Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Semifinalists

25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 were announced on Tuesday. The list of modern-era players includes two in their first year of eligibility. 

Julius Peppers

Antonio Gates

18 of the semifinalists were semifinalists last year. Tiki Barber is a semifinalist for the first time after about a decade of waiting. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Semifinalists

• Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
• Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
• Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021-24)
• Tiki Barber, RB – 1997-2006 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
• Anquan Boldin, WR – 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Jahri Evans, G – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
• London Fletcher, LB – 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-2013 Washington Redskins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
• Dwight Freeney, DE – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
• Antonio Gates, TE – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
• Eddie George, RB – 1996-2003 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2022, 2024)
• James Harrison, LB – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2023-24)
• Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2021, 2023-24)
• Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 — 2015-24)
• Andre Johnson, WR – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Robert Mathis, DE/LB – 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Julius Peppers, DE – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2024)
• Steve Smith Sr., WR – 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
• Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2017-2024)
• Ricky Watters, RB – 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2020, 2022-24)
• Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
• Vince Wilfork, DT – 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2022-24)
• Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020-24)
• Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 8 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2024)

The 25 semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 finalists. The finalists will join Coach/Contributor nominee Buddy Parker and Senior nominees Art Powell, Randy Gradishar, and Steve McMichael for final discussions by the 50-person Selection Committee in advance Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The Pro Football Hall Fame Class of 2024 will be announced live on the “NFL Honors” telecast on February 8. 

When the Semifinalists are announced, I can’t help but reduce the list to “my” Hall of Fame Class. Julius Peppers should make it to Canton in his first year. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Antonio Gates also makes it in his first year, I’m not so sure that he should. Making it in the first year must mean something. If there’s even a moment of pause when considering a player, he waits. Making it in the first year should be for those players that leave no doubt.

The voters must do something about the receiver logjam that’s been forming. This might be a good year to get a couple of them into Canton. Personally, I would like to Steve Smith Sr. to be one of them. He was one of my favorite players throughout his career. He was so damn much fun. Unfortunately for Smith, I think that it’s time for receivers that have been waiting much longer.

Torry Holt

Hines Ward

Torry Holt’s been waiting a decade. Hines Ward has been waiting eight years. Deciding between Ward and Reggie Wayne was tough. Ward might not have the stats of some of the other receiver contenders but he did so much more for than catch passes for those Pittsburgh Steelers offenses. He also contributed to Super Bowl wins, winning MVP of Super Bowl XL. 

After the receivers, I’m getting a couple great defensive players to Canton.

Jared Allen

Patrick Willis

Allen was one of the league’s best pass rusher for about a decade. He should’ve been Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. Probably 2008 as well. He was such a fun football player. Allen has been a finalist each of his previous three years of eligibility. It feels like this should be the year he finally makes it to Canton. The Hall of Fame journey of Patrick Willis has been a mystery. He was one of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen play. I thought that his career deserved first ballot consideration. Willis didn’t even make it to the semi-finalist stage in 2019. He was a semifinalist in 2020 and 2021. He was finally a finalist in 2022. As with Torry Holt, Hines Ward, and Jared Allen, it feels like the time is right for Willis.

So, here’s my Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Julius Peppers

Torry Holt

Hines Ward

Jared Allen

Patrick Willis

In my opinion, Lavvie Dilweg/Verne Lewellen and Al Wistert should’ve joined Randy Gradishar as Senior Nominees. The Hall of Fame selectors are more interested in jamming Super Bowl-era players into Canton rather than properly handling the league’s distant past. As for Buddy Parker, it’s about damn time. My Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 includes the Coach/Contributor and Senior Nominees.

Buddy Parker

Art Powell

Randy Gradishar

Steve McMichael

Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings gave away another game on Monday night. This time, it was a 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Vikings offense was terrible. The Vikings defense was great. With apologies to tight end T.J. Hockenson, the only Vikings players of note in this game were defensive players. That happens when the offense gives the ball away four times. 

Defensive Players of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Danielle Hunter should be in every discussion for Defensive Player of the Year. This has been his best season. He’s been terrific in every game. 

Against the Bears:

1.5 sacks

9 tackles

2 tackles for loss

1 forced fumble

He might’ve had four or five sacks if Justin Fields wasn’t allowed great leniency with intentional grounding. 

D.J. Wonnum, OLB

Over the past month, D.J. Wonnum has been playing the best of his four years in Minnesota. He’s been an excellent compliment to Hunter. His biggest plays against the Bears were getting his hands, face, and chest on Fields passes. If his reactions were a bit quicker, he might’ve had a couple interceptions and opportunities to return them for scores. 

Josh Metellus, Everywhere

Josh Metellus plays everywhere. With each game, he seems to get more comfortable playing everywhere. Blitzing, playing the run, in coverage. He’s doing so much in this defense crafted by Brian Flores. While Hunter is the best player on this rapidly improving defense, Metellus might be the most important player.

Sheldon Day, DL

When Dean Lowry went on injured reserve last week, Sheldon Day was elevated from the practice squad. He got his opportunity. Day probably made more impact plays in his 21 snaps against the Bears than Lowry had made all season. Day had three tackles, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery. It was his recovery of a Fields fumble that triggered the Vikings touchdown drive. 

I could keep listing players as Ivan Pace Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, Byron Murphy Jr., Harrison Phillips, and others made big plays throughout the game. Plays that, in total, kept the Bears out of the end zone. This Vikings defense is very much a team defense. They are fun to watch and they are getting better with each game. If the Vikings are to go on another five-game win streak, they’ll need the defense to do what their doing while the offense gets it’s shit together. 

Vikings - Bears

The Minnesota Vikings started the season with remarkable generosity. Turnovers. Turnovers were largely responsible for an 0-3 and 1-4 start to the season. Then they finally got a handle on the turnovers as they ripped off five straight wins. The last two games have seen a return to that remarkable generosity. Both losses. Last week, the Vikings handed the game to the Denver Broncos. Last night, they handed the game to the Chicago Bears. 

At home and fighting for a playoff spot, the Vikings lost to the Bears by a score of 12-10.

Making his third start in place of Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs threw four passes that ended in the hands of a Bears defender. Three of the four came off of tips. Jordan Addison should’ve caught one of those passes before it made its way to the hands of the Bears. The fortunate thing was that the Bears managed to turn all of that generosity into only three points. Credit a terrific game by the Vikings defense. 

The only real positive in this game for the Vikings was the defense. They contained dangerous Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Until his 36-yard toss to D.J. Moore with a minute to play, Fields had created zero explosive players. Other than a 14-yard designed run, his running was kept under wraps. He was sacked three times and routinely harassed in the pocket. That harassment took place while still containing his scrambling. The Vikings probably would’ve been credited with a few more sacks if Fields wasn’t allowed great leniency with intentional grounding. In particular, the play before that 36-yarder to Moore, Danielle Hunter had Fields sacked for a 14-yard loss. Instead, Fields was allowed to dump the ball to no one. Dobbs had been flagged for a remarkably similar play at the end of the first half. Instead of third-and-24 from their own 36, Fields and the Bears had a much more friendly third-and-10 from midfield. The throw to Moore that set up the game-winning field goal became a little easier. 

