Daily Norseman - Throttled: Bengals 42, Vikings 14The Purple and Gold Standardhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48653/dailynorseman_fave.png2013-12-22T21:43:25-06:00http://www.dailynorseman.com/rss/stream/49834492013-12-22T21:43:25-06:002013-12-22T21:43:25-06:00Vikings Stock Market Report: Bengals
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<img alt="This is a great Cincinnati Bengal...FOR ME TO POOP ON!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5xUl9DWbS-AA--qhzbX_hL84z7w=/74x0:3924x2567/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25602231/458911675.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This is a great Cincinnati Bengal...FOR ME TO POOP ON! | Andy Lyons</figcaption>
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<p>Well, on the bright side, we won't have football interrupting us during the Holiday season.</p> <p>2013 is almost dead, and I couldn't be happier about it. What little positivity the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> had going for them the last four weeks evaporated completely in an embarrassing display of the 'footy' (H/T Mrs. Fearless Leader for almost making me choke on my burger with that gem) by the Vikings against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> Sunday in the Queen City.</p>
<p>After three weeks of me thinking that the Vikes might be building some momentum for 2014, and playing well enough to turn it around and head into the off season with some momentum for next year...they managed to piss it all away in one bad afternoon of football. And frankly, when it comes to the Vikings and 2013, I don't care anymore. Do I, Mr. Collins?</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/C6KMYms8is0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p><i>'Cos I've been talking to the people that you call your friends<br>And it seems to me there's a means to and end.<br>They don't care anymore.<br>And as for me I can sit here and bide my time<br>I got nothing to lose if I speak my mind.<br>I don't care anymore I don't care no more</i><i><br></i></p>
<p>Your SMR that has better things to do with its' time follows.</p>
<h4>Blue Chip Stocks:</h4>
<p><b><i><span>Cordarrelle Patterson</span>, Jack Of All Trades:</i></b> At some point during the game, maybe early in the third quarter, the only reason I kept watching this game was because even in a blowout, Patterson got my attention. Now, let's not kid ourselves, I had no illusions about him making one ridiculous play after another to give the Vikings a miraculous victory, but he is, right now, the only decent threat the Vikings have on offense, and every time he touches the ball, he could go the distance. With Adrian Peterson hurt, the Vikings QB situation a Shakespearean tragedy, and the defense easier to score on than a horny hooker, Patterson is literally the only reason I will tune in and watch the Vikings season finale next week. At least, finally, the Vikings are trying to feed him the ball. It only took three months.</p>
<h4>Solid Investments:</h4>
<p><b><i>I got nothin': </i></b><span>Rhett Ellison</span> had a couple nice catches, I suppose. <span>Jarius Wright</span> made a nice play on his 36 yard TD catch. So maybe those guys, I guess. I'm open to suggestions.</p>
<h4>Junk Bonds:</h4>
<p><b><i>Pretty much everyone not named Cordarrelle Patterson:</i></b> This was a whole lot of bad, and as poor an overall game effort since the Seattle debacle. <span>Matt Cassel</span> was inept, as was the Vikings running game other than Patterson on the edge, as was the Vikings offensive line. On defense, the Vikings pass rush stayed in Minneapolis, the linebackers were awful, but the secondary was even worse. Seriosuly, there was not one unit, other than the Vikings kickoff return, that had a game that remotely close to bad. Seriously, just to get to bad they needed to take an escalator, then an elevator, then get shot out of a cannon into the arms of a Sherpa guide that could've lead the way on the final assault to the bad summit.</p>
<h4>Buy/Sell:</h4>
<p><b><i>Buy: Purifying the Vikings quarterback position with the fire of 1,000 suns.</i></b> Matt Cassel has given the Vikings the only respectable quarterback play in 2013. He's also, at times, been as bad as <span>Josh Freeman</span> or <span>Christian Ponder</span>. I don't see a scenario where Ponder returns, at least with any type of confidence of his teammates. Could he be back? I suppose, but he's got so much baggage with the Vikings, his first miscue means a chorus of boos from the purple faithful, and another round of 'here we go again'. fresh start for him elsewhere seems to be obvious for 2014. Cassel is Cassel--a guy that can play well in short spurts, but not a guy that can lead a team long term. And goodness, how bad must Josh Freeman be Mondays through Saturdays if he can't rise above Ponder or Cassel when he's struggling? No, none of these guys are long or short term answers for this team. The new coaching staff will probably bring in their own guys, and they need to.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sell: The linebacking trio of <span>Chad Greenway</span>, <span>Erin Henderson</span>, and <span>Marvin Mitchell</span>. </i>Early in the game, OMGOMGOMGAudie ColeOMGOMGOMG went out with an injury (and honestly, I was so disinterested I don't know if he returned), and I thought to myself 'self, we might see some Mike Mauti. Cool!' Uh, no. The Vikings brain trust, in their infinite wisdom, chose to play the Air Tackling Trio, and the results were what we all think they would be. Look, I don't think I'm an unreasonable fan, I really don't. I don't expect the Vikings to go 16-0 every year, and I understand that every starter isn't a first ballot hall of famer. I played the game in high school, and I think I have a fair amount of football intelligence, but I also know I'm not smart enough to be a head or assistant coach in the NFL.</p>
