First Place!

After a shaky first quarter, Minnesota turned it on. Already down 7-3 after Devin Hester burned Antoine Winfield on a slant, the Vikes appeared in trouble until they held Chicago on fourth and goal from the one yard line. Minnesota’s first play after the stop was a 99 yard touchdown pass from Gus Frerotte to Bernard Berrian thanks to blown coverage. After that Minnesota took over. Frerotte scored on a one yard run (set up by a 20 yard reception by Jimmy Kleinsasser), Chester Taylor scored on a 21 yard run and Adrian Peterson scored from the one.

Frerotte ended up going 16 of 25 for 210 with a touchdown and a pick. All Day had 28 carries for 131 yards with a touchdown.

Minnesota picked off Kyle Orton three times. Ben Leber, Bennie Sapp and Daren Sharper all had picks.

Once again the Vikings defensive line played great. Jared Allen had three sacks and both Kevin and Pat Williams dominated.

What a performance! I was very nervous after the first quarter, but the goal line stand and 99 yard touchdown really changed the whole game. Minnesota is 7-5 and leading the NFC North! They are a game up on the Bears and two up on Green Bay.

The only real downer is that the Williams Wall whole steroid (not really) issue has yet to be resolved. Rumor has it that by Tuesday we will know if the Williams boys will be suspended for the last four games of the regular season. It actually sounds like a realistic possibility the NFL will have to let them off due to some legal things. Hope so.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Bernard Berrian
Defense – Jared Allen
Special Teams – Ryan Longwell