Saints vs Vikings - Game Thread

[mraynrand]

This loss isn't all on favre, int he least bit.

The first part is correct, the second no so much. He threw away their chance to win at the end of regulation. That's all on him. To deny this is madness.

[ThunderDan]

What did the Vikings serve for their pre-game meal? Turnovers. This caused them all to choke!

If your playing in a game your not supposed to be in and are not favored to win, is it really a choke? Bad play, yes. Good play, yes. Hardly a choke.

An unforced error that loses you the game is a choke.

Are you referring to the int or all of those critical fumbles? The only really unforced fumble was the one by AP near the goal line. As for the last int, they were out of FG range, and scrambling would not have got them to it. He would have barely made it past the line of scrimmage, given where he was, where the defenders were and how bad his ankle was. It was a bad play, but there is no guarantee that any other choice would have let them win the game.

I would agree that being sloppy with the ball causing them to lose a game they were otherwise dominating can constitute a choke. Perhaps a better definition is: 'A team that acts like they can't stand success in championship games.'

Go back through this and the Favre thread. I am on record as saying Favre played a very good game. Absolutely, the fumbles cost MN the game. They don't turn it over they win going away. They were vastly superior to NO. If you were around after the Wildcard against the Cards, Patler astutely pointed out that all that great stuff leading up to the critical play is good, but greatness is made by converting the critical plays. Favre runs it, they were likely attempting a 50 max FG. Aaron Rodgers throws a good ball to Jennings, the Packers would have gone to N.O. Critical unforced errors at critical times and the QB lost the game (or didn't win it), despite all the good they did earlier.

It's hard to win when your QB has 2 INT's and a fumble, and when he chokes in the clutch.

The fumble wasn't his fault... Peterson clamped his arms before the ball got there.


It's hard to win when -

Your stud RB has 3 or 4 fumbles. Berrian fumbles teh ball at the opponents 5 yard line. Harvin fumbles the ball at the opponents 20 yard line. Communication goes bad causing a 12 man of the field penalty when you were still in Longwells wheelhouse, putting the kick on the outer edige of Longwell's ability. the QB tries to make soemthing happen instead of playing safe, and throws a pick.

Despite all this, despite 5 turnovers, it still took OT to beat the vikings. Despite favre getting physically destroyed, it still took OT. This loss isn't all on favre, int he least bit. 3 Times, THREE, his palyers took points off the board with fumbles, sure fired points from the 20 yard line and in. Even without favre's pick that wasn't a for sure 3 points. But the 3 other fumbles inside the opponents 20? Yeah, that is for sure points, points that even if reduced to FG's lead to a victory.

The vikigns were teh better team, but had this massive case of fumblitis. Forget favre - he played well enough to win. Especially wiht the beat down he took. 7 fumbles? Yeah, thats inexcusable.

Look I agree it wasn't Favre's fault. The Vikes should have been way ahead. But when he had the chance to get them into FG range he choked the chicken and cost MINN the game.

I feel the same way about ARod in the Packer game. Led a hell of a comeback but couldn't finish. I give Arod a little more leeway since the ARI player took him down by the facemask.

I'd take either Favre or Arod as my QB next year if they both played like they did this year. But, since ARod is way younger he is my man.

[denverYooper]

You know, what happened almost makes me believe in karma. I know that the ball just bounces the way it did last night sometimes and I don't really believe in that mystical crap.

But still...

Just the way it all went down -- the crazy fumble-itis and the Vikes dominating in all categories but the scoreboard. Then for it to end the way it did, Favre's last throw a crushing interception. I couldn't believe it. After having his best statistical season and it looking like inevitability that the Vikes would roll down the field into the superbowl, for it to come down to that was astounding. Even though I've been there again and again. It was like an anti-storybook ending.


I believe that's the worst thing I've ever heard.[/img]

[Scott Campbell]

It was like an anti-storybook ending.

Unless you're a Packer fan.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Sounds like Cedric Griffin tore his ACL--which puts his availability for the beginning of next season in serious jeopardy.

[Iron Mike]

It was like an anti-storybook ending.

Especially for this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PUAgITZfq0&feature=player_embedded

[Fosco33]

Now this is pretty funny (sad)...

74 yr Viking fan with a 36 year old beard...

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2010/01/74-year-old_man_stuck_with_beard.php

:P

[pbmax]

The fumble wasn't his fault... Peterson clamped his arms before the ball got there.


It's hard to win when -

Your stud RB has 3 or 4 fumbles. Berrian fumbles teh ball at the opponents 5 yard line. Harvin fumbles the ball at the opponents 20 yard line. Communication goes bad causing a 12 man of the field penalty when you were still in Longwells wheelhouse, putting the kick on the outer edige of Longwell's ability. the QB tries to make soemthing happen instead of playing safe, and throws a pick.

Despite all this, despite 5 turnovers, it still took OT to beat the vikings. Despite favre getting physically destroyed, it still took OT. This loss isn't all on favre, int he least bit. 3 Times, THREE, his palyers took points off the board with fumbles, sure fired points from the 20 yard line and in. Even without favre's pick that wasn't a for sure 3 points. But the 3 other fumbles inside the opponents 20? Yeah, that is for sure points, points that even if reduced to FG's lead to a victory.

The vikigns were teh better team, but had this massive case of fumblitis. Forget favre - he played well enough to win. Especially wiht the beat down he took. 7 fumbles? Yeah, thats inexcusable.

Look I agree it wasn't Favre's fault. The Vikes should have been way ahead. But when he had the chance to get them into FG range he choked the chicken and cost MINN the game.

