Things seemed pretty elementary for the Minnesota Vikings through much of their game Sunday afternoon. They held a 14-0 lead over the Baltimore Ravens after a quarter, a 14-3 halftime lead, and then a 27-10 margin early in the fourth quarter -- margins that likely inspired tons of confidence for the Vikes. Who would have thought they would need to be bailed out by a missed field goal as time expired in order to escape with a victory? Yet that's exactly what happened, because the Ravens, behind explosive plays from Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, used just 11 offensive plays in 6:24 to score three touchdowns and take a 31-30 fourth-quarter lead. The Vikings did drive down and kick a field goal with 2:00 left in the game, which made the score -- the eventual final -- 33-31.
Flacco wasn't done, though, as he marched the Ravens right down into field-goal range. Steven Hauschka, the second-year kicker from N.C. State had a chance to win the game for the Ravens, but his 44-yard field goal sailed wide left as the Vikings prevailed.
Both teams, heading into the game, had well-deserved reputations for strong defenses. Instead of a gritty, run-and-defense battle everyone expected, we were treated to an offensive onslaught -- even if the majority of the Ravens' offense occurred during that late 11-play stretch. The two teams combined for 874 yards of total offense and averaged nearly seven yards per offensive play (Ravens 7.0, Vikings 6.8). The stat-lines show both teams with star performances on offense.
Brett Favre hit on 21-of-29 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Flacco connected on 28-of-43 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Neither signal-caller turned it over.
Ray Rice had 194 yards from scrimmage, which includes 10 receptions, and two touchdowns. Adrian Peterson carried the ball 22 times for 143 yards, also adding 23 receiving yards.
Derrick Mason caught seven balls for 97 yards and a score, while Mark Clayton added 57 receiving yards and a touchdown. Sidney Rice, the Vikings' 6-foot-4 wideout, caught 6 passes for 176 yards and Bernard Berrian added a touchdown. Also, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe hauled in a pair of touchdowns from Favre.
This was simply an offensive explosion which, unfortunately, was decided on a missed field goal. Had Hauschka converted the field goal, Vikings coach Brad Childress would likely have had to answer for his play-calling down the stretch. Instead of trying to score a touchdown, Childress played for a field goal -- and two-point lead -- with 2:00 left on the clock. Flacco had already thrown for almost 350 yards on his defense and the Ravens had scored three touchdowns in their last 11 plays. And Childress thought two points was good enough to win with 2:00 left on the clock.
He turned out to be correct, by the skin of his teeth. All's well that ends well, apparently, and the Vikings are 6-0. They'll face another tough test in Week 7, as they travel to Pittsburgh to face the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers.
The Ravens will look to lick their wounds -- they've now lost three in a row after starting 3-0 -- on a bye next week, before facing the surprising Broncos in Week 8 at home.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-18-2009 @ 6:37PM
samwise246 said...
Did Favre kick the field goal that won the game? Did he block the field goal attempt that would have given the Raven's the win? NO, and yet he gets credit for winning the game. What a crock. There were a lot more players on the field for the Vikings than Favre. And yet he gets all the credit.
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10-18-2009 @ 9:57PM
Matt Snyder said...
Samwise:
Are you just speaking in generalities? Because there is no way what was written above gave Favre "all the credit." I didn't mention him any more than Peterson, Rice, Shiancoe or Berrian. In fact, I probably discussed Flacco more.
10-18-2009 @ 6:43PM
redspeedo1 said...
As a 48 year Viking fan, I don't nitpick about the other teams missed field goal. I celebrate my Vikings.
Favreis the second coming of Frank Tarkenton. He's the reincarnation of Two-Minute Tommy. I love him and with the help of his team, he won this game.
6-0 - Sit on it Bears.
Carol
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10-18-2009 @ 6:46PM
redspeedo1 said...
BTW...I meant to type Fran (not Frank) Tarkenton, I guess I've been too busy praying to Odin - thanking him for his help today.
Love ya Brett. Love ya Fran.
Odin is Bud Grant.
Lover
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10-18-2009 @ 6:46PM
somecallmetjm said...
