Favre Spreads the Wealth

Brett Favre threw FOUR touchdown passes as the Vikes crushed the Seahawks 35-9 at Metrodome.

The game started slowly as the first quarter was marred with penalties and a slow start for the Vikes offense. However, once the second quarter started, Favre and the Vikes O started clicking. Minnesota scored on all three drives in the second quarter.

An 84 yard drive capped by a Favre to Percy Harvin 23 yard touchdown started the scoring. On Minnesota’s next possession, Favre hooked up with Visanthe Shiancoe (now maybe the BEST tight end in the league) on an 8 yard touchdown pass to cap a 70 yard drive.

After Heath Farwell recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, Favre connected with Bernard Berrian on a 3 yard touchdown. It was 21-0 Minnesota at half.

Even without Antoine Winfield for the fourth straight game, the Vikes defense played really well all game long.

Favre threw a 7 yard touchdown to Sidney Rice to make it 28-0 Minnesota in the third. Favre’s day was done after going 22 of 25 for 213 yards with FOUR touchdowns and ZERO interceptions.

Tarvaris Jackson subbed in and played the fourth quarter going 6 of 8 for 77 yards including a 34 yard to Rice.

This was my first game of the year at Metrodome that I wasn’t at, hence the blog actually RIGHT AFTER the game for once. Minnesota is 5-0 at home and 9-1 overall. The Saints won, so the Vikes remain the second seed in the NFC. I say this every week, but if Favre and the boys stay healthy, this really could be a magical year.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Brett Favre
Defense – Ray Edwards
Special Teams – Heath Farwell

SKOL VIKES!

Chilly Gets an Extension

Who loves Brett Favre more, me or Brad Childress? The answer to that is now easy, Chilly does.

Favre is the key reason that currently the Minnesota Vikings are 8-1 and appear a lock for the playoffs and a realistic Super Bowl contender. Favre also plays a major role in the Minnesota Vikings announcing that Head Coach, Brad Childress has signed an extension with the Vikes through the 2013 season. The deal is reported to be worth 4-5 million per year.

WOW! What was Zygi thinking?!? Through a little over three and a half years, Chilly has a 32-25 regular season record and is 0-1 in the playoffs (last year loss to Eagles at Metrodome).

Now don’t get me wrong, assuming Chilly and the Vikes make a run in the playoffs then they have to keep him as the Head Coach, but why not make the Chiller win at least ONE playoff game? I just don’t get it.

Childress walked into a disaster in 2006. The Vikes were fresh off the Sex Cruise and the lingering effects of no Randy Moss were being felt in Minneapolis. It was Chilly’s first job as a Head Coach and he brought a no nonsense attitude, which I actually believe the Vikings needed.

Although I get sick of Childress and his ego sometimes, I will give him some credit. The Vikes have had some GREAT Drafts under him. Here is a list of the first rounders in Chilly’s four year reign:

2006: Chad Greenway, starting OLB and shows flashes of being a Pro Bowler
2007: Adrian Peterson, the best RB in the league and possibly the best player
2008: Jared Allen, DE acquired via trade for this pick, but Allen has been amazing
2009: Percy Harvin, WR on his to becoming the Rookie of the Year, a playmaker

I realize other people are involved in the NFL Draft, but that is a SOLID four years of picking/trading.

In Chilly’s four years as head coach here is his record:

2006: 6-10
2007: 8-8
2008: 10-6, Won NFC North
2009: 8-1 so far

So while I’m not totally shocked that Chilly got an extension, he really should be taking Favre and Peterson out for a damn nice steak dinner! Hopefully Chilly can prove Zygi right and lead the Vikes to the promised land… Super Bowl Champions!

As Expected, Vikes Beat Lions

Well after attending my fourth home game (of four so far) of the year, I once again am very tardy to blog. I think the reason being this time is really lack of excitement. I had great company, but the game was somewhat of a bore.

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 27-10 at Metrodome this past Sunday. Thanks to another monstrous day by receiver Sidney Rice (201 yards receiving), two rushing touchdowns by Adrian Peterson and a Vikes defense that simply shut down the Lions. Granted most teams do!

AD rushed for 133 yards along with his touchdowns of 22 yards and a 1 yard dive up the middle. In the first half Peterson and Harvin fumbled the exchange (pitch) on an end around. Detroit recovered. Also somehow Peterson was caught from behind and had the ball knocked out of his hands inside the Lions ten yard line too.

