Vikings - Commanders

The Minnesota Vikings rebounded from a troubling four-game losing streak with a 31-0 beat-down of the Washington Commanders. Last week, the Vikings were shut out, 26-0, by the Seattle Seahawks. This week, the Vikings were on the other side of a shut out. It’s fun to be on this side of those games.

The difference in this game was the Vikings didn’t do anything to hurt themselves. Whether it’s penalties or mind-numbing turnovers, in all of their eight losses, the Vikings have done something, or a series of somethings, to eliminate any possibility of winning. Football works that way. All sports work that way. Against the Commanders, the Vikings got out of their own way. With only three penalties, they played a clean game. They didn’t put themselves in long-yardage situations. They had zero turnovers. They didn’t make any of the mistakes that have simply wrecked this season. It was refreshing. So refreshing. Makes me wish that the Vikings could spin back the clock and start the season this way. 

This game can probably be summed up by events that closed the first quarter and opened the second quarter. The Commanders responded to the Vikings game-opening touchdown drive with a long, time-consuming drive of their own. That drive took the Commanders to a first-and-goal on the four-yard line. From there:

2-yard run

Incompletion

Incompletion

Incompletion

The Vikings defense held on fourth down and gave the offense the ball on the Commanders two-yard line. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy guided the offense on a 19-play, 98-yard, 12-minute drive. It was the Vikings longest drive, in distance and time, in decades. Five third downs were converted on the long drive. Four of those were third-and-six or longer. The fifth, a third-and-one, was an eight-yard touchdown run by Jordan Mason. It was an impressive sequence of plays. After yielding nearly the entire field, the Vikings defense found their footing and didn’t allow the Commanders into their end zone. The Vikings offense simply and steadily drove down the field. There was still over 35 minutes to play but it felt like the Commanders were beaten after Mason powered into the end zone and the Vikings held a14-0 lead. 

For 13 weeks, J.J. McCarthy has been relentlessly questioned and criticized. Last week, Vikings head coach stated that he was going to simplify things. I don’t think that it was so much a simplification of the offense as it was a simplification of the demands on McCarthy. The Vikings young quarterback was given the opportunity to simply go out and play football. Do what he’s done since he was an itty-bitty quarterback. Just play. It worked. Vikings offensive football looked fun again. It helped that there was no self-harm the entire game. The result of simply playing football was a nice, smooth 31-0 win. 

It can’t be emphasized enough. The Vikings finally did nothing to hurt themselves. J.J. McCarthy was steady and efficient. 

J.J. McCarthy:

16 completions

23 attempts

163 yards

3 TDs

129.2 rating

The Vikings ran the ball well.

Aaron Jones Sr.

14 carries

76 yards

Jordan Mason

11 carries

52 yards

1 TD (8 yards)

No turnovers! No Turnovers! No Turnovers!

The defense was dominant. A shut out is dominant. 

3 Takeaways! 3 Takeaways! 3 Takeaways!

+3 turnover margin has been a frequent occurrence for a Brian Flores-led Vikings defense. Other than the Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s been a rarity this season. After the goal line stand that put a stop to the Commanders strong first drive, the Vikings defense was a wall, a greedy wall. Some of the tackling still needs to improve. Other than that, the Vikings defense broke the will of the Commanders offense. 

At 5-8, the playoffs are a dim hope with only four games to play. It’s possible but a load of things have to break the Vikings way. There hasn’t been much of that this season. Despite all of the issues, the Vikings can still end the season with a winning record. That could be the long-term goal. The short-term goal, as always, is to go 1-0 each week. This Commanders game was a nice step in the right direction of establishing J.J. McCarthy as the long-term, franchise quarterback. Just keep progressing. It would also be nice to see Justin Jefferson get his next 1000-yard season. Next up is the Dallas Cowboys.

Flea Flicker Week 14 Predictions

It’s Week 14. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Byes: New England Patriots, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers

It’s insane to have teams waiting until Week 14 for their bye. 

Washington Commanders @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings march to a winning record starts here!

Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

Despite their shutout of the Vikings last week, the Seahawks did not impress.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Bills have to start playing like the team they think they are. 

Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Browns

This game looks like a scorcher.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Pick: Dolphins

Coin flip.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Pick: Buccaneers 

The Buccaneers roll.

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Colts

After consecutive losses, the Colts must get back on track.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

This has been one of my favorite rivalries since the 2000s. With Aaron Rodgers on the Steelers, now there’s zero interest.

Denver Broncos @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Broncos

The Broncos might be the least impressive 10-2 team in league history. They should still handle the Raiders. They might even beat them by more than three points. 

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Packers

Like the Seahawks and Broncos, the Bears are another team that isn’t as impressive as their record. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Rams

The Rams must rebound from their stunning loss to the Panthers.

Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs continue their fight for a playoff spot. It’s been a while since that was in doubt in Week 14. 

Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Both teams look like contenders. Too often they don’t play like contenders. Right now, the Eagles look less right than the Chargers. 

Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washington Redskins/Washington Commanders All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Washington Commanders tomorrow. The Commanders have a long, often troubling, sometimes successful history. The team carried a wildly racist name for most of its history. The suspect name should never have been a surprise as original team owner George Preston Marshall was a wildly racist individual. On the field, Washington has had some great teams with great players. They won NFL titles in 1937 and 1942 and Super Bowls in 1982, 1987, 1991. They had a knack for winning Super Bowls during seasons with work stoppages (1982 and 1987). On the eve of their big game with the Vikings, here’s a look at some of the best players in the 90+ year history of the Boston Braves/Boston Redskins/Washington Redskins/Washington Commanders. 

Offense

Quarterback

Sammy Baugh

Halfback

Cliff Battles

Fullback

John Riggins

Wide Receivers

Bobby Mitchell

Charley Taylor

Art Monk

Tight End

Jerry Smith

Offensive Tackles

Trent Williams

Turk Edwards

Offensive Guards

Dick Stanfel

Russ Grimm

Center

Len Hauss

Defense

Defensive Ends

Dexter Manley

Charles Mann

Defensive Tackles

Diron Talbert

Jonathan Allen

Linebackers

Chris Hanburger

London Fletcher

Chuck Drazenovich

Cornerbacks

Darrell Green

Champ Bailey

Safeties

Ken Houston

Sean Taylor

Special Teams

Kicker

Mark Mosley

Punter

Sammy Baugh

Returner

Brian Mitchell

Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominees

The NFL released the nominees for the 2025 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This award recognizing the outstanding off-field work of the league’s players has become one of the most prestigious. It should be. The unfortunate thing about this award is that all 32 players are deserving of receiving it. Not only that, there are many more players on each of the 32 teams that are equally deserving. There are so many players doing amazing things to make their community and this world a better place. Here are the 32 nominees starting with the player that is, of course, most deserving.

Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominees

Minnesota Vikings: C.J. Ham

Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum

Atlanta Falcons: A.J. Terrell Jr.

Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry

Buffalo Bills: Dion Dawkins

Carolina Panthers: Austin Corbett

Chicago Bears: D.J. Moore

Cincinnati Bengals: Ted Karras

Cleveland Browns: Grant Delpit

Dallas Cowboys: Solomon Thomas

Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles

Detroit Lions: DJ Reader

Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love

Houston Texans: Azeez Al-Shaair 

Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II

Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke

Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Kelce

Las Vegas Raiders: Maxx Crosby

Los Angeles Chargers: Cameron Dicker

Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams

Miami Dolphins: Bradley Chubb

New England Patriots: Hunter Henry

New Orleans Saints: Demario Davis

New York Giants: Bobby Okereke

New York Jets: Quincy Williams

Philadelphia Eagles Jordan Mailata

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith

San Francisco 49ers: Curtis Robinson

Seattle Seahawks: Julian Love

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield

Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons

Washington Commanders: Bobby Wagner

Congratulations to all of the Nominees. Especially C.J. Ham. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

The Coach, Contributor, and Senior Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 have been determined. The focus on the more recent candidates continues. Sadly, as expected. 

Coach: 

Bill Belichick

Contributor:

Robert Kraft

Senior:

Ken Anderson

Roger Craig

L.C. Greenwood

The easiest discussion, if there even was one, had to be on Bill Belichick. He’s arguably the best coach in league history and should be fitted for a Gold Jacket as soon as he’s eligible. That’s now. I suppose the only hesitation was the possibility of a return to NFL sidelines. It’s unfortunate that Buddy Parker’s wait continues but Belichick deserves immediate induction.

As for the Contributor Finalist, there’s issues. Ralph Hay is one of the league’s founders. He called and hosted the meeting that started the National Football League. His Canton Bulldogs won NFL titles in 1922 and 1923. He should’ve been in one of the first few Hall of Fame classes. His induction certainly should precede that of Robert Kraft. Clark Shaugnessy also had a greater impact on the National Football League than Kraft. Bucko Kilroy as well. I don’t understand this rush to induct owners that merely ride the success of the people they hired. 