Favre won the game? He didn't play a bad game but that could have been any decent QB. Vikings got away with a lot today. They caught the Ravens defense while they were sloppy early in the game but aside from that there was no domination whatsoever and they were actually very lucky to win the game. Not saying they didn't deserve a W but Favre really is not to be celebrated for this victory. I really don't understand all the talk about him, he's doing fine, he wasn't expected to do much, sure he's good for his age, but Flacco had a better game. Favre is good but not great anymore, they've had a pretty easy schedule so far and they're 6-0. End of story.
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10-18-2009 @ 7:10PM
leoganz said...
They wouldn't be 6-0 without Favre. End of story.
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10-18-2009 @ 7:17PM
somecallmetjm said...
Or peterson, or half the team, I'm just saying, the accolades aren't deserved. Just because he hasn't blown it as expected doesn't mean he's having a great season.
10-18-2009 @ 8:01PM
John said...
Uhh - Tell you what, somecallmetjm, Brett is one of the top five quarterbacks statisically through six games. Today he threw for 275+ yds and three touchdowns and had no picks. I think he earned a few attaboys. Don't you think?????
10-18-2009 @ 10:58PM
bensphnx said...
The Vikes have got the running and passing game down, they can stop the run and are strong in the pass rush. There achilles heel is the defensive backfield and pass coverage and stopping the big play and crowning this is Childress(moron). Whenever they get a marginal lead, he starts getting conservative and leans away from what is obviously working. I am a Viking fan and unless Childress gets his head together there is no way that they are Superbowl contenders.
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10-19-2009 @ 4:37AM
Ron said...
This sports site has to be the worst whether on the interent or if it were televised or put into print in a newspaper.
Do we the subscribers pay for this garbage? AOL let us know if this is the best you can do.
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10-19-2009 @ 9:32AM
packerbf4tb said...
the reports said it was because of Favre that
they won...Favre didn't say it...what's wrong
is to say he didn't deserve any credit....3 TDs
...that isn't any good?...he changed the play
on the field when he threw to Rice and they ended
up with field goal...at least those 3 points
were enough to win luckily....that's what Favre
said too...they were fortunate to win....all
the Favre haters will always be Favre haters....
who cares...the Vikings won....that is all that
matters...stuff your opinions on Favre and
to say the other QB was better on the team that
lost....that makes a lot of sense...get real....
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10-19-2009 @ 10:10AM
tmacsanchez said...
our d backs need to pick it up otherwise were solid, childress is the only one we need out to be the super bowl champs
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10-19-2009 @ 5:32PM
Beth said...
I hate that it says that the Vikings came from behind... Come on... It's Symantics... There was really no come-from-behind for the Vikings....
The Ravens scored 21 points in the last quarter to come from behind and leave the score at 31-30... Yes the Vikings drove down the field to an eventual field goal of 3 to make it 33-31...
THIS WAS A MORAL VICTORY FOR THE RAVENS... Did the Vikings post a "W"? Yes, but the Ravens surely deserved to win this game.
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10-19-2009 @ 8:05PM
one4badtwo4good said...
Let us give credit where it's due- Longwell made his FG, Hauschka didn't. Vikings win- end of story.
10-19-2009 @ 5:39PM
JERRY1SEINFELD said...
Vikings...LMAF! Mark my words.....The Steelers will beat the hell out of the Vikings! Steelers will do to the Vikings what the Saints did to the Giants! Not only will the Steelers win but they are going to beat the Vikings by well over 17! It will be an embarrassing first loss for the so-called 6-0 team! Get ready to hear ESPN tell us all about how the Vikings defense got dismantled like the New York football Giants...
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10-20-2009 @ 4:45PM
castcutters said...
Favre just about crapped his pants in the fourth quarter when he realized he was going to lose the game. The Ravens rallied late, but Favre was reduced to nearly harmless buy the Ravens defense. Had Mat Stover been the kicker, Favre would have been handed his first loss. The Ravens offensive line was terrible. Flacco had no time to work , and was under constant pressure. If harbaugh is listening, GET RID OF HAUSHKA. We have no time to play games with this kid. He isn't ready for the NFL. Get Stover back. Endo of discussion. Last note; Favre isn't worth the time to talk about him. Vikings WILL NOT be in the playoffs.
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