Culpepper's injury = a blessing in disguise (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

The defense has played very good even this week.

That's debatable.

They really gave up three plays today, a long pass to Miller, a long run to Parker and a long play by Randle El (can't remember if it was a run or a catch). Other than those plays they really shut down Bettis, Parker and Rothlisberger.

The "other than those plays" never goes very far. Those plays still count and they had a huge impact on the game. You can't just wish them away or act as if they were some sort of fluke. They happened and they happened because the Vikings' defense played poorly on those plays. More to the point, a good defense steps up when its offense is playing badly. But the Vikings' defense failed to make a single big play all game today. The only turnover the Vikings forced came on special teams and was a result of a bone-headed play by Randle-El. I wasn't very impressed with the Vikings' defense today. I had been impressed by their opportunistic play a few games ago and thought I was wrong with my pre-season assessment of that unit. But based on what I've seen lately that mini-run of great defense appears to have been a fluke and not an accurate reflection of their level of play.

Back on topic, Johnson's been terrible lately. He looked like an old relic out there today.

 

[Hinezer]

I also think it is a blessing in disguise that the Vikings lost today because the Vikes probably won’t make the playoffs.  That will put an end to the “Tice coach of the year” nonsense and his reign of stupidity will end.  It’s time to move on.

With Dallas getting blown out and tonights game Vikes could still be in it.If Bears lose, then Vikes are still only 1 game out of 1st place for The North.

If the Cowboys and Falcons lose, then Cowboys, Redskins, Falcons and Vikings are all at 8-6 for the final Wild card slot, with The Bucs 1 Game up on them for the other spot.

The weird thing is, the Vikings need to be cheering for the Bears tonight. The Bears losing tonight really is no help to the Vikings in the division. The Bears can lose tonight and still clinch the division if they beat the Packers on Christmas. And a Bears win tonight will leave the Vikings tied for the final playoff spot, though it isn't the end of the world of the Falcons do win because they could very well lose their last two games.

I'll be cheering for the Falcons tonight.. and if they pull out the upset I'll be hiding my head as I cheer on the Packers next week.Packer fans here in Wisconsin hate it when I jump on their Bandwagon..

Well you have to cheer for the Packers either way, because if the Bears beat the Packers, they win the division regardless if they beat the Falcons or Vikings. The only benifit of not cheering for the Packers next week would be if the Bears decide to rest their starters Week 17 and hand the Vikings a win, which won't happen.

 

[TheRegulator]

The defense has played very good even this week.

That's debatable.

They really gave up three plays today, a long pass to Miller, a long run to Parker and a long play by Randle El (can't remember if it was a run or a catch).  Other than those plays they really shut down Bettis, Parker and Rothlisberger.

The "other than those plays" never goes very far. Those plays still count and they had a huge impact on the game. You can't just wish them away or act as if they were some sort of fluke. They happened and they happened because the Vikings' defense played poorly on those plays. More to the point, a good defense steps up when its offense is playing badly. But the Vikings' defense failed to make a single big play all game today. The only turnover the Vikings forced came on special teams and was a result of a bone-headed play by Randle-El. I wasn't very impressed with the Vikings' defense today. I had been impressed by their opportunistic play a few games ago and thought I was wrong with my pre-season assessment of that unit. But based on what I've seen lately that mini-run of great defense appears to have been a fluke and not an accurate reflection of their level of play.

Back on topic, Johnson's been terrible lately. He looked like an old relic out there today.

The Vikes D gave up those plays, but not for TD's. They also did a good job of forcing FG's instead of TD's. 3.6 yds per rush & 133 net yds passing would qualify as a good game in my book. BJ and special teams are what lost this game....But, your definition of lately must be one game as BJ has been good before today. Throw Culpepper in at QB, and this implosion was the same as the first 7 games of the year by the Offense......Penalties-turnovers-one dimension playcalling once behind....

 

[packersfan]

The defense has played very good even this week.

That's debatable.

They really gave up three plays today, a long pass to Miller, a long run to Parker and a long play by Randle El (can't remember if it was a run or a catch). Other than those plays they really shut down Bettis, Parker and Rothlisberger.

The "other than those plays" never goes very far. Those plays still count and they had a huge impact on the game. You can't just wish them away or act as if they were some sort of fluke. They happened and they happened because the Vikings' defense played poorly on those plays. More to the point, a good defense steps up when its offense is playing badly. But the Vikings' defense failed to make a single big play all game today. The only turnover the Vikings forced came on special teams and was a result of a bone-headed play by Randle-El. I wasn't very impressed with the Vikings' defense today. I had been impressed by their opportunistic play a few games ago and thought I was wrong with my pre-season assessment of that unit. But based on what I've seen lately that mini-run of great defense appears to have been a fluke and not an accurate reflection of their level of play.