I feel the same way about ARod in the Packer game. Led a hell of a comeback but couldn't finish. I give Arod a little more leeway since the ARI player took him down by the facemask.

I'd take either Favre or Arod as my QB next year if they both played like they did this year. But, since ARod is way younger he is my man.

Hold on here. It wasn't fate or fumblitis that caused those turnovers. Recovering a fumble involves luck, but causing a turnover is a repeatable skill and the Saints did a good job of that. Petersen has a history, but that only explains 1 of his lost fumbles. The Saints deserve some of the credit and if they had been better at falling on the ball, they might have had the two score lead.

[Kiwon]

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a question:

Could Longwell have hit a 56 yard FG?

I have not been keeping up with him lately.

[swede]

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a question:

Could Longwell have hit a 56 yard FG?

I have not been keeping up with him lately.

Someone posted some astounding numbers earlier. He was on quite a roll as far as hitting 50+ yarders indoors.

12 men in the huddle? Whose fault was that?

[Bretsky]

What did the Vikings serve for their pre-game meal? Turnovers. This caused them all to choke!

If your playing in a game your not supposed to be in and are not favored to win, is it really a choke? Bad play, yes. Good play, yes. Hardly a choke.

An unforced error that loses you the game is a choke.

Are you referring to the int or all of those critical fumbles? The only really unforced fumble was the one by AP near the goal line. As for the last int, they were out of FG range, and scrambling would not have got them to it. He would have barely made it past the line of scrimmage, given where he was, where the defenders were and how bad his ankle was. It was a bad play, but there is no guarantee that any other choice would have let them win the game.

I would agree that being sloppy with the ball causing them to lose a game they were otherwise dominating can constitute a choke. Perhaps a better definition is: 'A team that acts like they can't stand success in championship games.'

Go back through this and the Favre thread. I am on record as saying Favre played a very good game. Absolutely, the fumbles cost MN the game. They don't turn it over they win going away. They were vastly superior to NO. If you were around after the Wildcard against the Cards, Patler astutely pointed out that all that great stuff leading up to the critical play is good, but greatness is made by converting the critical plays. Favre runs it, they were likely attempting a 50 max FG. Aaron Rodgers throws a good ball to Jennings, the Packers would have gone to N.O. Critical unforced errors at critical times and the QB lost the game (or didn't win it), despite all the good they did earlier.

It's hard to win when your QB has 2 INT's and a fumble, and when he chokes in the clutch.

The fumble wasn't his fault... Peterson clamped his arms before the ball got there.


It's hard to win when -

Your stud RB has 3 or 4 fumbles. Berrian fumbles teh ball at the opponents 5 yard line. Harvin fumbles the ball at the opponents 20 yard line. Communication goes bad causing a 12 man of the field penalty when you were still in Longwells wheelhouse, putting the kick on the outer edige of Longwell's ability. the QB tries to make soemthing happen instead of playing safe, and throws a pick.

Despite all this, despite 5 turnovers, it still took OT to beat the vikings. Despite favre getting physically destroyed, it still took OT. This loss isn't all on favre, int he least bit. 3 Times, THREE, his palyers took points off the board with fumbles, sure fired points from the 20 yard line and in. Even without favre's pick that wasn't a for sure 3 points. But the 3 other fumbles inside the opponents 20? Yeah, that is for sure points, points that even if reduced to FG's lead to a victory.

The vikigns were teh better team, but had this massive case of fumblitis. Forget favre - he played well enough to win. Especially wiht the beat down he took. 7 fumbles? Yeah, thats inexcusable.

Look I agree it wasn't Favre's fault. The Vikes should have been way ahead. But when he had the chance to get them into FG range he choked the chicken and cost MINN the game.

I feel the same way about ARod in the Packer game. Led a hell of a comeback but couldn't finish. .

spot on; I give Favre a portion of the blame for not making a play when they most needed the QB to step up. I said the same about AROD after we lost to AZ

[Bretsky]

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a question:

Could Longwell have hit a 56 yard FG?

I have not been keeping up with him lately.

In pregame he was hitting 52 yarders; I say 50-50 and he'd be gold from 50yds and less. Favre need to run there and the best kicker in Packer history would have kicked the Vikes to the Super Bowl.

[Kiwon]

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a question:

Could Longwell have hit a 56 yard FG?

I have not been keeping up with him lately.

In pregame he was hitting 52 yarders; I say 50-50 and he'd be gold from 50yds and less. Favre need to run there and the best kicker in Packer history would have kicked the Vikes to the Super Bowl.

Probably so. At least give Longwell a shot. If he fails the game still goes into OT anyway.

That was one heck of a football game though.... Talk about drama and momentum swings....

[Bretsky]

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a question:

Could Longwell have hit a 56 yard FG?

I have not been keeping up with him lately.

In pregame he was hitting 52 yarders; I say 50-50 and he'd be gold from 50yds and less. Favre need to run there and the best kicker in Packer history would have kicked the Vikes to the Super Bowl.

Probably so. At least give Longwell a shot. If he fails the game still goes into OT anyway.

That was one heck of a football game though.... Talk about drama and momentum swings....

Been a rough few weeks; I stayed true to my word before the season started

I cheered hard for the Pack and seeing them lose was quite draining
Once the Pack was eliminated my emotions were with Favre and the Vikes

Got beaten down again and it felt nearly as bad as the Pack loss to AZ.

The bright side is the Saints play the Colts in the Super Bowl and I could really care less about either team

[pbmax]

Longwell told the coaches he could do 52 (or 53). He has a career long of 55 in Chicago while with the Vikes. The Vikes were on the 38.