Vikings - Jets

With the 23-17 win over the New York Jets, the Minnesota Vikings left London with their fifth win of the season. The Vikings enter their bye week a perfect 5-0 record. 

Like last week against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings got up big early and held on late. The outcome of this game was in doubt until Stephon Gilmore collected Aaron Rodgers’ third interception of the day at the Vikings nine-yard line. Two Sam Darnold kneel-downs drained the final 44 seconds. 

On paper, this was very much a Vikings team win. The offense scored seven points. The defense added seven points. Special teams chipped in nine points. They needed every one of those contributions. In reality, the Vikings defense was the reason for the win. The offense and special teams had issues throughout the game. The defense made the plays that had to be made. Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave every defensive player and coach a game ball. It was deserved. They intercepted Rodgers three times. Each was glorious. The best, of course, was Andrew Van Ginkel’s 63-yard pick-six. It was the second time in five games that he’s taken an interception for a score. The defense sacked Rodgers three times. Each was glorious. The Jets quarterback rarely looked comfortable. He ranks with Sean Payton as one of the most annoying individuals in the league. It’s always a blast to see him uncomfortable during a game. Any game. The Jets best drive of the game came as a result a very soft roughing the kicker penalty. At most, Ivan Pace’s attempted block should’ve been the five-yard variety. Instead, the Jets were gifted 15 yards and new life. They took advantage of the gift. They drove down the field and added a field to make it a one-score game at 17-10. 

This was the second consecutive week in which the Vikings special teams gave the opponents some hope when there was little hope to be found. The Vikings were taking apart the Packers last week in building a 28-0 lead. A special teams miscue gift-wrapped a touchdown right before the half. Yesterday, special teams miscues handed the Jets 10 points. Handing teams scoring opportunities is never a good thing. Winning despite those miscues might be. Despite surviving, the Vikings must stop handing teams opportunities.

By his lofty standards, Justin Jefferson had another modest game. 

6 catches 

92 yards

It was his first game this season without a touchdown. If Jets penalties while trying to defend him are factored into his production, the yardage totals balloon to about 150 yards. Various combinations of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed held, grabbed, and generally interfered with Jefferson six times. Despite being one of the better corner tandems in the league, Jefferson challenged them like few can. During his postgame press conference, he was clearly moved when informed that Cris Carter considers him the best receiver in Vikings franchise history. This team boasts an excellent receiver tradition with Carter, Randy Moss, Anthony Carter, Ahmad Rashad, Jake Reed, Sammy White, John Gilliam, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, etc. It’s tremendous praise from the Hall of Famer.  

Sam Darnold had his first shaky game of the season. 

14/31

179 yards

0 TDs 

1 interception

His accuracy appeared off throughout the game. Hopefully, it’s a one-game hiccup. Maybe it was the British cooking. Jet-lag, perhaps. Whatever it was, hopefully he’s back in sync when the Vikings return from their bye. 

The Vikings offense seemed a little off after running back Aaron Jones left late in the first quarter with a hip injury. In nearly a quarter of work, he chipped in 29 yards rushing and 24 yards receiving. He was on pace for his productive game of the season. When he departed the game so did the run game. Ty Chandler never really got going in place of Jones. Hopefully, the injury isn’t serious and he’s back after the bye.

NFL Network’s broadcast duo of Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner worked this game as if they were Jets employees. Even at 17-0, there was a clear Jets leaning to the broadcast. The duo claim to be unbiassed professionals. Their call was more biased than professional.  

The Vikings are 5-0 heading into their Week 6 bye. With a tough early schedule, even the most optimistic projections probably had the Vikings at 3-2. Instead, they are undefeated with the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson on the horizon. 

Next up: a home date with the Detroit Lions on Oct. 20. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Predictions

It’s on to Week 5. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Bye: Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers

New York Jets @ Minnesota Vikings, in London

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings continue their undefeated ways.

Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Bears

The Panthers have been a plucky team since benching Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton. I think the rest of the league is catching up to the switch. The Panthers are arguably the least talented team in the league.

Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Bengals

This game should be a banger. The Ravens are starting to roll. The Bengals finally seem to be getting out of their own way. I’m going with the home team.

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

Even the Patriots should be able to beat the Dolphins in their current state.

Cleveland Browns @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Browns

The Commanders are rolling with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. This game is a bump in the road. 

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

The Jaguars finally get a win.

Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

The Texans finally play like the Texans many expected. 

Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Raiders

One of the biggest surprises so far this season is that this Broncos team have won two games. 

Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers roll.

Green Bay Packers @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Rams

I’m wishing this on into existence.

New York Giants @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks

The Seahawks rebound from their first loss of the season. 

Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Cowboys

The Cowboys take the rematch of Super Bowls X, XIII, and XXX.

