Well hello again, football fans! Welcome to Ten & Six!
YOUR Minnesota Vikings put together a surprisingly convincing victory last Sunday over Lil' Chippy Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles. This week they head to Cincinnati to face Andy "Crystallized Ginger" Dalton, AJ Green, and the rest of the Bengals in a game that has significant AFC playoff implications.
Mikey Otto is back to tell us what went right last week, what went wrong, and what to watch for this week.
Mikey, what do ya think?
How about that! The Matt Cassel led-Purple scored the most points by a Vikings team since our boys hung 50 on the Jaguars in 1998, and we all remember that year, don't we? What does this tell us?
First and foremost, the Jaguars have always been terrible, and secondly, maybe Christian Ponder didn't "give the team the best chance to win" for all those weeks in the middle of the season. I don't now whose choice it was to keep trotting the lame mule that is Christian Ponder on the field week after week, but whoever insisted on that should be fired at seasons end.
The Eagles have had one of the best offensive attacks in the NFL for the last seven weeks, and the Vikings starting 11 unquestionably outperformed them on Sunday. Greg Jennings looks like he's worth his money when Matt Cassel starts. Jennings set a personal record for receptions on Sunday! Remember this is the guy who played with Brett Favre Brett Favre AND Aaron Rodgers previously. Jennings has 4 TD's on the season and all of them have come from the right arm of Matt Cassel.
Think about the first score in the game. Cassel gets pressure up the gut, side steps it, keeps his eyes downfield in a collapsing pocket, takes two steps forward and launches a perfect pass to Jennings, who has gotten behind three Eagles defenders 50 yards downfield. If Ponder is in the game for that play, one of two things happen. Either Ponder tucks it and runs for a 2 yard gain, or he curls into the fetal position and accepts a sack for a loss of 8 yards. In no world does that play end in a touchdown if Christian Ponder is throwing the football.
Now tell me again, who gives the team the "best chance to win?"
Much more on the offensive outburst from our Vikings later, time to dive into some league picks. WOOOO? WOOOOO!
Miami (8-6) at Buffalo (5-9)
The Dolphins are on the brink of a playoff birth. Things are looking up. Ryan Tannehill looks like a real-deal NFL quarterback. This can only mean one thing: A terrible let-down is around the corner. The Bills represent the ever present (if you're a Dolphins fan) trap game, a shitty team that is well out of contention yet has the ability to put out a scrappy, halfway decent football game every three weeks or so.
The Dolphins have been doomed ever since that perfect season. It's like the Football Gods gave them that, and in the same breath decided that any success they ever had for the next 40 years would be short-lived. Who knew the football Gods were Japanese? Anti-Dolphin bastards! I saw "The Cove", I know what you're about. Bills pull the upset, and crush the hopes and dreams of Dolphins fans everywhere, 23-20.
New Orleans (10-4) at Carolina (10-4)
Both teams are 10-4, but the Saints hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers. Cam Newton faces his greatest test yet, with a bye week in the first round of the playoffs on the line, the pressure has mounted. He faces an inconsistent defense in the New Orleans Saints, so if he fails to win this game it comes back to him. This is going to be a tightly contested game, but I don't think Cam Newton can out-perform Drew Brees at this point. Saints win 27-26.
Denver (11-3) at Houston (2-12)
The Texans season has been one to forget. I mean, for god's sake, you know things are going bad when Wade Phillips becomes the best option at head coach. You might as well let JJ Watt call the plays. I know the Broncos lost to manic human pin cushion Philip Rivers last week, but they won't choke this one away. Broncos win 33-20.
Tennessee (5-9) at Jacksonville (4-10)
What a crapper of a game this will be. Two much maligned teams will no doubt play a clunker of a contest, fraught with turnovers, stumbles and flubs. That's a lot of stupid words for one football game. Mike Munchak learns to munch on another pathetic loss, Jags win 26-16.