Back on topic, Johnson's been terrible lately. He looked like an old relic out there today.

The Vikes D gave up those plays, but not for TD's. They also did a good job of forcing FG's instead of TD's. 3.6 yds per rush & 133 net yds passing would qualify as a good game in my book.

And 0 takeaways. To me, that was the key stat. This was a game where the Vikings needed to step up and take away the ball and give their offense better field position to help them out. And they failed to do that. 0 takeaways is the stat of the game defensively in my book.

BJ and special teams are what lost this game....But, your definition of lately must be one game as BJ has been good before today. Throw Culpepper in at QB, and this implosion was the same as the first 7 games of the year by the Offense......Penalties-turnovers-one dimension playcalling once behind....

He's had two good games in the last six -- against Detroit and the Browns. In the other four games, he's been held under 200 yards passing each time without a TD pass, including three games under 150 yards passing. I don't consider that good at all. In fact, I consider less than 150 yards passing in a game to be pathetic. I don't know if the Vikings win the game today with Culpepper but this was a game where I believe he would've given them a much better chance to win given his ability to make things happen out of the pocket and his ability to make plays downfield.

 

[Hinezer]

The "other than those plays" never goes very far. Those plays still count and they had a huge impact on the game. You can't just wish them away or act as if they were some sort of fluke. They happened and they happened because the Vikings' defense played poorly on those plays.

More to the point, a good defense steps up when its offense is playing badly. But the Vikings' defense failed to make a single big play all game today. The only turnover the Vikings forced came on special teams and was a result of a bone-headed play by Randle-El. I wasn't very impressed with the Vikings' defense today. I had been impressed by their opportunistic play a few games ago and thought I was wrong with my pre-season assessment of that unit. But based on what I've seen lately that mini-run of great defense appears to have been a fluke and not an accurate reflection of their level of play.

Back on topic, Johnson's been terrible lately. He looked like an old relic out there today.

The Vikings defense made a lot of plays, they might not have been turnovers, but they stopped the Steelers quite a few times. Here's a drive recap.1st Quarter

Opening drive 1st and goal at the 8, held the Steelers to a FG

5 plays and punt

3 plays and punt

2nd Quarter

3 and out

TD (started at 14 yard line due to long punt return)

3rd Quarter

1st and 10 at the 19, hold them to FG

Drive starts at 29 because of turnover, held to FG

4th Quarter

4 plays and punt

6 plays and punt

3 plays and punt

End of game, 8 plays, 3 first downs

3 times the Steelers were inside the 15 yard line and held them to a FG.

3 times in the 4th quarter, they stopped the Steelers and gave the ball back to the offense.

The defense gave up 16 points and 275 total yards (127 on the 3 mentioned plays). They really did not play a bad game. They stepped up when the Steelers got close to the redzone and got the ball back to offense in the fourth quarter to at least give them a chance.

 

[packersfan]

I'd say they played average at best. 0 takeaways in a game where they absolutely needed to force some turnovers is impossible for me to ignore.

 

[slayer666]

The Vikings have one quality win (Giants) this season. They aren't very good.

 

[BigJim®]

jw...Good thread. In the winbeing the recipient of playing against horrible teams column, BJ blew away C-pep.

Fixed

 

[Hinezer]

The Vikings have one quality win (Giants) this season. They aren't very good.

I'm a Vikings homer and I wouldn't really call the Giants game a quality win. They shouldn't have won that one.

 

[jwvdcw]

Vikings now 2-0 without Brad Johnson as the starting QB.

Yep, it was all Johnson today.

Without him the Vikes would have only scored 21 points.

So basically you're saying that without him they wouldn't have won the game. I agree.

They have to have someone play Qb, and since Culpepper is injured they need Johnson to. Another jw

Funny how my "fishing trips" alwasy turn out to be right, huh? Still think that the Vikes were better with Culpepper?

 

[JohnnyU]

Vikings now 2-0 without Brad Johnson as the starting QB.

Yep, it was all Johnson today.

Without him the Vikes would have only scored 21 points.

So basically you're saying that without him they wouldn't have won the game. I agree.

They have to have someone play Qb, and since Culpepper is injured they need Johnson to. Another jw

Funny how my "fishing trips" alwasy turn out to be right, huh? Still think that the Vikes were better with Culpepper?

Yeah, just like that Pinner thingy.

 

[glumpy]

Why was this thread resurrected??

 

[3C's]

Assani=jvwdcxyz

 

[glumpy]

Assani=jvwdcxyz

so he wants a pat on the back??!!! pfffft