Daily Norseman - 2017 NFC Championship Game: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia EaglesThe Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2018-01-22T11:32:11-06:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/stream/166636772018-01-22T11:32:11-06:002018-01-22T11:32:11-06:00Stock Market Report: NFC Championship
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<img alt="NFL: NFC Championship-Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Qw82c9Qm3lRoJ3MpVd4AsQEDap0=/0x0:3858x2572/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58410859/usa_today_10559051.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I didn’t see this coming. At all.</p> <p id="2wt6DA">I’m really at a loss for words. I mean, I sat and watched this horror show unfold, from beginning to end, just like you guys did. I saw Philly go up and down the field with ease, time and time again, and at some point I just sort of became numb to it all. </p>
<p id="wQGUyT">I knew it was over at halftime, but it still wasn’t registering for me. How could a defense this good, in every major statistical category, get completely demolished by an offense that is good, but not 1998 <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> offense good?</p>
<p id="8P5SGv">Then it hit me. We kept talking about how great this defense was, and then started comparing them to the Purple People Eaters. And for a lot of fans who weren’t alive for or are too young to remember the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/super-bowl-2018-coverage">Super Bowl</a> era...this game was essentially how the Vikings played in their Super Bowls. So...now you know.</p>
<p id="UdMv6H">Minus ever having a lead.</p>
<p id="VEovxb">The Minnesota Vikings were dismantled 38-7, on both sides of the ball, and by halftime the game was essentially over. But hey, they almost played a good game and almost made it to the Super Bowl, where they almost would have ended their post season demons, didn’t they, Bowling For Soup?</p>
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<p id="3msqkW"><em>I almost got drunk at school at 14</em></p>
<p id="k8fPoL"><em>Where I almost made out with the homecoming queen</em></p>
<p id="vKBRg7"><em>Who almost went on to be Miss Texas</em></p>
<p id="AYEBsc"><em>But lost to a slut with much bigger breastes</em></p>
<p id="CxUFKf"><em>I almost dropped out to move to LA</em></p>
<p id="eEPdsr"><em>Where I was almost famous for almost a day</em></p>
<p id="cQB0Cb"><em>And I almost had you</em></p>
<p id="E46SW8"><em>But I guess that doesn’t cut it</em></p>
<p id="ML4pT9"><em>Almost loved you</em></p>
<p id="1iEI5P"><em>I almost wished u would’ve loved me too</em></p>
<p id="5HctdA">Your SMR that almost has some good things to say follows.</p>
<h4 id="lM2Is2">Blue Chip Stocks:</h4>
<p id="c5Pi5v"><em><strong>My smoked ribs:</strong></em> Oh, you thought I might put a Vikings player here? LOL no. When you have that kind of performance with the stakes that high...and fall that flat? It’s the day after, and I’m still trying to comprehend just how poorly the Vikings played with a trip to the Super Bowl...in their home stadium...on the line. The best part of my day yesterday, other than watching the game with a good buddy of mine, was this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why yes...yes they are. Only did 2 racks, though <a href="https://t.co/HzUZVQ0UdF">pic.twitter.com/HzUZVQ0UdF</a></p>— Ted Glover (@purplebuckeye) <a href="https://twitter.com/purplebuckeye/status/955197982302986240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a>
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<p id="68tZCa">I used a rub called ‘Victory Formation’ (IRONIC RIGHT) from Tailgate Master, our very own Admiral Big Gun’s company, smoked them for four hours, and they were like the Vikings first drive of the game—perfect and exquisite. I even have left overs for lunch today!</p>
<h4 id="F1Y4ea">Solid Investments:</h4>
<p id="OGOyIL"><span><em><strong>Jerick McKinnon</strong></em></span><em><strong>, RB:</strong></em> Overlooked in the beating was that McKinnon had over 120 yards from scrimmage, and was the only guy on offense consistently making a play to keep the offense moving the ball. With McKinnon becoming a free agent, <span>Latavius Murray</span> essentially on a one year deal, and <span>Dalvin Cook</span> coming back, there might be some changes coming to this backfield, and the only one I am sure is returning is Cook. I’d love to see all three back, but I don’t know what the future holds. It’s not starting off all that great, though:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jerick McKinnon said he appreciated his role this season with the Vikings, but as he heads to free agency, he’d ideally like to go somewhere he can be the featured back: “I want bigger and better things for myself. We’ll see what happens.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a></p>— Chris Hine (@ChristopherHine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristopherHine/status/955488384427884545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="yiAk69"><span><em><strong>Stefon Diggs</strong></em></span><em><strong>, </strong></em><span><em><strong>Jarius Wright</strong></em></span><em><strong>, and </strong></em><span><em><strong>Adam Thielen</strong></em></span><em><strong>, WR’s all:</strong></em> Thielen only had 28 yards on three catches, but was reportedly playing with several small fractures in his back. I have back issues and back pain is literally the worst, and I can’t imagine playing in an NFL game with that. Kudos to Thielen for gutting it out. For <span>Diggs</span> and Wright, they both made some big catches and kept hope alive for awhile. Even after the game’s conclusion was no longer in doubt, they were still fighting and scratching for extra yards.</p>
<h4 id="SvuSKX">Junk Bonds:</h4>
<p id="35h7FG"><em><strong>The Vikings defense:</strong></em> The most baffling thing to me was the utter collapse of what is statistically one of the best single season defenses in NFL history. They mostly throttled some of the best QB’s in the NFL this season, yet <span>Nick Foles</span> looked like <span>Tom Brady</span>, carved them up all night long, and the Vikings did nothing to adjust. <span>Xavier Rhodes</span> was off, <span>Trae Waynes</span> looked like week one TW and not the player that was emerging into a force across from Rhodes, <span>Terence Newman</span> finally looked 39, and <span>Harrison Smith</span> was out of position all night. </p>
<p id="ZdiLIE">The best tackling team in the NFL whiffed on one tackle after another, and couldn’t get off the field on third down after setting an all time record for third down percentage. Zack Ertz roamed in the secondary like a college kid backpacking through Europe, <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> running backs kept converting short yardage first downs, and by the third quarter it felt like the Vikes had brought back Leslie Frazier to coach this team.</p>
