Vikings - Cardinals

The Minnesota Vikings keep finding a way to win football games. This time, they did enough things right to hold off the Arizona Cardinals. 34-26. 

Complimentary football is the reason the Vikings are 6-1. Offense, defense, special teams. Every unit made big plays. Every unit was needed for the win. Still, the Vikings didn’t play a clean game. Too many penalties. Missed kicks. Missed tackles. Missed throws. A clean game is out there. I can’t wait to see it. I can’t wait to see a bunch of them. 

The ending wouldn’t have been as nerve-thrashing as it was if Greg Joseph hadn’t doinked his fifth extra point attempt. A one-score game could’ve been a two-score game if his kick had been a few inches closer to the middle of the uprights. 

The Vikings offense scored five touchdowns but this win is mostly on the opportunistic play of the defense. Two of the five touchdowns were served up by takeaways. An interception and a recovery of a fumbled punt. The interception gave the offense the ball on the Cardinals 31-yard line. Four plays later, Dalvin Cook took the ball into the end zone. The fumbled punt recovery gave the offense the ball on the Cardinals 25-yard line. Four plays later, Kirk Cousins connected with K.J. Osborn for a touchdown. That touchdown gave the Vikings a 34-26 lead. Joseph’s doink kept it a one-score game with 8:36 to play. The Cardinals had the ball three times in that final 8:36. Those possessions ended with an interception, a turn-over on downs, and consecutive sacks on the final plays to close out the game and the win. If the Vikings offense had done anything after the interception and/or the turn over on downs, this game does not have a nerve-thrashing ending. The Vikings defense closed out this game, and the win, beautifully. 

It’s still nice that the offense scored five touchdowns. It was the first time this season that the Vikings had passed 30 points. For an offense with a bunch of playmakers, 30 points shouldn’t be an outlier. 

The Vikings gained 173 yards on the ground. Dalvin Cook had his most productive game. 

20 carries, 111 yards, and a touchdown

Alexander Mattison complimented Cook well.

5 carries, 40 yards, and a touchdown.

Kirk Cousins even “sprinted” 17 yards for a touchdown. Despite the nice rushing game, this might’ve been a season-worst performance by the offensive line. Cousins was sacked three times. It felt like more as he was harassed the entire game. 

When he was able to throw, Cousins spread the ball around. 

Justin Jefferson: 6 catches, 98 yards

Adam Thielen: 6 catches, 67 yards

Dalvin Cook: 5 catches, 40 yards

Irv Smith Jr.: 4 catches, 28 yards

K.J. Osborn and Johnny Mundt caught touchdowns.

It feels like Jefferson can roll out of bed and have 100 yards. Considering that he had no catches, or targets, for much of the middle of the game, 98 yards is far less than he should’ve had. He simply can’t go nearly half the game without the ball in his hands. It’s not good for the offense.

If Cousins hadn’t thrown high on a couple of passes, this game might’ve had a much less stressful ending. Late in the first quarter, with a 3rd-and-two from the Cardinals 38-yard line, Cousins threw high to a wide open Jefferson. A misfire on fourth down ended a terrific scoring opportunity. With just under four minutes to play in the first half, Cousins missed high an open Osborn. That misfire forced the Vikings to punt for the first time in the game. They had opportunities to score much more than 14 points in the first half. 

The Vikings defense brought home this game. Kyler Murray is one of the most difficult to sack quarterbacks in the league. Za’Darius Smith caught him three times. After his first sack, he honored new Ring of Honor member Jared Allen, with a calf-roping celebration. It was beautiful. Smith had four tackles for loss and a tipped pass. He was arguably (with Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins) the most dominant player on the field. Harrison Phillips’ sack of Murray ended the game. Pressure forced a poorly thrown deep pass that was intercepted by Harrison Smith. Camryn Bynum collected a second interception in the fourth quarter. The only running that the Cardinals had going was Murray’s scrambling. 

The Vikings defense is getting better with each game. 

This was a nerve-thrashing game. I think that any game against Kyler Murray is going to be that way. DeAndre Hopkins is always open. He had his way with Cam Dantzler Sr. Hopkins has his way with nearly any cornerback opposite him. He finished with 12 catches for 159 and a beauty of a one-handed touchdown catch. Itty-bitty Rondale Moore is a problem. He added seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Murray, Hopkins, and Moore were the Cardinals offense. All three are scary football players. 

The Vikings are now 6-1. Next up is a road game with the Washington Commanders in Week 9. 

Congratulations to Jared Allen on his much-deserved induction into the Vikings Ring of Honor. Next stop: Canton. 

Flea Flicker Week 8 Predictions

After their Week 7 bye, the Minnesota Vikings return to the field. All is right in the football world. Here a stab at this week’s games.

Byes: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers

Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

A strong Vikings game from start to finish would be nice. We’ve yet to see anything close to a complete game from the Vikings. 

Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

The annual Jaguars London game. They should win in their second home. Does the NFL regret jamming the Broncos into their own time slot so damn many times? 

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

The Panthers shocked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The Falcons are probably a tougher foe right now. 

Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys

The Bears were happy for a week.

Miami Dolphins @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Dolphins

There were a lot of people on the Lions bandwagon after Hard Knocks. 

Las Vegas Raiders @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Raiders

The Raiders are trying to claw their way back to relevance.

New England Patriots @ New York Jets

Pick: Patriots

The Jets four-game win streak comes to an end.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Eagles

The Battle for Pennsylvania.

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Pick: Titans

This one feels pretty straightforward.

Washington Commanders @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

It’s Sam Ehlinger time!

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams get revenge for the beating the 49ers gave them earlier this season. It’s strange that both 49ers-Rams games are played before Week 9.

New York Giants @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks

The Giants can’t find a way to win this one.

Green Bay Packers @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Packers losing streak hits four games.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Bengals

The Battle for Ohio. The Bengals are hitting their stride. 

All - Time Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow. With that game in mind, I was thinking about the Cardinals history. It’s a long history. The Cardinals are the lone NFL team with a history that has a place in three centuries. It isn’t a strong history. Despite losing far more than they’ve won through their years, the Cardinals do have two NFL titles. Both titles (1925 and 1947) came before the introduction of a Super Bowl so fans and the media don’t pay them much mind. The Cardinals history is also one of movement. They’ve played a significant number of home games in three locations. Chicago, St. Louis, and Arizona. The history of the Cardinals is an interesting history. 

Here’s a look at some of the best players in the long, interesting, modest history of the Chicago/St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals.

Offense

Quarterback

Paddy Driscoll

Halfback

Charley Trippi

Charley Trippi/Ollie Matson? Tough decision. 

Fullback

Ernie Nevers

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald

Anquan Boldin

Tight End

Jackie Smith

Offensive Tackles

Duke Slater

Dan Dierdorf

Guards

Ken Gray

Conrad Dobler

Center

Tom Banks

Defense

Defensive Ends

Simeon Rice

Curtis Greer

Defensive Tackles

Calais Campbell

Darnell Dockett

Linebackers 

Chandler Jones

Karlos Dansby

Freddie Joe Nunn

Cornerbacks

Dick “Night Train” Lane

Aeneas Williams

Roger Wherli

Safeties

Larry Wilson

Adrian Wilson

Specialists

Kicker

Jim Bakken 

Punter

Andy Lee

Returner

Ollie Matson

NFL Trade Tracker

The NFL Trade Deadline will never be the big event that it is in other sports. It’ll never be the big event that Roger Goodell and the suits want it to be. A reason for that is the difficulty of integrating a shiny new player on the fly. The heat of the football season isn’t the best time for significant changes. That being said, it feels like there’s been an uptick in the number of and the big-name quality of the pre-deadline trades. Whether that’s due to pressure from Park Avenue or teams being inspired by the ridiculous amount of trade speculation from the media, there seems to be more October trades than there’s ever been. The NFL Trade Deadline is Tuesday at 4pm ET. The days are getting few for teams to wheel and deal. The teams are surely focused now on Sunday’s games. What will we see on Monday and Tuesday? Here’s a look at the trades that we’ve seen so far. 

