take a look at the Saints' two losses this year. (Yeah, I know, they actually lost three games, but their finale at Carolina doesn't count, as they were completely playing backups for that contest.)
The Saints started the season 13-0, which is obviously an impressive feat. In Week 15, they played host to the Dallas Cowboys on a Saturday night NFL Network game. The talk at that time centered around the Saints' chances for an undefeated season, obviously, but it was also a time when the media was still in their "can Dallas win in December" stage. I figured that the Saints would win, the consensus was that the Saints would win, and that they would continue chugging on towards a 16-0 regular season.
But the Cowboys got off to a fast start, forcing the Saints to go three and out on their first possession, and taking all of 1:46 to go 79 yards for a touchdown, a 49-yard pass from Tony Romo to Miles Austin, silencing the raucous Superdome crowd. A second three and out gave the Cowboys the ball at their own 40 after a punt, and they again streaked down the field, culminating their 60-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run by Marion Barber to give themselves a quick 14-0 lead. That fast start helped them to go into the locker room with a 17-3 lead.
The other thing that the Cowboys' fast start did is force the Saints to become one-dimensional. In the first half, the Saints ran the ball nine times for 48 yards, with those numbers being skewed by Reggie Bush's 29-yard run on the first play after the second Dallas TD. For the game, the Saints ran the ball just 13 times for 65 yards. Those are pretty impressive figures when one considers that, for all the ink their passing game gets (and rightfully so), their running game was also very impressive.
The other thing that the Cowboys did was to get after Drew Brees, which is a by-product of making the Saints' offense one-dimensional. The Saints' offensive line only allowed 20 sacks in 2009, but they gave up four in their game against the Cowboys, led by DeMarcus Ware's 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Overall, the Cowboys forced the Saints into three turnovers while having none of their own, which is always a nice formula for success. The other by-product of this was that the Saints inability to run consistently. . .coupled with the success Dallas was having on the ground against a weak New Orleans run defense (the Saints were 21st in the NFL against the rush in the regular season and allowed Marion Barber and Felix Jones to combine for 120 yards and 2 TDs). . .allowed Dallas to dominate the time of possession figures, as they held the ball for 36:26 to 23:34 for the Saints.
So, the keys to beating the Saints are easy. . .jump out early, stop them from running, get after Drew Brees. Sounds like a pretty consistent formula, right?
Well, one would have thought so. . .until the Saints' Week 16 match-up against the 2-12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, it was the Saints that got off to a fast start, turning an opening drive stop and a Darren Sharper interception into two quick touchdowns and a 14-0 lead after the first quarter of play. The Saints made that lead 17-0 before the Bucs managed to tack on a field goal on the last play of the first half, making the score 17-3. (Man, that score sure does come up a lot, doesn't it?)
Despite being up 17-3, the Saints really didn't dominate the stat sheet in the first half. They had a 203-189 advantage in yardage, and actually had fewer passing yards than Tampa did. But the Bucs killed themselves with penalties (five for 35 yards) and had the turnover that was part of the difference. The Saints ran the ball 13 times for 96 yards in the first half, which is impressive against any defense.
But the Bucs, to their credit, didn't roll over for the Saints. Even after their first possession of the second half led them deep into New Orleans territory before rookie quarterback Josh Freeman threw his second interception of the day, a play that could have ripped Tampa's hearts out. And things looked even worse after Thomas Morestad, the Saints' punter, pinned the Bucs at their own 2-yard line.
But then, something changed.
Freeman, the rookie out of Kansas State, led a great drive for the Bucs, taking seven plays to move the Bucs from the shadow of their own goal posts down to the Saints' 23 yard line. That's when the Cadillac Williams show started, as the man with two reconstructed knees went in for a 23-yard touchdown run to make the score 17-10. The Bucs forced a Marques Colston fumble on the next drive, but were forced to punt. The Saints' next drive stalled, and Michael Spurlock took the subsequent Morestad punt and returned it 77 yards for the tying touchdown. New Orleans then drove down and got into position for a potential game-winning field goal, but kicker Garrett Hartley duck-hooked one right into the lumberyard (™ Ty Webb), and the game went to overtime.
New Orleans never saw the ball in the extra session, as the Cadillac Williams show came to its thrilling conclusion. Williams carried the ball nine times for 40 yards on Tampa's one OT possession, mixed in with a clutch 8-yard scramble on third and five by Freeman, and Connor Barth hit a field goal from 47 yards out to send the home crowd away stunned after a 20-17 defeat.