<p id="vzK8n4">It was a hell of a time to play, by far, their worst game of the season. </p>
<p id="hkoBZL">Either there were no adjustments made or the ones they did make were bad ones. Look, I can handle losing...I’m a Vikings fan. But the way a pedestrian QB carved up what is a really good defense is going to bother me for a long, long time.</p>
<p id="CpZEOj"><em><strong>Mike Zimmer and Pat Shurmur:</strong></em> Pat Shurmur is headed to New York to take the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> head coaching job, and no, before we go any further, I don’t think that was a distraction. And no, I don’t think he called a vanilla game so the Eagles wouldn’t get a bead on his offense twice a year now that he’ll be in the NFC East. Seriously folks, there are some wild conspiracy theories out there, but I’m still a firm believer in Occam’s Razor—the simplest explanation is usually right, and the simplest explanation is that the Vikings got their ass kicked in the trenches all night on both sides of the ball. The Eagles offensive line protected Nick Foles and gave him a clean pocket to throw in on most every play, and the Vikings o-line looked a lot like 2016 at times. Both lines, which had played huge roles in a 13-3 season, fell apart at the worst possible moment.</p>
<p id="Krdy3f">Which brings me back to Shurmur and Zimmer. On offense, why didn’t the Vikings move the pocket more, or try and slow the rush with some misdirection? On defense, when it became apparent that the front four wasn’t going to get home, why didn’t the Vikings try to create more pressure with some blitzes before the game got out of hand? It was frustrating at how thoroughly out coached the Vikings were for the entire game, and it seemed like they felt that if they stuck to their plan things would somehow right themselves. </p>
<p id="qOLej3">This is the second year in a row that the season has essentially ended on horrid defensive lapses at critical moments. Last year, the Vikes, even with everything that happened injury wise, were sitting at 7-6 with a realistic shot at the playoffs. But two blowouts, a 34-6 home embarrassment to an 8-8 <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> team followed up with what looked like a player revolt in Green Bay put the Vikes at 7-8 and out of contention.</p>
<p id="5Lax68">This year? A blowout loss in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> that rivals the infamous 41-doughnut game, with a chance to play the Super Bowl in your home stadium. It’s baffling how with that much at stake, the Vikings played that poorly.</p>
<h4 id="qIaouG">Buy/Sell:</h4>
<p id="MO4frK"><em><strong>Buy: The first offensive series.</strong></em> It was thing of beauty, wasn’t it? Nine plays, one third down conversion, and Philly’s defense discombobulated and uncertain. When Case Keenum’s perfectly thrown ball hit <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> in stride for the touchdown, everything was unfolding perfectly. The crowd was already uneasy, the Eagles defense was sniping at each other after the play was over...and Nick Foles hadn’t even taken the field yet.</p>
<p id="BU8Jdl"><em><strong>Sell: All remaining offensive series.</strong></em> Then the Vikings gave it all away on the next series. After forcing the Eagles to punt, the Vikings got the ball back and drove to the 41 after a big 12 yard throw to Diggs on third and 10. You could really, really sense momentum was starting to build for the Vikes, but after the pick six the Vikes just got steamrolled, and it felt like the offense was just going though the motions from there on out. Truly baffling.</p>
<p id="ymjcJj"><em><strong>Buy: This wasn’t Case Keenum’s fault. </strong></em>Even after the interception, the game was 7-7. The Vikings had been moving the ball, and were still in prime position to regain control and win. he made some throws, but not enough. The Vikings offensive line was probably the bigger culprit here, but to say Keenum was the reason the Vikings lost, and they should have put Bradford in feels like a really lame argument. Keenum is more mobile in the pocket, and I think putting Bradford in wouldn’t have given the Vikings a better chance to get back in the game, not with the way the Eagles were playing in Minnesota’s backfield all night. </p>
<p id="O3lAUG">On the sack fumble, he just got smoked from his blindside. If he had another half second, replays looked like both Rudolph and Thielen had broken open in the end zone, and I think a TD there changes the game. It’s now 14-14, and there’s a new momentum and a belief that if they could weather that beginning, they could still win in spite of everything. </p>
<p id="BErYg2"><em><strong>Sell: The pick six wasn’t Case Keenum’s fault, and Keenum is hands down the Vikings QB in 2018.</strong></em> That was a terrible throw. Yeah, he was hit, but his arm wasn’t. it was a clean throw, and it was really underthrown. Even if he had a clean pocket the replays showed Thielen, his intended target, was bracketed and it had a very low percentage of being completed. He should have done anything else but throw the ball, and it really proved to be the turning point in the game. I don’t know what the Vikings are going to do regarding the QB situation as we head to the off season. Keenum had a hell of a year, but I saw this tweet and it’s something to consider:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keenum's Postseason Stats (with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MinneapolisMiracle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MinneapolisMiracle</a> Removed)<br><br>52/87 for 528, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 1 Lost Fumble, 66.6 QB Rating <a href="https://t.co/D9v0BQsMNA">pic.twitter.com/D9v0BQsMNA</a></p>— Andy (@AndyCarlsonShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyCarlsonShow/status/955442327610445824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="ucHI6R">I’m generally not a fan of the ‘well if you take this out’ or the ‘if you add this’ argument, but Keenum and the offense were mostly inconsistent to bad the last six quarters of playoff football outside of one play and the first drive of the Eagles game.</p>
<p id="tSOLiw">I still believe that only one of the three starting caliber quarterbacks will be on this roster on opening day next year. I still don’t know which one it will be, though, because you can make legit arguments for and against each one.</p>