October 10:

Cleveland Browns acquire linebacker Deion Jones from Atlanta Falcons

Browns receive:

-Deion Jones, LB

-2024 seventh-round pick

Falcons receive:

-2024 sixth-round pick

An injury to Anthony Walker Jr. forced this trade. Jones’ best years were a few years ago but the picks involved feel light for a speedy, still young (27) linebacker. 

October 17

Arizona Cardinals acquire receiver Robbie Anderson from Carolina Panthers

Cardinals receive:

-Robbie Anderson, WR

Panthers receive:

-2024 sixth-round pick

-2025 seventh-round pick

An injury to Marquise Brown forced the Cardinals to find outside help. And speed. 

October 21

San Francisco 49ers acquire running back Christian McCaffrey from Carolina Panthers

49ers receive:

Christian McCaffrey, RB

Panthers receive:

-2023 second-round pick

-2023 third-round pick

-2023 fourth-round pick

-2024 fifth-round pick

The big one. If there are no other trade deadline deals, 2022 will go down as a big deal year because of the 49ers trade for Christian McCaffrey. This trade ranks up there with the biggest deadline deals in NFL history. Mike Haynes, Eric Dickerson, the dreadful Herschel Walker trade, Von Miller, etc. 

October 25

New York Jets acquire running back James Robinson from Jacksonville Jaguars

Jets receive:

-James Robinson, RB

Jaguars receive:

-conditional sixth-round pick

Another deal forced by injury. The Jets needed running back help after losing emerging rookie Breece Hall.

October 25

Dallas Cowboys acquire defensive tackle Leonard Hankins from the Las Vegas Raiders

Cowboys receive:

-Leonard Hankins, DT

-2024 seventh-round pick

Raiders receive:

-2023 sixth-round pick

The Cowboys added size and depth on their defensive line. 

October 26

Philadelphia Eagles acquire edge rusher Robert Quinn from Chicago Bears

Eagles receive:

-Robert Quinn, DE

Bears receive:

-2023 fourth-round pick

This deal was probably due as much to Howie Roseman’s great need to blindly add players as it was to address the Eagles need for a legion of pass rushers. 

October 27

Kansas City Chiefs acquire receiver Kadarius Toney from New York Giants

Chiefs receive:

Kadarius Toney, WR

Giants receive:

-2023 third-round compensatory draft pick

-2023 sixth-round pick

Speedy and sturdy. Perhaps the Chiefs see Kadarius Toney as Tyreek Hill-like. 

***

Seven October trades, so far. There are sure to be more on Monday and Tuesday. There probably won’t be as many as Goodell, the media, and fans hope but we’ll surely see more than seven deadline deals this year. Maybe, I’ll have to rethink my thinking that the NFL Trade Deadline will never be a big event. 

Throwback Thursday: Gus Dorais' All - Time Football Team

This Flicker was originally posted on 8/8/19. 

In 1952, former Notre Dame quarterback Gus Dorais was asked to name his all-time football team. As a player and coach for most of the first half of the 20th century Dorais had an up-close look at the best football players of the era. He agreed to name his team but he would only name a team of players that he had either seen on the field or whose careers preceded the free substitution rule of the early 1940s:
(the player comments are by Dorais)

Quarterback
Dutch Clark (Colorado College and Detroit Lions)
Nobody could top the Dutchman in football instinct or in ability to run the team. Few topped him in mechanical skill.

Halfback
Jim Thorpe (Carlisle and Canton Bulldogs)
A one-man team.

Halfback
George Gipp (Notre Dame)
Maybe I'm prejudiced having coached the Gipper when I was Rock's assistant, but I'd have to pick him over any other halfback, except Thorpe.

Fullback
Bronko Nagurski (Minnesota and Chicago Bears)
Some prefer Ernie Nevers (Stanford and Duluth Eskimos/Chicago Cardinals), but I thought the Bronk a better all-around man.

Center
Mel Hein (Washington State and New York Giants)
I'd give him an edge over Bulldog Turner (Hardin-Simmons and Chicago Bears).

Guard
Clarence Spears (Dartmouth and Canton Bulldogs)
More than a guard, Doc was half a line in himself.

Guard 
Danny Fortmann (Colgate and Chicago Bears)
The best in the modern pro league.

Tackle
Wilbur Henry (Washington & Jefferson and early Ohio pro teams)
Closest to Doc Spears among the lineman to come under my observation.

Tackle
Ed Healy (Dartmouth and Chicago Bears)
He could do everything.

End
Harold Muller (University of California-Berkeley)
Remembered best for his long passes but outstanding in all other phases, too.

End 
Don Hutson (Alabama and Green Bay Packers)
A pass receiver who drove defensive coaches to distraction. I doubt that we'll ever again see his equal.

Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor

The Minnesota Vikings created a Ring of Honor in 1998 to honor franchise legends. Over the past 24 years, 21 players, three coaches, one general manager, and one trainer have been inducted into the prestigious group. At halftime of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, former defensive end Jared Allen will become the 22nd player, seventh defensive lineman, and 27th member of the Vikings Ring of Honor. 

The Vikings beat Canton to post-career honors for a player that terrorized quarterbacks during a 13-year career. The best and most important of those 13 years were the six that he played in Minnesota. Allen made the Pro Bowl four times during those six years. It should’ve been all six. He was named All-Pro three times. He was runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011. He should’ve won the award as his 22 sacks topped all of the wonderful things that Terrell Suggs did that year. Allen was fifth in the voting for the award in 2009. His 22 sacks in 2011 were an agonizing half-sack short of the NFL record. 

His yearly sack totals for the Vikings

2008: 14.5

2009: 14.5

2010: 11

2011: 22

2012: 12

2013: 11.5

His four career safeties is an NFL record. He’s tied with three players. The Vikings got the better of the 2008 trade with the Kansas City Chiefs that brought him to Minnesota. By far. 

Allen was a fantastic football player. It was only part of what he was for the Vikings and his community. On Sunday, he will be the 27th member of the Vikings Ring of Honor. He follows the defensive tackle that he lined up next to for all of his six years in Minnesota. Kevin Williams.  

Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor

Fran Tarkenton, Quarterback (1998)

Alan Page, Defensive Tackle (1998)

Jim Finks, General Manager (1998)

Bud Grant, Head Coach (1998)

Paul Krause, Safety (1998)

Fred Zamberletti, Athletic Trainer (1998)

Jim Marshall, Defensive End (1999)

Ron Yary, Offensive Tackle (2001)

Korey Stringer, Offensive Tackle (2001)

Mick Tingelhoff, Center (2001)

Carl Eller, Defensive End (2002)

Cris Carter, Wide Receiver (2003)

Bill Brown, Fullback (2004)

Jerry Burns, Offensive Coordinator/Head Coach (2005)

Randall McDaniel, Guard (2006)

Chuck Foreman, Running Back (2007)

John Randle, Defensive Tackle (2008)

Scott Studwell, Linebacker (2009)

Chris Doleman, Defensive End (2011)

Matt Blair, Linebacker (2012)

Joey Browner, Safety (2013)

Randy Moss, Wide Receiver (2017)

Ahmad Rashad, Wide Receiver (2017)

Dennis Green, Head Coach (2018)

Steve Jordan, Tight End (2019)

Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle (2021)

Jared Allen, Defensive End (2022)

Congratulations Jared Allen!

Next stop: Canton. He and Kevin Williams should one day be teammates there as well. 

Flea Flicker Week 7 Power Rankings

Here’s a look at how the 32 NFL teams rank after seven weeks of football. 