The evolution this season of the Vikings defense has been fun to witness. Especially after the defensive atrocities of last season. This was probably their best game. With the way the Vikings offense played, it was needed. At his best, Fields is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. The Vikings defense forced him into an excessive number of dump-offs. For the game, the distance of his throws averaged a minuscule 3.5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. For the bulk of the game, that number was a microscopic 0.3 yards. That 36-yard heave really flipped those numbers. While he moved the chains a couple times, his running was barely a factor. The Vikings defense kept the Bears offense out of the end zone. They also took the ball away from Fields twice in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defense did enough, more than enough, for a win. 

The Vikings offense did turn the first fumble recovery into a 77-yard touchdown drive. That gave them a 10-9 lead. It might’ve been enough if the Vikings offense had been able to manage to move the chains even once after the second fumble recovery. Instead, they went three-and-out. A poor punt gave the Bears some hope with about two minutes to play. Move the chains even once, at best, the Bears get the ball back with about 30 seconds to play and no timeouts. With the way the defense was playing, I like the Vikings chances in that situation. 

The Vikings finally enter their bye week. Week 13 is way too late for a bye. I wish that the league would get their shit together and concentrate all of the byes within the middle third of the season. Anyway, two weeks ago it felt like the Vikings had a real good chance to enter their bye week with a sparkling 8-4 record. Instead, there’s been a return of the remarkable generosity that plagued the start of the season. If the Vikings are to have any shot at the playoffs, that must stop. The good news is that the return from the bye week will also include the return of superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.

My Time All - Time Chicago Bears Team

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

Offense

Quarterback

Jim McMahon

Running Back

Walter Payton

Fullback

Roland Harper

Wide Receivers

Brandon Marshall

Alshon Jeffery

Tight End

Greg Olsen

Tackles

Jimbo Covert

James Williams

Guards

Mark Bortz

Tom Thayer

Center

Jay Hilgenberg

Defense

Defensive Ends

Richard Dent

Khalil Mack

Defensive Tackles

Dan Hampton

Wally Chambers

Linebackers

Lance Briggs

Mike Singletary

Brian Urlacher

Cornerbacks

Charles Tillman

Donnell Woolford

Safeties

Gary Fencik

Dave Duerson

Special Teams

Kicker

Robbie Gould

Punter

Brad Maynard

Returner

Devin Hester

End of an Era and Traditions

The University of California Golden Bears played their final Pac-12 football game last night. It was a sad end of an era and a century of traditions. Greed. Greed ended a great athletic conference. USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington wrecked the Pac-12 by choosing money over tradition. Rivalries, traditions, and pageantry make college football a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, those beautiful things no longer mean a thing. Money. Greed. Money rules everything. There’s never enough. It’s fitting that Cal closed their Pac-12 days by taking apart their UC little brother UCLA, 33-7. That’s no small thing. 

At least Cal and Stanford still have each other. They were the first college football teams on the west coast. They started together. They continue into a new athletic future together. In the Atlantic Coast Conference. So much for geographic accuracy. 

Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler had the ESPN call of the Cal-UCLA game. They reminisced about the Pac-12 throughout the game. Osweiler played at Washington State. He knows the conference from playing experience. Flemming has spent his broadcasting career covering Pac-12 games. Towards the end of the game, Flemming selected his Mount Rushmore of Pac-12 players. Here are his selections.

Anthony Munoz

Reggie Bush

Ronnie Lott

Andrew Luck

 

Well, of course, that got me thinking about my Pac -12 Mt. Rushmore. 

Ernie Nevers

Steve Emtman 

Anthony Munoz

Junior Seau

Then, of course, that got me thinking about a Cal Mt. Rushmore.

Brick Muller 

Jackie Jensen

Chuck Muncie

Joe Roth

Cal athletics will continue and thrive. It’s a damn shame it won’t be in the conference they helped build.  

Minnesota Vikings 53 - Man Roster

With a ridiculous run of injuries, every week seems to be severe roster management for the Minnesota Vikings. Justin Jefferson, Marcus Davenport, Cam Akers, Kirk Cousins, Jordan Hicks, Dean Lowry. Each game seems to put another player on injured reserve. That needs to stop. Somehow, the Vikings managed a five game winning streak and an inclusion in playoff discussions. The past couple of months have shown that depth is a strength. I’m not sure that it can be pushed much further. 

In advance of Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears, here’s the Vikings 53-man roster, practice squad, and robust injured reserve. 

Hopefully, Justin Jefferson returns to the active roster soon. Real soon. 

Minnesota Vikings 52-Man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterback (3)

15 Joshua Dobbs

16 Jaren Hall

12 Nick Mullens

Running Back (3)

  2 Alexander Mattison

32 Ty Chandler

26 Kene Nwangwu

Fullback (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (5)

17 K.J. Osborn

  3 Jordan Addison

83 Jalen Nailor

19 Brandon Powell

13 N’Keal Harry

Tight End (4)

87 T. J. Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

86 Johnny Mundt

34 Nick Muse

Offensive Linemen (10)

71 Christian Darrisaw

66 Dalton Risner

56 Garrett Bradbury 

67 Ed Ingram

75 Brian O’Neill

66 Dalton Risner

76 David Quessenberry

64 Blake Brandel

62 Chris Reed

65 Austin Schlottman

78 Hakeem Adeniji

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (5)

95 Khyiris Tonga

97 Harrison Phillips

93 Jonathan Bullard

78 Jaquelin Roy

52 Sheldon Day

Outside Linebacker (4)

99 Danielle Hunter

91 Patrick Jones

98 D.J.Wonnum

55 Andre Carter II

Inside Linebacker (4)

40 Ivan Pace Jr. 

33 Brian Asamoah

45 Troy Dye 

59 Nick Vigil

Cornerback (5)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

21 Akayleb Evans

11 Mekhi Blackmon

23 Andrew Booth Jr.

36 Najee Thompson

Safety (6)

22 Harrison Smith

24 Camryn Bynum

  6 Lewis Cine

44 Josh Metellus

20 Jay Ward

25 Theo Jackson

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

  1 Greg Joseph

Punter (1)

14 Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad

73 Junior Aho, DL

85 Daylen Baldwin, WR

54 Anthony Barr, LB

41 Austin Bryant, OLB

63 Coy Cronk, OL

82 Troy Fumagalli, TE

37 Myles Gaskin, RB

15 Lucky Jackson, WR

  9 Trishton Jackson, WR

19 Sean Mannion, QB

27 DeWayne McBride, RB

79 Tyrese Robinson, OL

48 Quincy Roche, OLB

50 T.J. Smith, DL

89 Thayer Thomas, WR

38 Jaylin Williams, CB

29 Joejuan Williams, CB

Injured Reserve/Designated for Return

18 Justin Jefferson, WR

Injured Reserve

  8 Kirk Cousins, QB

58 Jordan Hicks, LB

  0 Marcus Davenport, OLB

31 Cam Akers, RB

94 Dean Lowry

81 Malik Knowles, WR

47 William Kwenkeu, LB

92 James Lynch, DL

74 Oli Udoh, OT

2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

“Sportsmanship is the core of the game, the vanguard of the public confidence, the keeper of game integrity. These Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees exemplify the spirit of fair play and the values of respect, integrity, commitment to team and resiliency at the highest level of competition.”

       - Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations

Named in honor of founding Pittsburgh Steelers owner, the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award does just that. It honors sportsmanship in the NFL. The announcement of the nominees for this prestigious award comes a couple days after the league suspended Kareem Jackson for a second time this season. The dipshit safety of the Denver Broncos had just come off of a suspension for using his person and helmet as a missile. On Monday, he celebrated his return to the game by launching his person and helmet into Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs. Jackson was suspended again. After that very unsportsmanlike stunt, the NFL could use some sportsmanship. 

The 32 nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship award is topped by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Danielle Hunter. 

Danielle Hunter was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In severe contrast to Kareem Jackson, Hunter has just eight career penalties for 52 yards. Here’s a look at each of those eight penalties. It doesn’t take long to list them all. 

2023: vs Saints: Illegal use of the hands, 5 yards.

-the interesting thing about this infraction is that Hunter is the one that had his helmet popped off

2022: vs Cardinals: Offsides, 5 yards

2019: vs Lions: Holding, 5 yards

2018: vs Packers: Holding, 5 yards

2017: vs Bears: Neutral zone infraction, 2 yards

2016: vs Colts: Illegal use of the hands, 5 yards

2015: vs Chiefs: Illegal block above the waist, 10 yards

2015: vs Bears: Facemask, 15 yards

Danielle Hunter has never been cited for an unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. He might be the only top pass rusher to never treat a quarterback in an illegal manner. In today’s NFL, that seems impossible. 

Danielle Hunter is quiet on and off the field. The only thing loud about him is his play. This has been his loudest season. Other than a questionable call against the Saints, he’s done it in the most sportsmanlike manner. 

The other 31 nominees for the 2023 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Jake Matthews, Atlanta Falcons

Kevin Zeitler, Baltimore Ravens

Mitch Morse, Buffalo Bills

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers

T.J. Edwards, Chicago Bears

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Lloyd Cushenberry III, Denver Broncos

Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Robert Woods, Houston Texans

Deforest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts

Foyesade Oluokin, Jacksonville Jaguars

Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers 

Jordan Fuller, Los Angeles Rams

Durham Smythe, Miami Dolphins

David Andrews, New England Patriots

Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints

Bobby Okereke, New York Giants

C.J. Moseley, New York Jets

Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles

Larry Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans

Logan Thomas, Washington Commodores 

Congratulations to the 32 nominees. Especially Danielle Hunter. 

 

Flea Flicker Week 12 Predictions

 Happy Thanksgiving! Here’s some guesses at the Week 12 games.

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The last game of Week 12 is the top game of the schedule. The Vikings must start another win streak.

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Lions

I want to pick the Packers. I can’t pick the Packers.

Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys

The Cowboys typically roll over shaky teams.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers feel like a team an upwards trajectory. 

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Pick: Dolphins

The NFL’s chase for more dollars jams a game into the Friday after Thanksgiving. Dolphins have more than enough to handle a team quarterbacked by Tim Boyle. 

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

It’s a race to mediocrity in the NFC South. Just going with the home team.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

Jake Browning plays like he did in college.

Carolina Panthers @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Panthers

Bryce Young finally plays like the top pick in the draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts defy their 1-4 record at home.

New England Patriots @ New York Giants

Pick: Patriots

The Patriots finally avenge Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans

Pick: Jaguars

Jaguars-Texans could be a fun rivalry for years. For now, the Jaguars handle the surprising Texans.

Cleveland Browns @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Browns

The Broncos magical run ends a week late.

Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Rams

Coin toss.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders 

Pick: Chiefs

Chiefs roll.

Buffalo Bills @ Philadelphia Eagles 

Pick: Bills

The Bills roll in Philadelphia.

Baltimore Ravens @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Ravens

The Chargers keep finding a way to lose to poor teams. The Ravens are a very good team. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster Tweaks

The Minnesota Vikings kicked off the week with a few roster tweaks. Unfortunately, another injury preceded these tweaks. On Monday, defensive lineman Dean Lowry was placed on injured reserve after suffering a pectoral injury in Sunday night’s loss to the Denver Broncos. Topped by Kirk Cousins, Jordan Hicks, and Marcus Davenport, the Vikings injured reserve now numbers nine players. 10 players, if Justin Jefferson is included. To take Lowry’s place on the 53-man roster, offensive lineman Chris Reed was activated from the Non-Football Injury list. Reed had been on the long road to recovery from that non-football injury since the offseason. 

Lose a player to injury. Gain a player from injury. Hopefully, Jefferson soon follows Reed back to the roster. 

Yesterday brought more roster tweaks. 

To help supplement the defensive line after the loss of Lowry, the Vikings elevated defensive lineman Sheldon Day from the practice squad. Over the past week, Vikings fans have made a social media plea for free agent defensive lineman Akeem Hicks. The plea reached and was appreciated by Hicks. At least for now, the Vikings are going with a player they know to provide defensive line depth in the absence of Lowry. Day has been in the building since last season. To make room for Day on the active roster, the Vikings released receiver Trishton Jackson. I expect Jackson to be signed to the practice squad as soon as he clears the league’s formalities. 

The cascade of roster tweaks continued.

The Vikings had another pass rusher plucked from their practice squad by another team. Earlier this season, the Carolina Panthers stole outside linebacker Luiji Vilain. Yesterday, the New York Giants stole outside linebacker Benton Whitley. Earlier in the day, the Vikings had made a practice squad swap of outside linebacker Austin Bryant for receiver Dan Chisena. The addition of Bryant may have been made in anticipation of losing Whitley. A fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Bryant is a player with potential. He spent four years in Detroit with a 4.5 sack season in 2021. He played in a couple games with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this season. While he hasn’t played to his fourth-round status, Bryant is a player with potential. At 6’6” and 261 lbs, he has intriguing size. 

The Vikings have room for a player on the practice squad. I expect Trishton Jackson to be that player. 

I know it’s a big ask but NO MORE INJURIES. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 11 Superlatives

This sure is harder to do after a loss. Especially a loss that really felt like it should’ve been a win. Anyway, the Denver Broncos scored one more point than the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. That’s all that really matters. Here are some of the players that stood out in the loss to the Broncos. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Ty Chandler, RB

With 175 yards, the Vikings had their best rushing game of the season. Ty Chandler was effective on the ground:

10 carries

73 yards

31 of those yards came on a fake punt. It was a fake punt that continued a drive that eventually got to the Broncos 12-yard line. 12 yards further and the Vikings would’ve iced this game with a touchdown. Instead, they had to settle for a field goal and the Broncos had an opportunity. 