<p>But you know something? I'm not stupid, either. Well, maybe I am. Because somebody needs to explain to me why in the name of Norm Van Brocklin the Vikings are insistent on not playing Mike Mauti in that situation. Look, I get not playing him when Cole was healthy--Cole played well, if inconsistently. But Erin Henderson, we know, has been terrible at the Mike position, but okay on the outside. Marvin Mitchell, we know, has been awful on the outside. And we also know, at least based on special teams play, that this isn't the Josh Freeman at QB situation--<span>Gerald Hodges</span> and Mauti seem to have a nose for the ball and make plays. What, exactly, does it hurt to see if two guys can play on a defense that's A) historically bad from a franchise perspective and B) already getting it's ass thoroughly kicked? Or heck, put Mauti in there and leave Henderson and Greenway on each flank. That was just one baffling move in a season full of them, yet in encapsulated, in so many ways, the frustration most fans have with Leslie Frazier, Bill Musgrave, and Alan Williams.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Buy: Handing out pink slips to the coaching staff by Monday morning: </i>Adam Schefter reported that the <a href="https://twitter.com/Vikeologist/status/414814382623686657" target="_blank">Vikings will fire Frazier and his staff</a> at the end of the season, and it's something that needs to be done quickly. And I will say, Wilf has a track record of not screwing around in that arena, handing out press releases in the Vikings locker room at the conclusion of the last game of the 2005 season. Damn, that was cold blooded. It can wait until Monday, but it needs to happen. Between the poor record, questionable play calling, and utilization of players and personnel, the Vikings need a new coach.</p>
<p><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sell: Absolutely, positively, getting a quarterback in the first round. </i>Even though the Vikings lost Sunday, everyone in front of them also lost, so near as I can tell and read on the Internets, they still sit at #8 in the 2014 draft. If that's the case, it seems, at least sitting here today, the top shelf quarterbacks will be gone. That's not what a lot of you want to hear, but take heart! There's so many holes that need to be filled on both sides of the ball, that there will probably be a starting caliber offensive lineman (need), defensive lineman (need), linebacker (OH MY GOD need), or defensive back (<span>Chris Cook</span> pulled his eyeball reading this and is questionable for Detroit) available that the Vikings can stand pat and address a major need. Now, don't get me wrong, there's going to be a quarterback taken in the draft by the Vikings, but I think we see what happens when they reach for a QB in the first round.</p>
<h4>Don Glover Quote of the Week:</h4>
<p>"Son, that was a terrible ballgame. Take me home."</p>
<p>The 2013 season can get infected with AIDS, jump off a cliff, then die in a fire.</p>
<p>See you Sunday for the final game ever at the <strike>Mall of America Field</strike> Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5236654/vikings-stock-market-report-bengalsTed Glover2013-12-22T18:50:57-06:002013-12-22T18:50:57-06:00What I Learned From Listening
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<figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
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<p>So, as I mentioned in the introduction to the Open Thread for this afternoon's contest between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, I was on the road today during the game itself. However, I was able to listen to the game thanks to the wonder that is XM Satellite Radio. I was stuck with the Bengals announcers, who were pretty entertaining. . .and probably would have been more so if their team hadn't been kicking my favorite team's asses from pillar to post all afternoon.</p>
<p>I'll go back and watch the game here at some point, but I did get a grasp of a few things just from listening to the play-by-play. Let me go through them here.</p>
<p><b><i>1) Jump up and down and complain all you want about <span>Christian Ponder</span> and/or <span>Josh Freeman</span>, but <span>Matt Cassel</span> pretty much stinks, too.</i></b></p>
<p>Let me make this abundantly clear. Josh Freeman and Christian Ponder aren't the answer at quarterback for this team. But, after getting caught up in a bit of Cassel-mania last week, Cassel came back down to earth against a good defense. How bad was it? Well, here's where the Vikings' first-half drives started from, and the results of those drives.</p>
