Well, the Minnesota Vikings weren't supposed to start the season like this. A 34-24 loss to the Detroit Lions. The biggest problem for the Vikings on opening day was Reggie Bush. They had no answer for him. The former USC professional rushed for 90 yards and caught four passes for another 101 yards. One of those catches was a 77-yard touchdown.
The Vikings defense did a terrific job on Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. He had 4 catches for only 37 yards. So, Bush took over. The Lions are a whole other team with him in the backfield.
The Vikings were in a nice spot to regain the lead fairly early in the fourth quarter. Down 27-24 after forcing a rare Lions punt. It felt like the Vikings had some momentum and they had the ball. It didn't last long. Quarterback Christian Ponder was turning to hand the ball to Adrian Peterson. Simple enough. Instead guard Brandon Fusco steps on Ponder's foot forcing a stumble and the ball is on the ground. The Lions recover. After a couple of Vikings penalties allow the Lions to convert a couple of third down plays, the Lions are gifted a touchdown and a 34-24 lead. The Vikings really did little to threaten that lead the rest of the way.
A lot of Vikings fans will be tearing apart Ponder this week. He's been a frequent target for much of the offseason and preseason. He completed 18 of 28 passes for 236 yards. Three interceptions opens up some criticism. One was on a desperation heave at the end of the game that ended any comeback hope. Another interception was on a tipped pass. The third was a killer. He had the offense moving in Lions territory and just tossed one up for grabs. It was a throw that no NFL quarterback should ever make. For me, the defense was the bigger problem in the loss. Especially their inability to stop Bush. Ponder made some downfield throws. This isn't to say that Ponder was fine. No matter how they happen, three interceptions can't happen. Ever. He has to get better.
Things looked great for the Vikings when Peterson took the first offensive play 78 yards for a touchdown. He scored all three touchdowns. Two rushing. One on a short reception. His game looked great on paper. But, after the 78-yard run, he carried the ball 17 times for 15 yards. The Lions defensive line outplayed the Vikings offensive line on all but that 78-yard TD. He encountered Lion defenders before he reached the line on nearly every carry. The Vikings typically see a lot of 2nd and shorts. That's always a nice spot for a quarterback. Yesterday, with the Lions regularly stopping Peterson for a loss or no gain, Ponder was facing a lot of 2nd and longs. Never a nice spot for a quarterback. The Lions have one of the best defensive lines but the Vikings offensive line has to get a better push.
The best thing to come out of the game for the Vikings was the play of receiver Jerome Simpson. Seven catches for 140 yards. He was terrific. Some smart plays and one dazzling, diving catch. The sort of deep threat that Simpson provided was pretty much absent all of last year.
I'd really like to see rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on the field more. I only noticed him on offense for a couple of plays in the redzone. He had one catch for ten yards. He nearly broke one of his two kick return opportunities. He needs to get the ball in his hands.
Receiver Greg Jennings and tight end Kyle Rudolph have to get the ball more than their five combined catches.
The Vikings can't play this sloppy and expect to win many games.
Ponder has to get more steady. He can't make reckless throws. He has to use the weapons around him. He's got some.
Ndamukong Suh is an ass. He's supposed to be maturing but his cheap-ass low block on center John Sullivan on an interception return was pathetic. Initially, I thought that he had ended Sullivan's season. Fortunately, the Vikings offensive line leader was back on the field on the next possession. It was still a classless move. Nothing has changed with that clown. All that talent and a pissant head. He also took a touchdown off the board for his own team. Idiot.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford may have thrown for 357 yards but Bush was the difference in this game. The Vikings have fourteen games to figure him out. If Bush keeps playing like he did yesterday the Lions are going to be a tough team to beat.
I don't pay much attention to the other games while the Vikings are playing. I was surprised that the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts had to come back against the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, respectively.
The New York Jets beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been the surprise of the day.
I love the New Orleans Saints-Atlanta Falcons rivalry. Their games have been terrific the last few years. Although I find their games hard to predict I was still surprised that the Saints hung on to win. Sean Payton returning to the game with a win was huge for the home team.
The Green Bay Packers-San Francisco 49ers game was fun. 49ers win it, 34-28. Like the Vikings with Bush, the Packers had a real rough time keeping track of receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis. Boldin is a beast. 13 catches 208 yards and a touchdown.
It's unfortunate that a good game like this was tainted a bit when the officials bungled things and essentially gave the 49ers a touchdown when they should have been attempting a field goal.
It sure is a treat to watch Boldin play the receiver position. He does so many of the little things to perfection. He's likely taken the torch from Hines Ward as the best blocking receiver in the league. He catches the ball beautifully. When the was teamed with Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, the Cardinals should have been required viewing for anyone interested in playing receiver.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick ran for about 5 miles against the Packers in the playoffs last year. He only had 22 yards rushing this time. Instead, he threw the ball a bunch. And threw it well. Completing 27 of 39 passes for 412 yards.
Looks like the 49ers have themselves a player in rookie safety Eric Reid. He had an interception. Another that was taken away due to a penalty. His tackle of Aaron Rodgers to prevent a first down late in the game might have been his best play.
The New York Giants were sure in a generous mood throughout their game with the Dallas Cowboys. Six turnovers. The Cowboys took two of those back for touchdowns.
Fun game. And, it left the Packers at 0-1. Tied with the Vikings in the NFC North.
After all that generosity it was really quite remarkable that the Giants were in the game at the end. Dallas wins 36-31.
Next week is bad news for the Bears.
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