Chandler was also effective as a receiver:

4 catches 

37 yards

110 total yards. Chandler is emerging as an explosive compliment to Alexander Mattison. The production against the Broncos should result in an even bigger role. He’s earned it.

Defensive Players of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Once again, Danielle Hunter was the Vikings best defensive player. The numbers against the Broncos reveal only part of his game.

1 sack

3 tackles

2 tackles for loss

The sack was Hunter’s 12th of the season. 

Ivan Pace Jr, LB

Starting in place of injured defensive leader Jordan Hicks, rookie Ivan Pace Jr. had a strong game. He had the green dot and made the defensive play calls. He paced a strong defensive showing with nine tackles. He was close to being the game’s hero when he forced and nearly recovered a fumble on the Broncos game-winning drive. In a game of inches, the ball just squirted out of bounds before he could control it. Like Chandler, Pace is emerging as an impact player for the Vikings. 

Vikings - Broncos

It was another game of coulda, shoulda, woulda. The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, 21-20. 

The Vikings controlled, even dominated, the Broncos all game. The difference was three turnovers. Extreme generosity with the football was the reason the Vikings started the season 1-4. That generosity returned last night. Without those turnovers, the Vikings woulda, coulda, shoulda left Denver with a multi-score win. 

The Vikings ran 18 more plays, for 90 more yards, and held the ball for nearly 10 more minutes than the Broncos. That sort of one-sidedness usually leads to a breezy win. 

The Vikings defense smothered the Broncos offense. Repeatedly kept out of the end zone, the Broncos had to settle for five field goals. Three of those field goals were the direct result of those three turnovers. Two of the turnovers gave the Broncos the ball a combined 39 yards from the end zone. The Vikings defense allowed them to get a combined 16 yards closer. 

The first turnover never should’ve been. 

On the first possession of the game, the Vikings had a 3rd-and-1 on their own 34-yard line. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell decided to pull out a little trickery. Tight end T.J. Hockenson lined up under center, took the snap, and lateraled the ball to quarterback Josh Dobbs. In hindsight, perhaps O’Connell was being a little clever but Dobbs has the sort of athletic ability that entices a clever play-caller. Anyway, Dobbs was smacked as he aimed for the first down and let go of the ball. The issue of the play should’ve been the hit rather than the fumble. 

Kareem Jackson. 

A little history on this menace.

Fines and punishment this season:

Week 1: $14,819

Week 2: $19, 669

Week 3: $11,473

Week 6: $43,706

Week 7: Four-game suspension. After an appeal, it was lowered to two games. 

Week 8: suspended

Week 9: bye

Week 10: suspended

Week 11: On the third play of the game, used his helmet as a weapon to do significant damage to Dobbs. 

In response to the fines and suspensions, Jackson said that he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do to make these tackles. Don’t lead with your helmet! Dipshit. How Jackson wasn’t flagged for unnecessary roughness is a mystery. With his current run of recklessness and return from suspension, he should’ve been the most watched player on the field. There is no reasonable reason for the officials to not make the correct call on this play. 

Kareem Jackson should not have the privilege of playing in the NFL. 

The Vikings should’ve had a first-and-ten at midfield. Instead, Broncos ball on the Vikings 30-yard line with momentum. Considering Sean Payton’s shaky past with the on-field conduct of his players, none of this should be a surprise. 

Anyway, the Vikings win streak ends at five games. Russell Wilson connected with Courtland Sutton for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:03 to play. The Broncos offense did so little all game that this last sustained drive was a real surprise. The bulk of the 75 yards was gained on dump-offs to Samaje Perine out of the backfield. After 57 minutes of stifling the Broncos offense, the Vikings defense might’ve been gassed in the thin Denver air. Perine repeatedly caught those dump-offs with space around him. The Vikings had some opportunities to end the drive. They had the Broncos at 4th-and-three to start the possession. Gave that up. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. separated Perine from the ball on one of those dump-offs. It was on the sideline. The ball squirted out of bounds before Pace could get a handle on it. On that final heave toward Sutton, I thought that Vikings corner Mekhi Blackmon had it lined up for an interception. He was in fine position to end the game. At worst, he was in position to keep the ball out of Sutton’s hands. Instead of an interception, instead of a pass defense, it looked like he waited for Sutton to act before he did anything. It was too late. 

The Vikings now sit at 6-5. They host the Chicago Bears next Monday night. It’s time to start another win streak. 

Flea Flicker Week 11 Predictions

We are sailing into Week 11. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Byes: Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints

Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings extend their win streak to six games. 

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

Pick: Browns

The Browns are used to playing without DeShaun Watson.

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions

Pick: Bears

Just a hunch.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Chargers

Chargers need to figure how to win winnable games.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Dolphins

The Dolphins roll. The Dolphins are great at rolling suspect teams.

New York Giants @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Commanders

This game should be a hoot.

Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Cowboys

Like the Dolphins, the Cowboys are great at rolling suspect teams.

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars 

Pick: Jaguars

The Jaguars get back on track after being thrashed by the 49ers.

Arizona Cardinals @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

If the Texans can beat the Bengals they should should handle the Cardinals.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers have already reached their total losses for the season. 

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

Was Ken Dorsey the problem?

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

With Matthew Stafford on the field, the Rams edge the Seahawks.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

Super Bowl LVII rematch. Same result. 

Denver Broncos All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Denver for tomorrow’s big game against the Broncos. As an original American Football League team, the Broncos have a fun history. All of the plucky AFL teams have a fun history. The Broncos were fun even though they struggled through their first decade. Perhaps it was the hideous uniforms that they wore for a few of those years. After the complete AFL-NFL merger, the Broncos eventually became one of the teams that routinely came up short in the Super Bowl. They played great to get there and then struggled in the biggest game. The Broncos lost Super Bowls XII, XXI, XXII, and XXIV. The Broncos finally broke through in John Elway’s final seasons with consecutive titles. They won Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII. The addition of Peyton Manning in 2012 returned the Broncos to the Super Bowl. They lost Super Bowl XLVIII. They won Super Bowl L. Elway and Manning both walked away from the game as champions. On the eve of the big game, here’s a look at some of the best players in the franchise history of the Denver Broncos. 

Offense

Quarterback

John Elway

Running Back

Terrell Davis

Fullback

Howard Griffith

Wide Receivers

Lionel Taylor

Rod Smith

Tight End

Shannon Sharpe

Offensive Tackles

Gary Zimmerman

Ryan Clady

Offensive Guards

Keith Bishop

Paul Howard

Center

Tom Nalen

Defense

Defensive Ends

Rich Jackson

Lyle Alzado

Defensive Tackle

Trevor Pryce

Linebackers

Von Miller

Randy Gradishar

Karl Mecklenburg

Simon Fletcher

Cornerbacks

Champ Bailey

Louis Wright

Safeties

Steve Atwater

Goose Gonsoulin

Special Teams

Kicker 

Jason Elam

Punter

Tom Rouen

Returner

Rick Upchurch

Welcome Back, Anthony Barr

On Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, the Minnesota Vikings lost linebacker Jordan Hicks to a shin contusion. He suffered the injury in the first quarter when he collided with teammate Cam Bynum. Hicks returned to play another 23 defensive and special teams snaps. He left for good in the third quarter. After the win over the Saints, Hicks experienced significant swelling in the locker room, raising concerns from the team’s medical staff. He was transported directly to a hospital. Doctors recommended an immediate procedure to deal with Compartment syndrome. This is a condition when swelling and pressure in the bruised area reach dangerous levels. Untreated, it can lead to permanent muscle damage or worse. Hicks was added to the Vikings expanding injured reserve list on Tuesday. 