Indianapolis (9-5) at Kansas City (11-3)
If Andrew Luck can figure out how to run a decent offense with any consistency (but without Reggie Wayne), the Colts will have a chance to win this game. If he can't, Kansas City is going to run him out of Arrowhead Stadium with ease. I have no doubt Andrew Luck will one day be a franchise QB and the cornerstone of the Indianapolis Colts, but I don't think he is ready to realize that future this year. Chiefs win, 31-23
Dallas (7-7) at Washington (3-11)
Tony Romo might have the worst luck of any guy in the NFL. That, or he just really sucks when the pressure is on. DeMarco Murray was averaging 7 yards a carry at halftime of a game the Cowboys were leading by 23. He got 7 carries the second half. Who was calling those plays? Jerry Jones? That type of game-plan is senile. Hand the ball off, run the clock, and make the Packers come to you. Chances are, if you don't give them any turnovers, play field position and tack on a couple field goals, they have NO CHANCE to catch you. The December Dallas swoon is predictable, and at times, a little sad. Redskins win 24-23.
Cleveland (4-10) at New York Jets (6-8)
How do teams like this manage to care about a game like this? It's Week 16, everyone is sore, tired and the weather is cold so every collision hurts a lot more than it did in September. Both your teams suck, and what's the point? This is probably why I stock groceries for a living (LOL TEE HEE). Browns win 22-13.
Tampa Bay (4-10) at St. Louis (6-8)
ALL TONY SCHIANO DOES IS WIN BABY! As long as his team is already out of it and there is no longer any pressure on him or his players. Oh well, he will get another shot next year, waste everybody's time again, then get fired. I look forward to that. Bucs win, win, WIN! 23-20.
Arizona (9-5) at Seattle (12-2)
Sorry Cardinals fans, your squad has put up an impressive effort this year, but they are about to get squashed by the 'Hawks. These chickens that live by the sea don't lose in their own roost. Not to some bullshit bird like the Cardinal. Skiddish and bashful, Cardinals get eaten by house cats. Seahawks eat house cats. Getting the picture? 'Hawks win 42-27.
New York Giants (5-9) at Detroit (7-7)
Not even the Lions can fuck this one up. The NFL set a record for combined points last week and lets see the Giants chipped in....ZERO of those points. It's like someone stole Eli Manning's talent in a Space Jam-esque way. On the plus side, I haven't to watch that horrible salsa dance TD celebration once this year. ONCE! This is a year removed from watching it at least once a week, sometimes two or three. ESPN even made a special about that shit. Seriously. Justice has been served. Lions win 24-16.
New England (10-4) at Baltimore (8-6)
This should be a good one. Tom Brady looks like he is going to struggle to find offense without resident bridge troll and All-Pro tight end GRONK. The Ravens continue to pull victories out of their ass, but how much does that really mean when it's coming against NFC North opponents? We'll find out on Sunday. Pats win 24-19.
Oakland (4-10) at San Diego (7-7)
This is the game the Chargers lay an egg right? Big time let down game right? Fresh off a win on the road against the mighty Broncos, with 9 days to prepare for the lowly Raiders at home. This all adds up to a typical Philip Rivers 4 INT game. Even with the shit game by Rivers, the Chargers will have a chance in this one late, but alas, it gets flushed down the toilet. Raiders with the upset 20-17.
Pittsburgh (6-8) at Green Bay (7-6-1)
Aaron Rodgers still has yet to be cleared to play, but has started to look like himself during practice this week. He won't be back this Sunday, but I know for a fact the Packers are going to win this game, it doesn't matter who starts at QB for them. You know why? Because I desperately want them to lose. It won't happen, Packers are going to the playoffs this year, probably thanks to that tie, because God hates me. Packers win 23-21.
Chicago (8-6) at Philadelphia (8-6)
If the Bears and Packers both win, the division will come down to the final week of the season and set up a dream football matchup of the Bears/Packers at Soldier Field with everything on the line. Now, I hate both the Bears and Packers with a fiery passion, but even I want to see that game. That's just good TV. Don't fuck this up, Chicago. Bears win 28-26.
Atlanta (4-10) at San Francisco (10-4)
For fuck's sake, the NFL couldn't flex a halfway decent game to Monday night? What a shitstorm route this is going to be. The Falcons have no chance, nor do they really deserve to have one. Terrible franchise which I will always hate. YOU STOLE MY CHILDHOOD HAPPINESS YOU FILTHY DIRTY BIRDS!!! TAKE A KNEE? HOW ABOUT YOU TAKE A KNEE UP THE ASS?!? Niners win easy 42-23.
That's it folks, on to the main event!
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-9-1) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-5)
The Vikings have their work cut out for them so I won't waste any time. Lets get into some positives and negatives from last weeks destruction of the Eagles. As always the positives first.
