Vikings - Colts

The Minnesota Vikings won again. With the 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Vikings are undefeated at 6-0. 

As with the previous five wins, the difference in this win was the Vikings defense. It starts with limiting the Colts to only 10 points. The best sequence of the game for the Colts were the events that followed a nice start by the Vikings. Myles Price returned the opening kickoff 46 yards to the Colts 47-yard line. Excellent! Then came a 7-yard run by Aaron Jones Sr. Nice! Jones followed that with two yards on third down and no yards on fourth down. Not so nice. The Colts flipped that fourth down stop into a seven play, 61-yard touchdown drive. Jonathan Taylor burst through the Vikings defense for the final 38 yards for the touchdown. One moment, it looked like the Vikings were starting the game in fine fashion. The next, the Colts had an 7-0 early lead and had grabbed all of the early momentum. After that disappointing sequence of plays, the Vikings defense did this to the Colts offense the rest of the game.

Punt

Punt

Field Goal

Punt

Missed Field Goal

Punt 

Missed Field Goal

Interception

8 possessions and three points. 

218 total yards

3.7 yards/play

The Vikings pass rush harassed Colts quarterback Daniel Jones all game. Sacked him four times, hit him several times, and pressured him on nearly every one of his 22 attempts. The Colts had a robust 64 yards passing for the game. 

The Vikings defense was great. That Jonathan Taylor touchdown burst was really the only blemish. 

In today’s NFL, the only thing nearly all in the media, and most fans, care about is offense. Back in Week 5, the Vikings offense showed some rhythm. Quarterback Kyler Murray finally showed some comfort in the offense. It seems the Vikings might have lost some of that rhythm and comfort during their Week 6 bye. Murray was off on several passes against the Colts. He missed high on some, wide on a few others. If he had put the ball on his receivers hands a bit more consistently, the Vikings would’ve put up more than 30 points. The opportunities were there. With the Detroit Lions up next week, the Vikings offense must find the rhythm and Murray must regain the comfort that they were starting to show before the bye. There really aren’t any easy games, or days off, the rest of the way. 

I believe that the Vikings offense will get there. Against the Colts, this was the first game Murray had with all of his playmakers. Running back Jordan Mason was back. Receiver Jordan Addison was back. Tight end T.J. Hockenson was back. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw was back. With those returns, the optimistic expected an offensive explosion. It didn’t happen Colts. Hopefully, those fireworks are in the works. The Vikings defense could use a little help. The positive offensive developments of the game were probably the return of Mason and a couple impact catches from receiver Jauan Jennings. Mason gained a modest 68 yards on 15 carries. It was an important 68 yards. He’d been on injured reserve since a Week 1 thumb injury. Aaron Jones Jr. had carried the offensive load while Mason was out. At 31, carrying the running load over extended stretches of the season is a tough ask of Jones. It was great to see Mason back on the field. When he was signed in the spring, a lot was expected of Jennings as a third-receiver complement to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Through five games, Jennings hadn’t done much. Against the Colts, he had a 14-yarder and a 20-yarder. Each converted a first down and each was a critical play on a drive that ended with a field goal. The Vikings have the ingredients for an explosive, dominant offense. They have to start clicking together. 

The Vikings most highlight-worthy offensive play was a scintillating 35-yard scramble and run by Kyler Murray. The offense had six plays of more than 15 yards. The Murray run was the biggest in yardage and impact. It set up the only touchdown. The Vikings must take advantage of explosive plays. Against the Colts, and so far this season, they are isolated plays. The offense often stumbled after getting the Colts defense on their heels. Despite the stop-and-go nature of offense, it felt like the Vikings were in control throughout the game. That feeling must’ve been due to the dominance of the defense as the Vikings didn’t have a lead until the start of the fourth quarter. That fourth quarter lead was never more than six points. The Colts had opportunities to steal the game until Harrison Smith sealed the Vikings win with his 40th career interception with 1:15 to play. Congratulations on #40 and thank you Mr. Smith. 

Blake Cashman’s play must be mentioned. Honored even. Actually, it probably will be recognized with Defensive Player of the Week honors. Against the Colts, he might’ve had one of the best linebacker games I’ve ever seen. It was certainly one of the best in recent memory. His numbers: 

12 tackles

2 sacks

3 QB hits

4 passes defensed

That’s a nice stat sheet but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Numbers rarely do. Cashman’s play against the Colts had to be seen. He was everywhere. So much so that it felt like there were several #51s on the field. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones probably thought he was seeing too many Cashmans. 

