Well hello again, football fans! Welcome back to Ten & Six!
The Minnesota Vikings dispatched with the Chicago Bears in overtime last week, hurting their draft position while giving Minneapolis yet another reason to look down on Chicago.
This week the Vikings head to the Chicago of the East Coast, Baltimore, to take on the underachieving Baltimore Ravens in a game that is likely to be forgotten by everybody who watches it withing two day of its completion.
Mikey, what do we have to look forward to Sunday?
I had a feeling the Vikings would find a way to pull this one out one way or the other. Did anyone else notice they were on their way to another loss until Christian Ponder and Chris Cook both made unceremonious exits from the game?
Lots of noticeable improvements/ positive trends to take away from that game. Erin Henderson didn't play a single snap, that's got to sting. It actually makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and no, that's not the beer talking. Audie Cole had another impressive game, and this coaching staff/front office should feel really stupid for not letting him see the field until now.
Much more on the good, the bad and the incredibly embarrassing with our Vikings later. Right now it's time to delve into some league picks! Let's go!
Indianapolis (8-4) at Cincinnati (8-4)
Andrew Luck has had a very up and down sophomore campaign. He was the only guy to beat the Seahawks, who look like the best team in the NFL. He has also had some games slip away that the Colts win if he shows up. Against a stiff Bengals defense, I don't see little Lucky coming out on top. Bengals win 20-13.
Cleveland (4-8) at New England (9-3)
The Patriots aren't good enough to get it done this year. Not when playoff time rolls around. They just don't have enough weapons this year, and Tom Brady isn't going to be enough to get it done against a team like the Seahawks. He is, however, enough to get it done against the Browns. Pats win 31-17.
Oakland (4-8) at New York Jets (5-7)
What a garbage game this is going to be. It's still incredible to me that the Jets actually have 5 wins on the year, but I wouldn't be surprised if that was their total after the season ends. They have regressed to their disorganized, petty, bickering natural state and the world makes sense again. Raiders win 23-10.
Kansas City (9-3) at Washington (3-9)
The Chiefs finally had to play 3 good teams and the result wasn't unexpected: 3 straight losses. The Chiefs, I hate to say it, look like playoff one-and-dones. They will get back on the winning track this week, as they easily dispatch the suddenly dysfunctional Washington Redskins. A Mike Shanahan team, suddenly dysfunctional? SHOCKING. Chiefs win 23-13.
Atlanta (3-9) at Green Bay (5-6-1)
Sounds like little Rodgers' collar bone is still an ouchie-boo-boo-wah-wah so the Packers season can officially be flushed down the tubes. Matt Flynn didn't look so good facing any secondary that doesn't have Chris Cook in it, did he? Suffer, Packer fans, you all earned it. The lowly Falcons win one at Lambeau, 28-16.
Buffalo (4-8) at Tampa Bay (3-9)
Larger than life Toronto mayor Rob Ford was at the Bills game last week doing what he does best: eat chicken wings. Suddenly the Bucs are winning games and that's terrible for Bucs fans because it means Greg Schiano won't be going anywhere come year's end. Terrible. Bucs win 26-17.
Miami (6-6) at Pittsburgh (5-7)
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got fined 100K for his sideline interference on a Thanksgiving Jacoby Jones punt return. Tomlin was just getting into the spirit of giving. As in giving 100 thousand dollars to charities of Roger Goodells' choice. What a nice man. His Grandma must be proud. Ryan Tannehill has looked good in recent weeks. It won't last. Steelers win 19-10.
Detroit (7-5) at Philadelphia (7-5)
This should be quite the matchup. King of the Jungle vs. King of the Skies.
Nick Foles hasn't thrown an interception all year, to go along with a not-too-shabby 19 TD's. That performance has earned him a WHOLE 2 hours of video games a day from his mother and legal guardian, Nicole Foles. Nicole Foles took it in some holes and out pooped what would grow to be Philadelphia Foles. Enjoy the run Nick, it never lasts in Philly (ask Dononvan McNabb). Eagles win 38-31.
