Your Minnesota Vikings Power Play Of The Week For Week 5

by Christopher Gates on Oct 11, 2011 11:35 AM CDT in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season

Yes, another day, another new sponsor for the SB Nation family of NFL blogs. This time it's from the folks at Mini, and with this we'll be taking a look at one of the most powerful plays from the Minnesota Vikings' most recent game, one that stood out among the others.

This week's play happened in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings had fumbled on their first possession of the second half, and the Cardinals converted by driving for a touchdown and cutting the Vikings' lead to 28-10. At this point, those of us in the Game Thread (and, I'm sure, most of the crowd at the Metrodome) was developing a serious case of here-we-go-again-itis. After all, considering that the team had blown halftime leads of 10, 17, and 20 points this season, we were starting to wonder if a 25-point halftime cushion would be safe, either.

Well, after a holding penalty had pushed the Vikings back to a 1st-and-20 on their own 24-yard line, the Vikings generated their longest offensive play of the season.

Now, to be completely honest, I'm not sure what the Cardinals' defense was looking at on this play. Sure, it helps that safety Rashad Johnson fell down while covering Devin Aromashodu, to be sure, but when you get to the end zone view of the play, you can see that Arizona cornerback A.J. Jefferson and safety Adrian Wilson are providing double coverage on one of the Vikings' most lethal offensive threats.

I'm speaking, of course, of fullback Ryan D'Imperio, who was running a fly pattern down the middle of the field and had, somehow, managed to take two defenders with him. Like I said, I don't know how it happened, but the combination of Johnson falling down and D'Imperio ending up with double coverage made it easy for Aromashodu to turn the corner and turn a 15-yard pass into a huge 60-yard gain.

While this was a pretty powerful play. . .seriously, look at that pass from Donovan McNabb. It looks like he was throwing a Nerf football that had been soaked in water for about an hour and a half. It was a heck of an adjustment by Aromashodu to get his hands on that ball and take off with it the way he did. The play took the momentum back from the Cardinals, and they never found the end zone again.

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McValuemenu tossed ducks

While Cutler was throwing lasers off one foot whilst running for his life. Difference much? I’d take Jay Cutler on this team right now.

by Jepp The Viking on Oct 11, 2011 11:47 AM CDT reply actions

Great play design by Musgrave

Ya it’s puzzling, but I’m sure the 2 defenders covering D’Imperio were doing their job in that particular call. Did it look like Man under? Probably was considering the Vikes were in 1st and california down and distance.

"God always comes first, then grades, (and lastly) football." 11-year old phenom Demias Jimerson on his reaction to being told that he cannot score more than 2 TD's per game in his Arkansas Pee-Wee football league.

by NMVike on Oct 11, 2011 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

Nice analysis!

I didn’t notice D’Imperio running the seam route – not sure why that wasn’t one of the TE’s but who cares – it worked. Also didn’t notice how wobbly McSuck’s pass was.
Does D’Imperio really wear Chuck Foreman’s number??? Not sure how/why that happened.

by Siegfried59 on Oct 11, 2011 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

The sad thing is

that McNabb was aiming for D’Imperio.

Some people just need a high five. In the face. With a chair.

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by Ted Glover on Oct 11, 2011 12:11 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

You may be right!!

It was a botched pass and someone was just lucky to be in the way to catch it. A crisp tight spiral would have found D’Imperio. Wow! an Uber MASSIVE Mechanical PASS EPIC FAIL!

by VikesFanSince1967 on Oct 11, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

lol no

There was no way, even with a tight spiral, that was hitting D’Imperio. He’s innacurate, but he’s not that bad.

by REVENGE4KLUWE on Oct 12, 2011 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice comment on that pass

it was pretty freaken ugly.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.

by Grime on Oct 11, 2011 12:21 PM CDT reply actions

Aromashado sure does have some wheels though

Was nice seeing someone kick it into high gear out there.

Putting Ponder in isn't the question, it's the answer.

by Grime on Oct 11, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

That pass sure was ugly. Quick, someone send him an UGLY doll.

If it was the 2011 NFL Combine, no one would draft him.

by VikesFanSince1967 on Oct 11, 2011 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

Is Percy Harvin

in the dog house? He caught 1 pass, was thrown to twice and had 1 carry for 12 yards. For this guy to get so little PT and touches he surely must have done something, right?

If MN didn’t draft him, leaving him for NE how do you think the Patriots would be using him and to what success?

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by Warlando on Oct 11, 2011 1:56 PM CDT reply actions

I know what you mean..how can your No.2 offensive player get only 3 looks

It’s mind boggling..the coaching is seriously starting to confuse me..adrian peterson just had a huge run to get us close to the endzone and then they took him out..wtf? Why take him out? The team had to take a timeout so AP came in after that but why leave your No.1 player out when it counts..same thing with percy..what does this staff have against putting your top two offensive weapons on the field at the same time while in the red zone..

by PURPpplEATER on Oct 11, 2011 3:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'd like to think alot of it is McNabb

The coaches sticking to the whole put the ball in AP’s hands so Mcnabb doesn’t have to throw it..but if they realize this then why still have McTurfball in there at all? It seems like the only plays Harvin has been in lately have been reverses..how is your best receiver only seen while doing reverses..everytime he touches the ball it’s a huge gain..why hinder his touches?

by PURPpplEATER on Oct 11, 2011 3:17 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions