The Viking Age » shaun hill

Vikings Come Out Flat Again in Loss to Rising Lions

Dan Zinski — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:17:25 +0000

We’ve seen this movie before. The Vikings have an opponent they should be able to handle, but for whatever reason come out flat as old tires on offense and uninspired at best on defense. The result, another head-scratching loss. The latest flopperoo, a 20-13 defeat by the Detroit Lions, meant little in the grand scheme of things: The Vikings were not fighting to get into the playoffs, were not even scratching their way back to .500. They were playing mostly for pride, and to avoid the shame of finishing last for the first time since 1990. A few guys were playing for contracts. Joe Webb was playing for an opportunity to be in the quarterback mix in 2011. In the end, none of this added up to sufficient motivation. Instead, the Vikes played like they just wanted to get their long, agonizing season over with and go home for the winter.

The Vikings fell prey to the same issues that dogged them all year: A porous offensive line not allowing enough time for their quarterback, shaky execution even on those occasions when the quarterback had time, questionable play-calling (a screen to Jim Kleinsasser on third down deep inside the red zone?), lack of reasonable effort by a few repeat offenders (so long Bernard Berrian), inexplicably poor tackling from a unit that was once among the league’s best in that area, atrocious cornerback play…the whole list. For much of the game, the Lions’ defensive line totally dominated up front, stuffing Adrian Peterson and with their pressure helping make Joe Webb look every bit the rookie. Offensively, Shaun Hill again showed his usual competent-if-unspectacular form, making plays to keep drives alive, picking on the right over-matched defensive backs (so long Frank Walker) and, most importantly, handling the Vikings’ pressure with an aplomb Michael Vick can only stand back and envy.

There were no heroics to be had for the Vikings. Adrian Peterson never ripped off the big run, Joe Webb never made the big throw, Sidney Rice was not on the field to make the big catch. Jared Allen did for a moment deliver a potential game-changer by picking off a Hill pass and returning it for a touchdown but the Vikings never really seized the momentum after this play. In the end Detroit looked more energetic, and frankly more talented. The Lions may not have a franchise quarterback on-hand, but they have a franchise defensive stud in Ndamukong Suh, a big-time backfield threat in Jahvid Best and some pretty solid complementary pieces scattered around the offense and defense. Yesterday’s game taught us little we didn’t already know about the Vikings, but it taught us plenty about the Lions, namely that their days as doormats of the division are over. If the Vikings are to turn things around in 2011, it looks like they’ve have three division contenders to climb over instead of two.

Thank goodness the Buccaneers aren’t still around.

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Jared Allen With the Pick-Six Vs. Detroit (Video)

Dan Zinski — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 22:04:13 +0000

Your Viking highlight for the day: Jared Allen picking off Shaun Hill and returning it for a touchdown. At this point the score became 13-7 and there was still hope. Sadly, the Vikings got nothing going on offense in the second half and lost their 10th game of the season.

Vikings Finish in Last Place After 20-13 Loss to Detroit

Dan Zinski — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:01:34 +0000

The season ended today on a seemingly appropriate note: With the Vikings looking hopeless on offense and listless on defense, and losing to the Detroit Lions. Five days after looking poised and efficient in leading the team to a huge win against the Eagles, Joe Webb reverted to the clueless rookie form he exhibited after replacing Brett Favre against the Bears. The Lions’ defense keyed on Adrian Peterson all day, getting huge penetration and holding the Vikings’ Pro Bowler to 31 yards on 14 carries. Defensively, the Vikings allowed too many long drives, looked horrible tackling and saw Shaun Hill absolutely tear up cornerback Frank Walker. The one bright spot was a Jared Allen pick-six on a zone blitz. As was the case for so much of the season, the offense simply couldn’t get on-track, placing too much pressure on a defense that can play well in spots but is no longer good enough to hold up consistently when playing without the lead. So, the season ends on a sour note. For the first time since 1990, the Vikings find themselves in last place at the finish. Bring on the off-season.

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