Well hello again, football fans! Welcome To Ten & Six With Mike Otto!
Week 15 is here and it brings the Philadelphia Eagles to snowy Minneapolis to square off against YOUR Minnesota Vikings!
The Vikings found yet another new way to lose last week in Baltimore. The lead changed four times in the last 3:00 of game time, inevitably ending with the Ravens on top. Chip Kelly & the Eagles, meanwhile, played in a snowstorm themselves, but, like generations of teams before them, found a way to beat the Lions and maintain a one-game lead in the NFC East.
Mikey, plenty to talk about this week. What do ya think?
That was quite the game! Enjoyed by people all over the 50 states of America, and probably a few of those filthy Brits across the pond! To me, it was just another entertaining chapter in a long and sad melodrama where the girl you love always gets stabbed in the end.
The Minnesota Vikings fan. To be one is a burden at times, a joy at others, but being one has yet to lead to ultimate satisfaction in 53 years of Minnesota Vikings existence. Four lost super bowls, Les Steckel, wide left in '98, take a knee Denny, Josh McCown to Nate Poole, Loveboat, sex in a stairwell Dwight Smith, Spergon Wynn, Kelly Holcomb, Scott Linehan, Brad Childress, Brett Favre, twelve men in the huddle, Bill Musgrave, Christian Ponder, this season. If you read that and it told you a story, you and I aren't so different from each other. I'm glad America got to enjoy my always entertaining (win or lose) Minnesota Vikings, I can only hope that they realize one more little piece of my soul was stolen last Sunday.
Much more on that spine-tingling game against the Ravens to come! Right now I have to go let out a good cry and get into league picks. Went 12-4 last week, I guess that's something. Lets do it!
Washington (3-10) at Atlanta (3-10)
Mike Shanahan is sticking it to Dan Snyder and shutting RG3rd String down early like he is a fragile MLB pitcher. I fully believe that Shanahan wants to be fired, he wants that 7 million next year and he wants it while he spends his time sipping a summer shandy on some tropical beach. What happens if Kirk Cousins wins the last three games and the offense looks solid? What a shitshow. 'Skins win 23-20.
San Francisco (9-4) at Tampa Bay (4-9)
I'll give it to the Niners, they found a way to beat what might be the best team in the NFL. Winning in Seattle during the playoffs will be a whole different story, but I didn't think the Niners had a chance last weekend, so you never know. Any given Sunday, right bro? LL Cool J. Al Pacino. Thousands of licked lips and no shortage of spray tan. The Bucs win streak ends here. Niners win 26-17.
Seattle (11-2) at New York Giants (5-8)
Time for Tom Coughlin to hang up the head set. It doesn't make any sense for him to come back next year. He has taken this team as far as he can. It was a great ride, but I really don't want to see him die on the sideline. And I feel as thought that day is nearing. 'Hawks win easy 34-16.
New England (10-3) at Miami (7-6)
Gronk down! Gronk down! The NFL really needs to consider outlawing hits at or below the knee. Why not? Adopt a sort of "hit strike zone" where defenders can only hit opponents above the knee and below the shoulders. Gronk gets hurt more often than Marian Gaborik on a treadmill. Gronk should write another book and title this one "Falling Down Gronk". Regardless of the Pats being Gronk-less, they find a way to win in Miami, 27-26.
Buffalo (4-9) at Jacksonville (4-9)
Why even play? Integrity of the game? Some would argue the Bills and Jags playing every week actively affects the integrity of the game. The Jags have won 4 of the last 5, which is surprising and, if you are a Jaguars fan, saddening. Are you ready for another year of Blaine Gabbert/Chad Henne? Then back to Blaine Gabbert, then into Chad Henne, so on and so forth. The last time anyone went into Chad Henne they came out with The Clap. Sorry Jags fans, you win again, 20-16.
Houston (2-11) at Indianapolis (8-5)
Chuck Pagano said this week he wasn't going to rest any players even though the Colts have the division wrapped up. If you have seen the way that team has been playing, it makes sense. The offense has been out of sync and the defense has been carrying the team (barely). Ever since Reggie Wayne went down, Andrew Luck has looked a little uncomfortable. Matt Schaub will start again for the Texans, and I think he has a good game and gets a win for the lowly Texans 24-21.
Chicago (7-6) at Cleveland (4-9)
According to head coach (and Minnesota native) Marc Trestman Jay Cutler will return from injury to start for the Bears this week. While some would argue that Josh McCown has earned the right to start the rest of the way, Trestman says if Cutler is healthy enough to brood through practice than he's healthy enough to brood through a loss to the resurgent Jason Campbell. Cleveland with the upset 27-20.
Kansas City (10-3) at Oakland (4-9)
The Chiefs got back in the win column last week and look to stay there on Sunday against the Raiders. Shouldn't be much of a challenge for the guys in red from Arrowhead. The Raiders are bad, have been for about 12 years now. Might be for 12 more. The thing about that is, who cares? Chiefs win easy 27-13.
New York Jets (6-7) at Carolina (9-4)
The Panthers got thoroughly dismantled by the Saints, as I expected. If the Panthers defense isn't dictating the pace of the game, Cam Newton just doesn't have the fire power to outscore top-tier offensive team in the NFL. Luckily, they face a bottom-tier-at-everything NFL team this week. Panthers win big 31-10.
Green Bay (6-6-1) at Dallas (7-6)
I bet on history over Romo last week and history reared it's ugly head once again. It's December, it's Tony Romo, and the losses will continue to pile up as the Cowboys hand the division to the Eagles.
Aaron Rodgers is still experiencing pain, much like I still experience chest pain whenever he plays the Vikings. His collar bone is taking much longer to heal than Packers faithful hoped and I'd like to point out that the "best fans in the NFL" booed their beloved Packers into the tunnel at halftime last week when they were trailing by ten points. Turns out you fat idiots are just as bandwagon as anyone else hmmmmm? Packers win 23-19.
Arizona (8-5) at Tennessee (5-8)
The Honey Badger went down with a torn ACL last week. Tough break for a young man who battled his own insanity and reefer-dom to make it in the NFL and be in the running for Defensive Rookie Of The Year. He will bounce back. Mentally fragile professional athletes with a history of substance abuse always do right? Don't answer that, I'm rooting for this guy. Cards dispatch the Titans and win one for the Badger, 19-17.
New Orleans (10-3) at St. Louis (5-8)
The Rams really have a chance in this one... a chance to be completely dismantled by halftime. Howie Long Junior III can't save you now, St. Louis! Neither can Nelly! Neither can...uhh... Albert Pujols? OK there are no other famous people in St. Louis. Saints destroy the Rams 42-24.
Cincinnati (9-4) at Pittsburgh (5-8)
Should be an entertaining divisional game. The Steelers dim playoff hopes were crushed last week by the Dolphins, but these two teams always play each other hard. These teams are offensively equal but the Bengals defense is miles ahead of the Steelers aging unit, and it will show on Sunday night. Bengals win 24-16.
Baltimore (7-6) at Detroit (7-6)
The Ravens got bailed out by the Zebras last week, and I think they are too weak to hang on to the final AFC playoff spot. The Lions need a win badly, they were close in the snow globe that was Philly last week, only to falter late in the 4th. Reggie Bush is hurt, as he always is late in the season. This will be a close game throughout, but the Lions have the firepower to pull it out in the end. Expect a big game from Megatron. Lions win 31-30.
And with that, on to the main event!
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-5) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-9-1)
"GO EAGLES! E-A-G-L-E-S! Ha Heh Heh Ha."
Miss you Mike Tice.
The Eagles and their two-headed offensive monster fly into town to demolish the Vikings at The Dome. Chip Kelly has turned this team around and although it looks like Nick Foles should have began the season as the starter, you have to give Kelly for going to him before it was too late to salvage their season. I wish I could say the same about Leslie Frazier. I can't help but wonder what the Vikings record would be if they had been starting the QB that ACTUALLY gave them the best chance to win all along in Matt Cassel. No point in crying over spilled milk, but I can't help think they would still be in the race for the very mediocre NFC North.
The Vikings are likely to be without Jon Carlson, Brandon Fusco, Xavier Rhodes, Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhardt. That means the #1 tight end will be Rhett Ellison and the #1 RB will be Matt Asiata. Yikes. It's going to get weird on Sunday, I promise you that.
Let's take a look back at some positive(s) and negatives from last weeks latest, greatest, total defensive let down. As always the positive(s) first.
Positive(s):
-Matt Cassel He had tough conditions to contend with, the ball gets slippery, but he didn't turn it over once. He didn't get sacked once. He had 2 TD's and let the plays come to him, rather than pressing and making mistakes. He makes the offensive line look ten times better than Christian Ponder ever did. It makes me think those sack totals had more to do with Ponder hanging on to the ball on timing routes, than the offensive line failing to hold their blocks long enough.