Enter Anthony Barr.

Providing positional insurance with Hicks out for at least four weeks, the Vikings signed Anthony Barr to the practice squad. Originally selected by the Vikings with the ninth pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, Barr was a defensive star and leader from rookie year to 2021. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent during the 2022 offseaon. As a situational player, Barr collected 58 tackles and a sack. He was not re-signed by Dallas after the season and has been a free agent ever since. 

Hicks has been a team leader and defensive play caller this season. He’s been playing great, much better than last season. For however long he’s out, he’ll be missed. This week against the Broncos and moving forward, it’s expected that rookie Ivan Pace Jr. will take on the defensive play calling responsibilities. He’ll surely have assistance from veteran safeties Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus. 

If he’s physically ready for it, Barr could make immediate contributions. He came out of UCLA as a dynamite pass rushing linebacker. He was projected to be ideally suited for the 3-4 defenses scattered around the league. That’s why it was a significant surprise that he was the first pick of new Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. Barr was going to be an off-the-ball linebacker for the Vikings. What?!? That’s not Barr’s game! He made an immediate impact and kept making an impact. When called upon, Barr could get to the quarterback. He could always get to the quarterback. He didn’t do it often because Zimmer had him doing so many other things. For now, in a defense crafted by Brian Flores, Barr could provide some difference-making pass rushing snaps from the outside or the middle. Plus, if Hicks is out for a few weeks, Barr could eventually play some significant team-leading, play-calling snaps from the middle of the Vikings defense.  

Welcome back, Anthony Barr. 

Throwback Thursday: 41 Minnesota VIkings Starting Quarterbacks

On Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, quarterback Josh Dobbs made his first for the Minnesota Vikings. He was the third Vikings quarterback to start a game over the past three weeks. That’s a remarkable quarterback churn by any measure. My first days with the Vikings saw Fran Tarkenton start every game. For much of the 1970s, there was no quarterback question. It was Tarkenton. It feels like the Vikings have been searching for their next franchise quarterback every year since Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season. 

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

Tommy Kramer (1977)

Daunte Culpepper (1999)

Christian Ponder (2011)

Teddy Bridgewater (2014)

Tommy Kramer was always fun and often great when he was on the field. He wasn’t on the field enough. Daunte Culpepper was on an upward trajectory until a knee injury ended his time in Minnesota. Christian Ponder was drafted to be a quarterback that he never had the talent to be. As with Culpepper, a horrible knee injury ended whatever future Teddy Bridgewater might’ve had with the Vikings. Each of the four quarterbacks was drafted to be the next great Vikings quarterback. Two showed great potential, one had potential, and the fourth was Ponder. The Vikings are still searching for their next great quarterback. 

Considering that Tarkenton is the Vikings all-time franchise quarterback, it’s shocking that the team once traded him away. At least the same decision-makers had the bright idea to bring him back five years later. 

The Vikings have a history of quarterback inconsistency. Through 62 years and 9 games, Fran Tarkenton and Kirk Cousins are the only Vikings quarterbacks to consistently start games. It was and is shocking to see either miss a game. During his 18-year career, Tarkenton suffered his only significant injury in his 17th season. Cousins suffered the first significant injury of his career two weeks ago, his 12th season. 

The past three weeks of Vikings quarterback inconsistency had me thinking about all of the starting quarterbacks in Vikings franchise history. As a rookie, Fran Tarkenton was supposed to make the first start in that history. Just before kickoff, head coach Norm Van Brocklin informed his rookie that veteran George Shaw would start the first game against the Chicago Bears. Before the first quarter was over, Tarkenton entered the game, took apart the Bears, and created a legend. His first start wasn’t as great as his fist appearance. Here’s hoping that Dobbs’ first start is the opposite. 

Seeing a new quarterback start each game the past three weeks got me thinking about all of the quarterbacks to make starts for the Vikings. I had to find them all. The following are those quarterbacks and their number of starts for each season. 

1961:

George Shaw (4)

Fran Tarkenton (10)

1962

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1963:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Ron Vander Kelen (1)

1964:

Fran Tarkenton ((14)

1965:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1966:

Fran Tarkenton (12)

Ron Vander Kelen (1)

Bob Berry (1)

1967:

Joe Kapp (11)

Ron Vander Kelen (3)

1968:

Joe Kapp (14)

1969:

Joe Kapp (13)

Gary Couzzo (1)

1970:

Gary Couzzo (12)

Bob Lee (2)

1971:

Gary Couzzo (8)

Bob Lee (4)

Norm Snead (2)

1972:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1973:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1974:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Bob Berry (1)

1975:

Fran Tarkenton (14)

1976:

Fran Tarkenton (13)

Bob Lee (1)

1977:

Fran Tarkenton (9)

Bob Lee (4)

Tommy Kramer (1)

1978:

Fran Tarkenton (16)

1979:

Tommy Kramer (16)

1980:

Tommy Kramer (15)

Steve Dils (1)

1981:

Tommy Kramer (14)

Steve Dils (2)

1982:

Tommy Kramer (9)

1983:

Steve Dils (12)

Tommy Kramer (3)

Wade Wilson (1)

1984:

Tommy Kramer (9)

Wade Wilson (5)

Archie Manning (2)

1985:

Tommy Kramer (15)

Wade Wilson (1)

1986:

Tommy Kramer (13)

Wade Wilson (3)

1987:

Wade Wilson (7)

Tony Adams (3) - replacement games

Tommy Kramer (5)

1988:

Wade Wilson (10)

Tommy Kramer (6)

1989:

Wade Wilson (12)

Tommy Kramer (4)

1990:

Rich Gannon (12)

Wade Wilson (4)

1991:

Rich Gannon (11)

Wade Wilson (5)

1992:

Rich Gannon (12)

Sean Salisbury (4)

1993:

Jim McMahon (12)

Sean Salisbury (4)

1994:

Warren Moon (15)

Sean Salisbury (1)

1995:

Warren Moon (16)

1996:

Warren Moon (8)

Brad Johnson (8)

1997:

Brad Johnson (13)

Randall Cunningham (3)

1998:

Randall Cunningham (14)

Brad Johnson (2)

1999:

Jeff George (10)

Randall Cunningham (6)

2000:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2001:

Daunte Culpepper (11)

Spergon Wynn (2)

Todd Bouman (3)

