The Minnesota Vikings messed with the playoff plans of the Philadelphia Eagles last week. They look to do the same today when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. At 4-9-1, the Vikings are closing the 2013 NFL season as spoilers. They are also trying to save the head coaching job of Leslie Frazier. The Vikings have closed nicely in their three seasons under Frazier. They wouldn't be fighting for the job of their coach if they played as well in the first twelve games of each of those seasons as they did in the last four.
Two weeks to play and only four of twelve playoff spots are taken. The Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and Seattle Seahawks are the only teams to secure a spot in the postseason. The Colts are the only one of those to have won their division.
The Arizona Cardinals could end the end the season with eleven wins and not be a part of the playoffs. They could be stuck at home while two NFC division champs move on with single digit wins.
There's some excellent matchups today. New Orleans-Carolina, Indianapolis-Kansas City, Arizona-Seattle, Pittsburgh-Green Bay, New England-Baltimore, and Chicago-Philadelphia all involve teams with playoff dreams. Just as the NFL hoped with their late season games.
After missing nearly two games, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is 122 yards behind Philadelphia Eagles' LeSean McCoy for the rushing lead.
It will be great to have Peterson back on the football field. Every carry is a football treat.
I'm a little surprised by the nice statistical season that Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon is having. I've always liked him from his days with the Colts and his two years with the Redskins. His pass catching can get shaky but he's a tough, physical receiver that can put some stress on a defense. For some reason, I've always seen him as a complimentary receiver. His 96 catches for 1146 yards, with two games remaining, say otherwise.
If I had a vote for defensive player of the year, and I should, it might go to New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
The Vikings placed tight end John Carlson on injured reserve. He missed the Eagles game last week due to a concussion. He had a setback this week that led to the season-ending move. This concussion was at least the third of Carlson's career. He's going into the offseason with the possibility that he might not return to football.
Unlike the rest of the league, The Vikings were pretty much injury-free through training camp. Their injury luck has completely turned the last few weeks. Injuries are always an unfortunate given in football. No team is immune. Good teams. Shitty teams. They all get the bug at some point.
At least, safety Harrison Smith returns to the Vikings starting secondary today. He's a good one.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay gave all of his players an Xbox One. From what I understand these gaming systems are difficult to find. They are probably even more difficult to find in the Indianapolis area.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has been turned into a superhero. DC Comics and Gatorade have joined forces to create "Megewatt." The digital comic tells the story of a kid from Pewaukee, Wisconsin becoming one of the best players in the NFL. The comic can be found on Gatorade's website.
The San Francisco 49ers say buh-bye to Candlestick Park today. It has been the team's home since 1970. The 49ers have certainly seen incredible success in that structure teetering on the edge of the Bay. 5 Super Bowl wins. They'll be moving south to Santa Clara next season.
I sure wish that there was some way to make college coaching changes less disruptive. USC players had to adjust to three head coaches this year. Lane Kiffin, Ed Orgeron, and now Clay Helton. The last change was due to the Trojans hiring of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian to be their coach going forward. Now, Washington is without a coach. They hire Boise St. coach Chris Petersen. Now, Boise St. is without a coach. They hire Arkansas St. coach Bryan Harsin. Now, Arkansas St. is without a coach. USC, Washington, Boise St., and Arkansas St. are playing in bowl games with interim coaches that are coaching their only games with that school. These coaching changes tear up everything that a team has built through the season. The bowl games lose. Most importantly, the players lose. I know that the coaches have to jump into the recruiting at their new school but it's not right for the players at the old school. Maybe the letter-of-intent day can be moved to the end of February or early March so that the coaching changes can take place after the bowl games.
Congratulations to Northwest Missouri State University on their 43-21 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne for the NCAA Division II Championship.
I hate that blue field at Boise St. I always have. Always will.
I really like Buffalo linebacker Kahlil Mack. He had to play a football game on that horrid blue field. I'd love to see the Vikings draft him in May. They can have a Kahlil Mack on defense and a Matt Kalil on offense. Nice.
Buffalo attempted the worst onside kick I have ever seen. I don't think that it went a foot. It must have been that stupid blue field.
There are always surprising statistics in football. San Diego St. not making a field goal since September 28 of this year is surprising.
Colorado St.'s furious comeback to win the Gildan New Mexico Bowl was, well, stunning.
I like the trophy given to the winner of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
I also like former Vikings running back Robert Smith as a college football analyst for ESPN. He retired early from football after the 2000 season. I guess that he dabbled in his always varied off-field hobbies for a while before he turned his attention to TV work. He's a bright guy and presents his thoughts well.
Congratulations to the California State Football Champions
Open Division: St. John Bosco, Bellflower
Division I: Bakersfield
Division II: Chaminade, West Hills
Division III: Corona Del Mar, Newport Beach
Division IV: Central Catholic, Modesto
The southern California teams dominated in winning four of the five title games. Central Catholic was the only northern team to take home the trophy.
Many states have had state title games for decades. California didn't jump into the game until 2006. Seven of the ten teams playing in the championship games this year were making their first appearances. It's not a perfect playoff format as north and south representatives are chosen from the various section champions. Whenever teams are selected rather deciding things on the field there's going to be controversy. It's still better than nothing. I really like these state championship games.
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