<p>-Cincinnati 49-yard line - Fumble by Cassel on strip/sack<br>-Minnesota 20-yard line - Three-and-out<br>-Minnesota 46-yard line - Touchdown pass from Cassel to <span>Jarius Wright</span><br>-Minnesota 42-yard line - Punt after one first down<br>-Minnesota 44-yard line - Three-and-out<br>-Minnesota 12-yard line - Pick-6 by <span>Vincent Rey</span><br>-Minnesota 25-yard line - Interception by <span>George Iloka</span><br>-Minnesota 31-yard line - Three-and-out<br>-Minnesota 28-yard line - Three-and-out</p>
<p>The Vikings had 100 yards of offense in the first half en route to going down 28-7, and Cassel played some pretty awful football. So let's make something clear. Matt Cassel is not the answer at quarterback in the long term. Matt Cassel is not the answer at quarterback in the short term. Matt Cassel is not the answer for any question beyond "who's starting at quarterback for the Vikings next week?" I know, I bought into it, too. I should have known better.</p>
<p>This team needs to go a completely new direction at the quarterback position. I don't know what direction that's going to be, but I <i>do</i> know that the answer is nowhere to be found on the current roster.</p>
<p><b><i>2) This defense, from left to right, top to bottom, and everywhere in-between, is pretty much junk</i></b></p>
<p>Outside of Harrison Smith, <span>Xavier Rhodes</span>, <span>Brian Robison</span>, and a few others, this team is certainly earning its title as quite possibly the worst defense in Minnesota Vikings history. Unless they can hold the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> to less than 18 points in the season finale. . .and what do you reckon the odds of <i>that</i> happening are. . .they will allow more points than any Vikings' team in history. The current mark stands at 485, and with the 42 points they gave up today, this year's team has allowed 467. There's a chance that they'll be just the third team since the advent of the 16-game schedule (joining the 2008 Detroit Lions and the 1981 Baltimore <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>) to give up 500 or more points in a season.</p>
<p>I know that some of it is the scheme and there are a lot of other excuses that could be made, but this defense just isn't very good. While the quarterback position is going to get a lot of the ink this off-season, the new regime. . .and there <i>will</i> be a new regime in Minnesota next season. . .is going to have to take a long, hard look at this defense and fix a lot of things.</p>
<p><b><i>3) <span>Cordarrelle Patterson</span> is a superstar waiting to happen, if he's not already there</i></b></p>
<p>With his four returns for 143 yards today, Patterson is now just three yards away from tying the Vikings' record for kick return yardage in a season. He was the Vikings' leading rusher on Sunday with three carries for 51 yards, including his second rushing touchdown of 2013. Sure, he didn't do much in the receiving game today. . .hey, who from the Vikings <i>did</i>? But he's already being seen as one of the most dynamic players in the NFL with the ball in his hands, and is only going to get better as a receiver from here on out. If the Vikings can get the quarterback position figured out, Patterson is going to be a superstar in this league, and he'll make it there in short order.</p>
<p>I know that a lot of this is probably stating the obvious, but as I said, this is just what I've picked up from listening to the broadcast this afternoon. I'll probably have something later on in the week after I get a chance to watch the game back, but I wanted to get some reaction to today's game up here. My apologies for missing out on today's festivities, folks. Things will be back to normal for next week's Metrodome finale against the just-eliminated-from-the-playoff-picture Detroit Lions.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5236770/what-i-learned-by-listeningChristopher Gates2013-12-22T16:43:40-06:002013-12-22T16:43:40-06:00Blowout: Bengals 42, Vikings 14:
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<img alt="Chris Cook does the Riverdance while A.J. Green scores because of course." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/havQC_hso5MaztvuojsC5yIbDLg=/0x39:4000x2706/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25590637/20131222_pjc_lb1_182.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Cook does the Riverdance while A.J. Green scores because of course. | Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Things quickly got out of hand for the Vikings in Cincinnati today</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> looked and played like a team just going through the motions until the end of the season next week. Which is okay, I guess, since Leslie Frazier and the Vikings coaching staff have been going through the motions for awhile now.</p>
<p>There's really not a lot of positive things to talk about in today's stomping. The defense, which had played marginally better in recent games, reverted back to the early season awfulness that was a combination of giving up big plays, not getting off the field on third down, and giving up way too many easy pass completions underneath to a quarterback who was more than willing to take them. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> QB Andy Dalton barely broke a sweat, and at times he looked like he was just going through a glorified 7 on 7 drill. On the day, he was 27/38 for 366 yards and four TD passes with no interceptions, and he felt no pressure from a Vikings pass rush until the game was well in hand.</p>