The problem that I have with the Senior Finalists is more involved. The refusal to consider deserving candidates that played before 1950 is simply idiotic. It shames the purpose of the Hall of Fame. Verne Lewellen, Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert should’ve been inducted in the 1960s or 1970s. Fifty years later, they are still waiting. I just don’t get it. Voters that have shut the door on such players should not be voters. Lewellen is arguably the most deserving of the four and he didn’t even make it past the cut to 52. Neither did Emerson. That’s insane. Dilweg and Wistert didn’t make it to the semi-finalist stage. Maybe the Hall voters that have apparently shut the door on those that suited up before 1950 need to have those players described in today’s terms. Much like Marshall Faulk, Verne Lewellen was a versatile, touchdown-scoring machine. Faulk won one title. Lewellen won three. Lavvie Dilweg not being in Canton would be like Travis Kelce not making it about five years after he retired. And then waiting another half century. Can anyone imagine Kelce still waiting for that Hall call decades after he passed? The Green Bay Packers won three consecutive titles from 1929-31. The team was one of the league’s first dynasties. Johnny Blood McNally, Cal Hubbard, Mike Michalske, and, of course, Curly Lambeau are the only Hall of Famers from those teams. One can argue that Lewellen and Dilweg were as integral to that remarkable success as any of their teammates. The 1930s Detroit Lions had one of the most productive ground games in the history of the league. As the Portsmouth Spartans, they played for the title in 1932. After moving to Detroit and becoming the Lions, they won a title in 1935. Ox Emerson paved the way for that ground game and the team’s success. His Hall omission can be compared to a player like Alan Faneca still waiting. Al Wistert’s long wait might be the most stunning of all. He was one of the finest offensive AND defensive linemen of his era. Like Lewellen and Dilweg, Wistert was also an integral part of a dynasty. His Philadelphia Eagles team went to three consecutive championship games from 1947-49, winning in 1948 and 1949. His Hall omission can be compared to players like Chris Jones AND Lane Johnson waiting 20 years and being kicked to the Senior pool. Both still waiting 75 years after their last snap. Can anyone imagine Jones and Johnson waiting more than a single year for their Hall call? Anyone with a proper understanding of league history should easily see the greatness and impact of Verne Lewellen, Lavvie Dilweg, Ox Emerson, and Al Wistert. All four had Hall of Fame careers. All four have been waiting since the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened in 1963. None even made it to this year’s Semi-finalist stage. Again. That’s just absurd. What is this “Blue Ribbon” Senior Committee even doing when they meet? 

The Nine Senior Finalists:

Ken Anderson

Roger Craig

L.C. Greenwood

Henry Ellard

Joe Jacoby

Eddie Meador

Stanley Morgan

Steve Tasker

Otis Taylor

While I would’ve liked to see Otis Taylor among the finalists, I really have no problem with Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood being selected from the nine semi-finalists. My problem is with the continued ignorance of the league’s past. Recognizing the league’s past is the stated purpose of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s sad that the 1970s seem to be as far back as this group of voters are willing to go. I suppose it’s fitting since most fans and many national pundits see the National Football League as starting with Super Bowl I. 

Minnesota Vikings 53 - Man Roster

Nothing about this Minnesota Vikings season has gone as hoped. John Wolford being the third quarterback on the team’s depth chart is proof of that. John Wolford! It appears fun for local and national pundits to rage about the Vikings quarterback situation but that’s simply a lazy take. It’s always about the quarterback. If a team has offensive issues, it’s always the quarterback. There’s no doubt that the quarterback play has been lousy but it’s an offense-wide issue. How can an offense perform at its best when no one knows who is playing on the offensive line from game-to-game. Hell, for the Vikings this season there’s been offensive line uncertainty from play-to-play. Much of the preseason optimism was due to the rebuilt offensive line. The five starters have yet to play an entire game together. The frustrations this season are fast approaching the sad heights of the 2010 season. 

Anyway, the Vikings host the Washington Commanders this Sunday. When the schedule came out in the spring, this game was probably circled by many as one with significant playoff implications. Instead, the two teams enter the game with a combined seven wins. In advance of the big game, here’s a look at the Minnesota Vikings current 53-man roster. John Wolford!

This current roster has 54 players. Cornerback Dwight McGlothern and quarterback John Wolford were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. One of those players, at least one of those players, has probably gone back to the practice squad. John Wolford!

2025 Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (3)

J.J. McCarthy

Max Brosmer

John Wolford

Running Backs (4)

Aaron Glenn

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

CJ Ham - FB

Receivers (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight Ends (4)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Sims

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (10)

Christian Darrsisaw

Donovan Jackson

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Justin Skule

Walter Rouse

Blake Brandel

Michael Jurgens

Joe Huber

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (6)

Jonathan Allen

Javon Hargrave

Jalen Redmond

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebackers (6)

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Tyler Batty

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebackers (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Austin Keys

Cornerbacks (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Fabian Moreau

Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (5)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kickers (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad (12)

Henry Byrd, G

Dontae Fleming, WR

Tyrek Funderburk, CB

Jonathan Harris, DL

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Corey Kiner, RB

Vershon Lee, G

Gabriel Murphy, OLB

Bryson Nesbit, TE

Taki Taimani, DL

Sione Takitaki, LB

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB

Reserve/International

Max Pincher

Reserve/Injured

Ty Chandler, RB

Zeke Correll, C

Aaron Jones, Sr., RB

Rondale Moore, WR

Matt Nelson, OL

Carson Wentz, QB

Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform

Gavin Bartholomew, TE

Minnesota Vikings Week 13 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings are riding a four-game losing streak. Their most recent loss was a sad 26-0 shutout at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks. The loss screams “no superlatives.” The Vikings were shutout for the first time since 2007. Superlative regular, kicker Will Reichard stepped on the field once. For the second half kickoff. While the Vikings offense was terrible, the Vikings defense was fantastic. Despite a few, scattered tackling issues, the entire group was outstanding. They all get this week’s only superlative. One defensive player deserves extra attention.

Vikings Player of the Game

Dallas Turner, OLB

5 tackles

4 assists

2 sacks

2 tackles for loss

1 forced fumble

Impatient folks were calling Dallas Turner a bust after a rookie season playing behind excellent  OLBs Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner received added snaps early in the season when Van Ginkel was injured and more recently when Greenard was injured. Now, Turner is receiving more snaps simply on merit. He’s been outstanding. It’s really no surprise that as his play ascends so does that of the Vikings defense. 

Vikings - Seahawks

It didn’t seem possible but the Minnesota Vikings season dropped even deeper in the dumpster with a 26-0 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings hadn’t been shut out since 2007. With the way the offense is playing, it feels like the next one could come before this season is finally done.

There was some optimism built through the week for the first start of undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer. With starter J.J. McCarthy out with a concussion and Carson Wentz done for the year, the rookie was next. Despite having one fewer year in the league than McCarthy, Brosmer is two years older. Since being signed after going undrafted, Brosmer has shown to be a quick study of the Vikings offense and looked advanced in preseason work. Perhaps the pre-game optimism was simply hope, desperate hope. Any young quarterback, especially an undrafted, rookie quarterback, needs everything around him to be right. With left guard Donovan Jackson ruled out for the game on Friday and left tackle Christian Darrisaw declared inactive on Sunday, things weren’t right around Brosmer against the Seahawks. It showed early and it showed throughout the game.

Vikings first five possessions:

5 plays, 7 yards - punt

4 plays, 21 yards - punt

3 plays, 2 yards - punt

4 plays, 18 yards - punt

The only good thing about the start of the game was the play of the Vikings defense. Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense did little throughout the game. They managed a field goal on their first possession of the second quarter. It turned out that was the only score the Seahawks would need. That wasn’t known early in the second quarter. The Vikings offense followed the big field goal with another punt. Then the defense forced their first turnover in nearly a month. Dallas Turner sacked Darnold and forced a fumble. Jalen Redmond recovered at the Seahawks 13-yard line. Just when the game looked like it was about to turn the Vikings way, it turned the other way.

Last week, the Vikings were in a tight, tense, defensive-heavy game against the Green Bay Packers. Just when that game felt like it might flip the Vikings way, a mind-numbing mistake handed the Packers a gift touchdown. The game sadly drifted away after that moment. Yesterday, the Vikings had a glorious scoring opportunity on the Seahawks 13-yard line. On 4th-and-1 from the four-yard line, head coach Kevin O’Connell opted to put the ball in Max Brosmer’s hands. Pressured by DeMarcus Lawrence, Brosmer underhanded the ball right to linebacker Ernest Jones IV. What followed was an easy 85-yard stroll to the end zone and a 10-0 lead. 

10-0 with about three minutes to play in the first half and this game felt like it was done. An excellent effort by the Vikings defense couldn’t cover for another four turnovers by the offense. 

