ESPN : Vikings in Superbowl???

[packers11]

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3152151&name=nfl_nfc

Vikings in the Super Bowl?by: Jeremy Green
posted: Wednesday, December 12, 2007




I would post the article, but until Mad gets the situation sorted out, you can read some of it there on that link...

YOU SHOULD see the comments posted by Viking fans... They think they are going to man handle Tampa and Seahawks... Then a lot go on to say that they have a very good chance of beating Dallas and GB...

I went on to read these dumbass comments...

"Packer fans crack me up you squeak by the Eagles, Skins, and Chargers- who the vikings crushed. You get obliterated by Dallas, and it would've been worse had T.O. not dropped a touchdown into Harris' arms. You lose to the bears who we swept. You also claim to have a running game now... I laugh at that, Ryan Grant has been the benificiary of a great pass offense. Quite the game he had in St. Louis."

"So until everything plays out why don't you stop saying how good you are and let your team prove it in the playoffs. Oh and I'm not worried about the going to Quest Field we dominated there last year, and we'll be alot better team this time around. "

"vikings were beating dallas til some poor alignment in the stars (or our coach but hakunamatata) and honestly the 34-0 was a fluke. im glad we got the embarassing game of the playoff run out of the way during the regular season. green bay has played a similar schedule to the vikes but they have caught almost all their opponents at low points in the season (or crap teams). packer fans are already starting to talk about how the eagles beat dallas and the pack (barely) beat the eagles.
anybody notice that gb took out another back's knee by the way?"

"Packer fans: 2004 has already been mentioned. But also realize if we play you, it will be outside, and it'll be bad weather. What do teams have to do well to win in bad weather? RUN. Packers pass, vikings run, enough said.

Seattle: Are you freakin kidding ME? You dominated a HORRIBLE NFC West division. Here's a cookie. Lets face it, they're not the same without hutch. Alexander isn't dominating anymore, hasselbeck has played well when he's not hurt, and the defense beats up on weak teams...so what?"

"2004 Packer fans. 2004. Remember what happened in the playoffs that year?"

"I cant wait until the Vikes win out and all these d bags who think they know something look like a bunch of idiots. And, while I understand why someone might think they Vikes cant compete with Dallas and GB, even though they can.... but SEATLLE? Bberrey or whoever said that, come on. For a reason I will never understand, people just dont want to like the Vikings. We'll win out, be 10-6. Spit on teams like Seattle or TB in the wild card round, and then see what happens. "


80 % of these fans are already buying thier superbowl tickets...
A select few on the ESPN comments have some common sense and take it week by week... Its pretty funny...

[Rastak]

You notice that article is about a week old and has been posted here before, right?

[BallHawk]

ESPN is a breeding ground for yahoo's that spurt their opinions without any basis.

1. Is it our fault we caught teams like San Diego at a bad time? That's the way it works. We won those games, enough said.

2. The guy fails to mention we beat the Vikings twice.

3. How is 34-0 a fluke? We "flukishly" held them to 0 points, while we scored 4 TDs.

The Vikes are a good team and they will be dangerous in the playoffs. Are they as good as the Packers talent-wise? No. Can they beat us in a playoff game? You bet.

[packers11]

You notice that article is about a week old and has been posted here before, right?

opps didn't know it was already posted on this site... sorry :oops: ...

I knew it was about 3-4 days old because it took place before the Bears game...

I'm not trying to bash your fan base Ras... Just some of the comments on ESPN :lol:

Don't worry :)

[BallHawk]

You notice that article is about a week old and has been posted here before, right?

ESPN bumped it to the front page. I assumed it was new, as well.

[Jerry Tagge]

November 11, 2007. Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.

Green Bay 34, Minnesota 0.

Nuf said.

[fan4life]

I was worried, but after last night.... I'm less concerned about the Vikings. But for the fact that Chicago's QB situation is even worse than MN's, the Bears should have won that game.

[Packers4Glory]

you never take anyone for granted in the playoffs, but we destroyed the vikes. ran all over them even. Shut down AP.

They have a crappy QB to go along w/ a crappy receiving corps. I still hope they make the playoffs cuz I'd rather see them over the saints or anyone else left.

