Well, the Minnesota Vikings wasted an awesome performance by running back Adrian Peterson. Losing to the Seattle Seahawks 30-20. Peterson gained 182 yards.That total is even more remarkable seeing as the Seahawks didn't really have to worry about the passing game at all. Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder really has to get his game together. He doesn't look comfortable at all. It's a team sport and there are some issues with the line and the receivers. With Ponder's lack of comfort in the pocket, the line needs to keep that pocket clear and the receivers need to get more separation. Most importantly, Ponder has to settle down. At the rate that the offense is going their terrific start is going to be wasted. Now 5-4, the Vikings were once 4-1.
The defense gave up 30 points. Well, the offense did the defense no favors when they coughed up a first quarter fumble on their own 17-yard line. Despite giving up an uncomfortable amount of points, I do think that the defense played well enough to win. In particular, they did a better job of tackling than they have in the last few weeks. It could still get better but it was an improvement. Improvement was important as they were facing Marshawn Lynch. He's a beast. He still gained 124 yards but the Vikings got him to the ground on first contact on most occasions. The main thing missing from the Vikings defense and it's been an issue for a few game is forcing turnovers. They've got to get some.
Adrian Peterson is amazing. 182 yards on 17 carries yesterday. It was his third straight 100-yard game. If the passing game had been any kind of a threat, Peterson might have approached his own 296-yard single game record. He had over 140 yards at halftime. Peyton Manning will likely walk away with the Comeback Player of the Year award. The recovery that Manning has made is remarkable but he had well over a year to make it. Peterson came back from a brutal knee injury in about eight months. Every single carry sees his knee attacked by eleven defenders. Manning might be touched about a handful of times each game. I vote for Adrian Peterson. Perhaps even as MVP. Of course, I'm not biased at all.
Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson played great. The fourth rookie, after Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Doug Martin, to give the Vikings fits. Wilson played with the poise that Ponder has to get to. Wilson was given nice time in the pocket. His threat to run often opened passing lanes. If he can play as well on the road as he does in Seattle, the Seahawks will be a potent team.
It's gotten to the point for me that the Vikings losing to the Seattle is nearly as bad as losing to any of their rivals in the NFC North. Most of it starts with head coach Pete Carroll. He was an ass at USC. He's an ass in Seattle. It's sealed by their fans. Lack of originality annoys me. The fans and the organization brand themselves as the "12th Man" like they invented the term. Texas A&M had been using their "12th Man" years before the Seahawks even joined the NFL. If you're going to grab something like that and make it your own be original. It's a little odd that the Seahawks annoy me like they do as they have Cal players like Lynch and Brandon Mebane and former Vikings Sidney Rice and Heath Farwell. Players that I greatly appreciate. It's a real shame that they have to play for a ridiculous team.
If things aren't going his way, Carroll always looks like he's about to cry.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin backed up his destructive game against the Vikings last week with an even better game against the Oakland Raiders yesterday. 25 carries for 251 yards and 4 TDs. 4 receptions for 21 more yards. Come on! Luck or Griffin will likely win Rookie of the Year but Martin is keeping either quarterback from running away with it.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit the mainstream big time with a profile on "60 Minutes" last night. It was probably his biggest moment since his Cal days. Certainly since talking to me at the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach last February.
I see that suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton might become a free agent after this season and his suspension ends. Apparently there is language in the extension that he signed last season that could void the contract if general manager Mickey Loomis is suspended, fired or retires. Well, Loomis is suspended with Payton for the their role in the Saints bounty shenanigans. Payton has frequently been linked to Dallas due to his assistant coaching days there and the fact that he lives there. I have a hard time seeing Sean Payton leave New Orleans with the current circumstances there. There's an "us vs them" feeling surrounding the team and the city. He has a close relationship with owner Tom Benson, quarterback Drew Brees, the rest of the team and the city of New Orleans. Despite living in Dallas I can't help nut think that his heart is still with the Saints.
Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne is having one of his best seasons and he's had a bunch of great seasons. There was a chance that he'd leave this past offseason. Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is glad that he didn't. They've been a dynamic combination.
I love watching ball carriers make sudden stops that let the defense fly by as they then carry on. Percy Harvin is great at it. Miami Dolphins back Reggie Bush performed it to perfection on a beautiful touchdown run against the Colts yesterday.
The Cincinnati Bengals has found some success with their cornerback reclamation project. They were greatly hurt by the free agency departure of terrific young corner Jonathan Joseph a couple of years ago. To rebuild they added fading former first round choices Terrence Newman and Nate Clements. Both have rejuvenated their careers and greatly helped the Bengals defense. Newman intercepted Peyton Manning twice.
I think that it only pissed off Peyton Manning.
It's hard to not pull for Chuck Pagano and the Indianapolis Colts. Hearing Pagano speak to his team yesterday made me want to suit up and run into something.
Next week is bad news for the Detroit Lions. Come on Christian Ponder! I still believe.
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