Week 16 Thoughts

Minnesota Vikings 23
Houston Texans 6

When asked if the Minnesota Vikings were a playoff team Christian Ponder had this to say after the game:
"You're a playoff team only if you're in the playoffs."
Nice dose of reality.

If the Vikings defeat the Green Bay Packers next week, they're in the playoffs. Beating the Texans and the New York Giants loss to the Baltimore Ravens put the Vikings in control of their playoff life.

The Minnesota Vikings played their most complete game since beating the San Francisco 49ers way back in September. All of the talk leading up to the game centered around the season and records of running back Adrian Peterson. Most didn't give the Vikings much of a chance of defeating the Texans. Instead of succumbing to the lack of expectations the Vikings played like a team fighting for the playoffs. They controlled this game.

It was clear at the end of the game that the Vikings priorities sided more with winning than improving Peterson's already ridiculous season. Toby Gerhart got the late carries and scored the final touchdown. Even Matt Asiata got a carry to close the game. This game was all about a pursuit of the playoffs. While I hope that Peterson can pass Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record next week against the Packers, making the playoffs is the sole goal.

J.J. Watt is a beast!

The Vikings defense was the story of this game. Holding one of the most dynamic offenses in the league to only two field goals was amazing. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams really has his team peaking at the right time. The Texans had a shot at turning the game early in the 3rd quarter with a 1st and goal on the 1-yard line. The Texans couldn't get that yard and had to settle for a field goal. They never scored again. They never even threatened to score again. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub never really got into a rhythm. Receiver Andre Johnson made some plays gaining 97 yards. He was pretty much the only offensive player that did anything. The Vikings completely shut down the running game. Stuffing the run wrecked the effectiveness of Schaub's play action.

I saw Texans running back Arian Foster sitting on the bench more often than I saw him in the backfield. I later learned that he was out due to an irregular heart beat. I hope that's not as serious as it sounds.

Quarterback Christian Ponder paced the offense. He played smart and managed the game. Completing 16 of 30 passes for 174 yards and a short touchdown to Kyle Rudolph. He even did some damage on the ground with 48 yards. 222 yards from Ponder is a delightful total for a team that his depended on Peterson for about a month. He spread the ball around with Rudolph, Michael Jenkins, Jarius Wright and even Jerome Simpson all making plays to extend drives.

Simpson has been frustrating all year. He was signed as a fee agent in the offseason to provide a speedy, downfield threat. He's done very little. Nagging injuries has hampered him some. His frequent drops are due more to concentration issues than nagging injuries. He's a tremendously gifted football player but he plays a little out of control. He needs to settle down. I worry about his ball security. I worry about his drops. Just when I'm worrying too much he makes a catch like he did in the 4th quarter. Making a remarkable sideline catch that moved the chains. He was well covered and really had no room to come down in bounds. He went up, secured the ball and got his feet down. The Vikings really need him to make more big plays like that.

Rookie receiver Jarius Wright is another pass catcher that can make an impact moving forward. He started getting playing time when Percy Harvin went down with an ankle injury. The Vikings are starting to incorporate more plays that take advantage of his quickness.

With all the attention paid to Peterson, the receivers have to get open, give Ponder a target and make plays. They have to make the defenses pay for ignoring the passing game. Ponder is starting to find a nice groove.

The defense was awesome.

It was about two minutes into the 3rd quarter before the announcers mentioned Ponder's marriage. I'm not sure why it had to be mentioned at all but I was surprised that it took that long.

Safety Harrison Smith just continues his fantastic rookie season. His sack and forced fumble ended the Texans last hope at a comeback. He's a terrific football player.