<p>Offensively, the Vikings are a mess. Dalton's counterpart, <span>Matt Cassel</span>, was horrible. He was 13/27 for only 114 yards. His TD pass was overcome by three interceptions and a fumble lost. As such, the offense was unable to get out of their own way for most of the game, despite starting out with excellent field position for most of the first half. After Cassel's early fumble that lead to the Bengals first score, the Vikings were able to briefly tie it up on a Cassel to <span>Jarius Wright</span> 36 yard touchdown.</p>
<p>The Vikings wouldn't score again until just under two minutes remained in the third quarter on a <span>Cordarrelle Patterson</span> end around that went for 35 yards, but by then the game was over, as the Bengals had a 42-14 lead.</p>
<p>The only redeeming thing that came out of this game was Cordarrelle Patterson. He was electric on kickoff returns, and was also the Vikings leading rusher. No, not receiver, you read that right. Yes, on a team with <span>Adrian Peterson</span> and <span>Toby Gerhart</span>, Patterson was the Vikings leading rusher.</p>
<p>I'll be back with an SMR a little later tonight, but this is a pretty good preview of coming attractions. I think I can speak for us all when I tweeted earlier:</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The only thing recognizable between the 2013 and 2014 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Vikings&src=hash">#Vikings</a> will be the uniforms. This is a good thing.</p>
— Ted GloHoHoHover (@purplebuckeye) <a href="https://twitter.com/purplebuckeye/statuses/414839539111190528">December 22, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>This season can't end soon enough. Sigh...</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5236536/minnesota-vikings-game-recap-vikings-blown-out-by-bengals-42-14Ted Glover2013-12-22T14:13:23-06:002013-12-22T14:13:23-06:00Vikings at Bengals: Second Half Open Thread
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<img alt="Andy Dalton is smoking the Vikings" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NCutHAb5VPKFHMPAvtjewn6FeZU=/0x90:4000x2757/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25582175/20131222_pjc_lb1_003.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Andy Dalton is smoking the Vikings | Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It's a blowout. And not by the Vikings.</p> <p>Sorry about the third quarter open thread mix up, folks.</p>
<p>The Vikes are getting smoked. Other than Cordarrelle Patterson, there is nothing redeeming about this game.</p>
<p>At all.</p>
<p>Discuss.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5234440/minnesota-vikings-at-cincinnati-bengals-fourth-quarter-open-threadTed Glover2013-12-22T12:46:21-06:002013-12-22T12:46:21-06:00Vikings at Bengals: Second Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A great opening kickoff turned out to be the prelude to a turnover festival in the Season of Giving.</p> <p>The Vikings started off in quite promising fashion, as the NFL's best kickoff returner, Cordarrelle Patterson, got things rolling with a 48 yard kickoff return, setting the Vikings up in Cincinnati territory, albeit it was the 49.</p>
<p>Yeah, it went ptretty downhill from there. Matt Cassel fumbled on third down after a heavy blitz that Minnesota decided to blow off. The ball was recovered by Carlos Dunlap and returned to the Vikings four. Two plays later Ben Jarvus Green-Ellis was in the end zone and it was 7-0 Bengals.</p>
<p>Then the Vikes went three and out, and the Bengals returned the turnover favor by committing one of their own. The Vikings took over at their own 46 after Jamarca Sanford recovered a Jermaine Gresham fumble, and four plays later Matt Cassel hit a WIDE OPEN Jermaine Wright for a 36 yard touchdown.</p>
<p>After a few possession exchanges, the Bengals scored late in the first quarter. Andy Dalton hit AJ Green for a 29 yard pass, capping a 12 play, 90 yard drive. Once again, Cordarrelle Patterson got another big return, taking it out to the Vikings 44.</p>
<p>The quarter ended with a Vikings facing a third and tree from midfield, trailing 14-7.</p>
<p>SKOL VIKINGS!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5234432/minnesota-vikings-at-cincinnati-bengals-second-quarter-open-threadTed Glover2013-12-22T11:00:03-06:002013-12-22T11:00:03-06:00Vikings at Bengals: First Quarter Open Thread