The Vikings offense was terrible. One might even say that they were worse than terrible. The defense was terrific. Of course, everyone wants to point the finger at a single person to blame for a loss like this, a shut out loss like this. The offense was clearly the problem in this game and in recent games. When the offense isn’t working, it’s always the quarterback or the coach/play-caller. I wish that Kevin O’Connell had called a run on that fourth-and-one. I believed at the time, and certain now, that Jordan Mason up the middle had a much better chance of success than Max Brosmer passing for a yard. If Mason is stuffed, the Seahawks get the ball at their own five and the game is still 3-0. That “bad” call wasn’t the biggest of the offense’s problems in this game, and recent games. In my opinion, the biggest problem throughout this fast-becoming really sad season has been the merry-go-round offensive line. Every game has been a different group. Hell, sometimes it feels like every play is a different group. One of the biggest reasons for optimism this season was the rebuilt offensive line. The group of five put together in the offseason started their first game together last week against the Packers. The Vikings starting offensive line didn’t start a game together until Week 12. Week 12! That group lasted just over a half. There has been zero consistency on the offensive line. Zero consistency in who’s out there. Zero consistency in play. Yesterday, with an undrafted rookie quarterback under center, the Vikings could not run the ball. With Brosmer often running for his life, they could not pass the ball. Game announcers Joe Davis and Greg Olson proclaimed that the offense probably wouldn’t look any better if J.J. McCarthy was playing. I have my doubts about that but also question whether any quarterback would be proficient behind a line that can’t run block or protect. 

Because it’s the only good thing about this game, the Vikings defense deserves praise. More praise than they’re certainly going to get after a shutout loss. Perhaps reaching for talking-points in a game mostly over in the third quarter, Joe Davis and Greg Olson talked of the Seahawks place among the best in the league. The duo said the team had no weakness. I was a little surprised by this as the Seahawks offense really did nothing against the Vikings defense. Sam Darnold was running for his life throughout the game. He completed under 54% of his 26 passes for 128 yards. If you can ignore the interceptions, Max Brosmer had as many yards and a much better completion percentage. Jaxon Smith-Njigba came into the game seriously challenging the 2,000-yard barrier. He finished this game with two catches for 23 yards. 17 of those yards came on a late screen probably called just to get him off of a one-catch for six yards game. For the game, the Seahawks averaged only 3.5 yards per play. That was just a bit better the 3.2 yards per play of the Vikings offense. Which offense was broken yesterday? The Vikings defense had quite the hold on the Seahawks offense. 

I seriously hoped that I’d never again face a Vikings season as frustrating as the 1984 and 2010 seasons. The 2025 Vikings are very much heading in that direction. After the past four weeks, it’s a little shocking that a winning season is still mathematically possible. With five games to play, there’s an opportunity to flip this shit. The Washington Commanders are next. 

Flea Flicker Week 13 Predictions

It’s Week 13. Here are some guesses at the games.

Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Vikings

Things felt pretty nice when the Vikings defeated the Lions in Detroit. That feels so long ago. After three straight losses, the Vikings must start winning. It starts in Seattle. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: 49ers

With all of their injuries, it’s truly shocking the 49ers have managed to win eight games.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Jaguars

This is as much predicting the Titans to lose as predicting the Jaguars to win.

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts rebound from their late fade to the Chiefs.

New Orleans Saints @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins

The Dolphins have a bit more.

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Jets

Pick: Falcons

Kirk Cousins tops the team that once courted him.

Arizona Cardinals @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

Buccaneers health might be the only standing in the way of a win. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Rams

The Rams continue their roll.

Buffalo Bills @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Bills

Hopefully the Bills show.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Can the Chargers rebound from that Jaguars game?

Denver Broncos @ Washington Commnaders

Pick: Commanders

The Commanders snap their six games losing streak.

New York Giants @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

Rematch of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. Different outcome.

Seattle Seahawks All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Seattle this weekend for a big game against the Seahawks. The Seahawks have an interesting history. It’s interesting because they’ve spent significant time in the AFC and the NFC since they entered the league in 1976. The Seahawks were an NFC West team in 1976. Then, they flipped to the AFC West in 1977. The Seahawks remained in the AFC West for nearly 25 years. Realignment put them in the NFC West in 2001. The past 24 years have been the team’s most successful. They’ve had three Super Bowl appearances (2005, 2013, 2014) with one win (2013). Despite having a team for nearly 30 years, their fan base made their first real appearance during this run. 

Offense

Quarterback

Russell Wilson

Running Back

Shaun Alexander

Marshawn Lynch 

Fullback

Mack Strong

Wide Receivers

Steve Largent

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

This might be a bit early for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Following his “breakout” 2024 season, Smith-Njigba’s 1313 receiving yards, in only 11 games this year, has already topped the best season of contenders Doug Baldwin and DK Metcalf. 

Tight End

Jimmy Graham

Offensive Tackles

Walter Jordan

Duane Brown

Offensive Guards

Steve Hutchinson

Chris Gray

Center

Robbie Tobeck

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jacob Green

Michael Bennett

Defensive Tackles

Cortez Kennedy

Joe Nash

Linebackers

Fredd Young

Bobby Wagner

K.J. Wright

Cornerbacks

Richard Sherman

Dave Brown

Safeties

Kenny Easley

Earl Thomas

Special Teams

Kicker

Steven Hauschka

Punter

Jon Ryan

Returner

Joey Galloway

46 Minnesota Vikings Starting Quarterbacks

Once they crawled out of their early expansion days, the Minnesota Vikings have been a remarkably consistent and contending team. Over the past seven decades, losing seasons have been few and winning seasons have been many. The consistent success can be considered remarkable because the Vikings have been looking for a franchise quarterback for decades. The only franchise quarterback in team history was Fran Tarkenton. He was drafted in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft, the first draft in franchise history. Tarkenton was great. He was so great that the Vikings traded him away after the 1966 season. It’s rare for a team with no titles to have “glory days” but the Vikings had some. Those great years started not so much with Tarkenton’s departure as Bud Grant’s arrival as head coach. Within three years, Grant had the Vikings in the Super Bowl. They didn’t win Super Bowl IV but the team’s future was bright. During the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, the Vikings were among the best teams in the league. The only thing missing from those teams was a franchise quarterback. To fix that problem, the Vikings traded for Fran Tarkenton. The only franchise quarterback in team history guided the Vikings to three more Super Bowls. Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season. He retired as the holder of every league career passing record. He held those records longer than any quarterback ever has. He has a bust in Canton. The Vikings have been looking for their next franchise quarterback since Tarkenton retired in 1978. Whenever it looked like they’d found that quarterback, an incredible run of bad luck took that quarterback away. 

Since their first season in 1961, the Vikings have selected five quarterbacks in the first round of the NFL Draft. 

Tommy Kramer (1977)

Daunte Culpepper (1999)

Christian Ponder (2011)

Teddy Bridgewater (2014)

J.J. McCarthy (2024)

Tommy Kramer was always fun and often great when he was on the field. He wasn’t on the field enough. Daunte Culpepper was on an upward trajectory until a knee injury ended his time in Minnesota. Christian Ponder was drafted to be a quarterback that he never had the talent to be. As with Culpepper, a horrible knee injury ended whatever future Teddy Bridgewater might’ve had with the Vikings. Each of those four quarterbacks was drafted to be the next great Vikings quarterback. Three showed great potential and the fourth was Ponder. Now, we come to J.J. McCarthy. He lost his rookie season to a torn meniscus last summer. At least publicly, the plan wasn’t for McCarthy to start as a rookie. At least publicly, the plan was for former high-pick, now journeyman Sam Darnold to be the starting quarterback in 2024. That was then. The plan was for J.J. McCarthy to be the Vikings starting quarterback this year and the 44th starting quarterback in franchise history To be the team’s first franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton retired, he must stay on the field. Through 11 games this season, McCarthy has played in only six games. He was injured by a Kaden Ellis hip-drop tackle during the Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons. The ankle injury kept him out of five games. In his place, Carson Wentz became the Vikings 45th starting quarterback. Against the Green Bay Packers last week, McCarthy suffered a concussion. He’s currently in the concussion protocol and his availability for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks is very much in doubt. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is in line to become the Vikings 46th starting quarterback. 

46 quarterbacks. Here are those quarterbacks listed by their annual starts. 

