Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder had his worst game of the season. Maybe even the worst in his short career. He was 8 of 17 for only 58 yards and two interceptions. Fairly brutal statistics. You have to credit the Cardinals defense for the constant pressure. Ponder never looked comfortable.
That lack of offense was surprising considering the 153 rushing yards that the Vikings got from running back Adrian Peterson. He would have been over 200 yards if the Vikings could have strung some first downs together. Once again, he was inches away from breaking long touchdown runs. He's had a gimpy ankle for a couple of games now but you couldn't tell from his running yesterday. He was awesome. Hopefully that ankle can hold up through the Thursday game. He'll then have some time to better heal after that.
Congratulations Harrison Smith. The Vikings rookie safety had his first career interception and touchdown on the same play. The first of many to come.
As with offensive linemen it's often best when cornerbacks are never mentioned during a game. Too many people use interceptions to judge corners. That's a mistake. If they are doing their job the ball is never thrown their way. Vikings corner Chris Cook has rarely been mentioned this season. He did an excellent job yesterday against one of the best receivers in the league in Larry Fitzgerald.
The biggest problem with the Vikings offense yesterday, and with any offense that is struggling, was third down conversions. If you can't stay on the field you are going to have problems. The Vikings converted only one in ten opportunities. The only first down in the second half was on the last play of the game and it came on a fourth down attempt. It's tough to win that way.
Fortunately, the Vikings defense played great. They gave up more yards than was comfortable but kept the Cardinals from scoring. They added a score of their own in Smith's interception return and they sacked John Skelton seven times. Defensive ends Brian Robison (3 sacks and a forced fumble) and Jared Allen (2 sacks) were excellent.
Fortunately, the Vikings defense played great. They gave up more yards than was comfortable but kept the Cardinals from scoring. They added a score of their own in Smith's interception return and they sacked John Skelton seven times. Defensive ends Brian Robison (3 sacks and a forced fumble) and Jared Allen (2 sacks) were excellent.
Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington is a tremendous football player. I liked him a lot in the 2010 NFL Draft out of TCU. He's excellent in pass coverage and pretty much everything else expected from a linebacker. He might be as complete a linebacker as any in the league. He's fun to watch unless you're a fan of the team playing the Cardinals.
Missing a bunch of running backs, the Cardinals got some great work from LaRod Stephens-Howling. The Vikings had a real tough time getting hold of the little guy. He gashed the Vikings repeatedly.
The Cardinals are now 4-3 after starting 4-0. They have three of the best teams in the NFC, maybe the NFL, in front of them with the 49ers, Packers and Falcons. Their bye is in that stretch to allow for them to momentarily come up for air. That's real tough road for a team that had a real great start.
I hate the Thursday games. It's not a safe scheduling practice. If the Vikings have to play a Thursday game it's nice to have that game and the preceding game at home as they do this week.
I caught the Washington Redskins-New York Giants game at the right moment. After the Vikings game I switched just in time to see Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz on a 77-yard scoring play. It ended up being the game-winning play.
Then, I switched to the New Orleans Saints-Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch the ending of that terrific game. It was fun to see the creamsicle Bucs uniform. That pirate on the helmet might be a little goofy but I always liked those uniforms.
Great game by Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson. 7 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. I was skeptical of his free agency signing this past offseason. For a receiver over 30 it seemed a bit pricey. I was wrong. Jackson has been a difference maker. The Vikings have to keep him in check this Thursday.
The Buccaneers last play looked to be a potential game-tying touchdown pass to Mike Williams. The officials ruled that Williams had stepped out of bounds, he was pushed, and couldn't be the first player to touch the ball. Technically, quarterback Josh Freeman was still touching the ball when Williams returned to the field. This strikes me as a stupid rule. If the player is pushed out of bounds he should be able to return to the field and still be involved in the play.
It was great to see the old New England Patriots uniforms. Another one of my favorites.
The Patriots always seem to get decent production from their running backs. Perhaps because they throw the ball so much it's such a shock when they run. I'd sure like to see former Cal back Shane Vereen get more of a chance. He's got some nice skills.
It's a miracle! New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez actually looked great at the end of regulation against the Patriots. He may have found a nice friend in rookie receiver Stephen Hill.
The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers are starting to click. Everyone that pays attention to football should have expected that.
The Houston Texans defense was awesome. I think that they came in pissed after the Packers took them apart. The Baltimore Ravens offense is dangerous and they were shut down.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has never seemed very athletic to me. The way that he can extend plays with his feet never ceases to amaze me.
Welcome back Terrell Suggs.
This week is bad news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
Missing a bunch of running backs, the Cardinals got some great work from LaRod Stephens-Howling. The Vikings had a real tough time getting hold of the little guy. He gashed the Vikings repeatedly.
The Cardinals are now 4-3 after starting 4-0. They have three of the best teams in the NFC, maybe the NFL, in front of them with the 49ers, Packers and Falcons. Their bye is in that stretch to allow for them to momentarily come up for air. That's real tough road for a team that had a real great start.
I hate the Thursday games. It's not a safe scheduling practice. If the Vikings have to play a Thursday game it's nice to have that game and the preceding game at home as they do this week.
I caught the Washington Redskins-New York Giants game at the right moment. After the Vikings game I switched just in time to see Eli Manning connect with Victor Cruz on a 77-yard scoring play. It ended up being the game-winning play.
Then, I switched to the New Orleans Saints-Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch the ending of that terrific game. It was fun to see the creamsicle Bucs uniform. That pirate on the helmet might be a little goofy but I always liked those uniforms.
Great game by Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson. 7 catches for 216 yards and a touchdown. I was skeptical of his free agency signing this past offseason. For a receiver over 30 it seemed a bit pricey. I was wrong. Jackson has been a difference maker. The Vikings have to keep him in check this Thursday.
The Buccaneers last play looked to be a potential game-tying touchdown pass to Mike Williams. The officials ruled that Williams had stepped out of bounds, he was pushed, and couldn't be the first player to touch the ball. Technically, quarterback Josh Freeman was still touching the ball when Williams returned to the field. This strikes me as a stupid rule. If the player is pushed out of bounds he should be able to return to the field and still be involved in the play.
It was great to see the old New England Patriots uniforms. Another one of my favorites.
The Patriots always seem to get decent production from their running backs. Perhaps because they throw the ball so much it's such a shock when they run. I'd sure like to see former Cal back Shane Vereen get more of a chance. He's got some nice skills.
It's a miracle! New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez actually looked great at the end of regulation against the Patriots. He may have found a nice friend in rookie receiver Stephen Hill.
The Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers are starting to click. Everyone that pays attention to football should have expected that.
The Houston Texans defense was awesome. I think that they came in pissed after the Packers took them apart. The Baltimore Ravens offense is dangerous and they were shut down.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback has never seemed very athletic to me. The way that he can extend plays with his feet never ceases to amaze me.
Welcome back Terrell Suggs.
This week is bad news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
No comments:
Post a Comment