The manner in which the Vikings have made their way to a 6-0 start often has me thinking about my early days with football. In the 1970s, winning games was the only thing that mattered. How a team won a game was celebrated rather than questioned. In today’s NFL, the only wins that seem to matter are those that come as a result of explosive offenses. Are an excess of points really more important than enough points? It sure appears so. If the offense wins the game, it counts. If the defense wins the game, “what’s wrong with the offense?” Last I checked, all wins count the same. 

The Vikings are 6-0. Up next is a visit to the Detroit Lions. 

Flea Flicker Week 7 Predictions

The Minnesota Vikings are finally back on the field! An NFL week is always better when the Vikings are playing. Here are some guesses at the Week 7 games. 

Byes: Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings remain undefeated. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Steelers

The NFL jams another game into Europe. This one is in France. These international games are all about NFL greed. The league’s greed is insatiable. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

Geography be damned, there 49ers and Falcons were once division foes. In those days, the plucky Falcons somehow gave the powerhouse 49ers fits. This upset prediction is a callback to those days. 

Cleveland Browns @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Titans

The Titans are on a winning streak!

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Pick: Dolphins

The Dolphins finally win a game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Buccaneers in a classic NFC South battle. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Bengals

Without Lamar Jackson, it’s the Bengals. 

New York Giants @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

J.J. McCarthy gets his first start with the Giants. The Texans win it in the end. 

Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Cardinals

I simply can’t pick a Sean Payton-led team. That clown is just so annoying. 

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Tie

I wish both teams could lose. 

Los Angeles Rams @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Rams

The Rams finally manage a win.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Chiefs

The defending champs haven’t looked the part. The Chiefs do enough to remain undefeated.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Cowboys

Neither team is very interesting right now. 

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts tomorrow. The Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts have a great and fun NFL history. Johnny Unitas, Jim Parker, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Raymond Berry, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James, Dwight Freeney. So many great, fun players. So many great, fun teams. It would’ve been an even better history if the team hadn’t moved to Indianapolis. No offense to the fine city of Indianapolis but the Colts will always be more associated with Baltimore for me. On the eve of their big game with the Vikings, here’s a look at some of the best players in the great, fun history of the Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts. 

Offense

Quarterback

Johnny Unitas

Running Back

Lenny Moore

Fullback

Alan Ameche

Wide Receivers

Raymond Berry

Marvin Harrison

Tight End

John Mackey

Offensive Tackles

Jim Parker

Chris Hinton

Offensive Guards

Jim Parker

Quenton Nelson

Jim Parker is one of the few players in league history that is an all-time great at two positions. He’s probably the only player in league history that’s an all-time great at two positions on the same side of the ball. 

                               

Center

Jeff Saturday

Defense

Defensive Ends

Gino Marchetti

Dwight Freeney

Defensive Tackles

Art Donovan

Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb

Linebackers

Shaquille Leonard

Mike Curtis

Bill Pellington

Cornerbacks

Bobby Boyd

Milt Davis

Safeties

Bob Sanders

Rick Volk

Special Teams

Kicker 

Adam Vinatieri

Punter

Pat McAfee

Kick Returner

Terrence Wilkins

Punt Returner

Clarence Verdin

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Coming off a Week 6 bye, the Minnesota Vikings roster is in decent shape for a 12-week run to the playoffs. Before the break, offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, receiver Jordan Addison, and tight end T.J. Hockenson were dealing with ailments. Running back Jordan Mason was on short-term injured reserve. All four of those critical offensive players practiced in full this week and appear ready to return for Week 7. Other than left guard Donovan Jackson and tight end Josh Oliver being out for the regular season, the Vikings roster is in fine shape. Here is a look at the roster in advance of hosting the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (24)

Quarterback (3)

Kyler Murray

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back (3)

Aaron Jones

DeeJay Dallas

Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight End (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Gavin Bartholomew

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (9)

Christian Darrisaw

Joe Huber

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Michael Jurgens

Trevor Keegan

Defense (26)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker (5)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Kyle Van Noy

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (5)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Chuck Demmings

Zemaiah Vaughn

Safety (6)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jacob Thomas

Jakobe Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad

Da’Veawn Armstead, CB

Keshawn Banks, LB

Odell Beckham Jr., WR

Dillon Bell, WR

Michael Briscoe, WR

Natrone Brooks, CB

Henry Byrd, G

Kenny Dyson, OLB

Cam Grandy, TE

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Bengally Kamara, LB

Jack Nelson, OL

Josh Priebe, G

Jahvaree Ritzie, DL

Tavierre Thomas, S

Jihad Ward, OLB

It still feels a little to see Odell Beckham Jr. on the Vikings practice squad. A quarter of the practice squad is receivers. That feels like a lot. 

