Eagles at Vikings, Open Thread
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 10:25 AM CDT
in Game Threads
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Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Minneapolis, Minnesota
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+OT | F | |
| Eagles | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Vikings | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Philadelphia | Stat | Minnesota |
| 129.7 ypg (12th) | Rush Offense | 163.7 ypg (1st) |
| 219.7 ypg (14th) | Pass Offense | 151.8 ypg (30th) |
| 349.3 ypg (8th) | Total Offense | 315.5 ypg (23rd) |
| 19.3 ppg (21st) | Scoring Offense | 19.2 ppg (22nd) |
| 88 ypg (8th) | Rush Defense | 76.5 ypg (4th) |
| 220.2 ypg (18th) | Pass Defense | 282.5 ypg (32nd) |
| 308.2 ypg (11th) | Total Defense | 359 ypg (26th) |
| 16.8 ppg (8th) | Scoring Defense | 19 ppg (14th) |
Well, folks, after what seems like about 3 months on the road, the Vikings finally get to return to the comfy confines of the Metrodome this afternoon to take on a team that's been just as disappointing as the Vikings in Andy Reid's Philadelphia Eagles. The Vikings haven't played at the Metrodome since their game against the most overrated franchise in professional sports back on 30 September, so it will be nice to see them back in Minneapolis again.
On paper, the Eagles should be a much better football team than they've shown through their first six games. From the limited action I've seen of Donovan McNabb, it doesn't look like he's fully recovered from the injuries he's suffered last season, and the Eagles' offense has suffered a bit as a result. The Eagles also seem to be having a problem with the turnover bug. They currently have a +/- ratio of +1 for the season, but they've still turned the ball over much more frequently than an Andy Reid-coached team is accustomed to. Their offense still features one of the most dynamic performers in the game in RB Brian Westbrook, and the Vikings will definitely need to know where he is at all times. Westbrook will line up in the backfield, he'll motion outside, and he'll line up out wide depending on what the Eagles feels gives them the best matchup.
On the Vikings' side, Kelly Holcomb will again (apparently) be given the start at quarterback. That might mean a slight improvement in the passing offense, but the game will still be won or lost for the Vikings on the legs of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. The two backs saw a combined 22 carries for 110 yards (5.0 ypc) last week against Dallas, and for most teams that's not too bad. For the Vikings' offense, it's not nearly enough. Look for Minnesota to attempt to get the rushing attack going early in an effort to get the play-action passing game going. Philly's defensive backfield is talented, but slightly more vulnerable without Brian Dawkins lurking deep. Hopefully, Minnesota can take advantage of his absence.
This one's going to be a slugfest, and a pretty low-scoring one at that, I think. Of course, the last time I said that about a Vikings' game, Minnesota and Chicago went on to score a combined 65 points. As most NFL games do, I think it's going to come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. Holcomb's familiarity with the Eagles might help him out a little bit, but in the end, I'm afraid I have to give the nod to the visitors in this one.
Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Eagles 19, Vikings 16
My picks for this week will be in the comments section.
An hour and a half until kickoff. . .let's see if I can write an effective English paper and cheer on the Vikings at the same time, shall we?
SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!
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"This is Sidney Dean's house!"
by A Festivus Miracle on Oct 28, 2007 11:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Inactives Today
DE Victor Abiamiri
S Brian Dawkins
RB Tony Hunt
G Max Jean-Gilles
QB Kevin Kolb (Emergency QB)
LB Pago Togafau
DT Kimo von Oelhoffen
G Scott Young
Vikings
WR Aundrae Allison
LB Vinny Ciurciu
QB Tarvaris Jackson (Emergency QB)
DE Erasmus James
OT Chase Johnson
TE Garrett Mills
S Dwight Smith
CB Ronyell Whitaker
This means that the Vikings have ALL of their FBs (Tahi, Richardson, Dugan) and HBs (Peterson, Taylor, Moore) "up" for this week's game. Hopefully that speaks a little bit to what the game plan is going to consist of.