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<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="1" align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0px;" width="454" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#3a2763" width="192"><font color="#e7b353"><strong>MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-9-1)</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#000000" width="70"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>WK 16</strong></font></td> <td bgcolor="#EC6A2A" width="192"><font color="#000000"><strong>CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-5)</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1344158/newdnlogo.jpg" height="200" width="250" style="vertical-align: middle;"></td> <td align="center" style="font-size: 23px; vertical-align: middle;" bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="70"><h1>@</h1></td> <td align="center" width="192"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo/66/large_cincyjungle.com.full.42669.png" height="200" width="250" style="vertical-align: middle;"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="1" align="center" height="146" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="546" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Date:</strong></td> <td width="159">22 December 2013<br> </td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Location:</strong></td> <td width="127">Cincinnati, OH</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100"><strong>Time:</strong></td> <td width="159">12:00 PM Central</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106"><strong>Stadium:</strong></td> <td width="127">Paul Brown Stadium</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>TV:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">FOX<br>DirecTV Ch 710</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Radio:</strong></td> <td width="127"> <a href="http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/radio.html" target="_blank">Vikings Radio Network</a><br>XM Ch 225 (CIN)<br>Sirius Ch 138</td> </tr> <tr align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="100" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>TV Announcers:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="159">Dick Stockton<br>Ronde Barber</td> <td bgcolor="#d4d4d4" width="106" style="vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Know Thy Foe:</strong></td> <td style="vertical-align: middle;" width="127"><a href="http://www.cincyjungle.com" target="_blank">Cincy Jungle</a></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Line:</strong></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="3"><strong>Cincinnati -8.5, O/U 8 (thanks to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/odds" target="_blank">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 bgcolor="#000000" colspan="3"><font color="#ffffff"><strong>Bengals 31, Vikings 24</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100"><strong>Final Score:</strong></td> <td bgcolor="#ffffff" colspan="3"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p><br>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>It's the last road game of 2013, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> (who have yet to win on the road this season) will do battle with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> (who have yet to lose at home this season). What do the Vikings have to do to avoid being winless away from the Metrodome this season?</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">1) Play with pride</em> - This team doesn't want to go 0-for-8 on the road this season, and they want to continue to play spoiler like they did against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> last week. The Bengals still have a lot to play for and are a better team than the Vikings, but if the Vikings don't go out and mail it in, they can pull this one out.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">2) Win up front</em> - <span>Brian Robison</span> and <span>Jared Allen</span> both have nine sacks for the Vikings, while the Bengals have a number of solid pass rushers, including the returning Carlos Dunlap. Matt Cassel and <span>Andy Dalton</span> are both among the least-sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. If the Vikings can get to Dalton while keeping Cassel upright, it will go a long way towards their success in this afternoon's game.</p>
<p><em style="font-weight: bold;">3) Run the football</em> - The Vikings should have both <span>Adrian Peterson</span> and <span>Toby Gerhart</span> back for this one, though it doesn't appear that Peterson is going to be 100%. With the Bengals having a good pass rush, the Vikings need to put themselves into manageable situations on second and third downs so the Cincinnati pass rush can't pin their ears back and come after Cassel. Getting Peterson and Gerhart into a rhythm early against the Bengals' defense will make that much more likely.</p>
<p>Yours truly will be listening to this one on the radio while we're on the road, but there will still be an Open Thread every quarter, just as there's always been. Enjoy the game, ladies and gentlemen, and here's hoping the Vikings can pull this one out.</p>
<p>SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5234366/minnesota-vikings-at-cincinnati-bengals-first-quarter-open-threadChristopher Gates2013-12-22T09:42:32-06:002013-12-22T09:42:32-06:00Report: Peterson To Start Against Bengals
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<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The NFL's best running back wasn't going to stay down forever, and will reportedly be back this afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.</p>
<p><span>Adrian Peterson</span>, who missed last Sunday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, will apparently be starting for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> this afternoon against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. Peterson suffered a foot injury in the Vikings' previous road game, a 29-26 loss against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> in Week 14.</p>