1.   Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)

2.   Buffalo Bills (5-1)

3.   Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)

4.   Minnesota Vikings (5-1)

5.   New York Giants (6-1)

6.   Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)

7.   Dallas Cowboys (5-2)

8.   Baltimore Ravens (4-3)

9.   New York Jets (5-2)

10. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

11. San Francisco 49ers (3-4)

12. Miami Dolphins (4-3)

13. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)

14. Tennessee Titans (4-2)

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1)

16. Green Bay Packers (3-4)

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

18. New England Patriots (3-4)

19. Atlanta Falcons (3-4)

20. Arizona Cardinals (3-4)

21. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)

23. Cleveland Browns (2-5)

24. New Orleans Saints (2-5)

25. Seattle Seahawks (4-3)

26. Washington Commanders (3-4)

27. Chicago Bears (3-4)

28. Denver Broncos (2-5)

29. Detroit Lions (1-5)

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5)

31. Houston Texans (2-3-1)

32. Carolina Panthers (2-5)

Until next week. 

Minnesota Vikings Pre-Bye Week Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings entered their Week 7 Bye Week with a 5-1 record. It’s a fine start. Some have questioned that fine start. They question how the Vikings got to that mark as if there’s some scripted way that a team should get to a 5-1 record after six games. Winning games in the NFL isn’t easy. “Any given Sunday” and all that. Through their first six games, the Vikings won five games and lost one. They are a legitimate 5-1 because they are 5-1. The Vikings have stressed the “we” of the team since Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell were hired as general manager and head coach. Everyone has played a role in the 5-1 start. Here’s a look at a few of them.

Most Valuable Player

Justin Jefferson, WR

Other than a couple games, Justin Jefferson has been the best player on the field for the Vikings. He’s been one of the best players in the league through the first six weeks of the season. The Vikings offense played sedated against the Miami Dolphins and Jefferson still had over 100 yards. He’s a fantastic football player.

Offensive Player of the First 6 Games

Christian Darrisaw, OT

This is probably Jefferson as well but I’m going to spread out these awards. Christian Darrisaw is developing into an excellent left tackle. Some of his blocks have been so dominant to the point of being hilarious. He’s already playing the position better than Matt Kalil did as a rookie and as reliably as Bryant McKinnie ever did. Maybe Todd Steussie too. Darrisaw might be the Vikings best left tackle since Gary Zimmerman. 

Defensive Player of the First 6 Games

Dalvin Tomlinson, DL

Other players have been more splashy. Other players have made bigger plays. Dalvin Tomlinson has probably been the most consistent defensive player. He’s routinely in the opponent’s backfield. He’s routinely part of the tackle. Through six games, the Vikings defense has been one that bends a bit through most of the game but makes plays and stops when needed most. Tomlinson has been the best, most consistent player on the defense. 

Special Teams Player of the First 6 Games

Ryan Wright, P

Ryan Wright’s 10-punt game against the Dolphins was ridiculous. He banged a 73-yarder from the back of his own end zone. Tyreek Hill was standing at about midfield planning for a game-changing return. Instead of that return, he had to race back to his own 20-yard line to catch the punt. Only a player with his insane speed could race about 30 yards while the ball was in the air. He ran so far to catch the punt that he was easily tackled inside in his 20-yard line. From Wright’s foot to Hill’s hands, the punt carried about 80 yards. Other than a shank against the Chicago Bears, Wright has been punting brilliantly. He even completed a pass on a fake punt to convert a first down. 

I hope that Ryan Wright never again has to punt 10 times in a game. 

Newcomer of the First 6 Games

Za’Darius Smith, OLB

Za’Darius Smith has been everything hoped for when he was signed as a free agent. Through six games, he has 5.5 sacks and impressive pressure numbers. He’s made big plays in the run game as well. His incredible versatility allows him to line up anywhere on the defensive line. An added bonus has been his engaging, outgoing personality. He’s partnered well, on the field and off, with the very quiet Danielle Hunter. 

Rookie of the First 6 Games

Ed Ingram, RG

Ryan Wright and Ed Ingram are the only rookies that currently hold starting roles. Ingram has had rookie moments. Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins made him look silly on one snap. That play didn’t end well. He’s already better and more consistent than any right guard since…..Brandon Fusco? It’s a low bar. Ingram has shown potential. I like seeing his awareness during a play. I’ve seen him help linemates on blocks. I haven’t seen a lot of that on recent Vikings offensive lines. I like his physicality in blocks. I like the trajectory of the team’s offensive line and Ingram’s place in it. 

Play of the First 6 Games

Cam Dantzler’s Theft

Cam Dantzler prying the ball from Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette sealed a big division win. The Bears were driving to tie the game, potentially win the game, and Dantzler literally stole the opportunity from them. A key to the Vikings 5-1 start has been a consistent tendency to make a big play when it’s most needed. Dantzler’s play was one of the biggest. 

Offensive Play of the First 6 Games

Dalvin Cook’s 53-yard TD

Dalvin Cook had played well to start the season but he hadn’t gotten loose. He got loose late in the Dolphins game. His 53-yard burst made it a two-score game and essentially sealed the win. 

Defensive Play of the First 6 Games

Patrick Peterson’s plays against the Dolphins

Patrick Peterson has played 19 games for the Vikings. His best game may have been his 19th game. Against the Dolphins dangerous receivers, he made several big plays. He knocked passes away and intercepted one. The Vikings made several big plays at the end of that game. Harrison Smith’s forced fumble, Camryn Bynum’s recovery, Dalvin Cook’s 53-yard TD burst. Peterson’s late interception was huge. 

Special Teams Play of the First 6 Games

Josh Metellus’ Fake Punt Stop

Ryan Wright has had several big, field-flipping punts. He also passed for a first down on a fake punt. Patrick Peterson blocked a field attempt by the Eagles. I’ll go with Josh Metellus’ brilliant stop of a fake punt by the Dolphins. It might’ve been a very different game if the Dolphins had succeeded. Metellus was on an island and he did what he had to do. He got the ball carrier on the ground. It was a brilliant, individual play. 

Coach/Staff of the First 6 Games

Tyler Williams, Executive Director of Player Health and Performance

Back in the early days of Kevin O’Connell putting together his staff, I saw the hiring of Tyler Williams. I assumed that he was being hired to replace Eric Sugarman as the Vikings trainer. Then around draft time, Uriah Myrie was hired as the trainer. If Myrie is the trainer, what’s Williams doing? Since OTAs, I’m starting to get an idea. Williams is doing everything on the health and science to make the Vikings better on the field. Actually, his title pretty much says it all. I just wasn’t paying attention. Williams oversees the training staff and strength staff. He’s the man with the plan. From the handling of offseason and in-season practices to overseas travel to dealing the Miami heat, Williams strives to put the players and coaches in the best position to succeed. The Vikings have managed to avoid injuries. Harrison Smith is the only starter to miss a game. That was for a concussion. They won in London and in Miami with a preparation script written by Williams. If the Vikings are playing through January, Tyler Williams will be a big reason. 

Flea Flicker Week 7 Predictions

Is it really an NFL week without the Minnesota Vikings? I think not. Here’s a stab at a severely weakened slate of games.

Byes: Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles

Atlanta Falcons @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

The Falcons have been feisty. The Bengals are better.

Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Lions

Why not?

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Colts

The battle for the AFC South. The Colts are starting to play closer to their talent.

Green Bay Packers @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Packers

The Packers finally get a team they can beat.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Buccaneers

The struggling Panthers traded away their best player.

New York Giants @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

The Giants return to earth.

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

This game still feels weird every time they play. The new Browns vs The old Browns.

New York Jets @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Jets

The Broncos are so tiresome. At least this game isn’t in Prime Time.

Houston Texans @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Raiders

It feels like a month since the Raiders last played. 

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

The Chargers have somehow eked out a 4-2 record. They should get past the Seahawks.

Kansas City Chiefs @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: Chiefs

Christian McCaffrey’s debut falls short.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins

The Dolphins three-game losing streak ends. 

Chicago Bears @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots win a defensive battle. 

Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team

Each week, on the eve of the game, I’ve been picking an All-Time Team of the team that the Minnesota Vikings are playing. There is no game tomorrow. The Vikings are enjoying their bye week. So, it’s a fine time to look within. Here’s an All-Time Team of the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings All-Time Team

Offense

Quarterback 

Fran Tarkenton

Running Back

Adrian Peterson

Fullback

Bill Brown

Wide Receivers

Cris Carter

Randy Moss

Tight End

Steve Jordan

Tackles

Gary Zimmerman

Ron Yary

Guards

Randall McDaniel

Steve Hutchinson

In doing these teams, I try to keep the players in the position that they played on the field. Randall McDaniel and Steve Hutchinson are the two best guards in Vikings franchise history. Both played left guard. I can’t leave either off this team. I just can’t. On this team, Hutchinson flips to the right side. The best right guard in Vikings franchise history? That would be Ed White. 

Center

Mick Tingelhoff

Defense

Defensive Ends

Carl Eller

Chris Doleman

Defensive Tackles

Alan Page

John Randle

Linebackers

Matt Blair

Eric Kendricks

Chad Greenway

Cornerbacks

Antoine Winfield

Xavier Rhodes

Safeties

Paul Krause

Harrison Smith

Special Teams

Kicker

Ryan Longwell

Punter

Chris Kluwe

Kick Returner

Cordarrelle Patterson

Punt Returner

Marcus Sherels

Special Teams

Joey Browner

McCaffrey On The Move

The San Francisco 49ers made the bold mid-season move of acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. It’s the biggest mid-season trade since the Los Angeles Rams pried edge rusher from the Denver Broncos last year. That trade helped the Rams win a Super Bowl. We’ll see what the 49ers do with the incredibly versatile McCaffrey. With his recent injury history, San Francisco might be the last place that he wants to be. 

The Trade:

San Francisco gets:

Christian McCaffrey

Carolina gets:

2023 second round pick

2023 third round pick

2023 fourth round pick

2024 fifth round pick

The top of the 49ers 2023 draft is essentially already on the team. Trey Lance and Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers can hang out with the Rams for the first two days of next year’s. Actually, the 49ers still have a couple third round compensatory picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

When healthy, Christian McCaffrey is one of the best, most versatile running backs in the league. Recently, he hasn’t been healthy. Injuries limited him to three games in 2020 and seven games in 2021. He’s dealt with a few injury issues this year but has played in every game. He’s currently good to go for the 49ers. Reports are that he’ll have a role as soon as this Sunday. 

Kyle Shanahan’s offense might be the best place in the league for a player with McCaffrey’s varied talents. It’s an offense that has made modestly talented backs very productive. McCaffrey is far better than modestly talented. He’s the most talented back to play in a Shanahan offense since Terrell Davis. It’s actually scary to imagine what McCaffrey what might do in San Francisco. 

I saw this tweet from Robert Griffin III reacting to the trade:

The 49ers have McCaffrey, Deebo, Kittle, Juszczyk, and Aiyuk. They will be the MOST VERSATILE OFFENSE IN THE NFL personnel wise. Have a running back who could be a starting slot receiver. A WR who could be a starting RB and a FB who could be a starting RB or TE. NIGHTMARE MATCHUPS.

These playmakers are nightmare matchups. Each can play all over the formation. McCaffrey can split out and legitimately run receiver routes. Deebo can line up in the backfield and legitimately run between the tackles like a running back. Shanahan could just put McCaffrey in his traditional running back role and everyone is happy but the 49ers opponent on the field. McCaffrey isn’t a traditional running back. He can do so much more than that. Those talents deserve a new playbook and Shanahan’s probably already designing new plays. Installing those on the fly might be a difficult thing. It might be best to wait until the offseason to install some of the “special” things. For now, McCaffrey is a special player in perhaps his perfect offense. 

If the 49ers can get their injured players back, the addition of Christian McCaffrey might make them the team to beat in the NFC and a true threat to the title that many have already given to the Buffalo Bills. 

Minnesota Vikings Bye Week Roster

An NFL roster is a very fluid thing. The Minnesota Vikings made some roster tweaks last week mostly due to injuries. This week, their bye week, the Vikings made some roster tweaks to add some depth at a particular position. An illness forced outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum to miss Sunday’s game in the heat of Miami. Despite excellent games from Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter, and Patrick Jones II, going with a four-man edge-rushing rotation in a difficult environment was pushing things. In the best of times, a five-man edge-rushing rotation is enough. If one of those players can’t go, four edge rushers just isn’t enough. The Vikings needed a sixth outside linebacker. 

As with the recent additions of nose tackle Khyiris Tonga and safety Theo Jackson, the Vikings again turned to the practice squad of another team to find a player. Yesterday, the Vikings plucked rookie outside linebacker Benton Whitley from the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. Whitley was originally signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross. He was released after training camp and signed by the Chiefs. I like that the Vikings new decision-makers are using other team’s practice squad as a resource for players. These players may not be as experienced as some of the street free agents but they are younger, maybe hungrier, and probably more game-ready. They are definitely cheaper and the Vikings don’t have the cap room to add a player that’s more expensive than cheaper. 

A couple moves had to be made before the Vikings could add Whitley. Safety Myles Dorn was released so that receiver Blake Proehl could be activated from the PUP list. Proehl was then released so that Whitley could be added. The Vikings then signed Proehl and Dorn to their practice squad. 

The Vikings continue to carry a 23:27 roster edge to the defense. That roster tilt to the defense is kinda strange to see. 

Here’s a look at the Vikings by position after the recent roster tweaks. 

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Offense (23)

Quarterback (2)

Kirk Cousins

Nick Mullens

Running Back (3)

Dalvin Cook

Alexander Mattison

Kene Nwangwu

Fullback (1)

C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

K.J. Osborn

Adam Thielen

Jalen Reagor

Jalen Nailor

Tight End (2)

Irv Smith Jr.

Johnny Mundt

Tackle (5)

Christian Darrisaw

Brian O’Neill

Blake Brandel

Oli Udoh

Vederian Lowe

Guard (3)

Ezra Cleveland

Ed Ingram

Chris Reed

Center (2)

Garrett Bradbury

Austin Schlottman

Defense (27)

Defensive Line (7)

Harrison Phillips

Dalvin Tomlinson

Jonathan Bullard

Ross Blacklock

James Lynch

Esezi Otomewo 

Khyiris Tonga

Outside Linebacker (6)

Danielle Hunter

Za’Darius Smith

D.J. Wonnum

Patrick Jones II

Luiji Vilain

Benton Whitley

Inside Linebacker (4)

Eric Kendricks

Jordan Hicks

Brian Asamoah II

Troy Dye

Cornerback (6)

Patrick Peterson

Cameron Dantzler Sr.

Chandon Sullivan

Andrew Booth Jr.

Akayleb Evans

Kris Boyd

Safety (4)

Harrison Smith

Camryn Bynum

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Special Teams (3)

Kicker

Greg Joseph

Punter

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper

Nick DePaola

***

Practice Squad

David Blough, QB

Dan Chisena, WR

Ryan Connelly, LB

Myles Dorn, S

Chris Garrett, OLB

Tay Gowan, CB

Kyle Hinton, OG

Jacob Hollister, TE

Trishton Jackson, WR

Bryant Koback, RB

William Kwenkeu, LB

Nick Muse, TE

Blake Proehl, WR

Duke Shelley, CB

T.J. Smith, DL

Josh Sokol, C

Minnesota Vikings Week 6 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings sweated out a 24-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. It was a strange game as the Vikings offense wasn’t great. I blame the heat. They did have enough great moments scattered around a ridiculous 10 three-and-outs and an absurd 10 punts. That’s too damn many punts. It was the Vikings defense that made this win possible. They gave up a bunch of yards but they took the ball away often enough to ruin the Dolphins day. Here are some of the players that made the Vikings fifth win possible.  

Offensive Player of the Game

Dalvin Cook, RB

Dalvin Cook gets this nod as his fourth quarter 53-yard touchdown made it a two-score lead and helped seal the win. Other than that big play, the Dolphins effectively bottled up Cook and the Vikings running game. They simply didn’t have enough plays to get anything going. 