2002:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2003:

Daunte Culpepper (14)

Gus Frerotte (2)

2004:

Daunte Culpepper (16)

2005:

Daunte Culpepper (7)

Brad Johnson (9)

2006:

Brad Johnson (14)

Tarvaris Jackson (2)

2007:

Tarvaris Jackson (12)

Kelly Holcomb (3)

Brooks Bollinger (1)

2008:

Gus Frerotte (11)

Tarvaris Jackson (5)

2009:

Brett Favre (16)

2010:

Brett Favre (13)

Tarvaris Jackson (1)

Joe Webb (2)

2011:

Donovan McNabb (6)

Christian Ponder (10)

2012:

Christian Ponder (16)

2013:

Christian Ponder (9)

Josh Freeman (1)

Matt Cassel (6)

2014:

Matt Cassel (3)

Teddy Bridgewater (12)

Christian Ponder (1)

2015:

Teddy Bridgewater (16)

2016:

Shaun Hill (1)

Sam Bradford (15)

2017:

Sam Bradford (2)

Case Keenum (14)

2018:

Kirk Cousins (16)

2019:

Kirk Cousins (15)

Sean Mannion (1)

2020:

Kirk Cousins (16)

2021:

Kirk Cousins (16)

Sean Mannion (1)

2022:

Kirk Cousins (17)

2023:

Kirk Cousins (8)

Jaren Hall (1)

Josh Dobbs (1)

62 years and 10 games, the Minnesota Vikings have started 41 quarterbacks. 

George Shaw

Fran Tarkenton

Ron Vander Kelen

Bob Berry

Joe Kapp

Gary Couzzo

Bob Lee

Norm Snead

Tommy Kramer

Steve Dils

Wade Wilson

Archie Manning

Tony Adams - replacement games

Rich Gannon

Sean Salisbury

Jim McMahon

Warren Moon

Brad Johnson

Randall Cunningham

Jeff George

Daunte Culpepper

Spergon Wynn

Todd Bouman

Gus Frerotte

Tarvaris Jackson

Kelly Holcomb

Brooks Bollinger

Brett Favre

Joe Webb

Donovan McNabb

Christian Ponder

Josh Freeman

Matt Cassel

Teddy Bridgewater

Shaun Hill

Sam Bradford

Case Keenum

Kirk Cousins

Sean Mannion

Jaren Hall

Josh Dobbs

Next Man Up

Injuries have always been a part of football. Injuries will always be a part of football. As a result, the phrase “Next Man Up” has always been a part of football. It’s a phrase that’s  been a demand of this Minnesota Vikings season. I’ve never seen anything like it. 

For the past three-plus seasons, the two players that the Vikings absolutely could not lose have been quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Justin Jefferson. It was a wonderful thing that both were remarkably durable. Every game, they were there. Welcome to this season. Justin Jefferson has missed the past five games with a hamstring injury. Kirk Cousins was lost for the season when torn his Achilles tendon in Week 8. Next Man Up. 

The Vikings injured reserve currently includes eight players. 

Kirk Cousins, QB

Jordan Hicks, LB

Marcus Davenport, OLB

Cam Akers, RB

Malik Knowles, WR

William Kwenkeu, LB

James Lynch, DL

Nick Mullens, QB

Oli Udoh, OT

Jefferson and offensive lineman Chris Reed are currently working their way back to the active roster. After starting the season on injured reserve, receiver Jalen Nailor has recently returned to the active roster. 

Other players have missed games without having to be placed on injured reserve. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw has missed two games. Receiver K.J. Osborn has missed the past 1.5 games. Next Man Up has become the Vikings norm this season.

The Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. After starting the season 0-3 and stumbling to 1-4, the Vikings have won their past five games. Somehow, they’ve won those five games without Justin Jefferson. They’ve won the past two without Kirk Cousins. 

Against the Saints, the Vikings were without:

QB1 - Kirk Cousins

QB2 - Nick Mullens

QB3 - Jaren Hall

RB2 - Cam Akers

WR1 - Justin Jefferson

WR2 - K.J. Osborn

OLB2 - Marcus Davenport

DL3 - Dean Lowry

Before the game against the Saints was done, the Vikings lost RB1, LB1, and CB2. Alexander Mattison left with a concussion. Jordan Hicks and Akayleb Evans left with left with leg injuries. After the game, the swelling from Hicks’ shin contusion became concerning. He was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery to relieve the swelling. He was added to the injured reserve list yesterday. He’s out for at least the next four games. Next Man Up. 

After the loss of Cousins, the Vikings were so stressed at quarterback that they made a trade deadline deal to add Josh Dobbs. It was a necessity at the time simply to have a quarterback on the roster that could stand. The Vikings standing quarterbacks for the Saints, Dobbs and Sean Mannion, weren’t even on the roster at the start of the season. After starting the first eight games for the Arizona Cardinals, Dobbs is the Vikings quarterback moving forward. 

In his two years as the Vikings general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s moves have been questioned by the average fan and many in the media. With their resourceful play in ridiculously adverse situations this season, the Vikings have revealed themselves as a deep team of quality and character. You need a deep team to carry on when many of the best players can’t. You also need a deep belief in the “team.” The Vikings haven’t just gotten by without some of their most important players. They’re playing their best football of the season. Perhaps that’s not saying much as they started so poorly. They could only get better.  

In recent weeks, the Vikings have shown that it’s as much the system as the players that play in it. That’s especially true on a rapidly improving defense. All of the players that have had to step up have shown that they keep the team rolling. It’s been fun to see. It’ll be even more fun to see Jefferson back on the field. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 10 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. After storming out to a 27-3 third quarter lead, they held on for a 27-19 win. Making his first start for the Vikings, quarterback Josh Dobbs guided the offense to a brilliant start. A very good Saints defense wasn’t going to go quietly. The Vikings defense made the big early lead stand. Here are some of the players that made the sixth win of the season possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Josh Dobbs, QB

Josh Dobbs gets the nod for his play in the first half. He was brilliant through the first two quarters.

18 completions 

22 attempts

220 yards

1 touchdown (28 yards)

6 carries 

40 yards

1 touchdown (7 yards)

Perhaps due to a more conservative strategy, Dobbs and the offense wasn’t quite as productive in the second half. 

T.J. Hockenson, TE

T.J. Hockenson spent much of the past week nursing tender ribs. The Saints defense might’ve played with those ribs in mind as they seemed more interested in hitting Hockenson in the back and ribs than covering him. The Vikings tight end torched the Saints defense in the first half. 

10 catches

128 yards 

1 touchdown (28 yards)

He only caught one pass for six yards in the second half. His first half was incredible.

Defensive Player of the Game

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Danielle Hunter could get this award every week. He’s been fantastic all season. Pass rush, run game. He’s doing it all at a very high level. Against the Saints, he collected his 11th sack of the season. 

Hunter should be part of every Defensive Player of the Year discussion.

