Vikings at 49ers, Open Thread
by Gonzo
on Dec 9, 2007 9:37 AM CST
in Game Threads
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers
Monster Park
San Francisco, California
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th+OT | F | |
| Vikings | 10 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| 49ers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Minnesota | Stat | San Francisco |
| 176.8 ypg (1st) | Rush Offense | 86.6 ypg (27th) |
| 164.5 ypg (31st) | Pass Offense | 145.1 ypg (32nd) |
| 341.3 ypg (12th) | Total Offense | 231.7 ypg (32nd) |
| 23.2 ppg (10th) | Scoring Offense | 13.7 ppg (32nd) |
| 70.5 ypg (1st) | Rush Defense | 124 ypg (27th) |
| 278.7 ypg (32nd) | Pass Defense | 222.2 ypg (20th) |
| 349.2 ypg (24th) | Total Defense | 346.2 ypg (23rd) |
| 19.8 ppg (10th) | Scoring Defense | 23.8 ppg (24th) |
Not going to spend a lot of time on this for the moment. . .I'm heading back over to the Medical Center here to be with my wife. They took her out of the ICU yesterday and moved her into an actual room in the hospital, and she's talking and eating and everything else. She's relatively weak, which is to be expected when you've been under sedation for the better part of a week, but as I said, she's eating and talking and all that other good stuff. So, I'm going to get this up, head over to the Medical Center to be with her, come back home long enough to watch the game, and then head back over there.
I want to thank everyone again for all their well wishes and prayers. They really, truly are appreciated by myself and the rest of the family.
As far as the game itself, as you can see from the stats above, this looks like it SHOULD be a mismatch. The Vikings' offensive strength plays to the Niners' defensive weakness, and it doesn't look like the Niners have the passing game to exploit the Vikings' defensive weakness (although that "weakness" has been much stronger lately). The Niners are also tied for second-worst in the league in sacks allowed with 43 (tied with Kansas City. . .only Detroit has given up more), and if Leslie Frazier continues dialing up the kind of pressure that he has been the last couple of weeks, it should be a very long day for Niners quarterback Trent Dilfer.
I said at the beginning of the week that this has all the makings of a trap game, and is the sort of game that the Vikings historically lose. I'm usually loathe to predict Vikings' blowouts for just that reason. However, for the first time since after the Seattle game last season, I've got some real, honest-to-God confidence in this team, and I think they're going to make the trip out to the West Coast this afternoon and take care of business the way a team that's making a run at the post-season should.
And hey, if it comes back to bite me in the ass later on. . .meh, no big deal. After all, if this week has taught me one big, important thing, it's that this is just football.
Gonzo's Final Score Prediction: Vikings 31, Niners 10
That's all for now, folks. . .oh, and remember to cheer for Jacksonville, Seattle, Dallas, and. . .well, who you feel like cheering for in the New York/Philadelphia game. Either outcome in that one benefits us, I think.
SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!
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Wife
by StAlphonzo on Dec 9, 2007 10:25 AM CST 0 recs
Glad to hear about the Mrs. Gonzo
As for the game. I'm a little nervous. The Vikes are notorious for playing 'down' to the oppenants level in these types of games.
The Vikings are also 0-8 in San Fran in their last times there, (remember the Steve Young scramble? uuuuuuuhhhhhggggggg!)
This is not going to be an easy game.
Go Vikes.
by Unclebillybonz on Dec 9, 2007 1:35 PM CST 0 recs
Vikings and Niners Inactives
S Mike Doss
G Artis Hicks
QB Kelly Holcomb (#3 QB)
TE Garrett Mills
RB Naufahu Tahi
S Tank Williams
WR Troy Williamson
49ers
DL Atiyyah Ellison
T Patrick Estes
LB Roderick Green
WR Jason Hill
CB Marcus Hudson
WR LeRon McCoy
QB Alex Smith
CB Shawntae Spencer
Looks like the Vikings might be short an inactive here. I'm looking on the Star-Tribune Vikings' blog, which is where I usually get these from, but those are the only names I'm seeing.
Rookie OL Chase Johnson is going to be active for the first time all season with the de-activation of Artis Hicks.
