Week 15 Thoughts

Well, how about that? An over-matched Minnesota Vikings slapped down the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles 48-30.

Of the Vikings list of seven inactive player for the Eagles game, Adrian Peterson, John Carlson, Brandon Fusco, Xavier Rhodes, and Chris Cook are starters. A sixth was Peterson's backup Toby Gerhart. I can't recall an inactive list made up of so many impact players.

The Vikings starting running back: Matt Asiata

The Vikings starting corners: Marcus Sherels and Shaun Prater

The Vikings have been a run-first team since they drafted Peterson in 2007. With Asiata replacing Peterson and Gerhart, and the injuries to the secondary, the Vikings might have become a mystery for the Eagles. Injuries are difficult for a team but they can also be difficult for an opponent. The Eagles seemed to be off-balance all game.

Vikings offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave did a nice job of keeping the running game with Asiata a factor. His 30 carries for 51 yards doesn't do much on paper but it was enough to keep it the ground game in the mind of the Eagles defense. About a third of his carries moved the chains or scored touchdowns. Asiata was terrific in short yardage and at the goal line. Three short touchdown runs. He also had some targets in the pass game when split wide. Asiata also did a decent job at picking up the Eagles blitz. The only miss I can recall is when two linebackers were sent through the same gap. It's a tough task to slow both.

This was the third straight game that a Vikings back had 30 carries.

The Vikings controlled the ball and the clock. They had a 13-minute edge in time of possession. Every first half possession ended with a scoring opportunity. A missed 55-yard field goal was the only drive that failed to end with a score.

All season, the Vikings have struggled on third down. Repeatedly, the offense has failed to stay on the field and the defense has failed to get off of the field. The Vikings kept moving the chains. The Eagles first possession of each half was a three and out.

There's little doubt that the Vikings offense has been much more productive with Matt Cassel at quarterback. 26 completions in 35 attempts for 382 yards and two touchdowns yesterday. Very unusual offensive numbers for the Vikings this year. He's more decisive than Christian Ponder and the offense responds well to him. Cassel is also better at getting the ball to his receivers in stride. The yards after the catch soar with Cassel.

Cassel under center has always provided a boost in the offensive involvement of recevier Greg Jennings. No matter the quarterback, there should never be an issue with getting the ball into the hands of Jennings. He was excellent yesterday. 11 catches for 163 yards including a 57-yard touchdown.

On the second play of the Vikings second offensive possession, Eagles linebacker Trent Cole was lined up across from receiver Jarius Wright. I suspect that Cassel knew exactly where he was going with the ball before it was even in his hands. After a 26-yard catch and run, Wright had the Vikings on the way to their first touchdown of the game.

I like Trent Cole but it's a mistake to put him out wide on a receiver.

The Eagles have a real nice set of linebackers. Cole is and has been a fantastic pass rusher. Connor Barwin was a very good addition in free agency. Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans are excellent in the middle.

Kendricks is well on his way to being one of the better inside linebackers in the game. I'm a little biased as he's one of my favorite Cal players. He was a nuisance for the Vikings all day. A sack, interception off of a tipped pass, and eight tackles. He has a way of mucking up the intentions of an offense.

The Vikings got a touchdown at the end of the first half that probably should have been a field goal. Eagles corner Bradley Fletcher was called for pass interference on Jerome Simpson on third down. A penalty that was, at best, shaky. It gave the Vikings a first-and-goal at the one-yard line. On the next play, Asiata had his first touchdown.

Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson had one of his best days in the league. 10 catches for 195 yards and a 30-yard touchdown. His 51-yard catch and mostly run in the fourth quarter was just sick.

Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has the attention of the league. He's already the most dangerous kick returner in the game. He's gaining the attention of defensive coordinators with his skills on offense. Eagles coach Chip Kelly said that they had to keep the ball out of Patterson's hands. The Eagles never did kick to him. Most teams don't.

The Vikings have greatly improved their receiving corps in a hurry. It wasn't long ago that they could best be described as horrid. Jennings, Patterson, Simpson, and Wright can do some damage to a defense. If Greg Childs can come back from a very serious injury, the Vikings have a very talented receiving group going forward. Simpson's place in that future is far from sure.

This win over the Eagles rivals a similar stunner over the Eagles at the end of the 2010 season as one of the Vikings biggest regular season upset.

I don't understand how the Miami Dolphins give Tom Brady and the New England Patriots so much trouble. I remember the dominant San Francisco 49ers of the early '80s always having difficulties with the Atlanta Falcons. In college football at the same time, sad Cal teams gave excellent Arizona and Arizona St. teams fits. It's just strange how some teams get some extra fuel against certain teams.

I always like it when a team goes for two points and the win at the end of a game. It just makes sense to keep control of the game when the chance is there rather than take it to a coin toss and overtime. Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan made that choice yesterday against the Atlanta Falcons. A losing season also helps give a coach some extra freedom to make that decision. It's easy to question that decision when the attempt fails as the Redskins did yesterday. I applaud the decision.

Fox sure went out of their way to advertise the Green Bay Packers-Dallas Cowboys as the Game of the Week. The Packers defense made the game look like a disaster early. The second half was a completely different ball game. Something closer to something that might be called Game of the Week. Great comeback for a team with their best player on the sideline.

Two games to go for most of the teams in the league.