Throwback Thursday: Alphabet Soup

Dan Daly's book, The National Forgotten League, is loaded with fun, informative facts, notes, and stories. This little nugget about the 1929 Orange Tornadoes caught my attention. The Tornadoes were a professional football team that competed in some manifestation from 1887-1941 and 1958-70. From 1929-30 the Tornadoes were an NFL team. From the time that someone first decided to put personal identifiers on an athletic uniform that identifier has been a number. For some reason, the Tornadoes went a different route in 1929.

Here's their lineup for the first of two games against the Frankford Yellow Jackets:

A - Phil Scott, E, No College
B - Felix McCormick, B, Bucknell
C - Heinie Benkert, B, Rutgers
D - Leon Johnson, E, Colombia
E - George Pease, QB, Columbia
F - Ernie Cuneo, G, Penn State/Columbia

G - Frank Kirkleski, B, Lafayette

H - Ted Mitchell, C, Bucknell
 J - Ernie Hambacker, B, Bucknell
L - Ralph Barkman, B, Schuylkill
M - Bob Beattie, T, Princeton
M - Steve Hamas, FB, Penn State
N - Paul Longua, E, Villanova
O - Jack McArthur, G, St. Mary's (California)
P - Bill Feaster, T, Fordham
Q - Bill Clarkin, T, No College
R - Andy Salata, G, Pittsburgh
S - Carl Waite, B, Rutgers/Georgetown
T - Jack Depler, C/T/Coach, Illinois
X - Johnny Tomaini, E, Georgetown

Letters! The 1929 Orange Tornadoes used letters to identify the members of their football team. Teams were often trying gimmicks in the early days of professional football to try and catch the attention of the public. I'm not sure how this would do it. The Tornadoes had a longer professional existence than the other teams that came and went during the NFL's first decade. Their two-year time with the Bears, Cardinals, Packers, and Giants will be best remembered by their unique use of the alphabet.

The double M's are a curiosity. Daly thought that it could just be a typo.

Salata? I wonder if there’s a family relation between Andy Salata and “Mr. Irrelevant” creator Paul Salata. 

There's no "I" in team.

If you haven't read Dan Daly's book, I highly recommend doing so.

Vikings Injuries

Injuries will always be a part of football. While not hit as hard as some other teams, the Minnesota have navigated several injuries on their way to a perfect 5-0 start. The interesting thing about the Vikings injuries is that they have been almost exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. The following players have missed at least one of the five games.

Kyler Murray, QB

Jordan Mason, RB

Justin Jefferson, WR

Jordan Addison, WR

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Josh Oliver, TE

Christian Darrisaw, OT

Donovan Jackson, G

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis noted that Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, and T.J. Hockenson were on the field together for only nine snaps. With those Vikings playmakers available for so few snaps, is there really any surprise that the offense struggled to find any rhythm early in the season. Toss in starting quarterback Kyler Murray essentially missing the first two games with a concussion and it’s a thrown-together offense on the field to start the season. Murray returned in Week 3 but it took about a bit more than a game for him to find some comfort while surrounded with jumbled personnel. Over the final game-and-a-half before the bye, the Vikings offense finally looked lively. It’s always nice to have Jefferson on the field but they we’re still missing Addison, Mason, Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson. Week 6 is early for a bye. This year, it may have come at a good time. It gives a few of the above injured offensive players extra time to get healthy. Fortunately, Mason, Addison, Hockenson, and Darrisaw should all be healthy as the Vikings return to the field in Week 7. Unfortunately, Oliver and Jackson are out for the regular season. They will be missed. 