1961:

George Shaw (4)

Fran Tarkenton (10)

1962

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1963:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Ron Vander Kelen (1)

1964:

Fran Tarkenton ((14)

1965:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1966:

Fran Tarkenton (12)

Ron Vander Kelen (1)

Bob Berry (1)

1967:

Joe Kapp (11)

Ron Vander Kelen (3)

1968:

Joe Kapp (14)

1969:

Joe Kapp (13)

Gary Couzzo (1)

1970:

Gary Couzzo (12)

Bob Lee (2)

1971:

Gary Couzzo (8)

Bob Lee (4)

Norm Snead (2)

1972:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1973:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1974:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Bob Berry (1)

1975:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1976:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Bob Lee (1)

1977:

Fran Tarkenton (9)

Bob Lee (4)

Tommy Kramer (1)

1978:

Fran Tarkenton (16)

1979:

Tommy Kramer (16)

1980:

Tommy Kramer (15)

Steve Dils (1)

1981:

Tommy Kramer (14)

Steve Dils (2)

1982:

Tommy Kramer (9)

1983:

Steve Dils (12)

Tommy Kramer (3)

Wade Wilson (1)

1984:

Tommy Kramer (9)

Wade Wilson (5)

Archie Manning (2)

1985:

Tommy Kramer (15)

Wade Wilson (1)

1986:

Tommy Kramer (13)

Wade Wilson (3)

1987:

Wade Wilson (7)

Tony Adams (3) - replacement games

Tommy Kramer (5)

1988:

Wade Wilson (10)

Tommy Kramer (6)

1989:

Wade Wilson (12)

Tommy Kramer (4)

1990:

Rich Gannon (12)

Wade Wilson (4)

1991:

Rich Gannon (11)

Wade Wilson (5)

1992:

Rich Gannon (12)

Sean Salisbury (4)

1993:

Jim McMahon (12)

Sean Salisbury (4)

1994:

Warren Moon (15)

Sean Salisbury (1)

1995:

Warren Moon (16)

1996:

Warren Moon (8)

Brad Johnson (8)

1997:

Brad Johnson (13)

Randall Cunningham (3)

1998:

Randall Cunningham (14)

Brad Johnson (2)

1999:

Jeff George (10)

Randall Cunningham (6)

2000:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2001:

Daunte Culpepper (11)

Spergon Wynn (2)

Todd Bouman (3)

2002:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2003:

Daunte Culpepper (14)

Gus Frerotte (2)

2004:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2005:

Daunte Culpepper (7)

Brad Johnson (9)

2006:

Brad Johnson (14)

Tarvaris Jackson (2)

2007:

Tarvaris Jackson (12)

Kelly Holcomb (3)

Brooks Bollinger (1)

2008:

Gus Frerotte (11)

Tarvaris Jackson (5)

2009:

Brett Favre (16)

2010:

Brett Favre (13)

Tarvaris Jackson (1)

Joe Webb (2)

2011:

Donovan McNabb (6)

Christian Ponder (10)

2012:

Christian Ponder (16)

2013:

Christian Ponder (9)

Josh Freeman (1)

Matt Cassel (6)

2014:

Matt Cassel (3)

Teddy Bridgewater (12)

Christian Ponder (1)

2015:

Teddy Bridgewater (16)

2016:

Shaun Hill (1)

Sam Bradford (15)

2017:

Sam Bradford (2)

Case Keenum (14)

2018:

Kirk Cousins (16)

2019:

Kirk Cousins (15)

Sean Mannion (1)

2020:

Kirk Cousins (16)

2021:

Kirk Cousins (16)

Sean Mannion (1)

2022:

Kirk Cousins (17)

2023:

Kirk Cousins (8)

Jaren Hall (2)

Josh Dobbs (4)

Nick Mullens (3)

2024:

Sam Darnold (17)

2025 (so far):

J.J. McCarthy (6)

Carson Wentz (5)

Max Brosmer

46 Quarterbacks:

George Shaw

Fran Tarkenton

Ron Vander Kelen

Bob Berry

Joe Kapp

Gary Couzzo

Bob Lee

Norm Snead

Tommy Kramer

Steve Dils

Wade Wilson

Archie Manning

Tony Adams - replacement games

Rich Gannon

Sean Salisbury

Jim McMahon

Warren Moon

Brad Johnson

Randall Cunningham

Jeff George

Daunte Culpepper

Spergon Wynn

Todd Bouman

Gus Frerotte

Tarvaris Jackson

Kelly Holcomb

Brooks Bollinger

Brett Favre

Joe Webb

Donovan McNabb

Christian Ponder

Josh Freeman

Matt Cassel

Teddy Bridgewater

Shaun Hill

Sam Bradford

Case Keenum

Kirk Cousins

Sean Mannion

Jaren Hall

Josh Dobbs

Nick Mullens

Sam Darnold

J.J. McCarthy

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Throwback Thursday: Thanksgiving 1962

This Flicker was originally posted May 22, 2014. And several times since. 

The Detroit Lions have struggled for most of the past fifty years. Those struggles have made it difficult to imagine a time when the team was great. There really was a time when they were pretty great. The Lions were one of the dominant teams of the 1950s. They played in four NFL Championship games in the decade, winning three of them in 1952, '53, and '57. The Lions nearly carried the success of the 1950s into the 1960s.

In the 1960s, Vince Lombardi built the Green Bay Packers into one of the greatest teams in NFL history. From 1961-67, the Packers won five NFL titles. The Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship game. In the locker room after the game, Lombardi promised his team that they would never again lose a postseason game while he was coaching the team. They never did. This was a great football team. Thirteen Hall of Fame players. One Hall of Fame coach. The Packers of the 1960s were so great that it's easy to forget about the other teams in the league. The Packers greatest challenge in the first three years of their dynasty came from within their own conference. In particular, it came from the Detroit Lions. In 1960, the Packers won the Western Conference with an 8-4 record. The Lions were second at 7-5. In 1961, the Packers won the Western Conference with an 11-3-1 record. The Lions were second at 8-5-1. In 1962, the Packers won the Western Conference with a 13-1 record. The Lions were second at 11-3. In each of the seasons, the Packers and Lions split their season series. The 1962 Green Bay Packers are considered by many the greatest team of the great Lombardi teams. On October 7, the Packers defeated the Lions 9-7 in Green Bay. This was a game that the Lions strongly felt should have been theirs. So much so that the team was about to explode when the Packers came to Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day rematch. The Packers entered that game with an 18-game winning streak. They had won 11 straight league games, a championship game, and six exhibition games. The Packers were 10-0 on the season. The Lions were 8-2. The Lions defense swarmed all over the Packers runners, passers, and blockers on that Thanksgiving Day. 23-0 at the half with the defense scoring a touchdown and a safety. The 26-14 final score made the game seem much closer than it was. Packers quarterback Bart Starr was sacked 11 times in the game. The Packers offense was physically beaten in this game. It was a beating so thorough that receiver Max McGee asked of Starr in the Packers huddle, "Why don't you throw an incomplete pass and nobody will get hurt." His battered teammates were left laughing in the huddle. It was all that they could do. This was one of the few times during the Lombardi years that the Packers failed to match the intensity of their opponent. The beatdown by the Lions didn't keep the Packers down for long. They won the rest of their regular season games and defeated the New York Giants for their second straight championship. The Lions had to settle for another second place finish in the conference.

The Detroit Lions of the early 1960s were a very good team that happened to play in the long shadow of a truly great team. From 1960-62, they might have been the only team to give Lombardi's team a tough time on a consistent basis. The two teams split their games during that time. If not for those Packers teams, the Detroit Lions might have followed their great 1950s with an excellent start to the 1960s.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalists

Last week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame released a disappointing list of Senior Semifinalists. Yesterday, the list of 26 Modern-era Semifinalists was released. As is often the case, the list is topped by those in their first year of eligibility.

Drew Brees

Larry Fitzgerald

Philip Rivers

Frank Gore

Jason Witten

Eli Manning

Fred Taylor

Torry Holt

Steve Smith Sr.

Hines Ward

Reggie Wayne

Willie Anderson 

Lomas Brown

Jahri Evans

Richmond Webb

Steve Wisniewski 

Marshall Yanda

Robert Mathis

Vince Wilfork

Kevin Williams

Luke Kuechly

Terrell Suggs

Rodney Harrison

Earl Thomas

Darren Woodson

Adam Vinatieri

Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Frank Gore, and Jason Witten are a strong first-year group. In particular, Brees and Fitzgerald can probably start making plans for being in Canton in August. Of the remaining 21 Semifinalists, a robust 19 reached this stage of the process last year. Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams are the only newcomers. After plucking the cream of the first-year crop, it’s easy to focus on those that got close the previous year. This year, that would be a mistake. Kevin Williams is deserving of a Pro Football Hall of Fame bust. It’s ridiculous that it’s taken until his sixth-year of eligibility for him to make it to this stage. Williams is one of only five eligible players in NFL history (the entire history of the NFL!) with an All-Decade honor and and five or more first-team All-Pro selections who is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The others:

Lavvie Dilweg: five-time first-team All-Pro selections, 1920s All-Decade

Ox Emerson: five-time first-team All-Pro selections, 1930s All-Decade

Del Shofner: five-time first-team All-Pro Selections, 1960s All-Decade

Luke Kuechly: five-time first-team All-Pro Selections, 2010s All-Decade

Lavvie Dilweg and Ox Emerson have yet to gain their deserved place in the Hall for the sad reason that too many of the voters have no clue, and refuse to gain a clue, about players that played before the 1960s. Luke Kuechly somehow didn’t make it last year in his first year. He should make it in his second. 

The biggest obstacle for many of the Semifinalists is the revised voting process. Implemented last year for the simple reason that the voters had a tendency to force through too many players in their first-year of eligibility. If a change wasn’t made, the Class of 2026 would probably be the five players in their first-year of eligibility. The new voting process has made it more difficult to get through. That’s why there were only three modern-era players made it last year. It’s why Luke Kuechly is still waiting. 