-Cordarrelle Patterson I don't know what took the Vikings so long. They should have been getting the ball to him on quick screens since Week 1. He is obviously incredibly gifted in the open field, he has the vision of a running back with the deep speed of the NFL's best wide receivers, and he made rookie safety Matt Elam look like a lost child on his 79 yard catch-and-run TD reception.
Negatives:
-Late Game Defense The story of this season is obviously the failure to get a defensive stop when it matters most. In this particular week, the defense was given 3 consecutive chances to get one stop and win the game. They gave up a touchdown every time. When it comes down to it, there has been a perfect storm of bad coaching, lack of functional personnel, and, most recently, incredible ineptitude from the referees. All of this ultimately comes back to the head coach. Something needs to change. If I had a choice, I would keep Leslie Frazier in place as Head Coach, but surround him with STRONG personalities at the defensive coordinator position. Musgrave has done enough with the little continuity he has got at the most important position to keep his job. Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams needs to go. When Leslie Frazier was defensive Coordinator, the Vikings defense found a way to be top 10 in the NFL. Fred Pugic found a way to be top 15. This drop off is unacceptable.
Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:
Key #1: Get An Early Turnover From The Nick Foles
He has thrown 20 TD's to one INT this year, an impressive ratio to be sure. If Foles is allowed to get rolling early, the Vikings will lose this game by 20 points. He will be facing a paper-thin Vikings secondary. Xavier Rhodes and Josh Robinson are both down. God bless Marcus Sherels, all he does is stay on the field, he is rarely out of position and he is the definition of gritty, over-matched, over-performing football guy. The Vikings will need a big game from him if they are to have a chance in this one.
Key #2: Bottle Up LeSean McCoy
McCoy's success is directly linked to Foles. The play action has been humming along, and it makes both of the Eagles offensive stars even better. It is going to be a hard task for this young, battered defense to hold Shady McCoy under 4 yards a carry, but it's the only chance they have to stay in this game.
Key #3: Hit A Big Play In The First Quarter
The best way to do this will be getting the ball in Cordarrelle Patterson's hands. With thin depth at running back, don't be surprised if he gets 3 or 4 carries out of the backfield. Whether it is a pitch or an end-around, it would be a good way to mix things up and spell Matt Asiata. Points win football games, and 7 points is better than 3 just like 3 is better than none so...fuck. We're gonna lose.
Two Matchups To Watch
Matchup #1: Harrison Smith vs. His First Game Action Since Week 4
Harrison has been practicing this week and although he likely won't start, Leslie Frazier said he is going to get him in the game on a rotation basis. Expect 20-25 snaps form Harrison, depending on how much the defense is on the field Sunday.
Matchup #2: Robert Blanton vs. Riley Cooper
With the injuries at cornerback, expect to see a lot more Robert Blanton lined up in the slot against racial epitaph spouting, country music loving, red blooded American douchebag Riley Cooper. You got this Robert, I mean come on, his name is Riley. There are more female porn stars named Riley than there are regular dudes. Change his last name to Reid, oil up that ass and get to plowing.
Mike's All-Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week
Brian Robison, defensive end, YOUR Minnesota Vikings
Robison has a sack in the last 6 games and I think he gets a couple more this weekend. 3 tackles/2s sacks/1 FF.
Final Takes
The Vikings have their hands full this weekend. The Eagles are an offensive juggernaut and there are a few mismatches in the Secondary that Nick Foles will no doubt locate and take advantage of. I love Marcus Sherels, but don't love his ability to match up on the outside with DeSean Jackson. As we all know to well, Chris Cook is a liability no matter who he is covering.
The Vikings are a little weak up the middle and LeSean McCoy no doubt will find some real estate between the hash marks come Sunday. LeSean and DeSean will be too much for the Vikings to handle this week.
That was a demoralizing loss for our beloved purple last Sunday, it destroyed a little part of me, so I can only imagine what it did to the guys who played in that game. Hopefully they're mentally tougher than me, because after a loss like that, I'd be wondering exactly what I have to do to win. Barring a spectacular performance from Matt Cassel and the wide receivers, I wouldn't be surprised if the Vikings lose by 20.
Final Score:
Philadelphia Eagles: 34
Minnesota Vikings: 20
Ouch. One Metrodome game left. Soak it in. Remember the misery and the joy, but mostly the misery.
There you have it folks. Don't be surprised if Mikey changes the title of these columns from "Ten & Six" to "Mostly The Misery" if he has to watch Christian Ponder as the starter again next season.
For more Mike Otto be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters). The line between sad & entertaining runs awfully thin on a Sunday. He can also be found right here on Newest Industry contributing to our Trendsetting column.
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