These things are always so much more enjoyable to write after a Vikings' win than they are after a Vikings' loss. So, let's have a little fun!
WHAT WAS GOOD
The run defense. . .yes, yet again - Ho hum. . .another game, another outstanding performance for the Vikings' run defense. This time, as I mentioned in the last post, they were so good that the average Detroit rushing play moved in reverse. For what should be the second time this season, the Vikings held a team to negative yards on the ground (their first, against Miami, was taken away when a play that was originally ruled a run for -7 yards was changed to a sack instead). In two games against the Vikings this season, Detroit ran the ball 21 times for a total of 13 yards and one touchdown. You'll win a lot of games when you can play at that level.
Artose Pinner - In the pre-game post, I said that Ciatrick Fason and Mewelde Moore would be responsible for the running game against Detroit. From the looks of things, this offended #22, and he apparently wanted me to make sure that it didn't happen again. Pinner went out and lit up his old team to the tune of 125 yards on 29 carries. . .oh, and three rushing touchdowns. Always a nice way to get back at a team for dumping you. . .particularly when it's a team that has pretty much no eye for talent at all.
E.J. Henderson - I don't usually single out members of the defense, because they've played so well as a unit in most games this year. . .but E.J. Henderson was a beast on Sunday. 13 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. . .and he was in on the big goal-line stop of Kevin Jones in the fourth quarter.
Troy Williamson - 3 catches for 23 yards usually isn't cause for celebration or anything. . .but more importantly, he had zero drops. This kid's eventually going to be a good player, folks. . .he's just hit something of a rough spot.
The defense in general - Yes, Kitna ended up with almost 300 yards. The Lions also turned the ball over 6 times, and those turnovers led to 23 of Minnesota's 30 points. The good cancels out the "bad," in this case.
WHAT WAS BAD
Brad Johnson - Well, he managed to give Detroit one of their two touchdowns via an interception on a horribly thrown pass, meaning that the offense and special teams have now given up 7 touchdowns in the last 6 games, compared to the 6 given up by the actual defense. Yep, he didn't lose the game for us. . .this time. When that's the nicest thing you can say about your quarterback, that's not good.
Ummmmm. . .that's pretty much it under the heading of "bad," as far as I can remember.
Enjoy the rest of Monday Night Football or Monday Night Raw. . .whatever your viewing choice this evening!