Monday, October 15, 2012

Game Day Thoughts

The best thing that can be said about the Minnesota Vikings 38-26 loss to the Washington Redskins is that they fought back. They put themselves in a hole and scratched and clawed their way back into the game. Frustrating. They are now 4-2 on the season.

Robert Griffin III is a chore for a defense.

After two clock stopping plays the Vikings defense was in position to force a Redskins punt with over three minutes to go and a one possession game. Next thing you know Griffin has gone 76 yards for a heart attack inducing, game clenching touchdown.

Griffin makes the Redskins a tough out every week. Great football player.

That Alfred Morris is a nice looking running back. I've been hearing a bunch about him but had yet to see him play. He only gained 47 rushing yards but he gained some big yards.

Too many field goals. The Vikings should have been up 21-0 in the first quarter. Three times they marched to the Redskins ten-yard line or further. Three field goals in the first quarter and a fourth later in the game. They have to find a way to put the ball in the end zone. A touchdown instead of field goals on just two of those and the Vikings are in position to win at the end of the game. Even with Griffin's back breaking run.

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has been real accurate this year. He had a couple really bad throws yesterday.

Redskins safety Madieu Williams did more in one play against the Vikings than he did in three years with the Vikings.

The Vikings aren't quite good enough to survive many mistakes. They had two turnovers deep in their own territory. Williams' career highlight directly led to a touchdown. Former Cal favorite Lorenzo Alexander's fumble recovery led to a one play touchdown drive. Those 14 points were killers.

They also need to prove that they can win on the road.

The Vikings really need to get (and keep) receiver Jerome Simpson in the lineup. They can move the ball but when they need to move it fast or in big chunks they often look handicapped. They need someone that can hurt defenses deep.

Percy Havin is awesome. Best football player in the league right now. Simpson really needs to bring some assistance opposite him.

Nice effort by the Dallas Cowboys at the end of their game against the Baltimore Ravens. Especially the receivers. They just mosey back to the line of scrimmage as precious seconds tick off the clock. They could have gotten in a couple more plays to get in better field goal position. Instead they have to attempt and miss a 51-yarder. Ravens win.

The Seattle Seahawks  are completely different team in Seattle. They shook down the New England Patriots yesterday. Vikings play there in three weeks.

I hate seeing receiver Sidney Rice playing for Seahawks.

I hate seeing Seahawks coach Pete Carroll celebrate. Anything.

Twice now I've seen Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called for intentional grounding on passes thrown down the middle of the field. The officials called it in this last Super Bowl and they did it again yesterday. Making that call is assuming way too much. Too much of every team's passing game is timing. The officials can't possibly know if a receiver is supposed to be in that area. You can't guess intent. I hate that call.

The undefeated Atlanta Falcons stayed that way but the Oakland Raiders threw them a scare.

Too bad the San Francisco 49ers can't play all their games against the AFC East. Seems like the 49ers start to feel pretty good about themselves and they get slapped down. The Vikings did it a few weeks ago. The New York Giants did it yesterday. Too many gifts given to the Giants defense.

49ers receiver Kyle Williams had nice smack down on Antrell Rolle on one of those interception returns.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is a beast.

Looks like Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has his groove back.

Wow. The Texans sure played some stupid football. Two of Jordy Nelson's touchdown receptions came after the Texans defense had forced the Packers offense off of the field. Stupid penalties put them back on. Nice way to hand the Packers the points that fueled a blowout.

I find it really annoying when players take it upon themselves to mock the celebrations of other players. Last night James Jones mocked Arian Foster's little Buddha bow. Nice. Just score a touchdown like you've been there before and expect to be back. Or, be original and do your own thing. Be professional.

Next week is bad news for the Arizona Cardinals.



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