Week 11

Its tough to win a game when you lose the best player in the NFL. The Raiders got a huge break when Vikings running back Adrian Peterson suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter. He was just beginning to heat up. Sadly, the Raiders win 27-21.

The Raiders were way too successful at putting tremendous pressure on quarterback Christian Ponder. Losing the threat of Adrian Peterson allowed the Raiders to amp up the pass rush. It still showed again that the Vikings need an elite left tackle. Its need #1 in the draft. The Vikings future is dependent on the continued health of Ponder and Peterson. The entire offensive line needs to improve. Center John Sullivan and tackle Phil Loadholt are young and talented. Some Vikings fans heatedly debate both but the Flicker has hope. There is potential in rookies Brandon Fusco and DeMarcus Love. The Vikings have needs in the secondary and a playmaker at receiver but a dominant left tackle probably trumps those if one is available whenever the Vikings pick.

Its speaks tons about the season that I'm thinking about the draft in week 11.

Much of what happened for the Vikings yesterday seemed to indicate that they were still on bye. That would make it bye week number 3 seeing as they definitely didn't show up against the Packers last Monday. There were far too many mistakes. Losing Peterson early changed things but it doesn't explain everything. Despite all the bad the Vikings still had a chance at the end. Hopefully, Ponder will learn how to finish those chances with wins soon. Despite the bad there was still some good to be found.

Linebacker Chad Greenway played his best game of the season. His playmaking ways have been sorely missed. Greenway has been on the verge of Pro Bowl recognition for a few seasons now. He took a step back in the first half of this season. He hadn't been playing poorly but the big plays had been missing. Against the Raiders he made those plays.

Fellow linebacker EJ Henderson was all over the field.

Defensive tackle Kevin Williams is back. He was slowed early in the season by a suspension and a foot injury. He was a disruptive force in the middle of the line.

Rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph caught his first career touchdown. It was the first of what will be many. He'll be a difference maker soon.

Percy Harvin is a beast.

A worry other than another loss:

I sure hope that Peterson was held out of the second half more as a precaution than as an indication of a serious injury. He came out for the third quarter in uniform but was later seen without pads. He was standing for the majority of the second half. I'd think that would be an indication that his ankle injury might not keep him out of any games. The Vikings need him to tear up the Falcons defense next week.

Some other NFL game notes and stuff:

A University of Miami player has scored a TD in the NFL for 149 consecutive weeks. The NFL's longest TD streak is the San Diego Chargers at 142 games. Remarkable.

Much is made of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ndamukong Suh playing on the dangerous side of the rules. The Oakland Raiders routinely play on the stupid side of the rules.

What happened to Buffalo? I still think that the Bills are on the right track but the last two weeks have been brutal.

The Dolphins took apart the Bills this week. I'm not sure why many are surprised. Despite their record the Dolphins have played everyone tough.

Cincinnati may have lost to the Steelers and Ravens the last two weeks but they've joined those teams at the top of the division. The Bengals are a tough team. Physical like the Steelers and Ravens have long been. No team will like facing the AFC North.

Losing Jay Cutler for possibly the remainder of the regular season with a broken thumb is a real blow. Cutler may be annoying but he's been playing great.

The 49ers have four weak division opponents in their final six games. The Steelers and Ravens may round out those games but the Packers need to keep winning to hold the #1 seed.

The NFL does excellent work with charitable endeavors. Taste of the NFL is one that may not be widely known. This year was the 21st effort to help kick hunger. Each NFL city hosts an event bringing the food of local chefs and the serving skills of the players. Its a meet and greet with tasty food. Sounds yummy. Minnesota held their Taste of the Vikings on Nov. 7th.

Some of the highlights of Taste of the Vikings:

Tackle Phil Loadholt likes food. No surprise there seeing as he's about 6'8" and 345 lbs. He watches Food Network and is making strides in the kitchen.

Rookie tight end Kyle Rudolph recommends the bone in fillet and the beef is excellent.

Do-everything quarterback Joe Webb was eating lobster mac & cheese and couldn't talk.

Next week is of course bad news for the Atlanta Falcons.