<p id="3CKPPo">For Teddy Bridgewater, the argument for is that he was making progress before his knee injury, looked to have developed into a solid passer, and was thought to be the franchise guy for a long time. Now that he’s healthy, he should be good to go. The argument against him is that his knee injury is something that has affected him, and he’s not the same guy he was. He’ll never really be truly healthy again, and he’s not going to become the quarterback we thought he could be. Deactivating him for the playoffs was confirmation of that, his detractors will tell you.</p>
<p id="TodJ25">For Keenum, his 2017 body of work was impressive. He took the Vikings a lot farther than anyone thought possible, played lights out almost all year, and that body of work has cemented him as the starter. The argument against is that he caught lightning in a bottle, and everything caught up to him from the second half of the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> game. He showed himself to be the journeyman he was once the lights got bright and the competition got more difficult, and he’ll never get the Vikes over the top.</p>
<p id="fbYBU9">For Sam Bradford, he’s the best pure passer on the roster, and what he did week one was a tantalizing look as to what the Vikings offense could have been had he stayed healthy. Finally playing behind a good offensive line with weapons to utilize, he became a cold blooded assassin, picking apart what turned out to be a really good Saints defense with ease. The argument against is the status of his knee. It seems like it’s going to be a continual problem, you almost expect him to miss a handful of games every year, and there will be no continuity at the position. </p>
<p id="ClOnC9">Also, there’s this to add to the off season drama, so yay off season:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Teddy Bridgewater sad he “definitely” feels he should be starting next season, whether it’s here or elsewhere.</p>— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNBrianHall/status/955485438554275840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2018</a>
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<p id="C8kbMb"><em><strong>Buy: This was a really fun season.</strong></em> Last night sucked, make no mistake. But 13-3, a great defense (mostly), the Keenum story, and the Minneapolis Miracle all made for one hell of a reality show. 2017 is going to be remembered fondly as the years pass, but just not today. Thanks for a great season, guys, it was a heck of a ride. </p>
<p id="XPkaRz"><em><strong>Sell: I’m not allowed to be mad or pissed off.</strong></em> One of my biggest pet peeves are fans telling me that I can’t be mad about last night, and we should just be happy with the Minneapolis Miracle and going 13-3. Frankly folks, you can kiss my ass on that. This team was good enough to win it all, and I doubt they’ll ever get a realistic chance to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium ever again. </p>
<p id="cqKLCo">I’m pissed off that really good Vikings teams come up short and frankly don’t even bother to show up on the biggest stages, and I’m plain god damn sick and tired of ‘wait ‘till next year’. I’ve been waiting until next year for almost 50 years, and I never watched the Vikings win it all with my Dad, who almost more than anyone deserved just one Vikings Super Bowl win before he died. This goddamn team, man.</p>
<p id="jWxy2U"><em><strong>Buy: If not this year, when?</strong></em> They had the top defense which was an historically great one statistically speaking, a top 10 offense that could be as ruthless as it was efficient, a revenge win with a miracle finish against the Saints, an opponent that was missing their MVP-caliber QB, and a Super Bowl in their home stadium if they could beat Philly. It was set up perfectly for the Vikings, and it’s really hard not to feel that if they can’t bring it home with everything seemingly stacked in their favor...when will they do it? </p>
<p id="i5rUfP"><em><strong>Sell: The NFC Championship Game Loser Let Down.</strong></em> In the last five years, the team that has lost the NFC Championship stumbled and failed to make the playoffs the following season, save for the 2014 <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. It’s a cautionary tale about how fleeting success is in the NFL unless you’re the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, but if there’s a team that can break this recent trend it’s the Vikings. They’re built to last and deliver us several more years of post season heart break before their current Super Bowl window closes. </p>
<p id="lKabJu">They’ll solve their QB issue, and the defense will be back and still be really good. Yesterday’s effort aside, Mike Zimmer is still a great coach, and even though it looks like the Vikings have one of the tougher schedules next year, we all thought that this year and that turned out okay...until the very end. The Vikes are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the NFC for awhile, and come week six or so, we’ll get fully invested.</p>
<p id="2iHnxc">Again.</p>
<p id="9fNYit">And we’ll get our teeth kicked in. </p>
<p id="YtoOBt">Again. </p>
<p id="ljry3u">Pudding and milk shakes will be on me, gang. </p>
<p id="c7qQ6O">Skol Vikings.</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/22/16918630/stock-market-report-nfc-championshipTed Glover2018-01-21T23:42:52-06:002018-01-21T23:42:52-06:00Vikings Crushed by Eagles in Worst Performance of the Season
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<img alt="NFL: NFC Championship-Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8Y9ZEYvsKP65OCWRb8TobFxS-d0=/0x165:4504x3168/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58406407/usa_today_10558132.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>James Lang-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Out-coached and out-played, Vikings couldn’t even make a game of it</p> <p id="DXJcQq">The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> scored easily on their first drive, but the rest of the game was all Philadelphia. It was more than disappointing. It was inexplicable. The Vikings couldn’t even make a game of it with the top-ranked defense in the league.</p>
<p id="2SQ7Xs">Why?</p>
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<h3 id="Wz8b6k">VIKINGS BADLY OUT-COACHED</h3>
<p id="Xcdg4w">They were out-coached. On both sides of the ball. From after their first drive until the final buzzer. The <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> had both a better game plan, and made better adjustments, while the Vikings coaching staff failed to address key issues that were clear early-on.</p>
<p id="H4MYPN">Going into the game, the Eagles had plenty of tape showing how their secondary could be exposed to the short passing game, rub routes, slants, crossing patterns. But Pat Shurmur, like OC Steve Sarkasian last week, chose not to focus on that. They focused on longer routes that allowed the Eagles defensive front to pressure Keenum, which led to two turnovers in the game, and other pressures, hits and hurries.</p>
