Minnesota Vikings: The Mission Is Clear

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings went into the home of the AFC’s number one seed Houston Texans today and were some very rude guests. The defense held the potent Texans offense to just six points, the lowest total points by a Vikings opponent since early in the 2007 season. Special teams once again showed up in a HUGE way with stud rookie kicker Blair Walsh breaking the NFL single season record for most 50+ yard field goals made, Chris Kluwe had the Texans pinned deep in their own territory for what seemed like the whole game, and Marcus Sherels had some impressive return yards as well.

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This victory, along with losses by both the Giants and Cowboys, now means the Vikings control their own destiny.  It’s simple, beat the hated Green Bay Packers and they are in the playoffs. The division champion Packers will be playing to earn a first round bye as the NFC’s number two seed, so don’t expect to see them sitting any of their starters.

The last time these two teams faced off Adrian Peterson rushed for 212 yards in a losing effort at Lambeau field and Christian Ponder threw that devastating interception in the end zone. But the defense did a good job keeping Aaron Rodgers in check and the game was very manageable. If not for Ponders horrific day the Vikings would most likely have won that meeting. Now it appears that Ponder is getting back the confidence he had in the beginning of the season, having played a very efficient game against the Texans. If a QB is going to come out of a slump and get hot, this would be a great time of the year to do it. This game will also be played in Minneapolis, where the Vikings have had much better luck this year.

If the Vikes can get an early lead, as they did today, and control the clock with Adrian Peterson and some key first down completions by Ponder, they have a very good shot at winning this game. I think the defense as a whole, and especially the secondary are playing much better now than they were a few weeks ago, and that is key because the last thing we want is for the Vikings to fall behind and need to rely on the passing game to catch up. If that happen it’s curtains for this squad.

Well Viking fans, this is it. If someone would have told you at the end of last year that the team would be 9-6 and in control of a wild card spot after week 15 would you have believed them? We all have a lot to be happy about, I believe this team really has turned the corner, and I DO expect them to win this game and make it into the playoffs this year.

That’s all for now, SKOL! Oh, and as always…the Packers SUCK!

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-Jordan Nadel