Positives:
-Matt Cassel He looked like a field general is supposed to look. After watching week after week of Christian Ponder look like a quarter pounder (read: Quarter Ponder) it was nice to see someone look like a quarterback. 382 through the air and 3 total TD's. Ponder could have never done that.
-Greg Jennings He is obviously a different player when Matt Cassel is throwing him the ball. He has 4 TD's on the year and all of them came from Cassel. Ponder doesn't make anyone better, quite the opposite actually, it appears he makes everyone around him a little worse. In Greg Jennings' case, A LOT worse.
-Sean Prater It took him one game to nab his first INT as a Viking. Chris cook has played 25 games for the Vikings and has forced no turnovers. No INT's, no forced fumbles, just a lot of failure. Prater made a nice play on the INT, he stayed home, read Nick Foles' eyes and didn't let DeSean Jackson get behind him. He was rewarded with an easy pick.
Negatives:
-The Defense Nearly Let The Eagles Back In It If Cassel doesn't throw a rocket to backup tight end Chase Ford on 3rd and 14 to get down to the 5 yard line, I think the Vikings lose the lead. If they punt to the Eagles there, I guarantee you the Eagles march down the field with ease and take the game from the Vikings. This defense is awful, and it needs to be improved vastly through free agency and the draft.
Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:
Key #1: Double AJ Green All Game
The Vikings don't have a single player that could cover AJ Green one on one. Can you imagine Marcus Sherels trying to run deep with him? I love Marcus, but even the fastest dog isn't going to win a horse race. Hopefully Harrison Smith puts a good hit on him early and makes him think twice about going across the middle.
Key #2: Defensive Linemen Need To Get Their Hands Up
Andy Dalton has been sacked a league low 27 times, mainly because the Bengals do a lot of three-step drop, quick release, timing routes. He is also near the top of the league in balls batted down at the line of scrimmage. Jared Allen needs to get his hands up, hopefully pop the ball into the air and let our linebackers and D-backs work on their tip-drill skills.
Key #3: Keep The Pedal To The Floor With The Passing Game
Even with Adrian Peterson coming back to action this week, I want the Vikings to come out and pass, pass, PASS. AP can get his carries later in the game once the Vikings build a two touchdown lead. The Bengals will be expecting a heavy dose of the reigning MVP early, lets surprise them and come out firing through the air.
Two Matchups To Watch:
Matchup #1: Rookie Running Back Giovanni Bernard vs. The Vikings Defense
In my opinion Giovanni Bernard would be a Rookie Of The Year candidate if he weren't under-utilized by the Bengals. I think the Purple is going to get a heavy dose of this guy early. We will be expecting the Bengals to stretch the field and they will try to drive it right up the gut on us. Our front 4 needs to have a good game.
Matchup #2: The Vikings vs. Their Road Woes
Our beloved team is the only one left in the NFL without a road win, and they're down to their last chance. The Vikings have always been bad on the road, but this year has been epically terrible. They have been blown out, they have been beat on the last play a few times, and even jobbed by the refs once. I'm rooting for the "W", but I am very skeptical at this point.
Mike's All-Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week
Jerome Simpson, Wide Receiver, YOUR Minnesota Vikings
Jerome will be facing his old team, and I think he gets in the end zone. 4 Catches/ 90 yards/ 1TD
Final Takes
As this season is nearing an end, it's nice to look back and realize at least we're not the Texans. One more road game to go, against a likely playoff team that is trying to fight off the surging Ravens and secure the division title.
I like Matt Cassel at QB, and I hope he comes back next year to start and groom whatever rookie quarterback the Vikings draft.
I don't think the Vikings can win this game. Jennings won't look nearly as good as he did last week and I don't see the squad staying away from costly turnovers two weeks in a row.
Who knows what the record might look like if Cassel had won the starting job out of camp. I think the team would still be in the mix with the Packers and Bears, but I am also aware that heartbreak would likely be right around the corner. At least we have already got past that this year. The Vikings will hang tough for 3 quarters but lose it in the 4th.
Final Score
Minnesota Vikings: 24
Cincinnati Bengals: 33
That's it folks, ONE MORE GAME IN THE DOME TO GO EEEEEEEK!!!!
Well there you have it, folks! The Vikes play well, but it's not enough to get the job done in Cincy.
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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