Taylor's groin might limit him a bit, but he's going to give it a go.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Picks for this week
Detroit at Chicago
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
New York Giants at Miami (in London)
Cleveland at St. Louis
Oakland at Tennessee
Buffalo at New York Jets
Houston at San Diego
Jacksonville at Tampa Bay
Washington at New England
New Orleans at San Francisco
Green Bay at Denver
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings to kick off
Buckhalter takes the return after bobbling it a bit and gets just past the 20.
1st and 10, Eagles.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eagles forced to punt
Bobby Wade takes the punt from Sav Rocca at the 9 and gets a decent return out to the 21.
1st and 10, Vikings, when we come back.
Still scoreless, 12:47 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
1st and goal, Vikings!
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!
Absolutely beautiful drive by Minnesota. It was helped by a couple of penalties by the Eagles, but that's okay.
Longwell tacks on the extra point to make it 7-0, Vikings, with 6:42 left in the first quarter.
Holcomb went 3/4 for 27 yards on the drive, and Peterson got 6 carries for 34 yards.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings' scoring drive
Forgot to throw that in the first time. (-:
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Onside kick?
Of course, on first down, Trent Cole thumps Kelly Holcomb for a loss on a sack.
2nd and 19 for the Vikings.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Good stop there
Eagles' scoring drive went 72 yards in 10 plays, taking 4:42 to accomplish.
Vikings 7, Eagles 3, :45 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings stall
Vikings 7, Eagles 3, 12:06 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 12:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Touchdown, Eagles
Akers tacks on the extra point to make it 10-7, Philly.
Eagles' drive went 93 yards in 12 plays, taking 6:20 off the clock.
Eagles 10, Vikings 7, 5:46 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Three and out
Sort of like every other game.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Touchdown, Eagles
1-yard TD run by Westbrook and the extra point by Akers makes the score 17-7, Eagles with 2:19 left until halftime.
Eagles' drive went 49 yards in 4 plays, taking 1:46 to accomplish.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Disturbing stat from Fox
Granted, we're converting at a 100% rate, but still. . .that's really sad.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Longwell good again
Vikings' drive went 52 yards in 8 plays, taking 1:21 to accomplish.
Eagles 17, Vikings 10, :58 until halftime.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Halftime
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, that's a nice start
And goes out of bounds. At the 1.
And Childress is wasting his last challenge on this. There's absolutely NOTHING to challenge here. Nothing at all.
Christ. . .I don't get it. Boneheaded play by Peterson, and there's nothing that can really be done about it.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Three and out
The boo-birds are officially out at the Dome. I can't say I blame them at this point.
Kluwe and the Vikings' special teams do what they can, but the Eagles still get the ball at the Vikings' 45.
BUT, a 15-yard penalty means that the Eagles get to start in their own territory at the 40.
Eagles 17, Vikings 10, 13:22 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 1:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Since my last post
First down to Wade.
Offense goes back to sucking.
Kluwe punts it out of bounds at the Eagles' 30.
Really, you haven't missed anything positive.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Bollinger coming in at QB
Eagles 20, Vikings 10, 7:23 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings driving
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Longwell adds 3 more
Vikings drive went 55 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:41 to accomplish.
Eagles 20, Vikings 13, 1:42 to go in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
End of 3
Eagles 20, Vikings 13, three quarters in the books.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Vikings driving again
Vikings have 1st and 10 from the Philadelphia 45.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Longwell with another one
Vikings' drive went 40 yards in 9 plays and took 4:22 to accomplish.
Eagles 20, Vikings 16, 8:53 left in the football game.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 2:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Akers responds
Philadelphia drive went 66 yards in 9 plays and took 3:44 off the clock.
Eagles 23, Vikings 16, 5:09 left in the game.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 3:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Two minute warning
Eagles have 1st and 10 on their own 37 when we come back from the two-minute warning.
Eagles 23, Vikings 16, 2 minutes from 2-5.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 3:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretty much over
15 seconds left.
Barring a miracle, this one's over.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep, that's your ball game
Another piss-poor display from the Minnesota Vikings' offense.
Another loss in a game that was very winnable.
Another game closer to the #1 overall pick in the draft.
Damn it.
by Gonzo on Oct 28, 2007 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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