I'll see if I can find anything on that last inactive for the Vikings.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 2:30 PM CST 0 recs
Our other inactive
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 2:35 PM CST
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TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!!!
On the Niners' first official offensive play, Trent Dilfer drops back to pass, and his throw hits Kevin Williams in the head. . .but the ball bounces right into Williams' hands, and he rumbles 18 yards for a touchdown!
Great play by Williams. . .absolutely incredible.
Vikings 7, Niners 0, 14:46 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:10 PM CST 0 recs
Niners forced to punt
Hey, our offense gets to play, too!
Vikings 7, Niners 0, 11:30 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:17 PM CST 0 recs
Longwell Makes It 10
Vikings drive went 55 yards in 13 plays and ran 6:15 off of the clock.
Vikings 10, Niners 0, 5:08 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:32 PM CST 0 recs
Niners punt again
1st and 10 after a strike from Jackson to Robert Ferguson moves the Vikings to the San Francisco 31.
Vikings 10, Niners 0, :26 left in the first quarter.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:44 PM CST 0 recs
Scores of games pertinent to us
New York Giants 16, Philadelphia 13 (final. . .either result would have been fine)
Jacksonville 37, Carolina 6 (final. . .good result for us)
Dallas 28, Detroit 27 (final. . .good result for us)
Seattle 10, Arizona 0, 14:27 left before halftime (so far, so good)
Atlanta at New Orleans is Monday Night's game. . .go Falcons.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:48 PM CST 0 recs
TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!
Beautiful identification of the blitz by Jackson, great throw, great catch.
Vikings drive went 58 yards in 7 plays, taking 2:44 to accomplish.
Ryan Longwell tacks on the extra point.
Vikings 17, Niners 0, 14:14 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:50 PM CST 0 recs
Damn
The only way the Niners are going to get back into this thing is if we let them, and that qualifies as letting them.
Vikings 17, Niners 0, 14:14 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 3:54 PM CST 0 recs
Fair enough
Moore fair catches the ball at around the 10.
Vikings 17, Niners 0, 12:25 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 3:57 PM CST
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Drive stalls
Vikings 17, Niners 0, 8:55 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:06 PM CST 0 recs
TURNOVER!!
1st and 10, Vikings.
17-0, 8:46 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:08 PM CST 0 recs
Longwell tacks on another one
Drive actually lost 5 yards on 3 plays, and took 1:27 off the clock.
Vikings 20, Niners 0, 7:16 left in the half.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:11 PM CST 0 recs
Damn it!
For crying out loud, people!
Niners start on the Minnesota 45.
Here's hoping we get the same result as we got after the last big return.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:13 PM CST 0 recs
And we do
Andy Lee punts it away again, and this one is downed by the Niners at the Minnesota 17.
Vikings 20, Niners 0, 6:45 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 4:15 PM CST
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TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS!!
84 yards!
Great blocking by Rice and Ferguson downfield. What a great, great run.
Longwell adds on the extra point.
Vikings drive went 81 yards in 2 plays, and took only :53 to accomplish.
Vikings 27, Niners 0, 5:52 left until halftime.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:19 PM CST 0 recs
Damn!
Mental mistake by Allison. . .just didn't secure the ball.
Niners take over at the Minnesota 28.
Vikings 27, Niners 0, 2:20 left in the first half.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:26 PM CST 0 recs
Interesting play here
It looks like they're going to go for it rather than kick a field goal, and the Niners have just burned their last time out.
We'll see what happens.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:33 PM CST 0 recs
Oh, shit. . .
I don't think it was helmet-to-helmet, but it looks like his head got smacked pretty good.
Dilfer's still down on the field.
Fuck. . .you never like to see anything like this.
And the hit was actually between Dilfer's helmet and Gordon's shoulder/back. . .it's a legal hit. Dilfer was just in a bad position.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 4:35 PM CST
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Dilfer's Walking Off the Field
Good sign. . .hope it's nothing serious or long-term.
Niners are short of the first down, so the Vikings will get it back and kneel on it to go to the half.