If the voting was up to me, I’d go with a five-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Otherwise, the backlog of deserving players will grow and the voters have repeatedly shown they have no idea how to deal with long-waiting, Hall-deserving former players. 

My Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Drew Brees

Larry Fitzgerald

Luke Kuechly

Willie Anderson

Kevin Williams

That’s a fine Class. That’s a Class that would get me to Canton in August. I love Canton in August. I believe that the first three are easy, automatic picks. Personally, Kevin Williams is also an automatic pick. The fifth player is tough. The receiver logjam is looking like it did when Cris Carter, Andre Reed, and Tim Brown were banging on the door. I’d like to get one of Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Hines Ward, and Steve Smith Sr. in this Class. With Larry Fitzgerald an automatic pick, I went away from a second receiver and with offensive lineman Willie Anderson. 

MInnesota Vikings Week 12 Superlatives

Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, the Minnesota Vikings played one of the worst halves of football in recent memory. That horrible second half resulted in the 23-6 loss. It was a game to forget. It also makes for a sad, but easy, chore in selecting the Week 12 Superlatives. 

Offensive Player of the Game

None

Defensive Player of the Game

None

Special Teams Players of the Game

Will Reichard, K

Ryan Wright, P

Will Reichard has been awesome all year. He provided all of the scoring against the Packers with 52 and 59 yard bombs. 

Ryan Wright had one of his best punting days in his four years as the Vikings punter. He twice pinned the Packers inside their own 10-yard line with punts of over 50 yards. 

Vikings - Packers

Football is fun. Football is fun. Football is fun. I have to keep telling myself that as there was little fun in yesterday’s Minnesota Vikings loss to the Green Bay Packers. The 23-6 loss included the worst half of Vikings football in recent memory. Perhaps ever. 

The horrible second half started with immense generosity on the Vikings part. Actually, the second half started nicely as the Vikings defense forced a Packers punt on the initial possession. It was on the punt that things went off the rails for the Vikings. Returner Myles Price decided to let the ball bounce rather than fair catch it. For some reason, he decided to scramble for the loose ball rather than getting away from it. The ball hit him and the Packers pounced on it. Just like that, the Vikings gift-wrapped a touchdown and handed it to the Packers. Two plays later, a contested, one-score game was a two-score game. 

The gift touchdown was early in the third quarter. Despite the 17-6 score, there was still nearly 26 minutes to play. That’s plenty of time to make up for a giant mistake. Unfortunately, something seemed to change with the Vikings. Any energy they had before the gift was gone. It looked like the defense forgot how to tackle. I lost count of the number of times a Vikings defender ran right past a Packers ball-carrier in the backfield, Despite this sudden tackling issue, they still kept the Packers out of the end zone the rest of the game. The bigger problem was the offense. 

Vikings second half possessions:

3 plays, 2 yards - punt

3 plays, -12 yards - punt

3 plays, -17 yards - punt

1 play, 0 yards - interception

5 plays, 26 yards - interception

The net of those pathetic possessions is -1 yards. 15 plays and -1 yards. -1 yards. -1 yards. Should yards even be plural when it’s negative? And two turnovers. It might be the worst half of offensive football ever. 

Of course, the great takeaway of the pathetic offensive performance was the continued race to dump quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the “bust” bin. I will never understand this great thirst to label a young quarterback a bust. Pundits, and fans, race to get on that “bust bandwagon.” This game, and the pathetic second half offense, wasn’t solely a McCarthy problem. It was a team problem. From coaches to players, the Vikings essentially left Lambeau Field the moment Myles Price made the decision to chase a bouncing football. This game, and that half, was a team-wide failure. Pundits, and fans, that are putting it on McCarthy are chasing an agenda. Some may have set that agenda the moment the Vikings selected the quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Singling out a single person for a team failure is just lazy.

It took 12 games for the Vikings to field their five offensive line starters. A priority of the offseason was the rebuild of the interior of the offensive line. Injuries kept the five from taking a snap together before this Packers game. The great, and much anticipated, event lasted for little over a half. The Vikings offense moved the ball when those starters were on the field. All four first half possessions had at least one first down. Two ended in field goals. The best drive was a beauty until it wasn’t. As the first quarter ended and the second quarter opened, the Vikings offense ran eight consecutive plays of at least four yards. Six runs, two passes. The offense bullied their way down the field and into the red zone. The Packers defense was on their heels. With a third-and-1 at the Packers 17-yard line, Kevin O’Connell decided to get cute and called a short-yardage play with T.J. Hockenson under center. I suppose it was a Vikings version of the “tush push.” It’s easy to be critical of a play that didn’t work. Hindsight is a fan’s #1 tool. I didn’t like this play-call in real time. Just keep doing what you’ve been doing. The failed “push” with Hockenson seemed to reverse the momentum that was built with the previous eight plays. The Vikings were on the verge of taking an early 10-7 lead. Instead, that momentum flipped. The Packers stopped the fourth down run and the Vikings best drive of the day ended with zero points. As for the first appearance of the starting offensive line, it lasted just over a half. Left guard Donovan Jackson left in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw left a little later with a foot injury. McCarthy was sacked five times. Four of those came in the second half. With a two-score lead, the Packers pass rushers were able to tee off on the quarterback with little to no concern for the run. When Jackson and Darrisaw departed, it got even easier. 

While football is fun, this wasn’t a fun game. A 10-7 record can often get a team in the playoffs. At 4-7, 10-7 would require a dream finish. With the way the Vikings played in the second half against the Packers, a single win would be a challenge. Next week, the Vikings travel to play the Seattle Seahawks. It’ll be interesting to see how the Vikings respond after this not-fun game. 

Flea Flicker Week 12 Predictions

It’s Week 12. Here are some guesses at the games.

Byes: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Vikings

The last two games were must-win games for the Vikings. They lost both. This is a must-win game. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Steelers

The Bears have lucked into seven wins. That luck is bound to run out.

New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots continue their run through the easiest schedule in the league.

New York Giants @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Lions

The Lions rebound from their loss to the Eagles.

Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks get a break before they get thrashed by the Vikings. 

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

If they want to catch the Broncos, the Chiefs need to go on a run.

New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

It’s still a little shocking that the Chiefs and Ravens are a combined 10-10. The Ravens should make quick work of the Jets.

Cleveland Browns @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: None

This might be the least interesting game of the week.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Jaguars

The Jaguars find a way.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys

The Cowboys stun the Eagles.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Falcons

It wasn’t too long ago that this was one of the most entertaining rivalries in the league. It’s still fun.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams are only a few plays away from an undefeated season. 

Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: Panthers

This might be a sneaky entertaining game. 

Green Bay Packers All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Green Bay this weekend for tomorrow’s big game against the Packers. The Packers have a long, often glorious, NFL history. They have the most NFL titles (13). Four of those titles are of the Super Bowl variety. On the eve of the big game, here’s a team of some of the best players in Packers franchise history. 

Offense

Quarterback

Bart Starr

Running Back

Johnny Blood

Fullback

Clarke Hinkle

Wide Receivers

Don Hutson

Sterling Sharpe

Tight End

Ron Kramer

Offensive Tackles

Forrest Gregg

Cal Hubbard

Offensive Guards

Mike Michalske

Jerry Kramer

Center

Jim Ringo

Defense

Defensive Ends

Reggie White

Willie Davis

Defensive Tackles

Henry Jordan

Kenny Clark 

Linebackers

Dave Robinson

RayNitschke

Clay Matthews

Cornerbacks

Herb Adderley

Charles Woodson

Safeties

Willie Wood

LeRoy Butler

Special Teams

Kicker 

Ryan Longwell

Punter

Craig Hentrich 

Kick Returner

Travis Williams

The First Big Game

The University of  California and Stanford take the field Saturday for the 128th playing of the Big Game. The Battle for the Axe. Cal is seeking to keep it. Stanford is trying to get it back. They can't have it. 

The Big Game is one of the great rivalries in college football. It's two games behind Oregon-Oregon State as the most played rivalry in the west and the 13th most played rivalry in the nation. Cal and Stanford started their football rivalry on March 19, 1892. The Big Game name didn't land on the game until the one that was played in 1900.

The very first football game played on the Berkeley campus was in 1881. That's when the class of '81 challenged the class of '80. The class of '80 prevailed in a game that more closely resembled rugby than the game that most considered American Football. This game sparked an interest in the sport and games with teams outside the campus. From 1882-85, Cal played a game that resembled English rugby against various club teams from San Francisco. They were 8-1-2 in these games. It was a fine time but everything changed when Oscar Shafter Howard appeared on the scene. A Californian, he played football at Harvard and graduated in 1885. When he returned to the west coast he brought American Football with him. He sold Cal on the sport and volunteered to coach them and any rugby club in San Francisco who would convert to this new game. What followed was the birth of American Football on the west coast.

Over the next six seasons Cal's football team posted a 20-4-1 record against club team competition. It's all that they had. Stanford decided to change that. Leland Stanford Jr. University was established in 1891. Some Stanford students were interested in starting a football team immediately. In that first fall term those students approached John R. Whittemore seeking his help in organizing a team. Whittemore had attended school in the east and played at Washington. He agreed to help and became the playing coach and captain of Stanford's first football team.