<p id="WfULcg">Meanwhile, the Eagles employed the short-passing game with success throughout the game, allowing Foles to make easy passes, avoid pressure, and get into a rhythm, converting 3rd downs, driving the field and scoring.</p>
<p id="ZY6fPH">I don’t know that Mike Zimmer made any adjustments defensively to counter the Eagles game plan. The whole game. It was clear early that the Vikings defensive front wasn’t generating enough pressure on Foles, but Zimmer still blitzed sparingly, giving Foles the time to make some big passes down the field on 3rd down, when a blitz would have forced his hand or led to a sack. I don’t recall seeing <span>Harrison Smith</span> blitz once off the edge all day - something that could have been effective in getting to Foles and making him uncomfortable. But no, that wasn’t done. </p>
<p id="Zd4RrI">And that’s how mediocre players are made to look good. Backup QB <span>Nick Foles</span>, who’s looked mediocre at best since taking over for <span>Carson Wentz</span>, was allowed to rack up the most yards, TDs and best passer rating the Vikings defense has allowed all season. Foles went 26/33 for 352 yards, 3 TDs, and a 141.4 passer rating. Inexplicable. </p>
<p id="uHY92Y">Offensively for the Vikings, it was a poor game plan that failed to adjust to the Eagles’ changes.</p>
<p id="lnYYf1">After the Vikings opening drive, the Eagles changed their coverages, blitzed Keenum more in key situations, and also made some adjustments to get more pressure off the edges, but Shurmur didn’t make the adjustments to help Keenum and the OTs. </p>
<p id="Htsoqo">And some of the more successful plays the Vikings ran last week, which would’ve worked well against the Eagles, I didn’t see once in Philadelphia- like the Diggs crossing route that worked so well on several occasions. Or the McKinnon pitch. Or the crossing routes to Theilen. I didn’t see a lot of double-moves deep either. Did Rudolph have a catch other than his TD reception? No. </p>
<p id="kAc7tg">The blocking call on the strip sack- which turned back what might have been an important scoring drive for the Vikings- was a poor call asking <span>David Morgan</span> to go across the line and make a block on an unblocked edge rusher on Keenum’s blind side already half-way home. That was just terrible play calling, especially given the Vikings were already having trouble with the Eagles edge rushers pressuring Keenum. </p>
<p id="5XcjJH">I got the sense that as the game wore on, the Vikings players knew they were being out-coached, and it was demoralizing, taking some of the fight out of them.</p>
<p id="d9kZNm">Several top players for the Vikings had one of their worst games of the season, but again, being out-coached had a lot to do with that. DBs like <span>Harrison Smith</span>, <span>Trae Waynes</span> and <span>Terence Newman</span> had to be wondering what was going on when they were out in coverage so long and then the ball is delivered so late in the down. Where was the pressure up front? Too often it was a vanilla rush against a good Eagles OL that allowed Foles plenty of time, and exposed DBs in coverage so long. Instead of blitzing a safety or linebacker to get the needed pressure on Foles- which should have been the goal from the get-go looking at Foles’ passer rating under pressure- Zimmer had them hanging out in coverage until eventually a receiver got open. Inexplicable.</p>
<p id="8ocDLD">Veteran coaches like Mike Zimmer and Pat Shurmur should not be out-coached like this. But they were. I’m at a loss for what to say in regard to how they came up with their game plan, and how they failed to make the necessary changes.</p>
<p id="T6eCYt">But at the end of the day, the Eagles coaching staff designed and used the game plan the Vikings should have used, but didn’t. And they made the adjustments needed as well, and the Vikings coaching staff didn’t. And that’s why it was such a blow-out. </p>
<p id="ZXG2B8">Talent-wise, the Vikings and Eagles were fairly evenly matched, with the Vikings having the advantage in more position groups than not. That isn’t a recipe for losing 38-7. </p>
<p id="S19jOb">Getting out-coached and squandering the talent you have on the field is.</p>
<p id="UYiPBq">Watching the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">Patriots</a>-<a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> game earlier makes you appreciate even more how making adjustments to your game plan can make all the difference. The Patriots were getting steamrolled by the Jags offense the first half, couldn’t stop the run. Offensively they struggled too. But they made adjustments to put their players in position to succeed. </p>
<p id="09B8yy">The Vikings coaching staff not only failed in the game plan against the Eagles, they also failed to make the adjustments in the biggest game they’ve had as Vikings coaches today, and in both playoff games this post-season really. </p>
<p id="QLRMzn">That’s not encouraging.</p>
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https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16917760/vikings-crushed-by-eagles-in-worst-performance-of-the-seasonWarren Ludford2018-01-21T20:39:52-06:002018-01-21T20:39:52-06:00Philadelphia Eagles 38, Minnesota Vikings 7: Vikings crash and burn in Philly
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<p>The first five minutes were great. The rest was pretty awful.</p> <p id="Gw1ANR">When most fans of the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> woke up on Sunday morning, they had to think that their favorite football team had a shot to host a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> on their home field for the first time in NFL history.</p>
<p id="g1i7SI">It looked promising for about five minutes. . .and was pretty much all downhill after that.</p>
<p id="pbQmhK">The Vikings spent the 2017 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game getting their collective rear ends kicked up one side of Lincoln Financial Field and down the other for fifty-five of the game’s sixty minutes, falling to the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> by a final score of </p>
<p id="zFlcqF">Minnesota got on the board first in this one, as they took the opening kickoff and marched it right down the field against the Philadelphia defense. After some very good running from the duo of <span>Latavius Murray</span> and <span>Jerick McKinnon</span>, the drive concluded with <span>Case Keenum</span> lofting a beautiful pass to <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> for a 25-yard touchdown. <span>Kai Forbath</span> added the extra point, and the purple had staked themselves to an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p id="A0kuj5">Philadelphia then got on the board via the defense, as Keenum was hit on a pass he was attempting to get to <span>Adam Thielen</span>, and the ball floated to Eagles’ cornerback Patrick Robinson. Robinson weaved his way through Minnesota’s offense and avoided tacklers on his way into the end zone for a 50-yard interception return. <span>Jake Elliott</span> added the extra point, and we were tied at 7-7.</p>