New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

Through four games, the Saints have had a Jekyll and Hyde run. They won their first two games by a combined 62 points. They lost their last two games by a combined 5 points. Which team shows up against the Chiefs? I’m thinking that this Saints team is really closer to the one that lost the last two games. 

New York Jets All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings “host” the New York Jets tomorrow. In London. The Jets are an original AFL team and the winner of a memorable Super Bowl. When the Jets stunned the Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III, it was the first time an AFL team beat an NFL team in the big game. The new league was finally considered to be on the same playing field as the old league. The Jets have had an often disappointing but at times plucky existence since that long ago big win. On the eve of their game with the Vikings, here’s a look at some of the best players in the history of the New York Jets. 

All - Time New York Jets Team

Offense

Quarterback

Joe Namath

Running Back

Curtis Martin

Fullback

Matt Snell

Wide Receivers

Don Maynard

Wesley Walker

Tight End

Rich Caster

Offensive Tackles

Winston Hill

Marvin Powell

Offensive Guards

Dave Herman

Randy Rasmussen

Center

Kevin Mawae

Defense

Defensive Ends

Mark Gastineau

Gerry Philbin

Defensive Tackles

Joe Klecko

John Elliott

Linebackers

Larry Grantham

Al Atkinson

Mo Lewis

Cornerbacks

Darrelle Revis

Aaron Glenn

Safeties

Victor Green

Dainard Paulson

Special Teams

Kicker 

Pat Leahy

Punter

Curley Johnson

Kick Returner

Leon Washington

Punt Returner

Bruce Harper

60 Seniors Advance In Voting Process For Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame voting process for the senior candidates has been tweaked this year. First of all, it’s more transparent. In the past, the senior finalists (as well as contributors and coaches) were simply announced without any details as to how the respective committees landed on those individuals. Now, there’s a Senior Screening Committee. Each member casts a ballot for 50 individuals from a list of nominees. This year, the list of nominees included 187 individuals. All players who tied for the 50th position remain under consideration. This year, 60 former players are advancing in the process. Next up is the nine-member Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee. Nice name. This committee will make additional reductions in increments over the next several weeks. In late fall, this committee will select three Seniors as Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. 

The 60 players who remain eligible for election with the Class of 2025:

Quarterbacks (5)

Ken Anderson

Charlie Conerly 

Roman Gabriel

Jack Kemp

Jim Plunkett

Running Backs (7)

Alan Ameche

Ottis Anderson

Larry Brown

Roger Craig

Chuck Foreman

Cecil Isbell

Paul “Tank” Younger

Wide Receivers (10)

Mark Clayton

Isaac Curtis

Boyd Dowler

Henry Ellard

Harold Jackson

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson

Stanley Morgan

Art Powell

Sterling Sharpe

Otis Taylor

Offensive Linemen (12)

Ed Budde

Ox Emerson

Bill Fralic

Chris Hinton

Joe Jacoby

Mike Kenn

Bob Kuchenberg

George Kunz

Ralph Neely

Dick Schafrath

Jim Tyrer

Al Wistert

Defensive Linemen (6)

L.C. Greenwood

Ed “Too Tall” Jones

Jim Marshall

Harvey Martin

Leslie O’Neal

Bill Stanfill

Linebackers (11)

Carl Banks

Maxie Baughan

Bill Berger

Joe Fortunato

Larry Grantham

Lee Roy Jordan

Clay Matthews Jr.

Tommy Nobis

Andy Russell

Pat Swilling

Phil Villapiano

Defensive Backs (8)

Dick Anderson

Deron Cherry

Pat Fischer

Lester Hayes

Albert Lewis

Eddie Meador

Lamar Parrish

Everson Walls

Special Teams (1)

Steve Tasker

***

If I had my way, 2025 would be a dream year for Hall of Fame inductions. Jim Marshall and Chuck Foreman would end their long Canton wait. Jared Allen would also finally emerge from the modern-era candidates. A Minnesota Vikings triple! Oh my, I’d definitely be in Canton in early August to see that dreamy Class. 

Jim Marshall, Chuck Foreman, and Al Wistert are the Senior Finalists I’d like to see. Here’s the finalists that I think should make it.

Al Wistert

Ox Emerson

Sterling Sharpe

Here are the finalists that I think will be jammed through:

Maxie Baughan

Albert Lewis

Sterling Sharpe

I like the transparency of the new process but there’s still frustrations. How these “historians” keep ignoring Verne Lewellen and Lavvie Dilweg is mind-numbing. At least, they have Al Wistert on the final 60 list. 

T.J. Hockenson Inches Back To The Field

During his press conference yesterday, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said that the team would open on Friday the 21-day practice window for T.J. Hockenson. 