At half, Minnesota had DOMINATED the game, but was only up 10-0. The Lions started the second half fumbling the ball to the Vikes and that pretty much sealed the deal.

Brett Favre was 20 of 29 for 344 yards and one touchdown with ZERO picks. Favre continues to look amazing and clearly is the MVP of the NFL right now.

On defense, Ray Edwards was a MACHINE. He had two sacks and gave Matt Stafford hell all day long. Edwards made and amazing leap and drilled Stafford. It was ruled a penalty and it led to the Lions their lone touchdown of the game. After the game the NFL agreed the penalty should not have been called.

The only real concern in the game to me was how unnoticeable Jared Allen was. I understand you can’t dominate every game, but Allen was not a factor at all against Detroit. I’m assuming the blocking schemes of teams are gearing to stop him which plays a role in it.

Overall the Vikes are 8-1 with two winnable home games in the next two weeks (Seattle and Chicago). Assuming we win both of those the Vikes are 10-1 and clearly looking to half a first round bye in the playoffs.

I keep saying, if healthy this honestly could be the year. SUPER BOWL HOMEBOY!

Oh yeah on a total side note, once the NFL Playoffs start so does Newt’s playoff beard. Can’t wait! I encourage you to join in.

NEWT’S GAME BALLS
Offense – Sidney Rice
Defense – Ray Edwards
Special Teams – Ryan Longwell

Favre Leads Vikes Over Pack, Again

Yeah, I know I’m about a week late on the review of the biggest game of the year so far. I blame a cousin’s wedding, Halloween in Deadwood, some car issues and the Timberwolves/Celtics Game. Sorry!

Anyways, Brett Favre returned to Lambeau Field and almost single handedly led the Minnesota Vikings over the Green Bay Packers, 38-26. This marked the SECOND time this year that Favre dominated his former team.

Favre was 17 of 28 for 244 yards and FOUR touchdowns. Brett Favre is a GAMER and he is a WINNER! If the Vikes stay healthy, WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

The Packers scored first off a Viking turnover (shotgun snap to Favre when he wasn’t looking, likely John Sullivan’s fault). Vikes held Green Bay to a field goal.

Minnesota then had an amazing kick return to the 14 yard line by Percy Harvin. Thanks to an unsportsmanlike contact penalty, the Vikes scored on a one yard run from Adrian Peterson. 7-3, Vikes.

Visanthe Shiancoe caught a 12 yard touchdown pass and Ryan Longwell added a field goal to give the Vikes a 17-3 halftime lead.

Minnesota’s first drive in the second half resulted in a 51 yard Favre to Harvin touchdown where several Packers smashed in to each other and left Harvin free to run after the catch.

Then it got a little scary. Green Bay kicked a field goal and someone named Spencer Havner scored twice off Aaron Rodgers passes of 16 and 5 yards. 24-20, Minnesota.

Off another amazing Harvin return, Favre threw a two yard touchdown pass to Jeff Dugan to put the Vikes up 11.

The Pack answered with a Greg Jennings touchdown, but Favre sealed the deal with a 16 yard pass to Bernard Berrian.

Harvin ended the day with 5 catches for 84 yards including a touchdown and 175 yards on five kick returns. Can you say Rookie of the Year? What a GREAT pick he was!

Purple Jesus rushed for 97 yards on 25 carries including a touchdown.

The Vikes were again without cornerback Antoine Winfield. We need him back badly. His replacement is a hodgepodge of Benny Sapp, Karl Paymah and Asher Allen. Paymah should be cut, because he’s terrible, Allen is young and no good and Sapp is decent at best.

The Vikes defense was LIGHTS OUT in the first half, but made the game interesting in the second half. Not totally sure why.
One nice perk for the Packers is they apparently don’t call offensive holding on the home team in Green Bay. Minnesota had six sacks (Jared Allen – 3, Ray Edwards – 2 and Pat Williams – 1). Allen and Edwards were both monsters and beat up Rodgers.

Minnesota is 7-1 and atop the NFC North still. The Vikes appear on track to win the North and be a #1 or #2 seed in the playoffs. This year really could be magical. It’s amazing how good Favre, Peterson, Allen, Harvin and the Williams Wall is.

In the words of my homie Randy Moss, “SUPER BOWL HOMEBOY”!

NEWT'S GAME BALLS

Offense - Brett Favre

Defense - Jared Allen

Special Teams - Percy Harvin