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With the 3rd quarter Adrian Peterson TD, our favorite squad reasserted itself and demanded they be recognized as a contender in this, the last quarter, of the NFL season. After 2 runs inside the 10, Coach Childress silenced some of his critics (myself included) by rushing the ball a 3rd time - something he had been unwilling to do near the goal line in weeks leading up to this one - resulting in 6 points for the Vikings. The play was more than a score; it was an exclamation point on the current dialogue surrounding this team.

Following a miserable loss to Arizona last week, the naysayers were mounting. It wasn’t the fact that we lost the game; rather, it was the way in which we lost and to whom the game was dropped. Many fans likely looked at the defeat and were worried about doing so against a team that they stood a decent chance of playing in the postseason. The result of the game was a notch in the wrong side of the won/loss column and also cost us our starting middle LB, E.J. Henderson. With starters Anthony Herrera and Antoine Winfield already missing, the game and the offensive line sustaining some lumps to both of its starting tackles, there was undoubtedly justification for concern.

Then in came the Cincinnati Bengals - a team that mirrored the Vikings in many ways. They featured both a running game as well as a rush defense that were among the better squads in the league, especially with the return of Cedric Benson. They needed the win this week as badly as we did as they were fighting to stay among the leaders in the AFC. I had several conversations this week with fans who were as nervous as they were at any point this season - fans who felt the only thing they really liked about the matchup is that it was taking place at home as opposed to on the road.

We had been hearing for a few weeks that Winfield might play…that he would be a game-time decision. His return to the starting lineup this week was absolutely imperative. With the secondary suffering through some tough games the last few weeks and S Tyrell Johnson out, we needed his talent. Perhaps more important than his talent, however, was the fact that we needed his attitude. In last week’s loss, the team looked flat and tired. Some of that probably had to do with the explosiveness of the opposition and seeing one of their best players, Henderson, exit on a cart; regardless, Pat Williams really was one of only a few bright spots.

Winfield wasn’t the only one who helped readjust this team’s attitude, however. Adrian Peterson’s play, in bouncing back from the 19-yard rushing effort last week, surely helped both his and his team’s levels of confidence. His season-high number of carries, combined with his 2 TDs against one of the best run defenses in the league, took some of the pressure off of the passing game and helped silence any critics that may have been inching toward the surface. He helped the team control the clock, set the tone for the game, and ensure that the Bengals were never able to mount any momentum or find a rhythm.

Sunday’s win over Cincinnati was exactly what the doctor ordered. Here’s a “thanks” to Winfield and Peterson for providing the prescribed shots to the arm.

Random Ramblings

It certainly says a lot for the team’s opinion of Jasper Brinkley that he was the one inserted into the starting defense following the injury to Henderson. I figured, even if it required switching up some personnel (possibly moving Ben Leber to the middle), Heath Farwell would find his way into the lineup…on a similar note, it is also revealing that Jamarca Sanford, in the absence of Johnson, got the nod. Early indications are that the 2009 NFL draft was a successful one…if I knew I had to trade the absence of Percy Harvin for the return of Winfield I probably would have, but losing the playmaker from Florida hurts the dynamic of our offense…a lot of talk this week about Charles Woodson for Defensive Player of the Year. He has played well - and that play on the goal line last Monday night was impressive - but I don’t know how you can not give it to Patrick Willis at this point…an interesting stat that arose as part of a conversation with a friend I was watching the game with: Coming into the game, Brett Favre had 6 rushes for -3 yards. I wonder if an entire season has passed in which a QB has started every game, averaging less than 1 rush per contest, and ended up with negative yards on the season…it was close but the Vikings again held the opposition without a 100-yard rusher as Benson finished with 96…a lot of big offensive days around the league this week but most impressive was probably Brandon Marshall’s 21 grabs…oh the irony: E.J. Henderson’s injury was probably a large factor in Erin Henderson being active for only the 2nd time this season…My Game Ball goes to Winfield…

E-mail Bag

Hey Josh,

Do you think the Vikings would have a better rushing attack if AP was lined up closer to the line of scrimmage? I realize he likes to be 5 and 6 yards back to look for an opening and get speed; however, I think it allows the defense time to key on him and allows time for the defense to build speed and land blows on him at the line of scrimmage. I would like to see AP move closer to the line and maybe try a split backfield; perhaps even try AP at fullback. What are your thoughts? I think if he hits the line of scrimmage quicker he will run more instinctively and he will hit the holes quicker.

P.S…My wife and I have season tickets this year and we have been living the dream with our Minnesota Vikings. We will be in Minneapolis again this weekend to cheer the Vikings on over the Bengals.

Patrick M.
Alton, Iowa

Hey Josh,

It has been a while since I wrote you so I thought I would give you a shout out for such a great column this week. I really enjoy your perspective and think that from the fans point of view, you nail it right on the head. Just a few observations about the Cards game this last Sunday.

First – Play calling on 3^rd and short. Is it only me or did anyone else notice that on a couple of short third downs when we only needed 3 or 5 yards to keep the drive going, we went for like 20 or 25 yard pickups and failed? I know we have great weapons for great yardage, but I think we need to focus on getting the first down - especially when we get behind. Too many tries for big plays there. Aggression is good, but don’t lose focus on getting the 1st down.

Second – Favre had an off day. Get over it. Not a big deal. He has had a lot of stuff riding on his shoulders thus far and has been of MVP-caliber to this point. Just chalk it up to a tough day and know that we are going to finish strong and make a run for the big dance.

Finally – I am hoping to see the Vikes continue to mix it up and keep defenses guessing. Using multiple receivers has been a huge weapon for us. People like Kleinsasser and Dugan can be dangerous. We need to use them as such and mix it up even more with Rice, Taylor, and Harvin. I have also taken notice (and many other people have too) that Taylor seems to be hitting the holes up the middle for more yardage. I am a HUGE Adrian Peterson fan, but the play calling has become predictable for him. That was very apparent this last Sunday. You could see Arizona’s line smiling and talking to each other about where Peterson was headed.

Keep bleeding purple. Enough said…

Brian C.

Layton, UT