Cal got wind of Stanford's little football team and issued a challenge to meet on Thanksgiving Day for a game. Whittemore knew that there was no way that he could get the Stanford team ready in time and declined the challenge but left the door open for a game in the spring. When the progress of his team met his approval, Whittemore looked to arrange the game. Cal eagerly agreed and a game was scheduled for March 19, 1892 on the Haight Street grounds in San Francisco.

One of the most frequently told stories of the first Big Game was that of Stanford's team manager Herbert C. Hoover. Future President of the United States Herbert C. Hoover. When both teams showed up for the game neither team showed up with a football. The fault for this little issue has always been placed on Hoover. While placing the blame of this significant snafu on a future President might make the story a little more interesting it's not entirely accurate. Why isn't Cal manager Herbert Lang blamed? Or the official, Jack Sherrard? Or anyone from either team? Anyway, there was still the problem of no football. David Goulcher, the owner of a sporting goods store in downtown San Francisco, volunteered to remedy the problem. He set off on horseback and returned with a ball an hour later. The first Big Game kicked off at 4:11 p.m.

Here are the lineups for that first game in this long series.

California
Walter H. Henry, left end
John H. White, left tackle
Newton Wachhorst, left guard
J.C. Pierce, center
Alfred Dubbers, right guard
Henry Hay, right tackle
Arthur H. Mau, right end
Raymond H. Sherman, left half
George H. Foulkes, right half-captain
Guy R. Kennedy, quarterback
Loren E. Hunt, fullback

Stanford
Charles H. Hogg, left end
Ellsworth L. Rich, left tackle
Stewart D. Briggs, left guard
Arthur H. Barnhisel, center
Charles C. Adams, right guard
Claude S. Downing, right tackle
Milton D. Grosh, right end
John R. Whittemore, left half-captain
Paul M. Downing, right half
Thomas K. Code, quarterback
Carl C. Clemans, fullback

Stanford was apparently a real quick study in this new game of football. Or Whittemore was an excellent teacher. It was probably a little bit of both. Cal had been playing this game for about six years. Stanford had been playing it for a few months. Stanford won the first Big Game 14-10.

The second Big Game was also played in 1892. December 17, 1892. That game ended in a 10-10 tie. Those two games kicked off 133 years of football fun.

It would be a lot more fun if Cal could even the all-time series. It currently stands at 65-51-11 in Stanford's favor. That has to change. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Semifinalists

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s nine-person Seniors “Blue-Ribbon Committee” has whittled the list of Senior candidates for the Class of 2026 from 34 to nine semifinalists. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Semifinalists

Ken Anderson

Roger Craig

Henry Ellard

L.C. Greenwood

Joe Jacoby

Eddie Meador

Stanley Morgan

Steve Tasker

Otis Taylor

I wish that it was a mystery as to how the semifinalist list doesn’t include Lavvie Dilweg and Al Wistert. It’s the same reason the list of 34 didn’t include Verne Lewellen. The committee has closed the Hall of Fame doors on any player that played the bulk of their career before 1950. Dilweg, Wistert, and Lewellen should’ve earned a bust in Canton decades ago. Rather than correct that mistake, the voters continue to make it. Wistert’s continued omission would be like the voters taking a pass on Lane Johnson five years after his retirement and continue passing on him for decades. Perhaps forever. Wistert and Johnson were the best offensive linemen of their respective eras. Both helped guide their team, same team, to two NFL titles. Unlike Johnson, Wistert was also one of the league’s best defensive linemen. How does a Hall of Fame voter ignore such a player? Imagine Lane Johnson waiting his entire life for that Hall call. It feels impossible. That was Wistert’s post-career life. Any Hall voter that shuts the door on decades of NFL history shouldn’t be a Hall voter.

This should be about the nine players that are semifinalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. To be honest, it’s difficult to look at the list without seeing the players that aren’t on it. Of the nine semifinalists, Otis Taylor stands out. There was a time when I often had to confirm that he wasn’t in the Canton. Maybe I’d mix him up with Charley Taylor. Who knows? Perhaps it was the way he helped take apart the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV but I always thought Otis Taylor was one of the best receivers of his era. He’s probably my #1 of the nine semifinalists. 

If I had to make a guess as to who the committee might select as the three finalists, I’d have to go with the players that played most recently. Isn’t that what they do?

Henry Ellard

Steve Tasker

Roger Craig 

For me, I guess the following are my picks for the finalists.

Ken Anderson

Eddie Meador

Otis Taylor

As a Vikings fan, my hopes are fading fast for Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman one day making it to Canton. Of the two, I’ve always felt that Foreman is most deserving. During his peak years, he was the most versatile running back in the league. There were a couple years in which he was arguably the league’s best back. If his peak years were a bit longer, he’d have that bust. Foreman’s peak years were Hall of Fame worthy. 

The finalists will be revealed in early December. 

Minnesota Vikings 2026 Draft Picks

I try to avoid Minnesota Vikings draft thoughts in the middle of a season. While this season hasn’t gone as hoped, or dreamed, it’s far from over. At 4-6 and looking up at all three division rivals, there’s about zero room for further stumbles. The Vikings website recently posted the team’s 2026 current draft picks. Due to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s willingness to trade, it’s often difficult to keep track of the Vikings draft picks. Even in the middle of the season, it was interesting to see the current draft pick status.

Minnesota Vikings 2026 Draft Picks

First Round

Second Round

Third Round

Fifth Round (from Eagles in the 2025 Sam Howell trade)

Sixth Round (from Colts in the 2025 Mekhi Blackmon trade)

Seventh Round

Seventh Round (from Texans in the 2024 Cam Akers trade)

Seventh Round (from Panthers in the 2025 Adam Thielen trade)

The Vikings currently hold eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. By comparison, the team entered the 2025 NFL Draft with four draft picks (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th). 

The picks in 2026 will be further supplemented by at least one compensatory pick. There was a time when it looked the Vikings could receive as many as three compensatory picks. That’s faded a bit with the playing time of some players. Daniel Jones winning the quarterback job of the Colts initially put a pick in the Vikings pocket. Apparently, Eric Wilson’s playing time in Minnesota has canceled out that pick. Not being a compensatory pick specialist, this is puzzling to me. Jones has a $14 million contract. Wilson has a $2.6 million contract. Jones has been a revelation as the Colts starter. Wilson has been terrific as a rotational/situational linebacker. Contract and pay, there’s nothing about Wilson’s pay and play that should cancel out Jones. It’s a mystery. With that apparent cancellation, the Vikings are down to a single additional pick. They will get the first compensatory pick at the end of the third round for losing Sam Darnold. That added pick will give the Vikings nine picks and fill the current fourth-round hole in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Now, back to the 2025 NFL season. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 11 Superlatives

After a loss, it can be difficult to pick players of the game. The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. In 50 seconds, a 17-16 win flipped to a 19-17 loss. It was a very disappointing final 50 seconds. Here are some of the players that did good things in a frustrating loss. 

Offensive Players of the Game

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

Jordan Mason, RB

Aaron Jones Sr.:

16 carries 

70 yards

Jordan Mason

6 carries

45 yards

1 TD

The Vikings ran the ball well. They would’ve run the ball even better if the passing efficiency was where it should be. The receivers were routinely wide open. Through misfires and drops, the passing game did not complement the efficient running. 

Defensive Players of the Game

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

Dallas Turner, OLB

The Vikings defense played well. A couple turnovers would’ve been nice. The defense was highlighted by a pass rush that had Caleb Williams on the run for the entire game. Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner were the only pass rushers that got Williams on the ground. Each did so once. With Jonathan Greenard out, the Vikings needed Turner to step up. He did. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Myles Price, Returner

Other than last week against the Baltimore Ravens, Myles Price has been a revelation this season. His 43-yard, fourth quarter punt return against the Bears ignited the Vikings and led to the team’s first touchdown.  Before this season is done, Price is going to take a return to the end zone. Hopefully, much more than one. 

Vikings - Bears

The Minnesota Vikings won their first game against the Chicago Bears with some fourth quarter heroics. For about a minute, it looked like the second game against the Bears would be won in repeat fashion. In the end, the Bears won on a last-second field goal, 19-17. 

With 50 second to play, J.J. McCarthy hit Jordan Addison for a 15-yard touchdown. The big play put the Vikings up 17-16. Unfortunately, there was still 50 seconds and the Bears only needed a field goal to win. Instead of the Vikings defense sealing the win, returner Devin Duvernay immediately put the Bears in field goal position with a 56-yard return. In eight seconds, the Vikings and their fans went from ecstatic to crushed. After three runs to drain the remaining time, Cairo Santos kicked the 48-yard game-winning field goal. 