Defensive Players of the Game

Za’Darius Smith, OLB

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Patrick Jones II

Harrison Smith, S

Patrick Peterson, CB

Camryn Bynum, S

Chandon Sullivan, CB

Etc.

The Vikings defense was the reason for the win. Too many players made big plays and had big games to single out any one player. They did give up a lot of yards but they made enough big plays to make all those yards more fluff than substance. Despite gaining 458 yards, the Dolphins sat on only three points for most of the game. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Ryan Wright, P

Unfortunately, Ryan Wright was on the field a lot. He punted a ridiculous 10 times. That’s too damn many punts. His biggest was a 73-yard boomer booted from the back of his own end zone. From his own end zone, Wright put the Dolphins inside their own 20-yard line. He put the Dolphins inside their own 20-yard line on six of his ten punts. No touchbacks, and only three punt return yards. It was an incredible punting day. It was needed on Sunday but I hope that Wright never has to do it again. 

The terrific play by Josh Metellus to stop a Dolphins fake punt attempt deserves a mention. 

Flea Flicker Week 6 Power Rankings

Here’s a look at how the 32 NFL teams rank after six weeks of football. 

1.   Philadelphia Eagles (6-0)

2.   Buffalo Bills (5-1)

3.   Kansas City Chiefs (4-2)

4.   Minnesota Vikings (5-1)

5.   Dallas Cowboys (4-2)

6.   New York Giants (5-1)

7.   Baltimore Ravens (3-3)

8.   Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)

9.   New York Jets (4-2)

10. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)

11. Green Bay Packers (3-3)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)

14. Miami Dolphins (3-3)

15. Los Angeles Rams (3-3)

16. New England Patriots (3-3)

17. Cleveland Browns (2-4)

18. Tennessee Titans (3-2)

19. Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1)

20. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

21. Arizona Cardinals (2-4)

22. Detroit Lions (1-4)

23. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4)

24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

25. New Orleans Saints (2-4)

26. Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

27. Denver Broncos (2-4)

28. Houston Texans (2-2-1)

29. Washington Commanders (2-4)

30. Chicago Bears (2-4)

31. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4)

32. Carolina Panthers (1-5)

Until next week.

Vikings - Dolphins

The Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Dolphins in the Miami heat.

24-16. 

It was a tough game. It was a defensive game. It was a game filled with punts. Too many punts. Here are the Vikings first four possessions:

Punt

Punt 

Punt 

Punt

At times, it felt like Ryan Wright received as many snaps from center as Kirk Cousins. For the game, Wright had 10 punts. That’s too damn many punts. He put six of those punts inside the Dolphins 20-yard line. He even ripped a 73-yarder. The Vikings needed that one as Wright punted it from deep in his own end zone. It was a terrific game from Wright. I hope that he never has to do it again. 

It’s a different sort of football game when you’re leading off with the punter. 

This game was controlled by the two defenses. The Vikings offense rarely had anything working. They had a ridiculous 10 three-and-outs. Other than the kneel downs to end the game, every Vikings possession was either a three-and-out or ended in a score. If the Vikings got a first down, they were on their way. It was a strange, defensive game. 

It was a defensive game but each defense controlled the game differently. The Dolphins defense bottled up the Vikings offense most of the game. The Vikings defense relied on scattered big plays. They had six sacks. Even more impactful were the turnovers. The Vikings had two interceptions and and a fumble recovery. They also stopped a fake punt attempt. They gave up a bunch of yards (458 yards to be exact) but they took the ball away from the Dolphins four times. The Vikings scored ten points off of turnovers. As important, two of the turnovers came in the final 4:22 of the game. Those takeaways sealed the win. Actually, the recovery of the Dolphins onside-kick attempt sealed the win. Those late takeaways were the difference in the game. 

For the game, the Vikings offense was mostly anemic. They totaled 234 yards. That was nearly half of the Dolphins production. 156 passing. 78 rushing. 53 of those rushing yards came on Dalvin Cook’s touchdown burst with about three minutes to play. 

Tyreek Hill is a nuisance. Scary fast. 

This was a strange, defensive game. The Vikings earned their first first down with about six minutes to play in the first half. That first first down turned into three more as the Vikings offense finally had a drive. It ended with a touchdown. That gave the Vikings a 7-3 lead. They never lost that lead and the Dolphins were never closer than four points. Despite their offensive struggles, the Vikings were in control of this game throughout. It was a sketchy control because of those offensive struggles but it felt kinda like control. It was a strange game but it was a win. Good teams win these games. I guess that the Vikings might be a good team. 

The Vikings are 5-1 heading into their Week 7 bye. With the Green Bay Packers losing to the New York Jets, the Vikings now have a two-game division lead. 

Flea Flicker Week 6 Predictions

Here are some guesses at the Week 6 games. 

We have our first byes of the year:

Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans

Minnesota Vikings @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings have the opportunity to enter their Week 7 bye with a division-leading 5-1 record. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers are starting to roll with Jimmy Garoppolo. 

New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Patriots 

The Patriots find a way.

New York Jets @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Jets

The New Jersey teams sweep the Packers.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

Does anyone really know these teams? The Colts tie the Texans, get shut out by the Jaguars, and beat the Chiefs. The Jaguars shut out the Colts, beat the Chargers, throw a scare into the Eagles, and lose to the Texans. Who are these teams? I’m just going with the Colts at home. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Bengals

The Bengals need to get their shit together. 

Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens are too much for the plucky Giants.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Buccaneers

Mike Tomlin is looking at his first losing season.

Carolina Panthers @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams need a win. The Panthers are perhaps the best opponent to get one. 

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks 

Pick: Cardinals

The Cardinals are unbeaten away from home. This game is away from home.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Bills

These teams have played often recently. Somehow, it’s always been in Kansas City. The Bills are playing better. Hopefully, this game lives up it’s potential. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Cowboys

I just want to see the last unbeaten team fall.

Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

The Broncos got too damn many prime time games. This is their fourth over the first six weeks. Ridiculous. They have one more. Ridiculous. 

All-Time Miami Dolphins Team

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Miami today to play the Dolphins tomorrow. Being in different conferences, the Vikings haven’t played the Dolphins too often over the years. They did have a significant meeting on January 13, 1974. Super Bowl VIII. That game didn’t go well for the Vikings. On the eve of the rematch of that Super Bowl, here are some of the best players in Dolphins franchise history. Several of the players on this team played in that Super Bowl. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Dan Marino

Running Back

Ricky Williams

Fullback

Larry Csonka

Wide Receivers

Paul Warfield

Mark Clayton

Tight End

Bruce Hardy

Tackles

Richmond Webb

Jake Long

Guards

Bob Kuechenberg

Larry Little

Center

Dwight Stephenson

Defense

Defensive Ends

Jason Taylor 

Cameron Wake

Defensive Tackles

Manny Fernandez

Bob Baumhower

Linebackers

Zach Thomas

Nick Buoniconti 

John Offerdahl

Cornerbacks

Sam Madison

Xavien Howard

Safeties

Dick Anderson

Jake Scott

Special Teams

Kicker

Garo Yepremian

Punter

Reggie Roby

Kick Returner

Jakeem Grant

Punt Returner

O.J. McDuffie

Minnesota Vikings Points For And Against

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-1. Through five games, that’s the most important statistic. Three of the four wins have been one score, anxious, nerve-wrecking games. The Vikings have recently made a habit of thrilling their fans with such games. Unlike last year, the Vikings this year have done what’s needed at the end of the close games. They’ve scored the needed points and they’ve prevented their opponents from scoring. Through five games, the Vikings have scored 115 points and allowed 102 points. It’s a delicate point balance. There’s been a multi-point win and a multi-point loss. The other three games, the last three games, have been decided by 4, 3, and 7 points. Here’s a little closer look at the points through five games.