The Vikings are 5-0 because of the stellar performance of the defense and special teams. A reason for that stellar performance, especially on defense, has been the consistent availability of players. Defensively, through five games, only rookie corner Chuck Demmings has missed games. A Week 3 hamstring injury kept him out of the Week 4 and Week 5 games. As a rookie, he contributed on special teams and had scattered defensive snaps. The closest the Vikings came to not having a defensive regular was Week 3. Ivan Pace Jr. missed the team’s flight to Tampa due to the birth of his son. While his game availability was initially questioned, he was present for his son’s birth, caught a flight, and made it to the game on time. Then he got a sack and a finger on a punt. 

Hopefully, the Vikings offense gets, and stays, healthy and the defense continues their strong and healthy play. 

Trade Targets

The NFL trade deadline is November 10. That puts teams, media, and especially fans in the middle of a trading frenzy. With a 5-0 start to the season, Minnesota Vikings fans are simply mad for potential deals. I’ve always had a skeptical view of in-season football trades. Since everything done on the field is such a practiced coordination of 11 individuals, it’s difficult to drop a new player into a new team in the middle of the season. That being said, the right player can give a team a boost. So, I’ll play along with this trade deadline frenzy. Sports Illustated’s MMQB put together a list of 15 players that could be trade targets over the days leading up to the deadline and potential team fits. The list wasn’t put together for the Vikings but I’m looking at the players with the Vikings in mind. 

15. Chris Godwin Jr., WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Potential Fits: Packers, Giants

Vikings: Nope

14. Josh Uche, DE, Miami Dolphins

Potential Fits: Bears, 49ers

Vikings: Tempting, but no.

13. Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Potential Fits: Panthers, Cardinals

Vikings: Nope

12. Zach Sieler, DT, Miami Dolphins

Potential Fits: Lions, Cowboys

Vikings: Maybe. And Brian Flores knows him.

11. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Potential Fits: Panthers, Seahawks

Vikings: No. The Vikings have tight end concerns but I don’t see Goedert as the answer. 

10. Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders

Potential Fits: Lions, 49ers

Vikings: Nope

9. Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

Potential Fits: Jaguars, Seahawks

Vikings: Tempting, but no. The Vikings must be looking at all of the available running backs. Aaron Jones Sr. is 31, 32 in December and Jordan Mason is returning from a stay on injured reserve. I might be a fool but I’d rather see more of rookie Demond Claiborne than adding Pollard. 

8. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Potential Fits: Bills, Rams

Vikings: Nope

7. Stefon Diggs, WR, Washington Commanders

Potential Fits: Chiefs, Ravens

Vikings: Nope

6. Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals

Potential Fits: Bills, Bears

Vikings: Absolutely Maybe. It’s difficult to drop any new player into this Vikings defense but I’d listen to any trade talk for Baker.

5. Landon Dickerson, G, Philadelphia Eagles 

Potential Fits: Jaguars, Seahawks

Vikings: Nope

4. Riq Woolen, CB, Philadelphia Eagles 

Potential Fits: Bills, Panthers

Vikings: Nope

3. Josh Sweat, DE, Arizona Cardinals

Potential Fits: Bears, Lions

Vikings: Nope

2. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

Potential Fits: Chiefs, Rams

Vikings: Nope

1. Khalil Mack, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers 

Potential Fits: 49ers, Bears

Vikings: Nope

From the 15 players the MMQB produced, I don’t see the Vikings making a deadline splash. I do believe general manager Nolan Teasley will make a deal, or two. I just don’t see the deal(s) involving the above those players. The interesting thing about the players I do see the Vikings targeting is that several play for the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings play the Colts on Sunday. Will a player, or two, be staying in Minnesota after the game?

Interesting Colts:

Jonathan Taylor, RB

Quenton Nelson, G

DeForest Buckner, DT

Camryn Bynum, S

If they do look to boost the run game, I see the Vikings making a fairly big swing. Jones and Mason are solid pair. It would take a fairly big swing to improve on them. Taylor’s age (27) and potential cost are the concerns. With left guard Donovan Jackson injured for at least the season, I wouldn’t mind Nelson as a one-year rental. Buckner would be a very intriguing addition to an emerging defensive front. As for Bynum, I wouldn’t mind a reunion. I’m skeptical of any new safety impacting the Vikings defense. Bynum has two years in the Flores defense. 

Some non-Colts

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets - if healthy

A Blocking TE

Now, I’m a little more frenzied than I was earlier.