The Vikings have gotten amazing production from their rookies. Tackle Matt Kalil may/should be Pro Bowl bound. Smith and corner Josh Robinson have helped turn the secondary from sad to a strength. Tight Rhett Ellison has made an impact with his blocking, occasional receptions and special teams play. He's emerging as a vital do-everything type player. Jarius Wright is starting to make his presence felt in the passing game. As important as all those players have been, it's impossible to ignore the impact of kicker Blair Walsh. As soon as the team crosses the 50-yard line they are in his field goal range. He set an NFL record for 50+ yard field goals in a season. I can only remember one made field goal all season that wasn't right down the middle. His kickoffs have been phenomenal. My only complaint would be that the Vikings have kicked too many field goals. They need to turn more of those into touchdowns. Still, if the Vikings need a field goal I'm glad that it's Walsh doing the kicking.

The defense was fantastic.

Peterson gained 86 yards rushing on 25 carries. He's gained 1898 yards on the season. In the season finale at home against the Packers, he needs 208 yards to break Dickerson's record.

The Texans defense did a fantastic job against Peterson. His entire rushing total was gained on a handful of runs. He was tackled right around the line of scrimmage on all but those runs. The defense stacked the box and often blitzed corners to help. Essentially all of the Texans defense was sent straight at Peterson as a matter of routine. Fortunately, Ponder made enough plays to make the Texans pay. The Vikings were more interested in winning the game than pursuing records where the Texans were more interested in preventing records than winning the game.

I really like several of the Texans defensive players. J.J. Watt is an absolute beast. It's difficult to believe that he's only in his second season. He's not alone on this defense. One of their best players, linebacker Brian Cushing, is out for the season with a knee injury. They have terrific players in linebackers Brooks Reed and Connor Barwin. Rookie Whitney Mercilus has a bright future. Jonathan Joseph is one of the best corners in the game. These are also very young players and just touching their potential. They're really good now. They could be scary good soon.

J.J. Watt is a beast.

The Vikings defense was better!

The Dallas Cowboys are a very dangerous team at the end of games. Opponents have not been able to put them away. They were at it again yesterday against the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys came back and forced overtime. Every week they seem to be doing that. Unlike previous games, the Cowboys lost in overtime. It was a blow to the Cowboys playoff hopes. If they can squeak into the postseason, this is a team that is rarely out of a game.

I love watching Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin catch footballs. It was a weekly how-to-catch show when he and Larry Fitzgerald were on the same team.

It wasn't only Boldin making fine catches for the Ravens yesterday. All the Ravens pass catchers were making plays for quarterback Joe Flacco. Torrey Smith in particular. He's a dangerous football player. As a fan of the receiver deprived Vikings team, I envy teams that have receivers that really help their quarterback.

I think that the Green Bay Packers were working out some kinks in taking apart the Tennessee Titans by the tune of 55-7. I hope that they have few points left for next week.

I was pleased to see Arizona Cardinals safety Justin Bethel take a blocked field goal back for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears. He was a 2011 sixth round choice out of little Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. I probably wouldn't know a thing about him if Presbyterian wasn't on Cal's schedule during the 2010 season. This was one of those games that shouldn't have been played but Bethel might have been the most skilled player on the field. He was everywhere. I couldn't understand how he wasn't on an SEC roster. His small school experience might set him back a couple of years in development but he has an NFL future.

The Seattle Seahawks have scored 58, 50 and 42 points in the last three weeks. I tend to look lightly on the first two seeing as the point totals were against Arizona and Buffalo. Teams that couldn't get out of their own way in those games. 42 points against the 49ers is legit. I wouldn't engrave the Seahawks spot in the Super Bowl just yet. They haven't been a good road team but as quarterback Russell Wilson has improved the team has improved away from Seattle. They won't face Arizona and Buffalo in the playoffs and they'll most likely play every game on the road. Maybe it's because I strongly dislike Pete Carroll but I don't see them doing much in the playoffs despite their high scoring ways.

It's incredible that the AFC playoff teams are set with a week to go. The seeding still remains but we know the teams. Texans, Broncos, Patriots, Ravens, Bengals and Colts. Congratulations to those teams. Especially the Colts. First pick in the draft to the playoffs in the same season is remarkable.

Next week is bad news for the Packers!