Hockenson spent the offseason, training camp, and the start of the season recovering and rehabbing from a torn ACL/MCL. On December 24, in Week 16, Detroit Lions shitback Kerby Joseph targeted and drove his helmet through Hockenson’s knee. It ended the tight end’s 2023 season and significantly altered the start of this season for the Vikings. Joseph did the same thing to Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee a few weeks later. The league should draft a rule to deal with players with no respect for their peers. Idiots like Joseph should be taken off the field for the same length of time as the players they injure. Joseph has no business being on a football field. Anyway, Hockenson did not have surgery until January 29 so that the MCL, which didn’t require repair, could heal. Even if he returns at the end of the practice window, Hockenson will have returned to the field in 10 months. The clock on the recovery from torn knee ligaments does not tick as long as it once did. 

Hockenson will travel with the team to London. It’s interesting that his first practice will be across the pond. After the international game and travel, the Vikings will have a Week 6 bye. That gives the team and player a free week before another game is played. The Vikings host the Detroit Lions on October 20. Then they play the Los Angeles Rams at Sofi four days later on Thursday night. Returning against the Lions and that shitback would be fun but the four-day turnaround that follows might be problematic. With travel, Thursday night games are really a three-day turnaround. Thanks NFL! Hockenson returning against the Rams and then having a mini-bye to recover feels more likely. October 24th would be the 20th day of the practice window. 

Through four weeks, the Vikings offense has been efficient and productive. Much of that was done without receiver Jordan Addison. All of it was done without T.J. Hockenson. Addison and Hockenson are two of the team’s four most potent playmakers. It’s exciting to imagine the Vikings offense running at full strength. I can’t wait to see it.

Flea Flicker Quarter-Pole All-Pro Team

The quarter-point of a 17-game season is five minutes into the second quarter of the fifth game. A 17-game NFL season is stupid for many reasons. This isn’t one of them. Picking a Quarter-Pole All-Pro Team is a ridiculous, time-passing exercise. There’s going to be more players from the Minnesota Vikings than there probably should be. That’s what happens when my team is sitting 4-0 and playing, arguably, better than any team in the league. 

Flea Flicker Quarter-Pole All-Pro Team

Offense

Quarterback

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

Running Back

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

Fullback

C.J. Ham, Minnesota Vikings

Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Tight End

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

Offensive Line

Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

Edge

Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Interior 

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Linebackers

Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

Cornerbacks

Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Safeties

Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings

Camryn Bynum, Minnesota Vikings

Special Teams

Kicker

Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings

Punter

Bryce Baringer, New England Patriots

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings

Kick Returner

DeeJay Dallas, Arizona Cardinals

Punt Returner

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys

Minnesota Vikings Week 4 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings jumped all over the Green Bay Packers in the first half on Sunday. 28-7 at the half, should’ve been 28-0. The Packers rallied. The Vikings held. 31-29. The score looks like a thriller but the Vikings were in charge throughout. Here are some of the players that helped make the big division win possible and keep the Vikings undefeated on the season. 4-0 is nice. 

Offensive Players of the Game

Aaron Jones, RB

Aaron Jones didn’t get into the end zone. He didn’t get his post-touchdown Lambeau Leap. He did get a post-win leap into the stands. Jones was a fixture in Green Bay since 2017. Minnesota is his home now and he was fantastic against his former team.

22 carries

93 yards

4 catches

46 yards

139 yards from scrimmage

In a very short time, Aaron Jones has impacted the Vikings on and off the field. 

Jordan Addison, WR

Welcome back Jordan Addison. He’s missed the last two games with the ankle injury that took him out of the first game. The Vikings clearly managed without him. Jalen Nailor filled in well. Addison is a very different sort of receiver. He’d be the #1 receiving option on so many teams. He’s a difference-maker.

Against the Packers:

3 catches

72 yards

1 touchdown (29 yards)

1 carry

7 yards

1 touchdown

He’s just getting started. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are a deadly duo.

Defensive Player of the Game

Byron Murphy, Jr., CB

With the strong outside coverage play of Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin, opponents have often targeted Byron Murphy Jr. Packers quarterback Jordan Love did a bit of that on Sunday. The 28-7 halftime lead in Lambeau didn’t feel safe. Jordan Love is a terrific quarterback. Matt LaFleur is a terrific coach. They were sure to come back. Two of the biggest defensive stops that stifled that comeback attempt were made by Murphy. With 6:13 to play in the game, he intercepted Love in the end zone. At the time, it felt like that might do it. Nope. He had to do it again. With 4:27 to play, he popped the ball from Packers tight end Tucker Kraft and Camryn Bynum recovered. If not for those two defensive stops by Murphy, the Vikings might be wondering how they blew a 28-0 lead. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Will Reichard, K

Rookie kicker Will Reichard continues to be a revelation. He was perfect again on Sunday. For the season, he’s made all 20 of his kicks. 

14/14 on extra points

6/6 on field goals

Against the Packers:

4/4 on extra points

1/1 on field goals

I can’t say this enough, for the first time in a long time I don’t fear Vikings kick attempts. Thank you, Will Reichard.