The key for the Bucs? They never went away from their commitment to run the football, despite getting down 17-0 in fairly rapid fashion. They ran 13 times for 62 yards in the first half, and 21 times for 114 yards in the second half. Again, like the Cowboys did, they won the time of possession battle, 36:15 to 30:39 (and, yes, having the ball for almost seven minutes in overtime certainly helped).
If the Vikings want to win tomorrow, they absolutely must "shorten the game" with Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. As good as Minnesota's offense has been this year, I don't think they can afford to get into a shootout with the Saints. They need to keep their offense on the field, keep the New Orleans offense on the sidelines, and take care of the football. The Saints forced the second-most turnovers in the league with 39 (26 INT, 13 fumble recoveries). Conversely, only two teams turned the ball over less frequently than Minnesota did (7 interceptions, 11 fumbles lost, 18 total turnovers). On the other side, the Saints turned the ball over 28 times this year (12 interceptions, 16 lost fumbles), while the Vikings forced 24 turnovers (11 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries).
If the Vikings can shorten the game and win the turnover battle, they will be heading for Miami. It's that simple. Or should I say that saying it is simple. Actually doing it is something different entirely. But, hey. . .if a Dallas team that we destroyed and a Tampa team that went 3-13 this year can get the job done at the Superdome. . .
Why not us?
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Harvin -- it will be OK
Let’s say he misses the flight today, but then feels better tomorrow morning. He can just fly Delta down to New Orleans. The game starts at 5:40.
It is going to be a very long day!
But mine has already started out great…I’ll tell you why in a little self-indulgent post soon!
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 23, 2010 11:01 AM CST reply actions
You Guys are the Late Game As Well
so you have to watch the Colts and Jets first. We’ll see what happens, should be a good one!
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Jan 23, 2010 11:08 AM CST reply actions
It's already been the longest week
I have resigned myself to house chores just to make the time go faster, but all I hear is the tick, tick, tick of a very slow clock. Skol!
If there ever was a game...
For AP to “show up” its this one. We need a game like none other. Last week he looked like he was running hard. It must be the same this week. We need run for 3, run for 4, boom! run for 45. He can do it. And we need him to do it now more than ever.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
Thomas Jefferson
by RileysCannibalJct on Jan 23, 2010 11:19 AM CST reply actions
Percy is going to have to learn to play with these things, with the right medication.
The migraines don’t seem to be going away. There have been reports that he has a bulging disk in his neck and although he has said to be deadling with migraines his whole life, the buging disk can’t help.
Next year the Vikes cannot afford to go through this again with Harvin. While he has only missed one game he was limited the last 6 games(or so) of the season. which limited the offence. With a healthy Percy the Vikings are unstoppable. So lets hope he plays.
Who dat? Nobody will remember or care after this week. Go Vikes!
Migraines are a killer.
If you’ve never suffered with them, there’s really no understanding them. You can’t just take some ibuprofen and make them go away. They are completely debilitating. The way Percy has played through them speaks volumes for the kids toughness, even if most people perceive them as just “headaches”. If time at the Mayo Clinic hasn’t erased them, what medication do you propose? You know something we don’t, PMA? Just sayin’….
I hope he plays, because as Gonzo states we are a different offense with Percy on the field, and not just as a decoy. The Lil’ Phenom is electric, I agree wholeheartedly that it’s big if he plays.
Is it Sunday yet?
We can win this. We Will win this. Skol.
10-4
I guess I have no idea what it is like to have a migraine. I’ve heard bright light can be too much if they are bad. He is a tough kid so I hope he can play.
If I’m tired of hearing about the migraines I can only imagine how Percy feels.
No PMA persciption here. If he decides to toke1 he will get suspended, lol. I guess Excedrine Migraine isn’t worth a #$%&.
Who dat? Nobody will remember or care after this week. Go Vikes!
Light
We’re not talking bright light here, we’re talking the mere presence of light. I have a friend who gets them, and they put her down for days at a time. She darkens her room completely as she cannot tolerate any light at all!
I’ve had some wicked headaches in my day, but nothing even close to that.
I do hope that with the right medication, Harvin is able to manage these effectively. Even so, they will recur from time to time.
The Minnesota Vikings - Undefeated in the Playoffs at Lambeau Field!
God, I hate to give you guys ANY encouragement, but here's goes.