<p id="iCanKO">The Eagles added another touchdown to start the second quarter, as <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> took a handoff from 11 yards out and ran through <span>Andrew Sendejo</span> on his way to the end zone. Elliott added the extra point, and the home team was ahead for the first time in the contest by a score of 14-7.</p>
<p id="J0cJZ8">Philadelphia put the next score on the board late in the second quarter, as Foles managed to avoid a sack by <span>Everson Griffen</span> and lofted one to a wide open <span>Alshon Jeffery</span> for a 53-yard touchdown. With a minute remaining in the quarter, the Vikings found themselves trailing by a score of 21-7.</p>
<p id="Dr59xC">The Eagles managed to squeeze in a few more points at the end of the first half, as more defensive lapses by the Vikings allowed the Eagles to get into position for a 38-yard field goal by Elliott to make it 24-7 at the half.</p>
<p id="YZeZvh">Philadelphia continued pouring it on at the start of the second half, scoring a touchdown off of the old flea flicker play. Foles handed the ball to <span>Corey Clement</span>, who flipped it back to Foles, and Foles then launched it deep for <span>Torrey Smith</span>, who hauled it in for a 41-yard touchdown. That made it 31-7, and it was pretty much all over but the crying at that point.</p>
<p id="hyYT7w">The Eagles tacked on another touchdown early in the fourth quarter, as Foles found Jeffery for the second time on the evening, this time from five yards out to make it 38-7. That closed out the scoring in this one, as the Vikings went down to their worst postseason loss since their 41-0 thrashing at the hands of the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> in the 2000 NFC Championship Game.</p>
<p id="dxEpnT">I won’t bore you with the statistical rundown, since it really doesn’t matter. The Vikings got destroyed in pretty much every facet of the game in this one. . .offensively, defensively, everywhere.</p>
<p id="KESsCd">The Eagles advance to take on the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> in Super Bowl LII in two weeks at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings’ season ends with a final record of 14-4 and a lot of questions that will need to be answered this offseason.</p>
<p id="qJ8adU">Thank you to all of you that have made The Daily Norseman a part of your daily routine this football season. We’ll have plenty more for you this offseason, so make sure to keep checking things out right here.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16916886/philadelphia-eagles-38-minnesota-vikings-7-vikings-crash-burn-in-phillyChristopher Gates2018-01-21T19:55:12-06:002018-01-21T19:55:12-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles: Fourth Quarter Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: NFC Championship-Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ohBTErRaAZo86gBS5XXUaJSYbv0=/0x0:3520x2347/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58404443/usa_today_10558700.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s over, but they’ll make these teams play one more quarter anyway.</p> <p id="Mbdpbq">After playing their worst half of football of the 2017 season at the worst possible time, the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> had to start the second half by kickoff of to the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, trailing by a score of 24-7. <span>Kai Forbath</span> kicked the ball away for the Vikings, and it was taken by <span>Kenjon Barner</span> for a touchback.</p>
<p id="hD0jD9"><span>Nick Foles</span> and company started from their own 25 on their first possession of the second half. A couple of short completions to <span>Torrey Smith</span> netted a first down for the Eagles, and <span>Jay Ajayi</span> ran for a short gain. Foles then found <span>Alshon Jeffery</span> for another first down, and the Eagles were once again near midfield. Ajayi then took the ball into Minnesota territory, but <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> was dropped for a loss by <span>Terence Newman</span> and Linval Joseph. The Eagles then converted yet another third down on a short pass to Smith.</p>
<p id="aJDTMa">After the conversion, the Eagles likely put the game away when Foles handed the ball to <span>Corey Clement</span>, who pitched it back to Foles, and found Smith deep along the left sideline for a 41-yard touchdown. Elliott added the extra point, and the Eagles increased their lead to 31-7.</p>
<p id="H8q1jz">Elliott’s kick went for a touchback, starting the Vikings at their own 25. McKinnon caught another pass and picked up a first down on a screen, and McKinnon then took a draw to near the sticks. After McKinnon picked up a first down, Keenum then found <span>Jarius Wright</span> for a long gain down to the Philadelphia 17, a 34-yard pickup. Keenum then found McKinnon again to get the ball down to the 7, setting up first-and-goal. The Vikings got all the way to fourth-and-goal from the 7 after three incompletions, and it appeared that Keenum had a touchdown pass to <span>Adam Thielen</span>, but replay showed that the ball clearly hit the ground before Thielen brought it in.</p>
<p id="yiltCh">The Eagles took over after the turnover and the Vikings’ defense allowed yet another third down conversion, as Foles found <span>Zach Ertz</span> to move the chains. The Vikings then forced <em>another</em> third down, and Foles converted again with a 42-yard pass to <span>Nelson Agholor</span> to put the ball at the Vikings’ 33. As we move to the fourth quarter, the Eagles are once again knocking on the door, as they’re looking at 2nd-and-goal from the Vikings’ 2-yard line.</p>
<p id="vVRKaO">It looks like we’re heading into the final fifteen minutes of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2017 season, folks, as they trail the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 31-7.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16916882/minnesota-vikings-philadelphia-eagles-fourth-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2018-01-21T19:13:39-06:002018-01-21T19:13:39-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles: Third Quarter Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: NFC Championship-Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qX8TUyujrrzrg4T9RTPocu0_Yg8=/0x0:3723x2482/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58404125/usa_today_10558447.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The second quarter was not friendly to the Vikings</p> <p id="ZIxdGD">After a first quarter that ended in a 7-7 tie, the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> were deep in <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a>’ territory, looking to take their first lead of the ball game. The Vikings stuffed <span>Jay Ajayi</span> for a short gain to bring up third down and less than a yard. <span>Nick Foles</span> then found <span>Zach Ertz</span> for another first down that took the Eagles down to the Minnesota 11-yard line. It only took one more play for the Eagles, as <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> took a handoff and absolutely ran over <span>Andrew Sendejo</span> en route to an 11-yard touchdown. <span>Jake Elliott</span> added the extra point, and the Eagles had their first lead of the evening at 14-7.</p>