Before this Week 11 game, I thought that the Vikings had no room for stumbles. At 4-5, with eight games to play, 12-5 was possible. That’s a playoff record. Instead of starting a run, the Vikings stumbled against the Bears. Now, at 4-6, 11-6 is still possible. That should be a playoff-deserving record. Anything less, who knows? Thanks to a stumble-filled game against the Bears, the Vikings really have no room for stumbles moving forward. 

The Vikings defense played well enough to win against the Bears. About the only thing missing from the defense was a turnover or two. If the Bears offense was as generous with the ball as the Vikings offense, this is probably an easy win. The slippery nature of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was the difference in the game. So many times, he was in the grasp of Dallas Turner, Jalen Redmond, and the rest of the pass rushers. Even safety Jay Ward had a couple opportunities to get the Bears elusive quarterback on the ground. So many times, Williams spun out of those grasps and scrambled for yards, or threw the ball out of bounds. He only completed 50% of his passes. Most of his 16 misses were throws into the stands to avoid big losses. The Vikings had Williams on the run all game. They just needed to get him to the ground and could not. He might be the most slippery quarterback in the league. 

If the Vikings offense came close to the play of the defense, we’re talking about another division win. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will get most of the blame. There were boos from the stands. It’s an unfortunate thing as no one player is to blame. Fan and pundits always want one person to blame when things don’t go well. Football is a team game. It’s rarely one person. McCarthy probably had as many passes dropped as misfires. Jordan Addison dropped a deep throw that could’ve been a big, early touchdown. There were drops that could’ve/should’ve been first downs and drives continued. Instead, Ryan Wright punted six times. That’s too many punts. Two other possessions ended in McCarthy interceptions. That’s too many interceptions. The Vikings were real lucky there wasn’t a third interception. Both Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason ran well. Like Williams, McCarthy completed only 16 of 32 attempts. Unlike Williams, most of McCarthy’s incompletions were thrown to wide open receivers. The opportunities were there for an easy win. The Vikings didn’t take advantage of those opportunities. 

If they are to reach the playoffs, the Vikings must get out of their own way. J.J. McCarthy must play better but it isn’t all on the young quarterback. The entire offense must play better. The defense just has to keep doing what they’ve been doing since the Detroit Lions game. A couple takeaways per game would be nice. That’s about the only thing the defense hasn’t done in recent weeks. The offense must stop the self-inflicted mistakes. Next up is a trip to Lambeau and the Green Bay Packers. There’s no more room for stumbles. The Vikings must get their shit together and they must do it now. 

My Time All - Time Chicago Bears Team

I picked an All-Time Chicago Bears Team in advance of the season’s first Minnesota Vikings-Chicago Bears game in Week 1. Here’s a different look at a Bears All - Time team in advance of the season’s second Vikings-Bears game tomorrow. It’s a team made up of some of the best Bears players during my time as a Vikings fan. With two Super Bowl appearances and one memorable win, Chicago has had some fine teams and great players. 

Offense

Quarterback

Jim McMahon

Running Back

Walter Payton

Fullback

Roland Harper

Wide Receivers

Brandon Marshall

Alshon Jeffery

Tight End

Greg Olsen

Tackles

Jimbo Covert

James Williams

Guards

Mark Bortz

Tom Thayer

Center

Jay Hilgenberg

Defense

Defensive Ends

Richard Dent

Khalil Mack

Defensive Tackles

Dan Hampton

Steve McMichael 

Linebackers

Lance Briggs

Mike Singletary

Brian Urlacher

Cornerbacks

Charles Tillman

Donnell Woolford

Safeties

Gary Fencik

Dave Duerson

Special Teams

Kicker

Robbie Gould

Punter

Brad Maynard

Returner

Devin Hester

Minnesota Vikings Injured List

The first half of the Minnesota Vikings 2025 was heavily peppered with injuries. Several of those injuries ripped apart the offensive line that was crafted during the offseason was one of the biggest reasons for optimism for the season. The Vikings were forced to go to a third-team player at several positions for games and during games. The number of offensive line combinations used through the first nine games has gone beyond counting. The projected five starters have yet to play a single snap together. Right guard Will Fries is the only starter that has played in every game. The offensive line was the team’s most significant injury issue. It wasn’t the only one. Offensively, the Vikings have been without their starting quarterback, starting running back, and their 1b tight end due to injuries. Forming any sort of continuity was impossible. The offense really needed to play snaps together because of the newness of so many players. The injuries prevented that. The Vikings offense was finally getting the snaps together in Weeks 9 and 10 that they should’ve had in Weeks 1 and 2. Defensively, linebacker Blake Cashman and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel were the only players that missed multiple games. If one was to pick the players the Vikings defense could least afford to miss, Cashman and Van Ginkel would be high on that list. Anyway, injuries will always be an unfortunate part of football. It’s a rough game and seasons are often won by the teams that best handle those injuries. Hopefully, the Vikings are through the worst of it. The past couple of weeks has been the most healthy the team has been since May. Here’s a look at the Vikings injured list in advance of Sunday’s big game with the Chicago Bears. 

Wednesday

Christian Darrisaw, OT (Knee) - Full Practice

Jonathan Greenard, OLB (Shoulder) - Did Not Practice

Will Fries, G (Calf) - Limited Practice

Aaron Jones Sr., RB (Shoulder/Toe) Limited Practice

Ryan Kelly, C (Concussion) - Limited Practice

Joshua Metellus, S (Foot) - Limited Practice

Josh Oliver, TE (Foot) - Limited Practice

Andrew Van Ginkel (Neck) - Limited Practice

Theo Jackson, S (Concussion) - Full Practice

J.J. McCarthy, QB (Hand) - Limited Practice

Justin Skule, T (Shoulder) - Limited Practice

Harrison Smith, S (Rest-No Injury) - Limited Practice

Thursday

Christian Darrisaw, OT (Knee) - Did Not Practice

Jonathan Greenard, OLB (Shoulder) - Did Not Practice

Will Fries, G (Calf) - Limited Practice

Aaron Jones Sr., RB (Shoulder/Toe) Limited Practice

Ryan Kelly, C (Concussion) - Limited Practice

Joshua Metellus, S (Foot) - Limited Practice

Josh Oliver, TE (Foot) - Limited Practice

Andrew Van Ginkel (Neck) - Limited Practice

Theo Jackson, S (Concussion) - Full Practice

J.J. McCarthy, QB (Hand) - Full Practice

Justin Skule, T (Shoulder) - Full Practice

Harrison Smith, S (Rest-No Injury) - Not on Report

The number of players on the injured list is still well-populated. That should be expected as it’s Week 11. Last week, the Baltimore Ravens had ZERO players on their injury report in advance of their game against the Vikings. How often does that happen on a Week 10 injury report? The most concerning injury on the Vikings current list is outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. The hope here is that he’s getting treatment and rest for his injured shoulder and that he could play if it was a game day. I suppose we’ll find out today. He’s a difference-maker and will be missed if he’s not on the field against the Bears. 

With the exception of Ryan Kelly, I’m hoping/expecting that all those listed as limited throughout the week will be good to go for the game. Kelly is coming back from his second concussion of the season. He and the Vikings will surely use extreme caution with his return to the field. 

The Vikings are getting healthy. Now, they must stay healthy. It’s time to finally play together. 

Throwback Thursday: Red Grange’s Football Tour

Through its first five years, the National Football League was a shaky and questionable business. The most popular sports in the 1920s were baseball, boxing, college football, and horse racing. Some folks probably sprinkled in tennis and golf before they considered paying attention to professional football. Joe Carr, George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Chris O’Brien, Carl Storck, and the rest of the league’s leaders were scraping, scratching, doing everything they could to gain notice and traction with the media and public. Enter Harold “Red” Grange. 

The 1920s introduced the nation to sports celebrities. Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Bobby Jones, Helen Wills, Lou Gehrig, Man o’ War, and Bill Tilden thrilled a public that finally had some spare time. In his three years at Illinois, Red Grange joined those sports celebrities. People flocked to the stadium to see him live and to theaters to see his highlights. The NFL needed him. They needed him bad. 1925 was 11 years before the first NFL Draft. Every potential professional football player was essentially a free agent. In an attempt to gain a bit of respect and credibility with the public, the NFL had established a policy of no tampering with college football players that still had remaining eligibility. Grange’s last football game as an innocent University of Illinois student-athlete was at Ohio State on November 21, 1925. A day later, he was sitting on the sidelines at Cubs Park for the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game. He was watching his new teammates shut out the Packers 21-0. Four days later, he played for the Bears against the Chicago Cardinals on Thanksgiving. 120 hours after his final college football game, Red Grange played in his first NFL game. Perhaps he wasn’t so innocent. 

If the general public wasn’t so thrilled to see Red Grange play professional football, they might’ve been suspicious as to how Grange signed with the Bears in only a matter of hours. The reality was that it had been in the works for weeks, maybe months. All of that and all that was to come was crafted by Grange’s agent. A theater owner named C.C. Pyle had an expansive plan for Grange, the Bears, and himself. C.C. Pyle was a piece of work but this story isn’t really about him. This story is about the ridiculous football marathon that kicked off soon after Grange joined the Bears. 