I used to have migraines (as someone above said he did also – maybe he can concur what I’m saying here). When the migraine goes away, you feel like god. I really do not care to see Percy right after finishing off a migraine. But, I’m also not such a jerk as to wish the migraine to extend any period. They truly suck. Dang, but I wanna wish it!!!! If you consider any of this a class act (which I surely hope you do), you can only blame your own guys. They’ve been teaching me how to be class act as a winning team. And, please, you do not want to have a non-winning pi$$ing contest with a Saint. THAT’s something we learned a long time ago and we’re still good at it!
WHODAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dynasty - 2009 - ????
Actually
I hope two Saturdays from now will be the longest day in Vikings history!
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 23, 2010 11:37 AM CST reply actions
Well, yeah
And it will be.
But for now, this is the leader in the clubhouse.
The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!
by Christopher Gates on Jan 23, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
Hey guys
Do we have a game tomorrow or something? I keep hearing how up in arms you all are. :)
by Jepp The Viking on Jan 23, 2010 11:53 AM CST reply actions
House Chores- Shorten the day. Get Rewarded.
Do you know what it looks like behind the refrigerator, stove, washer, and dryer? The Vikings could be my wifes new best friend. Just one o’clock and her hidden little dirty spots are all clean. Now I’m going to wash her car and have her bless me with a free evening tomorrow night. I have to go someplace where I can get loud and obnoxious. I
It might be a long day but it is so worth it.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
I hear you!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Jan 23, 2010 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
The "time of possession" myth
Can I just explode this time of possession myth? Every single NFL analyst thinks the running game is key because it “shortens the game and keeps the other offense off the field.” It may shorten the game, but it does so for both teams. You still alternate possessions. You still run x number of plays and then the other team runs y number of plays. And you don’t “keep the other offense off the field” any more than you would with a passing game. If you run 10 plays running you’ll burn more time on the clock then 10 passing plays with 5 incompletions, but in real life the other offense wil be off the field the exact same amount of time. The only time it has any impact is when you’re leading. Then, yes, you can run the clock a bit more by avoiding stoppages after incompletions, and since you’re leading you want to shorten the game. But this just proves how misleading time of possession is. It’s a by-product of winning, not the cause of winning. Teams that get ahead ususally run more to run out the clock, so they build more time of possession. Everyone then looks back at the game and says, “oh, the winning team had more time of possession, therefore time of possession is a key to winning.” You could just as easily say the key to winning games is resting your starters in the 4th quarter, since every team that does that ends up winning the game.
So I feel the statement “If the Vikings want to win tomorrow, they absolutely must ‘shorten the game’” is meaningless. Unless you’re trying to say, “the Vikings need to get a big lead and then run the clock out.” But that’s not really much of an insight.
True...so how about this analysis?
In order to win tomorrow, the Vikings need to score more points than the Saints tomorrow. Foolproof I tell you!
Is it 5:40 PM Sunday yet?
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 23, 2010 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
I do not agree
Running does shorten the game. The average drive which includes at least 50% running plays is substantially longer than passing drives. I think the reason is that most passing drives end up as a lot of 3 and outs. Anyway, to use your example, if a team has a 10 play drive they take substantial time off the clock. Just because the other team gets the ball back doesn’t mean that they can run a 10 play drive. Even if they did it wouldn’t take as much time as a 10 play running drive. Yes, they get the same amount of attempted drives but that does not translate to long drives. Even if your behind if you are using more clock then the other team can not be scoring on you. The old adage that “the best defense is the best offense” means exactly that. If you have the ball and they don’t it becomes extremely hard for them to score. It becomes easier for you to score.
Have to go with Gonzo on this one.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Jan 23, 2010 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
By the way, I liked your post, Gonzo
Sorry, I didn’t intend to pick on you Gonzo. I really liked the rest of your post. I agree that running effectively is key, but more because it tires out a defensive line. That way by the 4th quarter we’ll have AP and Chester Taylor breaking off big runs, kind of the way Cadillac Williams was in the 4th and OT.
One Caveat
I have never seen a difference between big play offenses whether they be running or passing teams. A 50 yard run takes the same amount of time as a 50 yard pass.
I just hope we can establish a running game to help get first downs when needed. First downs lead to big drives which lead to scores. I expect our defense to take care of itself.
Skol
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Jan 23, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
I think that Gonzo is right.....
In that we simply have to run/eat up some yards on the ground…as well as establishing an effective Favre and co passing game…Control the game through keeping their offense off the field with long drives and their O off kilter as much as possible when they are on the field with our D as with last week’s game…ST will have to have an outstanding game as well…In short the A game is required from all, and with or without Percy we have to get this done….
