Nfl Playoffs

When the Vikings/Eagles wild card playoff matchup was finalized last weekend, the Las Vegas betting line had the home Minnesota Vikings as 10-point underdogs to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.  Personally, I think that a different sort of "line" will be much more important on Sunday, that being the defensive variety...

Continue reading "Vikings/Eagles Preview: "Line" Is ..."

Before previewing the big Vikings/Eagles matchup that will cap off the NFC Wild Card playoff round, I would first like to give my "official" (meaning they are most likely completely wrong!) predictions for the other three wild card games:

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

I'm a bit late on commenting on the Vikings' last-second win over the New York Giants to catapult them into the playoffs on Sunday, but I do want to put in my two cents worth on the Vikings' effort.

Continue reading "Vikings 20, Giants 19: Getting the Job Done"

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

Boy, that was a headline I never thought I would write...WANTING Tarvaris Jackson to be under center of a crucial, playoff-implication game!  At the beginning of the season, I was one of those fans calling for Gus Frerotte to replace the struggling Jackson, and even supported Rot with a post about a month ago on this very blog.  However, it became clear in that much-too-close game against the Lions that Gus Frerotte just isn't a very good quarterback any more.  Not only is he slow and prone to being sacked, but he also isn't careful enough with the ball (basically the premium task he is charged with) and throws many interceptions as well.  Basically, when Gus is under center the defense had to dominate for the Purple to get into the win column.  With T-Jack, the offense has a chance to stretch the field and get some aggressive scores (not lucky 99 yarders or screen passes).

Continue reading "The Right Man Under Center"

In the wake of all the playoff hoopla surrounding the Vikings seemingly imminent (famous last words, I know) clinching of the NFC North sometime during the next two weeks, news came down that DT Pat Williams suffered a fractured shoulder and will miss 2-6 weeks.

Continue reading "Pat Williams Eats Fractured Shoulders For Lunch"

Because of my work schedule, I was unable to preview this past Sunday's MN/Arizona game.  However, had I done so, I would have predicted a 35-14 Arizona victory (that was the number in my head).  I would have gotten the scoring correct, at least!

Continue reading "Vikings 35, Cardinals 14: An Impressive ..."

Although they just barely missed the Cleveland Browns should definitely be proud of their 2007 NFL season.

They had Derek Anderson prove that he can be a top ten quarterback. Something great to know when you have first round pick Brady Quinn waiting in the wings. His breakout coincided with the play of Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. While the latter was already a known commodity, Braylon really needed to show that he deserved the status that comes with being the number three overall draft pick a few years back.

Continue reading "Browns have nothing to be ashamed of"

It was an ugly win, but important nevertheless. Not only did it get the Browns closer to the NFL postseason, but also it showed that they are learning how to win the tough games.

You’d think that a team from Buffalo would be ready for a snow-filled game, but the Bills didn’t seem like it at all. They were essentially embarrassing to watch, almost as bad were the Bills fans that came to the sports bar wearing Buffalo Sabres jerseys…really. But more importantly, the Browns came away with the win in turbulent weather. And if the increasingly realistic Browns playoffs hopes come to fruition, they will need to be ready to play in adverse conditions like they did today.

Continue reading "With Snowy Triumph, Cleveland Browns ..."