Josh Metellus, Everywhere

When the Vikings defense needs a big play from someone other than Hunter, that player is often Josh Metellus. From coverage to pass rush, sideline to sideline, he’s everywhere. Against the Saints:

7 tackles

1 tackle for loss

It felt like every tackle was huge. 

Byron Murphy, Jr., CB

Some might consider Byron Murphy Jr. a goat (not in the good sense) in this game. He was in coverage on both of the Saints touchdown. He actually had solid coverage against Chris Olave on the first touchdown. Olave just made an outstanding catch of a perfectly placed pass. The second touchdown might’ve been a blown coverage but it was on a scramble drill and Murphy was caught between two receivers. Anyway, I feel that Murphy played well and his late interception went a long way in putting this game in the win column. 

Vikings - Saints

The Minnesota Vikings rarely make it easy. 

The Vikings held on to defeat the New Orleans Saints at spectacular US Bank Stadium, 27-19. It was their fifth consecutive win. 

The win and the game looked like it was going to be easy in the first half. The Vikings were up 24-3 at the half. Everything worked for the Vikings. Very little worked for the Saints. Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs was brilliant in the first half of his first start.

18 completions 

22 attempts

220 yards

1 touchdown (28 yards)

6 carries 

40 yards

1 touchdown (7 yards)

Over half of Dobbs’ first half passes went to tight end T.J. Hockenson. 

10 catches

128 yards 

1 touchdown (28 yards)

The Saints defense actually looked to be more interested in hitting Hockenson in the back and ribs than covering him. I suppose that seemed like a terrific strategy seeing as he spent much of the week nursing a tender side from last week’s game. 

The Dobbs-led Vikings offense rattled off 21 unanswered points in the first half. 

The second half wasn’t so easy. The Vikings scored first in the third quarter. A field goal made it 27-3. Thankfully, the 24 point lead with 27:13 to play was enough.

The Saints have a very good defense. The final two quarters weren’t going to be as easy as the initial two quarters. Perhaps the Vikings shuffled to preservation mode rather than the aggressive mode that worked so well. Who knows? It was probably a bit of both. The Saints defense making plays and a Vikings offense with maybe an eye or two on the clock. 

The real trigger to this becoming a competitive game may have been the Saints losing quarterback Derek Carr. A combo tackle by Danielle Hunter and Jaquelin Roy ended Carr’s day about halfway through the third quarter. Jameis Winston came off the bench and got the Saints offense going. As much a key to that was discovering receiver Chris Olave. Prior to the quarterback change, I wondered if Olave was even playing. With Winston winging the ball around, the second-year receiver started giving the Vikings fits. He caught the first touchdown. That was a 14-yard beauty in the corner of the end zone. Byron Murphy Jr. had decent coverage but the ball was placed where only Olave could grab it. 

If the Vikings were able to control Olave, the second half might’ve been nearly as easy as the first half. 

A revived Saints offense and defense eventually got the game to a single-score margin with 11:40 to play. From there, the Vikings punted four times. Three of those possessions lasted three plays. The possession that lasted more than three plays actually included a touchdown. Ty Chandler ran it to the end zone from 29 yards. It would’ve iced the win. Unfortunately, Brian O’Neill was called for holding on the play. Upon further review, it looked more than a little like the Saints defender falling on top of O’Neill rather than the defender being held and pulled to the ground. The touchdown that would’ve iced the game was taken away. The Vikings moved further back before they had to punt the ball back to the Saints. 

The Vikings defense preserved the win with a couple of late interceptions. Even with interceptions that felt like game-sealers, the Saints still had a final opportunity with a Hail Mary heave from Winston. Thankfully, the ball harmlessly hit the turf. 

A win is a win. It’s easy to like the first half. The second half was a little different. If head coach Kevin O’Connell has any regrets coming out of this it might be his decision on 4th-and-three at the 36-yard-line. It was the end of the third quarter/start of the fourth quarter. He’s often decided to go for it and been successful in previous situations this season. He opted for the 54-yard field goal attempt. If successful, the Vikings would’ve been up 30-11 with a quarter to play. That three-score lead would’ve been real difficult to overcome. Unfortunately, Greg Joseph missed that field goal. The strategy to move from aggressive in the first half to passive in the second half could also be questioned. Although a win is proof that the Vikings overall strategy for the Saints was successful. 

Ultimately, it was a complimentary win. The Vikings offense jumped out to a big lead. The Vikings defense made it stand. 

After a dreadful 0-3 start to the season, the Vikings are now 6-4. They travel to Denver next week for a Sunday night game against the Broncos.

Flea Flicker Week 10 Predictions

It’s already Week 10. Here are some guesses of the games. 

Byes: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles

New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

Can the Vikings make it five consecutive wins?

Indianapolis Colts “@“ New England Patriots

Pick: Colts

Another Germany game. Has it really been more than a decade since this matchup was huge? Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Tony Dungy… Time flies. 

Houston Texas @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

The Texans and C.J. Stroud return to earth. The Bengals aren’t the Buccaneers. 

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Steelers

Rematch of Super Bowl XLV. This one goes a little differently. 

Tennessee Titans @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

Just going with the home team. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers get back on the winning track. 

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

This should be a fun defensive game. The Ravens offense is the difference.

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Falcons 

The scrappy Falcons ruin Kyler Murray’s return. 

Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Other than the win against a depleted Chiefs team in Week 1, all of the Lions wins have come against teams with a losing record. The Chargers are 4-4. 

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys

This game isn’t close. 

Washington Commanders @ Seattle Seahawks 

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks rebound from getting taken apart by the Ravens.

New York Jets @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Jets

I’m not sure what to make of either team.

Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Bills roll. 

New Orleans Saints All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings host the New Orleans Saints tomorrow. The Saints entered the league as an expansion team in the 1967. They were terrible for most of their first twenty years. Fans covered their heads with paper bags. It was bad. It was so bad that Archie Manning barely survived the 1970s. Under the guidance of former Vikings architect Jim Finks, the Saints got better in the late 1980s. The made the playoffs for the first time after the strike-impacted 1987 season. The Vikings quickly dispatched them from those playoffs. It was in the 2000s that the Saints truly started to rise. Head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees led them to consistency and success. The Saints got some degree of revenge when they robbed the Vikings of a Super Bowl appearance in the 2009 NFC Championship game. The Saints went on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. On the eve of the big game, here’s a look at some of the best players in New Orleans Saints franchise history. 

Offense

Quarterback

Drew Brees

Running Back

Alvin Kamara

Fullback

Chuck Muncie

Wide Receivers

Marques Colston

Joe Horn

Tight End

Jimmy Graham

Offensive Tackles

Willie Roaf

Stan Brock

Offensive Guards

Carl Nicks

Jahri Evans

Center

Joel Hilgenberg

Defense

Defensive Ends

Cameron Jordan

Wayne Martin

Defensive Tackles

La’Roi Glover

Derland Moore

Linebackers

Rickey Jackson

Sam Mills

Pat Swilling

Cornerbacks

Marshon Lattimore

Dave Waymer

Safeties

Tom Myers

Roman Harper

Special Teams

Kicker 

Morten Anderson

Punter

Thomas Morstead

Returner

Tyrone Hughes

Minnesota Vikings 52-man Roster

Through a long NFL season, injuries routinely tweak a roster. Injuries are unavoidable in football. Teams just hope for the best and manage the injuries when they do occur. Through nine weeks this year, injuries haven’t tweaked the Minnesota Vikings roster. Injuries have damn near dismantled the Minnesota Vikings roster. Some positions aren’t even recognizable. 