They all know what they have to do….I am sure having Bud there will provide a bit of added incentive, plus the stakes involved, and many other motivating factors….Inspired football players and a bunch of excellect players, as we have, lead to great Ws….they need to dig deep, deeper than last week for sure (and that was a super effort on the entire team) and play like there is no tomorrow….wait there IS no tomorrow!!!!!!! They already know this by the way….They will come to play, bet on it…..
SKOL and GO VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!
PS
Tell the truth,…I forgot completely that the other game is played first, have focused wholly on this one….Sheezsh, so much for sleeping early and getting up for our game…I HAVE to be up for that first game too…wouldn’t wanna miss that either….Guess will be just an ornery if happy, grumpy but not too much, old man on Monday…No sleep, but a Viking W behind me….Is all good, after all there is no tomorrow! Cheers all….
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Jan 23, 2010 12:30 PM CST reply actions
So let me get this straight...
If the Vikes can dominate possession by running the ball effectively, and get some turnovers, and they prevent the Saints from scoring, they will win regardless of whether the Saints jump out to an early lead or not. That might be next level analysis right there. But hey, if you score more points you win, so maybe that’s all the analysis you need. I am back and forth on whether to be optimistic about this game. The matchups are so close!
If any of you guys escaped the Minnesotan tundra for a visit to Nola, I hope you have a great time! Who dat!
East-West Shrine game today at 2 pm
ESPN2. I heard Freddie Barnes is playing. He could be a very good NFL receiver. Other good players, too.
Purple veins a flowin'
If I had a time machine, with only one use available I would fast forward to tomarrow afternoon.
Who dat? Nobody will remember or care after this week. Go Vikes!
You might want to wait till Monday and fast forward two weeks.
Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes
by lifelongvike on Jan 23, 2010 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
If it ever comes to a "Shootout"
By now, I am sick and tired of hearing how explosive Drew Brees and his Saints are. Although, I do agree an effective Adrian Peterson is key to this game, I’d say “bring on” the air show. I honestly believe the Vikings are very capable of making a case for themselves and stick it back to both the Saints and the media right in the mouth.
Go Vikes!
Why I think the Saints will win
Since homefield was instilled into the playoffs in 1975, the home team has won the NFC championship 23 of 32 times for 72% winning pct. That is pretty good odds.
In the cowboys game the saints were without thier 2 starting connerbacks and Shockey.
Shockey missed 3 games this year, guess which 3 games the saints lost.
When Shockey is in the line up the match up problems make the saints almost unstoppable.
Brees is not like Romo he takes 3 steps and lets the ball go, which will negate the vikings pass rush. With the vikings playing cover 2 Brees will know where the holes will be and take advantage of it.
I just don’t see the vikings keeping up. saints 34 vikes 23
However
Shockey is questionable at best. I’ve heard there’s a strong chance he won’t play. Either way, it should be one hell of a game tomorrow!
by Eric J. Thompson on Jan 23, 2010 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
The Saints lost to the TB Bucs...
… is all you need to know. At home.
This game will be entirely a different tone, I understand that. Playoff football is just different. But the Saints couldn’t close out the Bucs woeful offense at home.
Also, consider that a lot of the top teams just plain didn’t play each other in the regular season. The Saints, Vikes, and Colts didn’t meet up. Even the Cowboys only played the Saints once, and neither the Vikings nor the Colts. The Jets and Colts played but that hardly counts seeing how it went down. The Jets lost to the Saints.
The Saints schedule if anything lacks playoff teams more than the Vikings. The Saints played the Eagles (big W), Cowboys (L), and Jets (W). The Eagles were on the road, other two at NO.
The Vikes had Packers twice (W W), Ravens (W), Cardinals (L), and Bengals (W). One of those on the road.
So NO is 2-1 vs. playoff teams. Minnesota is 4-1 vs. playoff teams. If you count the playoffs themselves, obviously NO is 3-1, Minnesota is 5-1.
Both Vikes and Saints dealt with injuries in their losses. Even if Shockey plays, he’s gimpy.
Moreover, rudimentary knowledge of statistics tells you 23W vs 9L for the home teams is not that overwhelming. If it was completely 50-50 odds, then statistics would say the standard deviation is +/- about 3 games. So if it was totally random, the home team would win from 13-19 out of 32 tries. 23W is not that much more than 19W. One SD more.
At any rate, anything can happen. Both teams have weaknesses. Ours is defending short passes. Theirs is defending the run. Both play to relative strengths of the opposing team. If AD + Taylor have a big day, we can definitely win the game.
No one can predict the outcome with much certainty.
How many of you guys predicted the 9-7 Jets beat the Chargers last week? I thought they had a chance, but come on…. Vikes chance is better than what the Jets had.