<p id="cG6IHO">The kickoff from Elliott went into the end zone for a touchback, giving <span>Case Keenum</span> and company the ball at their own 25 to start their first drive of the second quarter. <span>Latavius Murray</span> managed a short gain on first down, and Keenum found <span>Stefon Diggs</span> for seven yards to set up a 3rd-and-2 situation. Keenum could not find McKinnon on the next play, and it was another three-and-out for the Vikings. <span>Ryan Quigley</span> came on for his second consecutive punt, and this one was taken to the Philadelphia 30 by <span>Kenjon Barner</span>.</p>
<p id="lHEXOj">Minnesota forced the Eagles into a 3rd-and-8 situation on that possession, and then the league’s best third down defense got beaten again as Foles found Zach Ertz for a 15-yard gain to the Philadelphia 47. However, the Eagles couldn’t advance further, as <span>Danielle Hunter</span> got to Foles for the Vikings’ first sack of the day. <span>Donnie Jones</span> came on to punt it away for Philadelphia, and <span>Marcus Sherels</span> called for a fair catch at the Minnesota 15.</p>
<p id="nqYBCt"><span>Jerick McKinnon</span> got the drive started with a short run, and then Keenum found a wide open <span>Stefon Diggs</span> for a big 22-yard gain for a first down to the 39. After a throw away from Keenum, a toss play to <span>Jarius Wright</span> picked up four yards to bring up a 3rd-and-6. Keenum found Diggs again for another first down into Philadelphia territory at the 49.</p>
<p id="tAR1Jr">Keenum then found <span>Adam Thielen</span> for another first down to the Eagles’ 37, and McKinnon then picked up a few on another handoff. Keenum then found McKinnon on a screen for a first down and a nice gain to the Philadelphia 21. Two plays later, the Vikings hard 3rd-and-5 at the Philadelphia 16-yard line. Keenum dropped back to pass, and was hit by <span>Derek Barnett</span>, who knocked the ball loose. The Eagles fell on the fumble, and the Vikings’ drive was thwarted.</p>
<p id="PI6wur">The Eagles looked poised to go three-and-out again, but got a conversion on a swing pass to <span>Corey Clement</span> when it appeared <span>Anthony Barr</span> had him for a loss. <span>Torrey Smith</span> then picked up another first down for the Eagles and they were suddenly back to near midfield. Then, on third-and-long, Foles dropped back, managed to avoid a sack, and hit a wide open <span>Alshon Jeffery</span> for a 53-yard score. Elliott added the extra point, and the Vikings found themselves down 21-7 late in the quarter.</p>
<p id="1wjlqY">The Vikings quickly got the ball to near midfield on a couple of completions to McKinnon and a nice pass from Keenum to Jarius Wright. The Vikings then faced another third down, but Keenum could not connect with <span>Kyle Rudolph</span>, and the Vikings had to punt again. Ryan Quigley booted it away, and it went into the end zone for a touchback.</p>
<p id="ARQ3Po">With time winding down, Foles found Ertz for another huge gain, and got the Eagles into field goal range. They brought on Jake Elliott for a 38-yard attempt, and he put it through the uprights to put the Eagles ahead 24-7 going into the locker room.</p>
<p id="qiObdI">Since the opening drive, the Vikings have flat out gotten their butts kicked up one side of the field and down the other. Keenum has not been good, as he’s completed 15-of-23 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The leading receiver has been Diggs, with five catches for 50 yards. McKinnon also has five catches, picking up 28 yards. Kyle Rudolph has his 25-yard touchdown reception, his only catch of the game, and Adam Thielen has two catches for 24 yards. Latavius Murray and Jarius Wright each have one reception for 11 yards.</p>
<p id="czHmrZ">On the ground, after a quick start, the Murray/McKinnon combo has cooled considerably. McKinnon has 22 yards on seven carries, while Murray has 18 yards on six carries. Wright also has four yards on an end-around.</p>
<p id="UTV4hA">The Vikings’ defense has been getting thumped on a regular basis on this one. They’ve allowed the Eagles to convert 5-of-7 third downs, which is uncharacteristic, and Foles has completed 15-of-22 for 208 yards and a touchdown while facing very little pressure from the Minnesota defense.</p>
<p id="c6ApC4">We’re at halftime in Philadelphia, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s not looking for for the purple. They trail 24-7, and the Eagles will get the ball to start the second half. Can the Vikings stage an epic comeback?</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16916872/minnesota-vikings-philadelphia-eagles-third-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2018-01-21T18:21:54-06:002018-01-21T18:21:54-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles: Second Quarter Open Thread
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: NFC Championship-Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LOUCmiebOQmIqP-f2UEshQdcIZQ=/0x0:4481x2987/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58403839/usa_today_10558066.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After fifteen minutes, we are all tied up.</p> <p id="Ew3NDx">To start the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game, the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> won the coin toss and chose to defer to the second half, meaning that the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> would get the football first. <span>Jake Elliott</span> put his foot to the ball and sent it deep to <span>Marcus Sherels</span>, who took a knee in the end zone to give the Vikings the start at their own 25-yard line.</p>
<p id="sWfgvV">The drive started with <span>Latavius Murray</span> picking up six on a handoff, and then picked up two more on another to bring up 3rd-and-2. The Vikings then changed over to <span>Jerick McKinnon</span>, who picked up two yards and a first down for the purple. Murray then caught a swing pass to pick up 11 yards and another first down, and the Vikings were nearing the midfield stripe at their own 46. Murray then got the ball to midfield on another handoff that gained four yards.</p>
