Vikings Clip Wings of High-Flying Eagles
by Skol Girl on Dec 29, 2010 11:52 PM CST
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PrintWhether they're willing to admit it or not, the NFL really seemed to be trying to set the Minnesota Vikings up to get their butts handed to them by the Philadelphia Eagles in front of a large, national audience. Sure, that two-day delay was about fan safety, wink-wink, nudge-nudge. It had absolutely nothing to do with making sure the field conditions were ideal for a little of that Michael Vick blitzkrieg combo of passing and rushing. Nope, not at all.
It's hard to say what sparked it, maybe having the game delayed for two days or maybe the accumulated frustrations with a season that failed to live up to expectations or maybe the relaxing hotel spa treatments, but on the first Tuesday Night football game in 64 years the Vikings countered Philadelphia with a little blitzkrieg of their own. Yes, the down and out Vikings routed the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 24 to 14 and gave the NFL a much better game than anyone expected. It adds a layer of sweet on this victory knowing it's the first time the Vikings have won in Philadelphia since 1985.
If only there was a song that would allow me to use the word blitzkrieg just one more time...
Join me after the jump for more basking in a rare Vikings win.
In a season that, I thought, had seen it all, the Vikings added a refreshing dose of winning to the mix. Not only did they win, but they won in a game where the odds certainly appeared to be against them. Michael Vick, the NFL's most recent, and most dynamic, comeback kid, seemed poised to pick apart a Vikings secondary that has struggled in vain most of the season to defend against the long pass. If recent performances were any indication, Vick was going to have pretty much all evening to lounge around in the pocket and throw downfield because the Vikings had also struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks with their front four. Add to that the myriad woes of the Vikings offense that would be starting a rookie quarterback who had been drafted as a wide receiver and...well, let's just say I was expecting more fight out of my chips and guacamole than the Vikings.
But, despite all the reasons why it was easy to believe the Vikings would lose, they won-and they won with style. In fact, between the aggressive blitz packages interim defensive coordinator Fred Pagac was dialing up and the way rookie quarterback Joe Webb was rushing, the Vikings looked more like the Eagles than the Eagles did.
Sports writers and analysts have been quick to say that a large part of the Vikings success was that the Eagles didn't really "show up" on Tuesday night. In my very best grade-school rhetoric, so what? You think all the teams that have beaten the Vikings this season got an asterisk beside their win that said, "This is technically a win but it should be noted that the Vikings didn't really show up so it only counts as a half-win." Heck no.
Interestingly, Eagles' coach Andy Reid did not seem to write off the Vikings victory as quickly as the media did. In a statement that's shockingly candid for Reid, he said that the Vikings both out-played and out-coached the Eagles on Tuesday night.
While beating the Eagles doesn't salvage the Vikings 2010 season or answer so many of the questions that will be facing this franchise in 2011, it does expose the Eagles, a team widely regarded as a Super Bowl contender, as beatable. Michael Vick didn't get much help from his offensive line that failed to adjust its coverage to account for the Vikings' blitz and the Vikings sacked him six times, leaving him limping and keeping him from getting comfortable and being able to connect with his speedy receivers. If I had to guess, I would say teams who face Philadelphia in the playoffs will keep that in mind.
Of course it helps if you have Antoine Winfield on your team. The Vikings veteran cornerback was a beast and became the NFC player of the week for a performance that included nine tackles, two sacks, one tackle for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery that he ran back 45 yards for a touchdown. Hallelujah, can I get an amen!
The aggressive, blitz-heavy play calling for the Vikings defense was just half the fun because, for a change, the Vikings offense was on the move too. About a week later than expected, rookie quarterback Joe Webb had his first NFL start and managed to do what neither Fran Tarkenton nor Tommy Kramer did*, he won. That's right, Joe Webb, a kid who was drafted in the sixth round as a wide-receiver won his first rookie career start as a quarterback. And Webb did it all looking so poised and calm that, most of the time, it was hard to believe it really was his first start. Of course then he'd overlook a wide-open receiver. However, Webb had a good performance that included a rushing touchdown and no interceptions. After the game Webb was quoted as saying, "I sensed the pressure, but I didn't focus on it. I stayed in the pocket and focused on the throw." Shoot, if that doesn't sound like an NFL starting quarterback, I don't know what does.
No, the Vikings' win on Tuesday night didn't save the season or fix all our problems or make the uncertain off-season anymore certain, but, seeing the Vikings soundly spank a team with a winning record, absolutely beats the pants off watching them lose.
*That fun fact was brought to you today courtesy of the Star Tribune.
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Vision Of Hope
Tuesday night we finally saw the team we expected to see in the 2010 season. If nothing else, it gives us a positive preview of what to look for next year. There’s an old saying; “Come big or stay at home”…Well, in his starting debut, I’d say Joe Webb left home and he ain’t looking back….