It’s really no stretch to say that the addition of Red Grange to the roster of the Chicago Bears and the NFL put player, team, and league on a whole other trajectory. All three needed each other. All three looked to profit from the new union. What happened after Grange joined the Bears could never happen today. It shouldn’t have happened in 1925. Grange and his new teammates played a lot of football. 

Most of the following is taken from Chris Willis’ excellent and incredibly thorough Red Grange: The Life and Legacy of the NFL’s First Superstar.

Red Grange’s Football Tour:

After playing in his final eight-game season for the University of Illinois, Grange played in the final two games of the Chicago Bears 1925 schedule:

11/26/25: Chicago Cardinals

11/29/25: Columbus Tigers

That was just the beginning. With Grange on the team, George Halas and the Bears went on a tour. It was a barnstorming tour with two parts. Here’s the first part.

Wednesday, December 2, at St. Louis All-Stars

Saturday, December 5, at Frankford Yellow Jackets (NFL game)

Sunday, December 6, at New York Giants (NFL game)

Tuesday, December 8, at Washington All-Stars

Wednesday, December 9, Providence Steam Roller (NFL game)

Thursday, December 10, Pittsburgh All-Stars

Saturday, December 12, Detroit Panthers (NFL game)

Sunday, December 13, New York Giants (NFL game)

Over 11 days, Grange and the Bears played eight games. At one point in the tour, they played six games in eight days. It was an insane schedule. The Bears had 20 players on their roster for these games. In those days, players played offense, defense, and special teams. Much to the disappointment of the fans in the stands, Grange did not play every minute of every game. The highlight of the tour was the December 6 game in New York. Attendance for the game was estimated between 65,000 and 70,000. Those were unimagined numbers for the NFL. The Bears won that game, 19-7. The crowd was thrilled when Grange returned an interception for a score to clinch the win. A frequently told story from this tour is from the stop in Washington D.C. Grange and Halas met President Calvin Coolidge at the White House. Illinois senator William McKinley made the introductions. “Mr. President, this is George Halas and Red Grange with the Chicago Bears.” President Coolidge responded by saying, “Young men, I’m very happy to meet you. I always did like animal acts.” 

During the Pittsburgh game, Grange injured his left arm while throwing a block on an interception return. It would impact his play for the final two games of this part of the tour. 

After a week of rest, Grange and the Bears continued their tour. The second part of the tour hit the south and west. 

Friday, December 25, 1925, at Coral Gables (FL) All-Stars

Friday, January 1, 1926, at Tampa (FL) Cardinals

Saturday, January 2, 1926, at Jacksonville (FL) All-Stars

Sunday, January 10, 1926, at New Orleans All-Southerns

Saturday, January 16, 1026, at Los Angeles Tigers

Sunday, January 17, 1926, at San Diego California All-Stars

Sunday, January 24, 1926, at San Francisco Tigers

Saturday, January 30, 1926, at Portland All-Stars

Sunday, January 31, 1926, at Seattle Washington All-Stars

Again, four days after completing an eight-game college football season, Red Grange played in his first NFL game for the Chicago Bears. Over two months, from 11/26/25 to 1/31/26, Grange and the Bears played 19 football games. Several of those games were on zero days rest. This was the 60-minute era. Players didn’t have the luxury of sitting and resting while the defense, offense, or special teams took the field. It was a 60-minute grind. It was a grind that Grange and the Bears did over and over again for two months. The only real break over those two months was the 12 days between the two parts of the barnstorming tour. At least it was a little time for Grange to rest his injured arm. The first part of the tour was mostly against NFL teams. The second part was mostly against “all-star” lineups. Those “all-star” teams might’ve been a little short on “stars” but they weren’t always a bunch of slappies. Stanford great and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Ernie Nevers played in the Florida games. University of Washington All-American George “Wildcat” Wilson played in the west coast games. 

Red Grange collected $125,000 for his first season as a professional football player. That was an unfathomable amount for the time. C.C. Pyle did alright for himself as well. In some respects, this initial business relationship had George Halas working for Grange and Pyle. Halas didn’t see as much take-home cash as his partners but he saw enough to keep his young team afloat during very difficult times. More important than profits for Halas and the NFL was the attention ignited by Grange and the insane barnstorming tour. Not every game was a sellout but every game brought much-needed attention to professional football. Some historians and pundits have said that Grange saved the NFL. I wouldn’t go that far but it was the first big step in the right direction for professional football. 

Flea Flicker Mid - Season All - Pro Team

Here’s a look at some of the NFL’s best players of the first half of the 2025 season.

Flea Flicker Mid - Season All - Pro Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Matthew Stafford, Quarterback

Running Back

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

Fullback

Reggie Gilliam, Buffalo Bills

Receivers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Tight End

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Left Tackle

Garrett Bolles, Denver Broncos

Left Guard

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts

Center 

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Right Guard

Will Fries, Minnesota Vikings

Right Tackle

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

Edge Rushers

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings

Defensive Tackles

Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Linebackers 

Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings

Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions

Cornerbacks

Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles

Isaiah Rodgers, Minnesota Vikings

Safeties

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Special Teams

Kicker

Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings

Punter

Jordan Stout, Baltimore Ravens

Long Snapper

Andrew Depoala, Minnesota Vikings

Kick Returner

Myles Price, Minnesota Vikings

Punt Returner

Marcus Jones, New England Patriots

Special Teamer

Dane Belton, New York Giants

Minnesota Vikings Week 10 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings were far too generous in their 27-19 Week 10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Too many penalties. Too many turnovers. Too many self-inflicted errors. It’s always tough to pick Players of the Game when that game is a loss. It’s here a stab at doing so.

Offensive Player of the Game

Jalen Nailor, WR

With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones Sr., and Jordan Mason, Jalen Nailor is down the list of offensive concerns for opposing defenses. Nicknamed “Speedy,” Nailor can hurt a defense and he hurt the Ravens on multiple occasions. There’s a scenario that wasn’t far from happening in which Nailor was the hero in this game. 

5 catches

124 yards

1 TD 

His 10-yard touchdown brought the Vikings to within a single score with 3:23 to play. His 62-yard catch and run on the first possession set up an early 7-0 lead. 

The Vikings could’ve won this game and Nailor was a big reason for that. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB

It is so great to finally have Andrew Van Ginkel on the field again. This was his second game back from the concussion/neck issues that kept him out of nearly all of the first seven games. His impact on the Vikings has been transformative the past two weeks. He didn’t have any game-breaking plays but his deflection of a Lamar Jackson pass with just two minutes to play gave the Vikings a chance at the end. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Will Reichard, K

This superlative could go to Will Reichard every week. If it weren’t for camera wires, there’s a chance he’d be perfect on the season. Even with those questionable misses, there’s no other kicker in the league that I’d want kicking for the Vikings. 

Vikings - Ravens

Too often, the Minnesota Vikings were a greater obstacle to a win than the Baltimore Ravens. In the end, the Ravens had a 27-19 victory. 

8 pre-snap penalties!

Those eight procedural penalties were perhaps the biggest reason for the loss. It really wasn’t the 40 yards lost as a result of those mistakes. It was the self-inflicted nature of them. A first-and-10 was suddenly first-and-15. It’s a tough deal. The Vikings kept putting themselves in passing situations before they even took a snap. That was a big reason for the 42-18 pass-run disparity. When they weren’t letting penalties dictate their play selection, the Vikings ran the ball well. They averaged 6.7 yards per carry. They had 120 rush yards for the game. Scrambles by quarterback J.J. McCarthy accounted for 48 of those yards but running backs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The two combined for 13 carries. That was the problem. Those pre-snap penalties forced the Vikings more than they probably intended. Instead of dictating the play of the game, they had it dictated to them. None of it had anything to do with what the Ravens did.

13 total penalties

102 yards lost

Those are ridiculous numbers. 

Three turnovers

More ridiculous numbers. More self-harm.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw two interceptions. After he threw each pass, Justin Jefferson was knocked/nudged to the ground. The contact on both was more incidental than interference. McCarthy was giving Jefferson contested catch opportunities. That’s usually a winning situation for the Vikings. Not this time. The Ravens got a gift interception and it happened twice. The third turnover was a Myles Price fumble on a kick return. He also fumbled on his next return opportunity but thankfully the Vikings recovered. The lost fumble was particularly painful as the Ravens were immediately gifted outstanding field position. They only had to travel 23 yards for their first touchdown of the game. In total, the Ravens scored 13 points off of the Vikings three turnovers. That’s nearly half of their 27 points. 

Despite their generosity throughout the game, the Vikings still had the opportunity to tie the game on their final possession. That was actually quite remarkable. Plucky offense, when they weren’t torpedoing themselves, and solid defense were the reasons the game was still within reach at the end.

Plucky offense. Solid defense. It doesn’t really matter as it’s still a loss. This game was littered with far too many self-inflicted mistakes. The Vikings gave this one away. There’s really no way around that. The Vikings are 4-5. With only eight games remaining, there’s little room for further stumbles. The remaining eight games start next week with a home game against the Chicago Bears.