We are a match up nitemare for that team. Put 8 in the box and let Woodson/harris shut down their crap WR.

And yeah, they barely squeaked by the bears last night. Kyle Pornton almost beat them. hopefully we destroy the bears this week.

[LL2]

you never take anyone for granted in the playoffs

That's true. I think that might have been Shermy's problem and why he didn't win much in the playoffs. Remember the way we lost to Atlanta (at home). I don't think Shermy prepared well for that game. I'm glad we have M3 as coach.

[Packers4Glory]

you never take anyone for granted in the playoffs

That's true. I think that might have been Shermy's problem and why he didn't win much in the playoffs. Remember the way we lost to Atlanta (at home). I don't think Shermy prepared well for that game. I'm glad we have M3 as coach. I'm very impressed w/ M3 and how he runs things. I heard AL Harris on bubba the love sponge talking about him and how he won't let the team overlook anyone. period.

speaking of the Sherminator...anyone see his shining bright personality working out in college? God I hope he has some great recruiters.

[BF4MVP]

34-0 a fluke? BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm not scared of them...I expect the Pack to take care of business no matter who they play in the divisional round.

[The Leaper]

Even if the Vikings did make the Super Bowl, we all know their history there.

[Zool]

If Longwell goes down, will Ziggy call up Gary Anderson?

http://images.amuniversal.com/ups/features/ziggy/ziggy_icon_180.gif

http://assets.espn.go.com/i/page2/photos/040518anderson.jpg

[Fritz]

I think maybe lots of fans from lots of cities feel their teams are slighted when it comes to national media attention, yet as a Packer fan I get that same feeling about the Pack. Every year, it seems, the media writes that the Lions are going to be the dark horse team, that Matt Millen has gotten the firepower for the Lions to win, or that Brad Chirldress was the next coming of Mike Holmgren and with the Queens' powerful offensive and defensive lines they were going to sneak up and win the division, and on and on and on. But again, that just might be me, being a typical fan.

As for the Minny fans, many seem arrogant to me, but then I have to account for the knowledgable and likeable Rastak, and my brother's father in law, who is a reasonable and knowledgable Vikes fan as well. So this may be more a matter of perception (mione included) than reality.

[FritzDontBlitz]

The Monday night game proved that the way to beat Minnesota is to shut down AP. Tavaris was terrible, a few well-timed blitzes should create the same erratic play the Bears caused with their pressure. AP is still the heart of the Vikings offense.

ESPN's boards are a joke by the way. They give new meaning to the phrase "lunatic fringe."

I love my new avatar, BTW. I'm gonna see if I can edit it to swith the blue to green.

[Lurker64]

ESPN really has no idea when it comes to picking out all but the obviously good teams. If you write a "Patriots/Packers/Colts/Cowboys in the Superbowl?" article nobody will care since nobody should be surprised if any of those teams are in the superbowl.

The modus operandi seems to be "pick one of the non-top four teams that seems to have the best chance in the playoffs." Minnesota's hot having beaten five straight teams, though the teams they beat range between unspectacular and bad and the Vikes haven't exactly looked phenomenal.

Personally, if I had to pick a wildcard team to go to the superbowl, I'd pick Jacksonville. They're mean and physical and can go to Foxboro in bad weather and beat up the Pats who are most effective when they can be a finesse passing team. Their kryptonite is the Colts, but they always play the Colts tough.

[OS PA]

The Monday night game proved that the way to beat Minnesota is to shut down AP. Tavaris was terrible, a few well-timed blitzes should create the same erratic play the Bears caused with their pressure. AP is still the heart of the Vikings offense.

ESPN's boards are a joke by the way. They give new meaning to the phrase "lunatic fringe."

I love my new avatar, BTW. I'm gonna see if I can edit it to swith the blue to green.

Can we shut down AP for a third game is the true question? If I were a betting man, I'd say AP runs hog wild on us if we play them again this year. Although he has looked pretty human the past two weeks, so I guess I'm glad I'm not a betting man.

[MJZiggy]

Jackson ran hog wild on us and we still beat the Rams.