Scoring by quarter (Vikings Score-Opponents Score):

1st Quarter: 21-17

2nd Quarter: 51-38

3rd Quarter: 6-33

4th Quarter: 37-14

It’s easy to see that the third quarter has been a problem. With that in mind, it’s interesting that their only loss through five games was a game in which there was no third quarter scoring. In Week 2, the Vikings shut out the Philadelphia Eagles in the third quarter. They shut out the Eagles in the fourth quarter as well. The Vikings lost to the Eagles because they couldn’t score in the third or fourth quarter either. Despite several trips into the Eagles red zone, the Vikings couldn’t score in the second half. 

The Packers, Lions, Saints, and Bears have outscored the Vikings in the third quarter. If a team can only manage a couple field goals in the third quarter through five games, that’s going to happen. 

Third quarter scoring:

Packers: 7-3

Eagles: 0-0

Lions: 10-0

Saints: 7-3

Bears: 9-0

The third quarter is why the Vikings have needed fourth quarter heroics the last three weeks. They’ve trailed in the fourth quarter in all but the opener against the Packers. They even trailed by two scores to the Lions. It’s stressful way to play football. 

The Vikings are 4-1 because of their play in the second and fourth quarters, especially the fourth quarter. The offense has scored the needed points and the defense has made the needed stops. The latter has been critical. The Vikings defense is nowhere near where it needs to be. They bend a lot through much of the game but they’ve kept the score manageable. They also get much more sturdy at the end of games. They had a late fourth down stop to seal the win against the Packers. They got an interception to seal the win against the Lions. They forced the Saints to need a second field goal of more than 60 yards. Cam Dantzler stole the ball to seal the win against the Bears. The defense is still an often frustrating work-in-progress but they’ve made the needed stops in all four wins. 

The Vikings start fast and end strong. This past game against the Bears was a perfect example of that. The Vikings opened with a dominating 21-3 lead. From the final minutes of the second quarter, through the third quarter, and into the fourth quarter they kinda went into hibernation. Then they woke up and did what was needed to finish. The Vikings should’ve cruised to an easy win. Instead, they made it interesting. Too interesting. This pattern probably isn’t sustainable. It’s certainly not the way to play against some of the teams that dot their remaining schedule (Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, etc.). The good thing is that this Vikings team is still coming together. With new coaches and systems, everything’s new. What we’ve seen through five games is snapshots of what this team could be. That is especially true of the offense. This offense has yet to score over 30 points. This offense has the talent to routinely score 30 or more points. An offense that rolls to 21 points on their first three possessions against the Bears shouldn’t go scoreless on their next four possessions. A defense that can do what’s needed at the end of the game shouldn’t be a sieve in the second and third quarters. It’d sure be nice to see this Vikings team play a complete game. I know that it’s in them. I just know it. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Injuries have forced the Minnesota Vikings to tweak the roster the past two weeks. The most serious of the injuries was the one safety Lewis Cine suffered in London. The ugly leg fracture ended his season. The Vikings signed nose tackle Khyiris Tonga off the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons to take Cine’s place on the roster. Compared to Cine’s injury, other injuries are more nuisance than serious. Running back Ty Chandler broke his thumb on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. He’ll miss a few weeks and was placed on injured reserve. That move means that he’ll miss at least four weeks. The Vikings signed safety Theo Jackson off the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans to take Chandler’s place on the roster. The addition of Jackson helps the safety depth that took quite a hit with the loss of Cine. 

I like that the Vikings are looking at the practice squads of other teams for these depth additions. These players have been working out, practicing, competing, maybe even playing in actual games since the spring. That isn’t always the case with street free agents. 

Here’s a look at the Vikings by position after the recent roster tweaks. 

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

Offense (23)

Quarterback (2)

Kirk Cousins

Nick Mullens

Running Back (3)

Dalvin Cook

Alexander Mattison

Kene Nwangwu

Fullback (1)

C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

K.J. Osborn

Adam Thielen

Jalen Reagor

Jalen Nailor

Tight End (2)

Irv Smith Jr.

Johnny Mundt

Tackle (5)

Christian Darrisaw

Brian O’Neill

Blake Brandel

Oli Udoh

Vederian Lowe

Guard (3)

Ezra Cleveland

Ed Ingram

Chris Reed

Center (2)

Garrett Bradbury

Austin Schlottman

Defense (27)

Defensive Line (7)

Harrison Phillips

Dalvin Tomlinson

Jonathan Bullard

Ross Blacklock

James Lynch

Esezi Otomewo 

Khyiris Tonga

Outside Linebacker (5)

Danielle Hunter

Za’Darius Smith

D.J. Wonnum

Patrick Jones II

Luiji Vilain

Inside Linebacker (4)

Eric Kendricks

Jordan Hicks

Brian Asamoah II

Troy Dye

Cornerback (6)

Patrick Peterson

Cameron Dantzler Sr.

Chandon Sullivan

Andrew Booth Jr.

Akayleb Evans

Kris Boyd

Safety (5)

Harrison Smith

Camryn Bynum

Josh Metellus

Myles Dorn

Theo Jackson

Special Teams (3)

Kicker

Greg Joseph

Punter

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper

Nick DePaola

***

It’s surprising to 23:27 offense:defense split on the Vikings roster. Defensive-minded Mike Zimmer never had a split like that in his eight years as head coach. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings moved to 4-1 after their 29-22 Week 5 win over the Chicago Bears. The Vikings offense started and ended the game in fantastic fashion. The start and end were a view of what this offense could be. Unfortunately, they missed many opportunities on their middle four possessions of the game. The Vikings defense is making strides but is still a work in progress. After a strong start to the season, the Vikings special teams was a problem this week. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

It’s Justin Jefferson. Again. Dalvin Cook had a nice game running the ball but Jefferson, once again, could not be covered. 

12 catches 

154 yards

2-point conversion. 

Jefferson even completed a pass to Cook for 23 yards. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Cam Dantzler Sr., CB

Cam Dantzler Sr. secured the win when he picked the pocket of Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. If that was the only play that Dantzler made, it would’ve been enough. He also drew the block in the back penalty (from Smith-Marsette) that wiped out a 52-yard touchdown run by Justin Fields. Dantzler punked his former teammate twice. If either one of those plays doesn’t happen, the game would’ve been very different.

Dantzler also stopped the Bears 2-point attempt. 

In total, Dantzler took six Bears points off the board and made the play that sealed the game. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Akayleb Evans, ST

It looked like the Vikings were going to run away with this game. They were rolling. Special teams miscues allowed the Bears to get back into this game. Shanked punt, missed field goals. That sort of thing. The Bears tried an onside kick after their first second half score. Akayleb Evans covered that kick. For that, he’s an easy choice for the Vikings special teams player of the week. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Power Rankings

Here’s a look at how the 32 NFL teams rank after five weeks of football. 

1.   Philadelphia Eagles (5-0)

2.   Buffalo Bills (4-1)

3.   Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

4.   Minnesota Vikings (4-1)

5.   Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

6.   Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)

7.   Green Bay Packers (3-2)

8.   Dallas Cowboys (4-1)

9.   San Francisco 49ers (3-2)

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)

11. New York Giants (4-1)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

13. Miami Dolphins (3-2)

14. Los Angeles Rams (2-3)

15. Cleveland Browns (2-3)

16. New York Jets (3-2)

17. Tennessee Titans (3-2)

18. Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1)

19. Arizona Cardinals (2-3)

20. Detroit Lions (1-4)

21. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)

22. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

23. New Orleans Saints (2-3)

24. New England Patriots (2-3)

25. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

26. Chicago Bears (2-3)

27. Denver Broncos (2-3)

28. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)

29. Houston Texans (2-2-1)

30. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4)

31. Washington Commanders (1-4)

32. Carolina Panthers (1-4)

Until next week.

Vikings - Bears

The Minnesota Vikings sweated out a 29-22 win over the Chicago Bears. It was a strange game. The Vikings came out rolling. The offense could do nothing wrong on their first three possessions. It was 21-3 halfway through the second quarter. The Vikings were cruising. The Bears were stumbling. Then it turned into a typical Vikings-Bears game. A struggle. 

