I think that the Minnesota Vikings needed a full week of practice. Vikings lost their first home game of the year, 36-17.
That game really sucked. Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans might see it differently but I think that it really sucked.
Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder really needs to get his game back on track. He could really use some better protection but much of the offensive issues start with him. He just doesn't look real comfortable right now. He has over a week to get it together.
After cutting the Buccaneers lead in the second quarter to 13-7 the Vikings looked like they had something going. The defense finally forced a three and a out. The offense started moving the ball again but Bucs safety Rhonde Barber forced an Adrian Peterson fumble. Before you know it the score was 20-7.
Similar thing in the third quarter after Peterson broke a 64-yard touchdown that brought the score to 30-17. The Vikings defense got another three and out. The offense did nothing. The defense did its job again. Some extracurriculars between Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and Bucs tackle Donald Penn was followed by an Allen sack. The Metrodome was about to explode. The offense had to do something to keep the momentum going. They did nothing. The door that was slightly open was slammed shut.
That door was slammed shut and locked when the Buccaneers drove about 87 yards in over nine minutes spanning the third and fourth quarter to score their final touchdown. They converted five third downs.
Vikings defensive end Brian Robison has been terrific the past couple games. In the first half last night he knocked down three passes at the line of scrimmage. He came so close to intercepting all three. He'll be thinking about those chances.
Adrian Peterson had his second straight excellent game. 123 yards on 15 carries. He finally broke a long run on his 64-yard touchdown.
The Vikings targeted receiver Jerome Simpson on deep throws several times. They only connected once. They really need to see some success on those throws. They need someone to take pressure off Peterson and the awesome Percy Harvin.
They need tight end Kyle Rudolph too.
One game changer and perhaps season changer was when Vikings corner Chris Cook left the game with what has been reported as a broken wrist. This is a tough loss. Cook has been terrific. Hopefully he'll be back this season. The Vikings need him. At least they have better corner depth than they've had in recent years.
An indication of the game in general was a horrible shotgun snap by Vikings center John Sullivan. On third and long, late in the game, the usually steady Sullivan was low with the snap and Ponder was sacked. It ended an offensive opportunity before it started. I can't remember the last time Sullivan was off with a snap.
I really liked Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin coming out of Boise St. last year. His impact last night was the real difference for the Tampa Bay offense. He was great. 135 yards rushing. 214 total yards. Two touchdowns. He has a very bright future. I would have preferred that he'd waited for another week to break out like this.
It's interesting, maybe only to me, to note that the Vikings three losses on the season were due in large part to stellar performances by rookies. Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and now Doug Martin. Those three youngsters often made the Vikings look foolish.
I really think that the Vikings needed this game. They travel to Seattle in week 9. That's a real tough place to play. Going into this season I saw the 49ers and this Seahawks game as the Vikings' toughest tasks before their week 11 bye. The Vikings surprised the 49ers. They have to take care of the Seahawks too. After the bye the schedule gets real brutal with Chicago twice, Green Bay twice and Houston in the last six games.
On a positive note. It's a real treat to hear Mike Mayock announce a football game. He knows his football. Just to add to his incredible impact on the game the late Steve Sabol had a lot to do with Mayock finding his football career. Brad Nessler completes one of the best announcing teams around.
The Vikings have some work to do in the next week plus.
That game sucked.
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