[FritzDontBlitz]

The Monday night game proved that the way to beat Minnesota is to shut down AP. Tavaris was terrible, a few well-timed blitzes should create the same erratic play the Bears caused with their pressure. AP is still the heart of the Vikings offense.

ESPN's boards are a joke by the way. They give new meaning to the phrase "lunatic fringe."

I love my new avatar, BTW. I'm gonna see if I can edit it to swith the blue to green.

Can we shut down AP for a third game is the true question? If I were a betting man, I'd say AP runs hog wild on us if we play them again this year. Although he has looked pretty human the past two weeks, so I guess I'm glad I'm not a betting man.

I'd say yes we can. Crowd the line and force Tavaris to be an NFL quarterback. I'll gladly take my chances with him after Monday's night's performance. AP will probably get his yards and I'm doubtful we'd shut them out again. If the Packers use a ball control offense to eat up the clock, it will force Minnesota to utilize a quick scoring offense to keep pace with ours. If we contain AP - "contain" him meaning preventing him from scoring on long runs by limiting him to smaller gains - I don't think the Vikes will be able to stay with our offense with just the running game. Unless Tavaris is in rare form, the game will go to the Pack.

Of course, if the Minnesota defense shuts us down or forces a few turnovers its a totally different ball game.

[Lurker64]

Can we shut down AP for a third game is the true question? If I were a betting man, I'd say AP runs hog wild on us if we play them again this year. Although he has looked pretty human the past two weeks, so I guess I'm glad I'm not a betting man.

We really only shut down AP the last time we played them. The first time, he ran for over a hundred yards in the first half and Childress shut him down in the second half.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Can we shut down AP for a third game is the true question? If I were a betting man, I'd say AP runs hog wild on us if we play them again this year. Although he has looked pretty human the past two weeks, so I guess I'm glad I'm not a betting man.

We really only shut down AP the last time we played them. The first time, he ran for over a hundred yards in the first half and Childress shut him down in the second half.

Actually, the reason he didn't run much had more to do with us completely controlling the game. Peterson only had like 7 touches in the second half (with returns, carries, and receptions), but they only ran something like 22 plays in the second half of that game.

[4and12to12and4]

Yeah, i love how ESPN "experts" always ride the hot hand, and it's so ridiculous. It's so easy to see. I have always wanted the Skins and Eagles out because those defenses have good enough offenses to beat anyone, the Bears use to be in that category, they probably still could be, on a given day, the Giants are the worst team in the East IMO overall. They scare me not. All the other East teams have better defenses - in order - Eagles, Skins, Boys, Giants. And Eli is not very good, and when he is, his receivers aren't, and their run game is way too one dimensional without Tiki. I was saying all week I wanted the Bears to win because the Vikes scare me because you can't run against them, and they CAN run against you, after watching Jackson have his way Sunday, OMG, keep 'em away, after last night, I'm more confident we would beat them, but the Bears defense really came out with MAJOR energy and showed up, and AP still managed to get in the endzone twice and had over 70 yards, which is impressive. I think Grant would've had about 38 last night and gotten injured. I was hoping the Giants and Cardinals, but the Cards aren't gonna make it. So, who do you root for in the Vikes/Skins game next week? The skins win and they have the same record and have beaten them, so they slide into the sixth spot, right? Nobody mentioned that on ESPN, they just acted like the Vikes had the inside advantage while slobbering all over AP. I think I'd rather play the skins than the Vikes, although if the Skins go to Dallas, which they would, they could EASILY upset them, and we with a win over the giants or whichever division winner is left, would have home field against the Skins at Lambeau. Is Campbell gonna be back for the post season? That's how I'm looking at all this, also, I do NOT want to play Tampa, with Garcia, they can beat anyone also, the only good thing is them coming up North.

[woodbuck27]

I'll make this comment:.

Adrian Peterson is something else.

