Well, I mentioned that we are giving out a Game Ball each week, win or lose, so we have to decide who the Vikings' representative will be for this past week's game. Since we can't give the ball to Adrian Peterson every week. . .well, we could, but that would get kind of boring. . .we have some nominees for this week's distinction.
DE Jared Allen - You certainly can't put this collapse on #69's shoulders, that's for sure. Allen had his best game in a while on Sunday against Detroit, picking up three of Minnesota's five sacks of Matthew Stafford. Also, he tried to single-handedly will the Vikings to victory with his play on Detroit's final offensive possession of regulation (where the Lions wound up punting from their own end zone), but it was not to be.
WR Michael Jenkins - Did you know that Michael Jenkins had nine receptions for 88 yards against the Lions on Sunday? Or that five of those nine receptions went for first downs? Or that he's currently leading the Vikings in both receptions (15) and receiving yards (143)? As I've said on a couple of different occasions, Jenkins wasn't the biggest or flashiest signing of this off-season, but he has been very good for this team, and has provided a reliable set of hands for Donovan McNabb's. . .shall we say, erratic. . .passes to travel towards.
CB/PR Marcus Sherels - Sherels played a huge role in the Vikings' last touchdown of the day. . .twice. First, he made an outstanding special teams tackle on Stefan Logan on a 54-yard punt by Chris Kluwe that reversed field position for the Vikings. After Detroit was held to a three-and-out, Sherels took the Lions' punt and ripped off a 53-yard return, and thanks to a face mask penalty against the Lions, Minnesota started at the Detroit 13, converting the drive into a touchdown. Sherels is averaging 13.8 yards per punt return this season, which is pretty damn good.
Those are our three nominees for this week. If anyone would like to nominate anyone else, hit the "other" button and add their name to the comments to see if they get any support.
You have 24 hours to cast your vote, so have at it!