Look where the Bears were this same time a year ago. They were a down and out team coming off a big win against our
Vikes who were pretty much where the Bears are this year. The roles are reversed this year, but that should give all of us fans hope.
We had our hands tied severely last off season with what we could do in the FA market. This year we won’t be in that position. We can make the moves that need to be made. We have the core to build around on both sides of the ball. A couple key acquisitions like our opponents in the central were able to do last off season and we are right back in it.
So true.
The drafting and free-agency systems in the NFL help keep things competitive. They don’t always work as well as we’d like (like last off-season), but when they do they help teams change their fortunes pretty quickly. It should be interesting to see what the Vikings will do in terms of off-season acquisitions and trades because, although the Vikings have many issues, they have a pretty good record of assessing talent and signing it. If Frazier is the head coach next season, it should be interesting to see how he shapes the roster. I really like Lorenzo Booker and, it is said, that acquiring Booker was Frazier’s idea so I wonder if that means he will bring in talent from sources other than just the draft and free-agency.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Minor Correction
About a week later than expected, rookie quarterback Joe Webb had his first NFL start and managed to do what neither Fran Tarkenton nor Tommy Kramer did*, he won.
*That fun fact was brought to you today courtesy of the Star Tribune.
On Sunday, September 17, 1961, Tarkenton started for the Vikings against the Chicago Bears in the first game of the season, winning 37-13 at the old Met.
Kramer’s first start was indeed a loss, to Oakland.
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Caveat
Shaw might have been the official listed starter for that game, I can’t verify the intent, but the stats show that Shaw had 2 completions for 3 attempts and 22 yards, while Tark had 17 for 23 and 250 yards, and the Vikes won the game. Link
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
Tarkenton didn't start that game
He came off the bench in the game against the Bears. His first start came the next week against Dallas, and he got whooped up on pretty good.
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by Christopher Gates on Dec 30, 2010 1:24 AM CST up reply actions
Hallelujah & Amen
Yeah, I must admit that win felt pretty darn good. He I was all set to lose our last 2 games to improve our draft position. That’s the Vikes for ya. They would screw up a one car funeral. Hey I know it’s only his first NFL start but I say if Joe looks good against Detroit we make him next years starter. Throw caution to the wind. It’s about time this team did something gutsy. Use our draft picks to fix the O’line & let the chips fall where they may. Webb’s got a confidence about him & he is freak of an athlete. Two rushing TD’s in 2 games. He does Michael Vick better than Michael Vick. By the way love the Purple hair Skol Girl.
LOL
The Vikings would screw up a one car funeral? Yeah, I guess I can see it. Sometimes I wonder what people would say about Joe Webb if they didn’t know he was drafted 199th overall, because, after seeing the way he played on Tuesday, I just don’t know why we’re still talking about moving him back to receiver. I’m in favor of the team developing him during mini-camps and then letting him compete for the starting job during training camp.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
too much upside
Webb deserves a shot in camp next year at QB. Can’t wait to see him against the Lions. When have you felt that way about a team that is out of the playoffs and will have a losing record. Webb (spiderman) brings excitement. The team feels it. So folks ahve the “it”, and I thin he has it. Is he raw, yes, but the upside…………
My thoughts exactly.
We could talk for a long time about what “it” is with regard to being a football player (especially a quarterback), but, and I may live to regret this statement, I think Joe Webb has “it”. I think the most endearing thing about Webb is that he hasn’t missed the significance of having the opportunity to learn from Brett Favre and has bugged him as often as possible with questions about running the offense and reading defenses and anything else he can think of lest he miss his chance. And, did you notice, that one of the happiest faces on the sideline when Webb did something right during Tuesday’s game was Brett Favre? “Pops” (Webb’s nickname for Favre) looked proud of his protege.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Anything with the Ramones and a Vikings win gets a rec from me!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Gardy MOY. Feel great disturbance in Force. As if millions of Internet cranks cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced." -BatGirl
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 30, 2010 9:00 AM CST reply actions
That game was awesome!
THERE GO THE DRAFT PICKS. I’d written off the Vikings and was looking for draft picks. However, it wasn’t long after the game started that I couldn’t help but go back to familiar ground. I couldn’t stop hoping that the Vikes would kick some serious butt! Alas, the chance at a great draft pick is now gone.
WEBB!!!. I was stunned by how well Webb played. First, his stats would have been a lot better if Sydney Rice hadn’t dropped three balls thrown his way. The end zone throw was perfect, but the drop wasn’t really Rice’s fault. The other two were bad drops. I think the thing I liked about Webb so much was that it appeared that he was going through his progressions during the play. His poise seemed to translate into finding the open guy. His throws were on the money— and showed the full range (the downfield plays to Harvin) as well as the end zone lob to Rice and the couple of screens to the left and right. Webb was not perfect, but he was amazing for a first time start. He’ll make more mistakes, but I came away believing that unlike Tavaris Jackson, Webb gets it and has the confidence and mindset (as well as the tools) to be very successful. He needs to start on Sunday.