He's a difference maker and any team has to pay him respect and corresponding concern.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?season=2007&week=REG15&game_id=29418

Game ball

Running back Adrian Peterson was corralled by the Bears for most of the game but carried the Vikings in the second half with a pair of touchdown runs. Peterson followed Robert Ferguson's 71-yard reception with a 1-yard TD plunge in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings appeared content to settle for a field goal with the play call on third-and-goal from the 8, but Peterson -- who nearly fumbled the exchange -- burst into the end zone for the winning touchdown.

woodbuck27:

It apeared to me as if he was shot out of a cannon.

He was all stud on that play.

[run pMc]

silly talk from kool-aid drinking fanatics. you hear these people on the call-in shows. I'm sure there were a few good posts among the trash.

MIN has a good run O & D, and confidence. That's it. Bobby Wade and Fergy aren't fearsome WRs. MIN got swept by GB, plus have losses to DET, KC, PHI...teams GB beat. You play who you're scheduled, that's it. It's like other posts have pointed out: at the end of the day, the W-L record is what really counts.

D.Smith was allegedly busted for smoking pot, and Winfield got hurt again. I'm not sure MIN can win multiple games on the road in January, especially with a banged up secondary.

Let's assume they make the playoffs. If they play SEA, you think Holmgren and the SEA crowd will be ready for that game? Teams really prepare and find ways to exploit a weakness...Holmgren gets the edge over Chilly. SEA passing O should carve up MIN's secondary. Don't know how SEA's run D will do against MIN...they have the edge there. Special teams? Don't know much about SEA's ST...probably a wash.
Same deal with TB...for coaching, I'd take Gruden over Chilly, and he'll find ways to get Galloway the ball against that secondary. E.Graham has surprised at RB, and they have a revitalized, swarming D. Monte Kiffin should have that D ready to contain AD and stump Tavaris.
If by some miracle they win, they play either DAL or GB on the road. They lost to both teams already; DAL & GB will be rested and ready. DAL stopped AD pretty good. I don't know if AD has even played in GB-like weather in Jan. Home field give a big boost in playoffs IMO -- I don't think many teams want to fly into GB to play in January.

I will say they are a dangerous team and they are peaking at a good time, but I'm not gonna crown them champs. They've played pretty spotty at times, and you could almost argue they will make the playoffs because the rest of the NFC is so mediocre.

[Rastak]

OKay, I must respond with my take. First off it isn't kool aid drinking fanatics, it's Denny Green's kid making these statements.

My take, the Vikings are not a huge threat in the playoffs. Look, they aren't even in yet. Washington is going to be a tough game and if they lose, they can still make the playoffs but it would be difficult. Actually, if the win next weekend I'll have to give them their proper due, but I'll still, be concerned. They're wildly inconsistent offense is making me somewhat pessimistic about the post season, should it happen. Their defense is respectible at times and dominating at others. Earlier in the year they were getting torched.

With Winfield out, and who knows what is up with Dwight Smith...it's hard to say how they'd fare. It's easier to scheme to stop the run than the pass in my opinion. The last two weeks teams just loaded up the line and the Vikings didn;t have a consistent answer. If they find one, then shit changes but they haven't so the point is moot right now.

[Packers4Glory]

teams like the rams aren't one dimensional. They have a pro bowl type Qb and good WR's...their line is the problem. too inconsistent.

the vikes are a run only team. stuff 8 in the box and make jackson beat you.

[RashanGary]

I thought 34-0 was a fluke. Everything went right for the Packers that day. It reminds me of the Dallas game with GB. Everything just bounced the wrong way includiing the schedule, injuries and the refs. I'm not about making excuses, but I know the Packers can do better than they did that day and I know the Vikings are a hell of a lot better than the game they played in Lambeau.

[b bulldog]

Like all of TO's drops and his give away pic to harris in the endzone?

[b bulldog]

Winfield ia an awesome corner. I'd take him 1 overall in the north.

[esoxx]

I want a Purple Free January in Lambeau.

[3irty1]

I thought 34-0 was a fluke. Everything went right for the Packers that day. It reminds me of the Dallas game with GB. Everything just bounced the wrong way includiing the schedule, injuries and the refs. I'm not about making excuses, but I know the Packers can do better than they did that day and I know the Vikings are a hell of a lot better than the game they played in Lambeau.

