If Vikings make Playoffs: Beware

The most dangerous team in the NFC
Mike Florio, TSN (edited)

Crazy as it sounds, the team that got "blowed out" (thanks, Emmitt) by the Packers in Week 10 is one of the hottest teams in all of football after a trio of wins against the Raiders, Giants, and Lions.

The 41-17 shocker in the Meadowlands was viewed by some as an aberration. But the demolition of Detroit raised eyebrows, especially in light of how Minnesota moved the ball with a previously one-dimensional offense.

The offense has been the biggest surprise over the past three games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a statistical bottom feeder earlier this season, has a passer rating of 69.6. More importantly, Jackson is 6-2 as the starter in his second NFL season.

Rookie phenom Adrian Peterson has been contributing significantly. He still leads the NFL in rushing with 1,197 yards despite missing two games with a torn knee ligament. The fact that the Vikings won both of those games proves that Peterson isn't indispensable, thanks to the presence of Chester Taylor.

The defense has been stuffing the run since converting to the cover 2 last season, and it's gradually improving against the pass.

So with the skills to move the ball on the ground and the ability to stop other teams from doing so, the Vikings are a team that can cause trouble when the climate turns cold. If, for example, the Vikes are required to return to the scene of their 34-0 thrashing at the hands of the Packers and it's windy and snowing, who would have the edge? The team that scores the bulk of its points through the air, or the team that can run and stop the run?

:edited:

The way they're playing, four more wins in the month of December aren't out of the question, especially since the Vikings play the 49ers, Bears, Redskins, and @Broncos -- four teams on the wrong side of the .500 mark.

With nine teams jostling for two wild-card spots, it might be wise for Cowboys fans and Cheeseheads to hope that the team in purple ends up on the outside looking in when the time comes to extend the season. Given their composition and increasing confidence, the Vikings suddenly could be good enough to beat anyone in the NFC once winter begins.

Jackson still sucks, IMO. I'm not sure what the Vikes were thinking before when they did not draft ONE QB.

I think they've begun to use both tandems more effectively in the same game, instead of having thetm take turns in games and "Let's see which one we'll let have a good game and which one won't!" because that seems to be what they've been playing.

I think Jackson will continue to become a better player as time goes on and he learns what he can and can't do well. He is actually the best QB for Minnesota right now because of his ability to make plays on his own with his legs when he needs to and be able to stay in the pocket and look for the open receiver down field.

The Vikings are a dangerous team.

However, you can't blame Tavaris Jackson. Look who his WR are. Bobby Wade, Simeon Rice, and Robert Ferguson.

Yeah, I wouldn't exactly call that an elite group.

The most dangerous team in the NFC
Mike Florio, TSN (edited)

Crazy as it sounds, the team that got "blowed out" (thanks, Emmitt) by the Packers in Week 10 is one of the hottest teams in all of football after a trio of wins against the Raiders, Giants, and Lions.

The 41-17 shocker in the Meadowlands was viewed by some as an aberration. But the demolition of Detroit raised eyebrows, especially in light of how Minnesota moved the ball with a previously one-dimensional offense.

The offense has been the biggest surprise over the past three games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, a statistical bottom feeder earlier this season, has a passer rating of 69.6. More importantly, Jackson is 6-2 as the starter in his second NFL season.

Rookie phenom Adrian Peterson has been contributing significantly. He still leads the NFL in rushing with 1,197 yards despite missing two games with a torn knee ligament. The fact that the Vikings won both of those games proves that Peterson isn't indispensable, thanks to the presence of Chester Taylor.

The defense has been stuffing the run since converting to the cover 2 last season, and it's gradually improving against the pass.

So with the skills to move the ball on the ground and the ability to stop other teams from doing so, the Vikings are a team that can cause trouble when the climate turns cold. If, for example, the Vikes are required to return to the scene of their 34-0 thrashing at the hands of the Packers and it's windy and snowing, who would have the edge? The team that scores the bulk of its points through the air, or the team that can run and stop the run?

:edited:

The way they're playing, four more wins in the month of December aren't out of the question, especially since the Vikings play the 49ers, Bears, Redskins, and @Broncos -- four teams on the wrong side of the .500 mark.

With nine teams jostling for two wild-card spots, it might be wise for Cowboys fans and Cheeseheads to hope that the team in purple ends up on the outside looking in when the time comes to extend the season. Given their composition and increasing confidence, the Vikings suddenly could be good enough to beat anyone in the NFC once winter begins.

JackBurton

Even though I do believe the Vikings will make the playoffs, I do think one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC is a bit of an exaggeration.

Since getting creamed by the Packers, the teams they beat are the Raiders, Lions, 49ers, and N.Y. Giants. Other than the Giants, I wouldn't say the Vikings have been beating world beaters. Even the Giants win might be a bit skewd considering the Giants pitiful Strength of Victory.

I'm not saying the Vikings are a bad or even an average team. I think they are a very good team but overall, I think most dangerous team in the NFC is a bit of a stretch with the Cowboys and Packers both beating them rather handily.

So much for the great rookie battle: AP rushed 14 times for 3 yards and Patrick Willis had 8 tackles.haloraider

It wasn't like the actual game was much better. 27-0 at halftime. I had to flip between that game and the Pats/Steelers game to find the closer, more competitive game. In the long run, it ended up being Minnesota and San Fran. :(