Vikings 27, Niners 0 at halftime.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 4:38 PM CST
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Update on Games Pertinent To Us
New York Giants 16, Philadelphia 13 (Final. . .either result would have been fine)
Jacksonville 37, Carolina 6 (Final. . .good result for us)
Dallas 28, Detroit 27 (Final. . .good result for us)
Seattle 27, Arizona 7 (Halftime. . .so far, so good)
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:46 PM CST 0 recs
In addition
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 4:51 PM CST
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Dilfer being examined
The Niners' new quarterback? None other than former Vikings' backup Shaun Hill, who has never thrown a pass in a regular-season NFL game.
Vikings get the ball to start the second half.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 4:53 PM CST 0 recs
Okay, that's enough
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:03 PM CST 0 recs
Touchdown, Niners
Joe Nedney tacks on the extra point.
Niners drive went 61 yards in 12 plays, taking 6:31 to accomplish.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 7:06 left in the third quarter.
You know, it wouldn't kill the Vikings to answer in a big way on this drive.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:08 PM CST 0 recs
Great stat from the people at Fox
What happened in the season opener this year again?
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:14 PM CST 0 recs
Vikings punt it away
We'd better start bringing the heat on young Shaun Hill sooner rather than later.
Kluwe's punt is fielded by Nate Clements, who is immediately tackled at the San Francisco 25.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 3:17 left in the third quarter.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:17 PM CST 0 recs
INTERCEPTION!!
Hill drops back to pass, has the ball slip out of his hands, and it falls right into #94's massive paws.
Well, that's one way to stop them, I guess.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 1:45 and counting left in the third quarter. Vikings looking at third down around midfield.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:24 PM CST 0 recs
End of the third quarter
Vikings 27, Niners 7, one quarter left to go.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:27 PM CST 0 recs
Vikings punt
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 14:09 left in the game.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:32 PM CST 0 recs
Three and out for the Niners
I wouldn't know, because I'm watching a WebMD commercial.
Anyway, as of now it's Vikings 27, Niners 7, 12:43 left in the game.
Ah, here we go, the Niners are punting again.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:36 PM CST 0 recs
Greatly beneficial to the Vikings
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 12:23 left in the game.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 5:38 PM CST
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Vikings punt it away
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 9:51 left in the game.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:42 PM CST 0 recs
The hell?
Scrum ensues, Smith comes out of the pile with the ball, and the officials say that. . .the Niners recovered?
How the hell?
Anyway, 2nd and 3 for the Niners on their own 45, 8 minutes left to go.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:47 PM CST 0 recs
TURNOVER!!
Hill hits Frank Gore with a pass, Gore gets popped by somebody, the ball comes loose, and the referees decide that the Vikings actually recovered this one.
Leber forced the fumble, and E.J. Henderson recovers it, giving Henderson 2 fumble recoveries on the day.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 4:56 left to 7-6.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:55 PM CST 0 recs
Niners burning time outs already
Vikings looking at 3rd and 7 on their own 31 with 4:40 left on the clock.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 5:57 PM CST 0 recs
Kluwe on to punt
Kluwe comes in, punts it away, and the Vikings stop the Niners on their own 24.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, about 3 and a half minutes left to 7-6.
by Gonzo on
Dec 9, 2007 6:00 PM CST
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Two-minute warning
The Niners only have 222 yards to this point, which is below our average, but still. . .the "experts" will still be quick to point out our "lowest rated" pass defense.
Vikings 27, Niners 7, 1:55 left to 7-6.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 6:06 PM CST 0 recs
Another great stat
Awesome!
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 6:07 PM CST 0 recs
TURNOVER!!
Well. . .now Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, AND Spencer Johnson are now the first defensive tackle TRIO to have interceptions in the same game.
Otis "My Man" Grigsby hits Hill's arm, the ball pops up in the air, and into #97's hands. Very athletic play by Johnson to get the ball, too.
Awesome. Absolutely awesome.
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 6:09 PM CST 0 recs
And it's over
Final score. . .Vikings 27, Niners 7.
With Arizona losing today, if the season ended right now, the Minnesota Vikings would be the #6 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Woo-hoo, and such!!
by Gonzo on Dec 9, 2007 6:10 PM CST 0 recs
great blog
by Djinn on Dec 9, 2007 7:18 PM CST 0 recs
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