Going into their Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings are currently scheduled to be without:

QB1 - Kirk Cousins

QB2 - Nick Mullens

QB3 - Jaren Hall

WR1 - Justin Jefferson

WR3 - K.J. Osborn

RB2 - Cam Akers

The defense isn’t missing as many starters but a couple are likely to miss the game:

OLB2 - Marcus Davenport

DL - Dean Lowry

In advance of the Saints game, here’s the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings 52-Man Roster

Offense (25)

Quarterback (2)

15 Joshua Dobbs

16 Jaren Hall

Running Back (3)

  2 Alexander Mattison

32 Ty Chandler

26 Kene Nwangwu

Fullback (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Wide Receiver (6)

17 K.J. Osborn

  3 Jordan Addison

83 Jalen Nailor

19 Brandon Powell

  9 Trishton Jackson

13 N’Keal Harry

Tight End (4)

87 T. J. Hockenson

84 Josh Oliver

86 Johnny Mundt

34 Nick Muse

Offensive Linemen (9)

71 Christian Darrisaw

66 Dalton Risner

56 Garrett Bradbury 

67 Ed Ingram

75 Brian O’Neill

66 Dalton Risner

76 David Quessenberry

64 Blake Brandel

65 Austin Schlottman

78 Hakeem Adeniji

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (5)

94 Dean Lowry

95 Khyiris Tonga

97 Harrison Phillips

93 Jonathan Bullard

78 Jaquelin Roy

Outside Linebacker (4)

99 Danielle Hunter

91 Patrick Jones

98 D.J.Wonnum

55 Andre Carter II

Inside Linebacker (4)

33 Brian Asamoah

58 Jordan Hicks

40 Ivan Pace Jr. 

45 Troy Dye 

Cornerback (5)

  7 Byron Murphy Jr.

21 Akayleb Evans

11 Mekhi Blackmon

23 Andrew Booth Jr.

36 Najee Thompson

Safety (6)

22 Harrison Smith

24 Camryn Bynum

  6 Lewis Cine

44 Josh Metellus

20 Jay Ward

25 Theo Jackson

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

  1 Greg Joseph

Punter (1)

14 Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

42 Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad

73 Junior Aho, DL

85 Dan Chisena, WR

63 Coy Cronk, OL

96 Michael Dogbe, DL

82 Troy Fumagalli, TE

15 Lucky Jackson, WR

19 Sean Mannion, QB

27 DeWayne McBride, RB

     Tanner Morgan, QB

79 Tyrese Robinson, OL

48 Quincy Roche, OLB

50 T.J. Smith, DL

89 Thayer Thomas, WR

59 Nick Vigil, LB

51 Benton Whitley, OLB

38 Jaylin Williams, CB

29 Joejuan Williams, CB

Injured Reserve/Designated for Return

18 Justin Jefferson, WR

Injured Reserve

  8 Kirk Cousins, QB

  0 Marcus Davenport, OLB

31 Cam Akers, RB

81 Malik Knowles, WR

47 William Kwenkeu, LB

92 James Lynch, DL

12 Nick Mullens, QB

74 Oli Udoh, OT

Reserve/Non-Football Injury

62 Chris Reed, G/C

Justin Jefferson Inches Closer To A Return

Justin Jefferson injured a hamstring in the 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 8. He was placed on injured reserve a few days later. That move took him out of action for the next four games. He became eligible to come off of injured reserve after Sunday’s 31-28 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Yesterday, the Vikings opened the 21-day window for Jefferson’s return to the roster and the field. It won’t take that long. 

It sure would be nice if Jefferson could return for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. While the Vikings have won the four games he’s missed, he’s needed. Of course he’s needed, Jefferson is the best receiver in the league. The Vikings will do nothing to jeopardize his return. Asked if there’s any chance Jefferson could play Sunday, head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “I think that would probably be a little aggressive. I think he feels really good, and I think we all feel good about where he’s at, but we’re going to take it a day at a time and ultimately do what’s best for Justin and his long-term future here in Minnesota. Clearly, he wants to get back and have an impact on his team. He’s been all-in, right there on the sideline with his teammates fighting it out every single week. He can’t wait to get back out there.” 

When I think of hamstring injuries, I often think of the hamstring injury that Adam Thielen battled in 2019. After missing some time, he tried to play, perhaps before he should, against the Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs again). He lasted a couple of plays and missed a few more weeks. Don’t mess with hamstring issues. Don’t mess with with any muscle pulls or strains. Unlike snapped ligaments or tendons or broken bones, muscle pulls or strains don’t seem like much but they can linger. They’re maddening. 

I can’t wait to see Justin Jefferson back on the field. His team has missed him. I’ve missed him. I hope that he’s 100% ready for this week’s game against the Saints. I believe that his return is more likely to be the Week 11 Sunday night against the Denver Broncos. Whichever, his return to the field is close. 

Flea Flicker Mid-Season Awards

The mid-point of a 17-game season is halftime of the Week 9 games. It’s one of the many things wrong with a 17-game season. So, here’s a look at some of the those that have shined the brightest through the relative mid-point of the 2022 NFL Season. 

Flea Flicker Mid-Season Awards

MVP

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Offensive Player of the Year

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Defensive Player of the Year

Danielle Hunter, OLB, Minnesota Vikings

Offensive Rookie of the Year

C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Devon Witherspooon, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Coach of the Year

Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota Vikings

Flea Flicker Mid-Season All-Pro Team

Offense

WR	Tyreek Hill	Miami Dolphins
LT	Christian Darrisaw	Minnesota Vikings
LG	Tyler Smith	Dallas Cowboys
C	Jason Kelce	Philadelphia Eagles
RG	Chris Lindstrom	Atlanta Falcons
RT	Lane Johnson	Philadelphia Eagles
TE	George Kittle	San Francisco 49ers
WR	A.J. Brown	Philadelphia Eagles
QB	Lamar Jackson	Baltimore Ravens
RB	Christian McCaffrey	San Francisco 49ers
FB	C.J. Ham	Minnesota Vikings

Defense

Edge	Danielle Hunter	Minnesota Vikings
DI	Dexter Lawrence	New York Giants
DI	Quinnen Williams	New York Jets
Edge	Myles Garrett	Cleveland Browns
LB	Fred Warner	San Francisco 49ers
LB	Roquan Smith	Baltimore Ravens
CB	Sauce Gardner	New York Jets
CB	Trent McDuffie	Kansas City Chiefs
S	Jevon Holland	Miami Dolphins
S	Camryn Bynum	Minnesota Vikings