Through four games, the Vikings special teams has been a strength. It was special teams miscues that allowed the Bears to get back into this game. With about four minutes to play in the first half, rookie punter Ryan Wright shanked a punt for 15 yards. That and a holding penalty set the Bears up nicely at midfield. That 21-3 lead was soon 21-10 and the Bears had a pulse. Greg Joseph missed 50-yard field goals on either side of halftime to continue the special team miscues. The Bears pulse strengthened. 

After the three beautiful drives to start the game, the Vikings offense didn’t score again until the deciding touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The non-scoring possessions had moments but all ended ugly: shanked punt, missed field goal, missed field goal, interception. All of those possessions started well as each reached into Bears territory. Unfortunately for the Vikings and fortunately for the Bears, all ended ugly. 

The Bears took advantage of those ugly endings. They scored after each one. Touchdown, Touchdown, field goal, field goal. Just like that, the Vikings 21-3 was a 22-21 deficit. The Bears were cruising. The Vikings were stumbling. 

That’s when the Vikings offense returned to the way they started the game. With 9:26 remaining, the Vikings took over on their own 25-yard line. The critical possession didn’t start well as a false start penalty pushed the ball back to the 20-yard line. 17 plays, 7 minutes, and 80 yards later, the Vikings were in the end zone with a Kirk Cousins “power run” up the middle. A two-point pass to Justin Jefferson made it 29-22. The Bears needed a touchdown. 

This game wasn’t decided until Vikings corner Cam Dantzler Sr. took the ball from Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette with about a minute to play. It was a tremendous hustle play. Smith-Marsette caught the Fields pass, straight-armed Dantzler to the ground, and turned up the field. He had 15 yards, a first down, and the ball on the Vikings 39-yard line with just over a minute to play. The Bears were in a great place. Dantzler was having none of that as he popped up, caught Smith-Marsette, and literally took the ball from him. Dantzler spun around and headed the other way. Instead of trying to score, he slid to the ground after 15 yards so that the offense could run out the clock. The Bears would not see the ball again. This was a great, heads-up, game-sealing play. It was the second time that Dantzler had gotten the better of his former teammate. Both were huge plays. Earlier in the game, Smith-Marsette’s block in the back of Dantzler wiped out a 52-yard Justin Fields touchdown run. This is a very different game without either play. Hopefully, this is a springboard game for Dantzler. He’s got terrific talent. It feels like he’s on the cusp of playing to that talent. 

Kirk Cousins started the game in ridiculous fashion. He completed his first 17 passes. He was so calm and confident in the pocket. Justin Jefferson, of course, was a frequent target of those passes. For the game, he had 12 catches for 154 yards. Most of those catches and yards were in the first half. Jefferson even tossed a pass to Dalvin Cook for 23 yards. Cook ran well. 18 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Those first three possessions is a glimpse of what this Vikings offense could be. So was the game-winning drive. It’d be nice to see that sort of offensive efficiency for the entire game. The Vikings gained 429 yards (312 passing, 117 rushing). It could’ve been so much more. 

The Vikings defense is still a work in progress. The coverage has tightened since receivers were running free in Philadelphia in Week 2. That’s good. The run defense did pretty good against a Bears team that runs the ball very well. The Bears gained 271 total yards (193 passing, 78 rushing). The strong running Bears only averaged 3.3 yards per carry. If not for a few runs by their quarterback, that number would’ve been much smaller. The Bears running backs totaled 31 yards. If the Vikings defense had a problem with the Bears offense, it was dealing with Justin Fields’ run-pass versatility.

Fields has had a rough passing start to his second season. This was probably his best game. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown. This game was a step in the right direction for the young quarterback. 

It was a good day for the Vikings. Any day with a Vikings win is a good day. It was especially good as the Vikings were the only team in their division to win. The New York Giants upset the Green Bay Packers in London. The New England Patriots shut out the Detroit Lions. It was a very good day. The Vikings are 4-1 heading into a Week 6 matchup with the Dolphins in Miami. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Predictions

Here are some guesses at the Week 5 games. 

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

After consecutive nail-biters, it’d be nice if the Vikings cruise to a win over the Bears.

New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Giants

Another London game. The Giants are somehow 3-1. 4-1 after this game.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett gets his first start. It’ll be a tough one.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Chargers

A healthy Chargers team would roll over the Browns. A semi-healthy Chargers should win.

Detroit Lions @ New England Patriots

Pick: Lions

The Lions have been scoring a lot of points.  Only once have they scored more than their opponent. They should score more than the Patriots.

Seattle Seahawks @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Saints

The Saints should be able to handle the Seahawks at home.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Pick: Dolphins

Teddy Bridgewater and the Dolphins should be able to find a way to beat the Jets.

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

After a couple losses, the Buccaneers should rebound against the Falcons.

Tennessee Titans @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Commanders

Just a hunch.

Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

Since that decisive win against a depleted Chargers team, the Jaguars seem to be gaining confidence. The Texans should further boost that confidence.

San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: 49ers

If the team that swarmed all over the Rams show up, the 49ers should be able to beat a lot of teams.

Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

The Rams rebound against the Cowboys.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Eagles

The Eagles continue to roll.

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

This game should be fun. Just going with the home team. 

Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

Anything can happen in this great rivalry. The Chiefs are the better team. 

All -Time Chicago Bears Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears tomorrow. As one of only two teams that has been a part of every league season, the Bears have a long history. They also have a mostly strong history. The team’s nine titles is topped only by the 13 won by the Green Bay Packers. Despite overall success, their current 37-year title drought is the longest that the franchise has seen. Poor little Bears. On the eve of the big game here’s a look at some of the best players in Chicago Bears franchise history. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Sid Luckman

Running Back

Walter Payton

Fullback

Bronko Nagurski 

Wide Receivers

Harlon Hill

Brandon Marshall

Tight End

Mike Ditka

Tackles

Joe Stydahar

George Musso

Guards

Dan Fortmann

Stan Jones

Center

Bulldog Turner

Defense

Defensive Ends

Richard Dent

Khalil Mack

Defensive Tackles

Link Lyman

Dan Hampton

Linebackers

Bulldog Turner

Dick Butkus

Brian Urlacher

The middle linebacker tradition in Chicago is ridiculous. No other team can boast the riches at any position that the Bears can boast at the middle linebacker position. Bulldog Turner, Bill George, Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, Brian Urlacher. Roquan Smith is on pace to join them. It’s a tradition so great that I’ve selected a middle linebacker trio. I’ve done that at the expense of outstanding outside linebackers like Otis Wilson, Lance Briggs, and Joe Fortunato. 

Cornerbacks

Charles Tillman

J.C. Caroline

Safeties

Red Grange

Roosevelt Taylor

Special Teams

Kicker

Robbie Gould

Punter

Bobby Joe Green

Kick Returner

Gale Sayers

Punt Returner

Devin Hester

That’s a terrifying return duo. 

Flea Flicker Quarter-Pole All-Pro Team

The move to a 17-game season sure hacked up this stupid exercise. There was great symmetry with 16 games. The actual quarter-pole of a 17-game season is at the end of the first quarter of the Week 5 games. I won’t have time then for this nonsense. Here are some of the best players from the first four games of the 2022 NFL season.

Flea Flicker Quarter-Pole All-Pro Team

Offense

Quarterback

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Running Back

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Fullback

C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings

Receivers

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Tight Ends

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Offensive Tackles

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Offensive Guards

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Wyatt Teller, Cleveland Browns

Center 

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

Defensive Ends

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Defensive Tackles

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders

Linebackers

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Roquan Smith, Chicago Bears

Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cornerbacks

Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Safeties

Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers

Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins

Special Teams

Kicker

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

Punter

Ryan Wright, Minnesota Vikings

Returner

Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens

Minnesota Vikings Roster Tweaks

The Minnesota Vikings were unfortunately forced to tweak the roster this week. Rookie safety Lewis Cine was lost for the season to a compound lower leg fracture on Sunday against the New Orleans. The injury was such that he remained in London for immediate medical attention. Everything has apparently proceeded well and Cine should return to Minnesota later this week. Now, recuperation, recovery, and rehabilitation are in front of him. Here’s to a speedy and complete recovery. Lewis Cine will be back. 