<p id="MZyFvO"><span>Case Keenum</span> then picked up his second completion, as he found <span>Adam Thielen</span> for 11 more yards to move the chains again at the Eagles’ 39. McKinnon then got the ball again and picked up ten yards and yet another Vikings’ first down. After another give to McKinnon, Keenum dropped back to pass and lofted one beautifully to <span>Kyle Rudolph</span> for a 25-yard touchdown! <span>Kai Forbath</span> added the extra point, and the good guys took an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p id="m9B12p">Forbath’s kickoff went into the end zone for a touchback, giving the Eagles the ball at their own 25. <span>Nick Foles</span> led his team onto the field, and he started the drive with a 11-yard completion to <span>Nelson Agholor</span> for a quick first down. After a deep incompletion and a short pass to <span>Agholor</span>, the Eagles faced their first third down of the game, and <span>Trey Burton</span> caught what looked like a third down conversion, but landed out of bounds. <span>Donnie Jones</span> came on to punt for the Eagles, and Marcus Sherels was interfered with when he was attempting to make a fair catch. With the penalty, the Vikings started their second possession at their own 29.</p>
<p id="OsePL7">Keenum attempted to find <span>Stefon Diggs</span> on first down, but the pass fell incomplete. McKinnon was stopped for a short gain to bring up a third down for the Vikings, and Keenum converted it by finding <span>Diggs</span> to move the sticks. After a short gain by Murray and a drop by Diggs, the Vikings faced another third down situation, a 3rd-and-8 from their own 43. Keenum dropped back to pass, and got hit on the play by Chris Long. The ball floated to Eagles’ cornerback <span>Patrick Robinson</span>, who weaved his way through the Minnesota tacklers and into the end zone for a 50-yard interception return. Elliott added the extra point, and we were tied at 7-7.</p>
<p id="PCXCM2">The kickoff from Elliott went to Sherels in the end zone for a touchback, and Keenum led the offense back onto the field at the 25. Murray picked up four on a handoff, and Keenum could not find Rudolph on second down. Keenum found Diggs on third down, but it was well short of the line to gain, so the Vikings went three-and-out. <span>Ryan Quigley</span> came on for his first punt of the evening, and <span>Kenjon Barner</span> called for the fair catch at the Philadelphia 25.</p>
<p id="6qjG8V"><span>Jay Ajayi</span> took a handoff to start the drive and delivered a 13-yard burst for a quick first down for the Eagles, and then carried again for seven more. Foles then found <span>Alshon Jeffery</span> for a gain of eight into Vikings’ territory at the 47. The Eagles tried an end-around to Agholor, but the Vikings ran him out of bounds for no gain, and <span>Eric Kendricks</span> broke up a pass to bring up third down. The Eagles converted, with Foles finding <span>Zach Ertz</span> for 11 yards to move the chains for Philadelphia.</p>
<p id="eHVYVi">Foles found Ertz again for eight more down to the Minnesota 27, and <span>LeGarrette Blount</span> turned his first carry of the game into a first down. As we move to the second quarter, the Eagles are looking at a 2nd-and-2 from the Minnesota 17-yard line.</p>
<p id="aU6p1T">After fifteen minutes of the 2017 NFC Championship Game, we are tied at 7-7, but the Eagles are looking for their first lead. Come on in and join us for the second quarter of play!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16916870/minnesota-vikings-philadelphia-eagles-second-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2018-01-21T16:40:02-06:002018-01-21T16:40:02-06:00Vikings at Eagles: First Quarter Open Thread
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kRXpFOCN8s5sZVvQA8HydAYHu8A=/0x218:4415x3161/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58401585/usa-today-10553454.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<table style="margin-bottom: 0px;" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="1" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" width="454"><tbody> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#3b2764" width="192"><font color="#e8b451"><strong>MINNESOTA VIKINGS</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="70"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>NFCCG</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#004C54" width="192"><font color="#BBCBD3"><strong>PHILADELPHIA EAGLES</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/65/large_Daily_Norseman_Full.81869.png" style="vertical-align: middle;" height="200" width="250"></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" align="center" width="70"><h1>@</h1></td> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/68/large_Bleeding_Green_Nation_Full.129192.png" style="vertical-align: middle;" height="200" width="250"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table style="margin-top: 0px;" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="1" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" align="center" height="146" width="546"><tbody> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Date:</strong></td> <td width="159">21 January 2018<br> </td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Location:</strong></td> <td width="127">Philadelphia, PA</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Time:</strong></td> <td width="159">5:40 PM Central</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Stadium:</strong></td> <td width="127">Lincoln Financial Field</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>TV:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">FOX</td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Radio:</strong></td> <td width="127"> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/radio.html">Vikings Radio Network</a><br>XM Ch 83<br>Sirius Ch 83</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>TV Announcers:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">Joe Buck<br>Troy Aikman</td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Know Thy Foe:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="127"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.bleedinggreennation.com">Bleeding Green Nation</a></td> </tr> <tr align="center"></tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="100"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Weather:</strong></font></td> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>46 degrees, winds from S at 5 MPH, 10% chance of precipitation</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Line:</strong></td> <td colspan="3" style="text-align: center;" bgcolor="#ffffff"><strong>Minnesota -3.5, Over/Under 39 (Thanks to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds">SB Nation odds page</a>)</strong></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="100"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Chris' Prediction:</strong></font></td> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#000000"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Vikings 20, Eagles 17</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Final Score:</strong></td> <td colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"><strong>Eagles 38, Vikings 7 (oops)</strong></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p>Here are the ground rules for the Game Threads:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not link illegal feeds of today's game, or I shall kick thy arse to the curb until the game is over. Do not promote then, do not mention them, do not even hint at them. Thou hast been warned.