The Viking Age » eli manning

The New York Giants Are Super Bowl Champions

Dan Zinski — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:11:03 +0000

Feb 5, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) scrambles away from New England Patriots defensive end Mark Anderson (95) during the second half of Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

For the second straight year an NFC team that barely squeaked into the playoffs has gone on to win the Super Bowl. The game was a snooze until the fourth quarter when it became a classic. Things got bizarre when, rather than let the Giants milk clock and kick a winning FG, the Patriots elected to let Ahmad Bradshaw walk into the endzone for a go-ahead TD. The weird thing was, Bradshaw actually tried not to score the TD, but his momentum carried him into the endzone. (more…)

Packers Join Vikings In NFL’s “15-1 But No Super Bowl” Club

Dan Zinski — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:36:35 +0000

Packer fans know what it feels like now. They’ve experienced the crushing heartbreak of watching their team blow through the regular season like an unstoppable juggernaut only to be defeated in the playoffs. The Packers of 2011 join the Steelers of 2004 and the Vikings of 1998 as the only teams ever to go 15-1 but miss the Super Bowl. Somewhat amazingly, only 2 of the 5 15-1 teams in history actually made it to the final game. 15-1 teams have now gone out before the Super Bowl 3 straight times. The Packers are the only of these teams that didn’t make it at least to the conference title game. So you could argue that the Packers’ loss yesterday was the most stunning of all these playoff flops.

But was it indeed the most stunning? I would argue no. For it to be stunning it would have to have been completely unforeseen. In truth, the seeds of the Packers’ ultimate demise were there for anyone to see. To their credit, many Packer fans pointed out their potential fatal flaw weeks before it actually killed them. The defense. Rolling up tons of points is fine, but at some point you’re going to have to stop someone, if only for one key drive. The Packers couldn’t stop the Giants at all Sunday, and their offense never got in sync enough to match New York on the scoreboard. What happened to the offense anyway? You can blame rust from starters sitting out two weeks, you can blame the wind, you can blame the Packers’ receivers for dropping too many balls. All contributed. In the end though, the onus must be placed on that defense. The offense held up their end most of the season but when the D was called upon to pull their weight, they couldn’t do it.

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Vikings Lose to Giants 21-3, Look Totally Lost

Dan Zinski — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:47:48 +0000

The good feeling Leslie Frazier managed to generate through two wins vs. sub-par teams all disappeared tonight in Detroit against the Giants. With the bright light of reality shining on them, the Vikings wilted like a delicate flower. Tarvaris Jackson was unspeakably brutal, the run defense completely crapped itself against Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, and Adrian Peterson disappeared as thoroughly as if he had never existed. Despite two early Eli Manning picks, the Giants were able to gather themselves and show how a real playoff contender handles adversity. I’m trying to think of one positive thing to say about the Vikings’ effort, and honestly, nothing is coming to mind. Yes, at times the defense looked professional against the Giants, but at other times they looked useless. And offensively…don’t even ask. On the basis of this game, Darrell Bevell should be sent packing like his buddy Brad Childress. I don’t know what Zygi Wilf has in mind for next season, but I have to believe this game has edged him closer to making that call to Bill Parcells. To say this game represents a step backward for the Frazier regime would be an understatement. This team was clearly not ready to play tonight – and if you’re going to blame Childress for prior terrible efforts, it’s only fair to blame Frazier for this one. Be embarrassed, Viking fans – your team played its worst game of the year tonight. This is a franchise lost in the darkness.

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