Cine’s move to injured reserve opened a spot on the roster. At least for bookkeeping purposes that spot was initially filled by Ryan Connelly. He’s been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since the start of training camp. He was activated on Tuesday and released on Wednesday. The NFL is often a brutal business. To fill the 53rd spot on the roster, the Vikings signed nose tackle Khyiris Tonga off the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons. 

Tonga was originally a seventh-round pick out of BYU by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft. He made the team as a rookie. He appeared in 15 games and had two starts. That’s pretty good for a seventh-round rookie. This season, he lost a training camp battle with Mike Pennel Jr. and Angelo Blackson to anchor the interior of Matt Eberflus’ new Bears defense. The Falcons signed him to their practice squad. Now, he’s on the 53-man roster of the Vikings. 

The Vikings interior of Harrison Phillips, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Jonathan Bullard have had some nice moments but overall teams have had a little too much running success. That running success was what allowed the Saints to get back in the game on Sunday. On too many second half drives, the Vikings were getting gashed for 7-8 yards on first down. There’s been too much of a drop when Phillips isn’t in the middle of the Vikings defense. Perhaps, Tonga’s 6’4” 338 lb size and strength will assist and supplement the defensive line. Phillips has the strength and leverage traits to excel as a 3-4 nose tackle. At 6’3” 307 lbs, he doesn’t have ideal size for the position. Tonga gives the Vikings more options and much greater depth. He’s also familiar with defensive line coach Chris Rumph from his single season in Chicago. 

The Vikings also made some practice squad moves this week. Defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman and receiver Travis Toivonen were released. To add some safety depth to the roster, the Vikings signed Mike Brown to the practice squad. He originally signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent this offseason. He was with the team through OTAs and training camp. After being waived by Minnesota during roster reductions, Brown spent a brief period on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. The Vikings now have 15 players on their practice squad. There’s room for one more player. 

Finally, receiver Blake Proehl returned to practice. He’d been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp while finishing his recovery from a torn ACL. Proehl’s participation in practice starts a 21-day window for him to added to the 53-man roster. If he isn’t added to the roster, he’ll revert back to the PUP list for the remainder of the season. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 4 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings left London on Sunday with a 28-25 win over the New Orleans Saints. It took a double-doink missed field goal by the Saints to avoid overtime. It wasn’t a pretty win but it was a win. Here are some of the Vikings players that were critical to that win.

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

Justin Jefferson is back. After a couple quiet weeks, he made his usual giant impact on the game. 

10 catches, 147 yards

1 run, 3 yards, TD

He was close to making an even greater impact. He and Kirk Cousins were just off on a touchdown connection. On the next play, Cousins missed a wide-op Jefferson in the end zone. If either of those connections had been made, the Saints wouldn’t have been close enough to double-doink anything.

Defensive Player of the Game

Cam Dantzler, CB

I’m not sure if the analytics crowd will agree but it sure felt like Cam Dantzler had a very good game. If he’d caught the interception that was on his numbers, he’d be an easy pick for Defensive Player of the Game. He had three pass breakups and a tackle for loss. His pass defense on a deep throw down the sideline in the second half may have been the defensive play of the game.

Special Teams Player of the Game

Greg Joseph, K

I wish that I was able to give this to punter Ryan Wright for his first down completion on a fake punt. I wish that I didn’t have to give this to Greg Joseph for kicking five field goals. That’s too damn many field goals. His missed extra point allowed the Saints to tie the game with just under two minutes to play. He made up for that missed kick with the kick that won it with 24 seconds to play. 

Flea Flicker Week 4 Power Rankings

Here’s a look at how the 32 NFL teams rank after four weeks of football. 

1.   Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

2.   Buffalo Bills (3-1)

3.   Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)

4.   Minnesota Vikings (3-1)

5.   Green Bay Packers (3-1)

6.   Miami Dolphins (3-1)

7.   Baltimore Ravens (2-2)

8.   Los Angeles Rams (2-2)

9.   Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

12. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

13. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

14. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

15. Indianapolis Colts (1-2-1)

16. Detroit Lions (1-3)

17. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

18. Tennessee Titans (2-2)

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

20. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)

21. New York Giants (3-1)

22. Denver Broncos (2-2)

23. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

24. New York Jets (2-2)

25. New Orleans Saints (1-3)

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)

27. New England Patriots (1-3)

28. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

29. Chicago Bears (2-2)

30. Seattle Seahawks (2-2)

31. Washington Commanders (1-3)

32. Houston Texans (1-2-1)

Until next week.

Vikings - Saints

It’s a win.

The Minnesota Vikings left London with a 28-25 win over the New Orleans Saints. These overseas games are a nuisance. The Vikings never really looked comfortable, especially on offense. This game shouldn’t have been close. Five field goals is too damn many field goals. Two of them were kicked from the red zone. Those have to be touchdowns. If they were touchdowns, I would’ve been breathing easier at the end of the game. The Saints wouldn’t have been close to being in position to end with the game with a double-doink miss with no time on the clock. The Saints thought that they had forced overtime. The Vikings thought that they were going to overtime. I thought that the game was going to overtime. The ball has to go through the uprights. It didn’t.

It’s a win.

The win isn’t all smiles as the Vikings lost rookie safety Lewis Cine to one of those gruesome lower leg injuries. It’s apparently so serious that the necessary surgery will be done in London. Vikings support staff will remain with him. He’ll come home when he’s able. Here’s to a complete and speedy recovery for Lewis Cine. 

The Saints were missing a lot of players for this game. Jameis Winston, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Andrus Peat, Marcus Maye. Who’d I miss? The situation was mentioned so often that the Saints became the emotional favorite of everyone with a voice. The announcers, the analysts, the general public. Everyone. I don’t remember anyone voicing similar sympathy when Kamara and the Saints ripped apart a Vikings defense made up of backups and street free agents on Christmas Day in 2020. Screw the Saints and the sad tears shed for them. 

Justin Jefferson is back. After a couple quiet games, Jefferson had 150 of the 344 yards gained by the Vikings. He had 10 catches for 147 yards and scored on a three-yard run. If the connection between Jefferson and Kirk Cousins was slightly better on a couple plays in the red zone, there would’ve been at least one more touchdown and at least one fewer field goal. This game wouldn’t have been close. 

This game shouldn’t have been close. 

The Vikings scored points on six of their last seven possession. While it never felt like the offense was in sync, that’s efficient, consistent offense. Unfortunately, five of those possessions ended in field goals rather than touchdowns. They could move down the field with ease but couldn’t get into the end zone often enough. They have to get those touchdowns. The Vikings even started a possession on the Saints 20-yard line. They have to get that touchdown. This game shouldn’t have been close. 

Taysom Hill is a pain-in-the-ass. That is all.

The Vikings defense is a work in progress. For most of the game, they controlled the Saints offense. Then there were a couple (three) possessions during which they couldn’t slow the run. Staying ahead of the chains on those possessions allowed an efficient Andy Dalton to play a little pitch-and-catch. Since the Vikings offense was too often settling for field goals, the Saints only needed two possessions to match what the Vikings did on five possessions. This game shouldn’t have been close.

It’s a win.

It’s great that the Vikings have won a couple games despite not playing as well as I believe that they can. It’s frustrating to see them out of sync. If they can ever get in sync, that could be something pretty great. The Vikings are 3-1 at near the first quarter of the season. The 17 game schedule sure hacked up the beautiful symmetry of an NFL season. They split against two of the most difficult opponents on the schedule (Green Bay and Philadelphia). It’s a very good start to the season. 

These London games are such a nuisance. I’m happy for the UK Vikings fans that get to see their team in person. They’re beautiful people. Vikings fans are beautiful people. I’m so glad that the team got out of London with a win. Get out of London. Get back to Central Time. Get re-adjusted to Central Time. Get ready for a home game with the Chicago Bears. 

Get well soon Lewis Cine.