Vikings 42, Lions 10: These Aren't the Same Old Vikings

It's hard to say which is more surprising, the Vikings climbing back into the thick of the wild card race or the fact that Tarvaris Jackson is a big reason why.

The Lions found out on Sunday what the Giants learned last week--this Vikings team is a whole lot different from the one that struggled early in the season.

The only team to put up more than 40 points in each of the past two weeks isn't the New England Patriots, it's the renovated Minnesota Vikings. Who would have imagined that this Vikings team would become this scary? I can't believe I'm typing these words, but the Vikings all of a sudden are a team you don't want to face come playoff time, if they can make the playoffs.

No one wants to face the two-headed monster of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor running behind the NFC's best run-blocking line. It's nearly impossible to run against the Vikings because of Pat and Kevin Williams. The Vikings do a very good job of taking away some of things teams want to do.

But early in the season, the team's weaknesses were more than enough to squash those strengths. Who needed to run against the Vikes when you could throw over them? If you could occasionally force the Vikings into a third and five you could count on Jackson to ruin drives by taking a sack or throwing an inaccurate pass.

Those weaknesses aren't so weak anymore. The Lions tried to force Jackson to beat them, and he responded by completing 18 of 24 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings defense held Jon Kitna and the Lions to 10 points thanks in part to three sacks and an interception.

It was another outstanding all-around performance by the Vikes, and enough to put them into a three-way tie for the final NFC playoff spot at 6-6. With no games left against teams with winning records, the Vikings all of a sudden seem to be in much better shape than the Lions, who face the Cowboys, Packers, Chargers and Chiefs to wrap up the season with a schedule that seems more suited for a 6-10 finish than Kitna's promised 10-6.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-03-2007 @ 2:44PM

tobrien28 said...

This story needs an asterisk. Eli Manning had the worst game of his career against them and it had nothing to do with the Vikings. In a rematch, the Giants would light up that defense and take out the Vikings.

12-03-2007 @ 2:53PM

Peter said...

Could you be any more wrong, tobrien28? What was all of that pressure I was in the backfield that day? Did it have "nothing to do with the Vikings"?

It wasn't the first time Eli's had a bad day against Minnesota, and I tend to side with the odds that suggest the Vikes have his number rather than an unfortunate coincidence.

12-03-2007 @ 3:01PM

Three interceptions were due to Giants receivers failing to run the right route. Also that pressure was in large part due to Tackle Kareem McKenzie going out with an injury. The fact the Manning habitually has trouble with the Vikings (including a year that they failed to make the playoffs) proves that it is more because of the Giants than the Vikings.

12-03-2007 @ 3:07PM

Bill Keehn said...

I guess eli had another bad day Sunday. I'm impressed with the Vikings improvements over the past three weeks. They have a real shot at a wild card. Forever Purple.

12-03-2007 @ 3:12PM

IronmanX74 said...

Sure, Eli had a bad game, but the Vikings pressured him into bad throws. One of the interceptions returned for a touchdown would have been a touchdown to Shockey, but Leber jumped up and tipped it, so it went the length of the field the other way.

Don't say "the Giants fell apart" when Eli threw a lot of picks. The Vikings were the defense that picked the football off and ran it back. The Giants can't do that for them.

12-03-2007 @ 3:15PM

leo G said...

More crybaby New Yorkers........The Vikings creamed the NY Midgets and could have scored every time Manning had the ball..............lmao

12-03-2007 @ 3:28PM

hmm

New York Midgets? 8-4 is bad i guess. That must mean the 6-6 Vikings REALLY SUCK.

12-03-2007 @ 3:57PM

jokendaved said...

Wake up tobrien28, New york has to many sore losers,you don't have to add to the pile. The reality is Our defense got into mannings head twice and won, even at 7-4. The Vikings are playing right now at a level higher than6-6. And they proved it 3 games in a row. Even the Giants are giving credit where credit is due.If the ball is tipped into our hand were not going to give it right back. this is football you pay for your mistakes and the Vikings defense has not been a slouch in that area for quite some time. Bottom line is Giants no matter how good, lost,like Detroit to the Vikings. So wanting to make it diferent isin't going to change it. Take the loss and move on. We have. And so has everyone else.

12-03-2007 @ 4:20PM

The Vikings won't make the playoffs. Right now the Giants have the 5th seed locked up and the Cards have the tie-breaker over the Vikings. The Broncos and Redskins will beat you and 8-8 don't make the playoffs.

12-03-2007 @ 6:35PM

rowdy harger said...

Damn there goes my early round draft pick, I have been one of those critical of childress. is he gonna pull a tice and win enough to keep his job!
Giants be thankful adrian wasnt there. we pounded you and it still hurts hahahahaha! and if it wasnt nything to do with the vikes D, take away the 3 T.Ds. and you stil lost. huh, guess you guys just sucked that day, but vikes fans think you always do!

12-03-2007 @ 6:47PM

Once again if the Giants suck every week why do they have a 2 game lead on the Vikings? Does that just mean that the Vikings REALLY SUCK? The Giants even play in a tougher division, with a tougher schedule. Just wait till Denver and Washington kick your asses.

12-03-2007 @ 7:14PM

chiefsfan69 said...

Bottom Line, Eli will never be an elite quarterback in the NFL. He is doomed to be in the upper middle of the pack.

12-04-2007 @ 6:23PM

Tim Burns said...

The Giants AND Lions were frauds at 6-2, losing to the only teams they'd played to that point with winning records. Having said that, planning for the post-season because you blew out the Giants and Lions isn't very smart either. The Vikings are a nice story, but hey got pounded by Green Bay and were 3-6 before beating 3 mediocre teams. Let's tap the brakes on playoff talk. There are way too many 5-7 and 6-6 teams out there at this point...

12-04-2007 @ 12:22PM

Well said Tim Burns. I do agree with Jaws though. The Vikings IF they keep playing the way they are. They do stand a better chance then some of the other medicore teams.

12-04-2007 @ 4:54PM

chiefsfan69

You're right. I'm sure Damon Huard and Tarvaris Jackson are the elite QBs Manning can never hope to become.

12-07-2007 @ 7:22AM

will said...

Vikes have a real shot at the play offs
this week if the Vikes beat the 49 ers
Assuming the lions lose to dallas
and Assuming the Cards lose to the seahawks
Not only do the Vikings have the 6th seed
But they control there own destiny
And the Cards don t have the tie breaker in a two team tie.

The Lions you can forget about next 3 games
Dallas Green Bay San Diego

Also if the Vikes Beat the 49 ers they have a 2 game lead over the Washington with 3 left one of which is Washington AND IF THEY WIN THAT ONE IT WON T MATTER what they do in the other 2