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt make an attempt to keep the swearing to a minimum. Understandable that it will slip occasionally, but do try to limit it. If you really feel the need to curse, use the spoiler tags to keep it covered up. We'll get the sentiment.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not feed the trolls. Rather, thou shall simply point them out, and they shall be banished to the fires of Mordor. Or Wisconsin. Whichever we feel is more harsh at the time.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not engage in racist, sexist, or other such insulting rhetoric. Somebody disagreeing with you does not make them racist or sexist. It means they disagree with you. Talk it out like adults.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Thou shalt not bait the fans of other teams into trolling.</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>-Basically, thou shalt not be a jackwagon in the game thread.</em></strong></p>
<p>Well, folks, this is the biggest one since the last one. It's time for the 2017 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game, and it will be contested between your <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>. The winner of this one will advance to play one more game at U.S. Bank Stadium on the first Sunday of February, and the loser will be able to start their offseason.</p>
<p>So, what does Minnesota have to do in order to punch their ticket to. . .ummmmmm, U.S. Bank Stadium?</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">1) Maintain focus</em> - We're a week removed from the Minneapolis Miracle, and while the fans are still buzzing about it, you can bet that the players and coaches have put it in the rear view mirror. Everyone on both sides of the ball in this one is going to have to keep themselves focused on the task at hand. The Eagles are the #1 seed in the NFC for a reason, after all, and if the Vikings aren't totally ready for this one, they could see it slip away.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">2) Stop the run</em> - The Eagles have a very talented trio of running backs in <span>Jay Ajayi</span>, LeGarrette Blount, and Corey Clement. It is imperative that the Minnesota defense, which was #2 in the NFL against the run this season, put the clamps down on that group. That will keep the Eagles "behind the chains" and means that <span>Nick Foles</span> will be forced to shoulder more of the load. One would have to think that's a potentially winning formula for this Minnesota team.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">3) Avoid the big mistake</em> - The Vikings gave up 24 points to New Orleans last week, but 14 of those points came as a direct result of giving them short fields. . .one on a blocked punt and one on an interception by Case Keenum. As we've said numerous times this season, when teams are forced to go long distances and maintain drives against this Minnesota defense, more often than not they can't do it. The Vikings need to avoid big, game-changing mistakes like the ones we saw last weekend.</p>
<p>We are less than an hour away from kickoff, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy the game, and keep your eyes peeled for the new thread at the start of each quarter.</p>
<p>Let's do this, y'all.</p>
<p>SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16915748/minnesota-vikings-at-philadelphia-eagles-first-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2018-01-21T16:15:03-06:002018-01-21T16:15:03-06:00Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles: Inactive Lists for both teams
<figure>
<img alt="Minnesota Vikings v Pittsburgh Steelers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VwTJQgJ_opE2pp8M1aevh1owDPc=/0x67:2584x1790/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58403215/850957050.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="VaLlkJ">We are just ninety minutes away from kickoff of the 2017 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfc-championship-game">NFC Championship</a> Game between the <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Both teams have put out their inactive lists for this big game, so let’s take a look at who will be sitting this one out for both sides. We start, as always, with the visiting team.</p>
<h4 id="KFikgo">Minnesota Vikings</h4>
<ul>
<li id="nwrcwT">DE <span>Tashawn Bower</span>
</li>
<li id="E6z1pv">QB <span>Teddy Bridgewater</span>
</li>
<li id="RhxqWq">RB <span>Mack Brown</span>
</li>
<li id="7M6AHY">C <span>Cornelius Edison</span>
</li>
<li id="eMXiIy">G <span>Danny Isidora</span>
</li>
<li id="KrhMtV">QB <span>Kyle Sloter</span>
</li>
<li id="8Hb58B">DT <span>Shamar Stephen</span>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="qD0okJ">This means that, like last week, <span>Sam Bradford</span> will serve as the primary backup to <span>Case Keenum</span> at quarterback. No other real surprises on here for the Vikings, as Stephen had been declared as being out on Friday’s injury report. <span>Adam Thielen</span> and <span>Andrew Sendejo</span> are both active and will start in this one.</p>
<p id="CqTbtF">And now, on to the home team.</p>
<h4 id="IuakyO">Philadelphia Eagles</h4>
<ul>
<li id="thrUhw">OT <span>Will Beatty</span>
</li>
<li id="udwiOG">LB <span>Dannell Ellerbe</span>
</li>
<li id="refujv">WR <span>Marcus Johnson</span>
</li>
<li id="Fh9iiu">CB <span>Sidney Jones</span>
</li>
<li id="6F5ram">DE <span>Steven Means</span>
</li>
<li id="0H4AaB">DT <span>Elijah Qualls</span>
</li>
<li id="uRsBNC">RB <span>Wendell Smallwood</span>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="sCkicJ">The Eagles only had one player listed as questionable on their final injury report on Friday (and that was Ellerbe, who is inactive), so it appears they’re pretty much intact going into this one.</p>
<p id="IZwK4F">That’s a quick glance at the inactive lists for this afternoon’s game, ladies and gentlemen. We’ll have our Open Thread for the first quarter up and running at about 4:40 PM Central time.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/21/16916888/minnesota-vikings-philadelphia-eagles-inactive-listsChristopher Gates