A GAME WITH GOOD SAFETY PLAY?!!. I loved seeing the secondary playing without Williams and Johnson. Sanford had one bad play — the time he got faked out by Vick who went in for a touchdown. That aside, I think he was good. Abdullah too. They were in and around the plays and had an impact on the game. With all of the blitzes, you’d think more Eagles would have been open. With Williams playing I’m confident they would have been. It really makes me wonder what the coaching staff thinks is wrong with Sanford (or right with Williams). I know Sanford was listed as having had a concussion, but I got the sense that he was kept out other weeks as well.
WHAT’S THE DEAL??? Okay. I hate to end on a negative note, but I can’t help it. I heard last night that Frazier will start Favre if Favre is healthy. I hope that’s a misdirection or that Frazier knows for a fact that Favre won’t be able to start. We’ve caught a glimpse of what Webb can do. We should see more. We are going into the draft with serious questions about a number of key positions on the team. QB is one of them. We have a 3rd string quarter (Webb) who played like a starter on Tuesday. He was lackluster in terrible conditions the week before. We need to know if he’s got the stuff. We need to know if we just lucked into a potential starting QB. We need to know that now before we go into the off season and look for FAs and draft picks. Favre playing on Sunday does nothing for the Vikings as an organization. Furthermore, I don’t believe that Favre gives us the best chance to win. With our leaky OL, Webb’s mobility and ability to stay on his feet was a big part of our success on offense. Anyway, I’m just saying that starting Webb feels like the only responsible thing to do. Please, Frazier, don’t lose your mind and start Favre — no disrespect to Favre intended.
Whether he thinks Favre will be ready or not, I think it may just be a respect thing at this point.
Favre is a first ballot hall of famer who holds just about all the passing records and this will be his last game. He also came in last year and got us one play from the SB. I think Frazier is showing him the respect he feels he deserves. Whether or not that translates into actually giving him the start, we’ll see. But, I respect Frazier for showing Favre the same respect.
Good perspective
I really hope it doesn’t translate into a start. I’m okay with him playing nice and giving Favre his props. Starting him is a different thing all together.
kcskol
I think that Frazier saying Favre will start against the Lions if he is healthy enough to play has more to do with drama-management than anything else. So many times this season we didn’t know if Favre would start and that question has built a lot of drama around the team. For as much as Frazier is there to coach the team on the field, the Wilfs have also made it plain that they wanted him to keep the drama and speculation, that had previously filled the season, to a minimum. Stating that Favre will start if he is healthy ends the speculation, shows Favre the loyalty and respect he craves, and allows the team to move forward with a plan for their final game. Honestly, I’d be surprised if Favre starts against the Lions because they have only a short week to prepare and recover. That said, Favre is a surprising guy.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
Drama management
Very interesting. It all makes sense. I’m just struggling with the thought that in a 16 game season, every game is precious. Webb needs the experience, and Frazier is just making me a bit nervous with the “Favre would start” talk. In the end though, I think the “drama management” comment sounds pretty plausible. Good point.
Perhaps Favre should show the same respect?
Shouldn’t he realize that the best thing for the Vikings is to play Webb so that he can get reps and be evaulated in real game situations for next season? Hasn’t he been saying all year it’s about the team and not about him? So if he was sincere he needs to let Webb start regardless if he’s ready.
I don't want to wish that Favre doesn't get better as quickly as possible...
but if he could wait until Monday, that’d be real kindly.
I had a suspicion...
That Brett Favre might be intentionally not passing those post-concussion exams. I know, that’s probably crazy and conspiracy theory nonsense on my part, but he seemed pretty creeped out by being knocked out on the field for 20 seconds in the game against Chicago. That just had me wondering if he doesn’t want to risk another hit like that when he’s this close to being done with football. Yes, yes, I know it’s just rank speculation.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
I concur.
Although Favre has never been a quitter. What does he have to gain anymore. Why risk it. He has a good excuse now to just lay low until he can walk off into the sunset.
Nothing to prove
Brett Favre doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone, his record speaks for itself and his teammates seem to have nothing but respect for him. While it would be nice to see him end his career on the field, I’m more in favor of seeing him end his career able to remember his kids’ names. Head injuries are spooky and the brain heals (or not) in its own time.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
it's the coaches determination not
Favre. BF has said that he would sit if asked. Let’s not forget what a warrior this guy has been this year. Last year was one for the records. I hated him as a packer and jet, but as soon as he put on the purple and gold, I was in his court. If healthy, he is the best QB hands down. With that being said, I do not think he will be cleared, and we will get another chance to see if Spiderman can go back to back.
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