<p>Peterson is currently second in the National Football League in rushing behind Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy. He is attempting to become the first running back to follow up a 2,000-yard rushing season by leading the NFL in rushing, and currently sits 122 yards behind McCoy in that category. McCoy currently has 1,343 yards rushing, while Peterson has 1,221.</p>
<p>The reigning NFL MVP is also attempting to put together the best follow-up to a 2,000-yard season in NFL history. Right now, that mark is held by Barry Sanders, who followed up his 2,053-yard performance in 1997 with 1,491 yards in 1998.</p>
<p>The weather certainly won't be a factor in this one. Unlike the snow in Baltimore when Peterson got hurt, today's forecast for Cincinnati is showing clear skies, no chance of precipitation, and temperatures in the mid-50s.</p>
<p>The report of Peterson starting comes from the <a href="http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_24773354/fantasy-football-update-late-pickups-can-be-naughty?source=nav" target="_blank">St. Paul Pioneer Press</a>.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5235296/report-adrian-peterson-to-start-against-bengalsChristopher Gates2013-12-22T06:00:02-06:002013-12-22T06:00:02-06:00Vikings at Bengals: Broadcast Info and More
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<figcaption>Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It's game day, everybody! We're about six hours away from kickoff at Paul Brown Stadium between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. If you need to know how to follow the action, we've got all of that information for you in one convenient place.</p>
<p><b><i>Television Info</i></b></p>
<p>Kickoff for this one is scheduled for noon Central time, and since the Vikings (an NFC team) are the road team in this interconference match-up, the coverage will be handled by FOX. According to the folks from <a href="http://506sports.com/" target="_blank">The 506</a>, the play-by-play team for this one will be Dick Stockton and Ronde Barber. Yes, that Ronde Barber.</p>
<p>For those of you that are outside the regular viewing area and are relying on the DirecTV Sunday Ticket package to view today's game, you can find it on <b>Channel 710</b>.</p>
<p>This game will <i>not</i> be featured on the American Forces Network, as they will be showing <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> (AFN Xtra), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a>/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Panthers</a> (AFN Sports), and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Dolphins</a>/<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a> (AFN Prime Atlantic) during the early game spots. If you are watching in the United Kingdom, the game will be available on Game Pass.</p>
<p><b><i>Radio Info</i></b></p>
<p>If you're travelling or just prefer the sound of the radio call to the television announcers or what have you, the Vikings Radio Network is for you. Paul Allen and Pete Bercich are behind the mics again this season, and you can find <a href="http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/radio.html" target="_blank">one of their 74 affiliates</a> near your area.</p>
<p>If you have satellite radio, you have options there as well. If you have an XM Radio, you can get the Bengals' feed on XM 225 (since XM usually only has the home team's feed). If you have a Sirius Radio, you can get the Vikings' call on Channel 138 or the Bengals' announcers on Channel 92.</p>
<p><b><i>Referee Info</i></b></p>
<p>Thanks to the folks at the <a href="http://www.football-refs.com/2013-crews/week-16/" target="_blank">Football Refs</a> website, I can tell you that today's game will be officiated by the crew headed by <a href="http://www.football-refs.com/active-refs/terry-mcaulay/" target="_blank">Terry McAulay</a>.</p>
<p><b><i>Streaming Info</i></b></p>
<p>To my knowledge, there are no legal streaming options for this game, save for having the Sunday Ticket package through your favorite video game console.</p>
<p>As far as other streams are concerned, do NOT. . .and I mean not in any way, shape, or form. . .promote illegal streaming sites on The Daily Norseman. Not in the comments, not in the FanPosts, not in the FanShots, not in the Game Thread on Sunday, not anywhere. Don't even hint at them. Trust me on this. If you're that determined to watch the game via an illegal stream, do a Google search and find it on your own.</p>
<p>If you live overseas, the only legal stream, that I know of, is to purchase NFL Game Pass from the folks at NFL.com, which is actually a pretty sweet deal. I've got it for the games that aren't on AFN, and from using it to watch the pre-season games, it's a pretty solid product.</p>
<p>That should be everything you need to find Sunday's action, folks. And, as always, we'll have the Game Threads here for your interactive coverage of the festivities.</p>
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2013/12/22/5234284/vikings-at-bengals-game-time-channel-online-streaming-radio-info-andChristopher Gates