Jets might win tomorrow too, but they are the biggest underdog of the weekend.
You forgot the Patriots. Saints were 3-1 vs. playoff teams.
Just making a minor clarification.
Looking forward to the game tomorrow.
Been here before
This all reminds me of the 91 Minnesota Twins. I was in the Air Force in Korea, serving when the Twins were playing the Braves in the world series. There were only two of us (that I knew of) on a base of more than 1500 that were rooting for the Twins. I got so sick of the Tomahawk chop, (I can’t even tell you how much). What I remember was how everyone was rooting against us. Just like the Vikes against the Cowboys and now against the Saints, not many are giving us a chance. Granted that was baseball I am talking about, but the feeling was the same and the obstacles we had to overcome were similar.
Do I think we will win? Yes if AD has a banner day and we keep Favre upright. I also think AD has to run to the outside more than he has. I was re-watching parts of last weeks game and Adrian just killed the cowpokes when the ball was thrown to him on the outsides, so hopefully we can do the same thing. Harvin was huge out of the backfield as well, that was a new wrinkle and I Loved it. Whatever happens we need to be just as good as that 91 baseball team to pull it off, but we have the fire power to win with. We all will remember this day, just like I remember the day the Twins won it all, because THIS is our year! I can feel it! SKOL VIKINGS!!
by Vikingsst8ofmind on Jan 23, 2010 7:28 PM CST reply actions
THIS TEAM WILL NOT BE STOPPED NOT THIS TIME
GO VIKINGS GO WHO DAT WE DAT Viking fans hold your head high This is OUR year WE won’t be stopped I know it WE CAN AND WE WILL WE DAT WHO DAT WE DAT WHO DAT WE DAT THE VIKINGS DAT WHO GO VIKINGS GO GO VIKINGS GO!!!!
Why not us?
…has been the tagline of Canal Street Chronicles all season. We’re about to find out if that question has an answer or not. Yeah, I know, you think the answer starts with an M and ends in -ings. We’ll see. Little less than 24 hours now.
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
the hour of the viqueens demise grows ever closer
while you’re sniveling in cold, cold misery tommorow evening , we will be celebrating in near 70 degree tropic like nirvana
Things on this board were going so well
until you opened your trap hiramsaint, do not even begin to pretend that you what any of us will be doing tomorrow, as for the Viqueens comments….they are about 10 years out of date. It’s one thing to post comments, it’s another thing to post one without any class at all. As a lifelong Vikings fan even I can say that the Saints don’t need a fan like you, maybe it would be best for you to become a Cowboys fan or better yet a Keith Brookings fan…..
There's always at least one moron...
… who can’t wait until after the game to talk smack.
Some Cowboys fans around here ate considerable words recently. Whining about running up the score wasn’t exactly what they thought would happen.
I would like to point out
that this clown is not even a member of CanalStreetChronicles. What kind of Saints fan doesn’t even join the Saints board? He probably is a Cowboys fan.
BURN THE BLACK PANTS!!!
Purple Jesus will rise above the Saints...Let us prey...
Strap em up…and lets play some football…Defense usually prevails in these Championship games…and for once the Vikings have the edge in this years match up…Put Bree’s under the same pressure Romo endured last week and we can punch our ticket to the big dance in Miami…Adrian this is the game that takes you to that Super Star status…Your time is now! go and unleash your god given talents and show the world your amazing skills… We all miss those 50 yard break away touchdown runs…Purple Jesus do not forsake us in our hour of need…All the Saints will bow down before thee in your everlasting glory as you humbly proclaim your place among the football Gods…Let us Prey…and if at all possible please run over Darren Sharper on your way to a touchdown like you did to William Gay in week seven against Pittsburgh, that would top off a brilliant performance on a historical Minnesota Viking Sunday afternoon and add some much needed humor to go with all the beer drinking and high five slapping that we your purple brethren will be enjoying as you shine your light in the New Orleans Super Dome Tomorrow afternoon…AMEN…
Nice article Gonzo BUT......
You forgot to mention one thing. The Saints had massive injuries on defense in those 2 games and played a vanilla version of what they will bring Sunday. Everyone is healthy now and will start, so I look forward to a great game between the 2 best NFC teams! Good luck to the Vikings, Geaux Saints and lets pray everyone comes out of the game healthy!!
Appros. 4 hours as I type.
Here’s to a well fought battle.
Congratulations to the Saints and the VIkings for rising to the top of the NFC pyramid. Well deserved by both teams.
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