Fluke? Any time an NFL team beats another NFL team 34-0 you could call it a fluke. No team plays their best football and loses 34-0. Doesn't mean the Packers aren't better on offense defense and special teams.

[3irty1]

Winfield ia an awesome corner. I'd take him 1 overall in the north.

I can think of about four guys I'd rather have from the North.

[]{ilr]3]

Winfield ia an awesome corner. I'd take him 1 overall in the north.

I can think of about four guys I'd rather have from the North.

Tillman looked great for the bears last night. I think he is the one who caught Fergy from behind. Obviously I like Harris and Woodson because I am biased, but Tillman would be my #3 guy.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Winfield ia an awesome corner. I'd take him 1 overall in the north.

I can think of about four guys I'd rather have from the North.

No knock on Winfield, but I'd take two to four over him. I'd take Woodson and Tillman. Harris and Vasher are about equal. Winfield is a great tackler. He's decent in coverage, but the four other guys are better.

[b bulldog]

Vasher and Winfield would be my starters out of the north. Good young players who can cover and make a big hit. Harv, I'm giving some love to a Buckeye :lol: Not biased against Buckin the NFL, just don't like some of them.

[HarveyWallbangers]

IMHO, Winfield is to corners what Hawk is to LBs. They are both solid, but not upper echelon. Winfield is not a shutdown corner. He can get passed on more than many of the top corners--which is why I can't put him with some of the top corners. He's a great tackler though, and he's a good fit for the Tampa Two defense. Based on their performance the last two years, I'd take Charles Woodson over Winfield, no question. I could see an argument between Harris, Winfield, and Vasher. I think Woodson and Tillman are clearly the two best corners in the division.

[RashanGary]

Seems like a great hire in Michigan, bulldog. They did the right thing going outside the program.

[b bulldog]

Tillman is injured way too much and doesn't have very good speed. IMO, Tillman would be a solid S. Vasher has great upside.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Tillman is injured way too much and doesn't have very good speed. IMO, Tillman would be a solid S. Vasher has great upside.

I doubt Winfield is any faster than Tillman. He's not fast and he's short, but he's smart and can tackle (and tackle hard). That makes him a good fit for the Tampa Two. Winfield would be terrible in our scheme. Then again, Al Harris would be terrible in the Tampa Two.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Tillman has missed 4 games in the last 3 years. Winfield has missed that many this year alone. I'm not saying Winfield is injury prone at all (he's not), but I'd hardly classify Tillman as injury prone. Mike Brown is injury prone.

[b bulldog]

Brown is but Tillman has played through nagging groin injuries which slowed him down in the past and was the reason why the Bears dabbled with the idea of moving him to S.

[3irty1]

Believe it or not I think Harris is the best corner in the North :)

He is the strongest, hes durable, and watching him bump and run with a receiver is like watching a true professional. He is a great equalizer. No matter how big and how fast you are he can ruin your route or guide you out of bounds. It's beautiful. 3/4 of the earth is covered by water... the rest is covered by Al Harris.

Woodson is another elite corner. He does everything well and makes some very big plays. He likes to cheat and gamble but it pays off more often than not while covering his guy.

Tillman and Vasher are both great. Tillman is physical and also good at disrupting routes but is not as good as either Chuck or Al in man coverage. Vasher has some good hands and is pretty quick but is a bit small and a bit weak.

Antoine Winfield is a great tackler which is good because he gives up a lot of catches. He's too small, he gets picked on a lot. A teams best receiver is a good matchup on this guy.

[Partial]

I think Harris is slowing down but I think Chuck is the best CB in the NFC. Al is just gettin' old, but he can still man handle a #2.

[3irty1]

I think Harris is slowing down but I think Chuck is the best CB in the NFC. Al is just gettin' old, but he can still man handle a #2.

He's enjoying his first pro bowl year ever. Clearly the players and coaches disagree.

Al is only a year older than Chuck and lets not forget that he shut down everyone in the first half of the season. He's got plenty of juice left in the tank... He's stronger than ever and can still turn and run with the best. I love Chuck as much as the next guy but theres a reason Al is assigned a team's #1 receiving threat every week.