Tennessee (5-7) at Denver (10-2)
You suck Tennessee! Nobody likes you! You're an ugly shaped state that smells weird, but not the "old barbeque" weird. I'm talking the "how many dead people are in that house?" weird. Your coach is an idiot. Your quarterback is a pussy whose bones seem to be made of fine china. Fuck you, Tennessee, I'll never get the last 6 sentences back. Broncos win easy, 33-20.
St. Louis (5-7) at Arizona (7-5)
The Rams are terrible. What a waste of an NFL franchise. Really, I'd be prepared to write off all of St. Louis if it weren't for that arch and Nelly. This is either where the Cardinals season stays on the path to the postseason, or where they tank and win maybe one more game all year. They'll be OK this week. Cards win 23-20.
Seattle (11-1) at San Francisco (8-4)
The Niners won't be able to beat the 'Hawks this year. No way, no how. I hate Pete Carroll. He was a cheater at USC, and he's running a team of cheaters now. Seeing his smug face saddened is all I hope for on Sundays. Unfortunately it's only happened once this year. Not going to happen this Sunday. Gold Coast Harbaugh will give Carroll's squad a run for their money but fall short. Seahawks win 26-24.
New York Giants (5-7) at San Diego (5-7)
Tom Coughlin, you 85 year old bastard you! I feel good about myself every time I see you whining on the sideline to the refs. In your opinion, has your team ever committed a penalty? It seems like they haven't. Nobody likes an elderly crybaby. Seeing old people whine is like seeing an infant balance a checkbook, it's just not right. Chargers win 30-23.
Carolina (9-3) at New Orleans (9-3)
Should be the game of the week. If Cam and the Panthers can go into the Superdome and win they will cement themselves as a threat in the playoffs. I'm still a little skeptical. Their defense is playing out of their minds. If they regress at all, I don't think Cam and the Panthers offense can pick up the slack. Drew Brees won't have a second bad game in a row. Saints win, 28-20.
Dallas (7-5) at Chicago (6-6)
This is it Romo. It's December. You win all these games, you're in the playoffs with a home game, you falter even once, and the Eagles will gladly take your spot. Do I trust history? Or do I believe in Romo? History? Romo? History?? Romo?? History. Bears win 23-21.
On to the main event!
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-8-1) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-6)
The Vikings season long QB carousel continues! This week Matt Cassel will get his latest shot at the starting job and will no doubt give it his best effort. I've always thought Cassel gave the Vikings the best chance to win, while Ponder gives them the best shot at the 1st overall pick in the NFL draft.
I guarantee you if Ponder doesn't get knocked out of that game against the Bears the Purple would have lost by at least 10. He was holding the ball way too long and getting sacked once a possession as a result. It's painful to watch Ponder try to run an offense. Every time he drops back I get nervous and expect the worst. I thoroughly hope Ponder has started his last game as a Viking, but I'm not going to get my hopes up. This coaching staff and front office has disappointed me so often this year with head-scratchers and bonehead calls, nothing would surprise me.
How does Josh Freeman fit into all this? I have no fucking clue. I'm not sure anyone does. The only real answers to that question would have to come from Rick Spielman himself, and they would more than likely make me a dangerous combination of angry and sad. It's best I don't think about it at all. With that said, lets look at some positive(s) and negatives from that win over the Bears. As always the positive(s) first.
Positive(s):
-Robert Blanton The had-hitting backup safety was at his aggressive best in that game. He was even put in the nickel package playing man to man against the Bears slot receiver and performed well. I'd like to see Blanton start alongside Harrison Smith when he returns from injury.
-Audie Cole Played another great game at MLB and will get the start there again this week vs. the Ravens. He just missed an interception in the 1st quarter where he read McCown's eyes and got to the right spot. When the Bears ran the same play later in the game, he tipped a pass and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Vikings. Erin Henderson has never had a game like that.
-Adrian Peterson ALL DAY 10K! AP went over 200 yards and became the third fastest running back to 10,000 yards rushing. The scary thing is, you could tell his groin was still bothering him, he lacked his usual burst in the open field. He might have broke his own single game record if he was 100%. Crazy. What a beast!
Negatives:
-Pass Blocking The only way to pass the ball behind the offensive line this year is with 3 step timing routes. It seems like anytime a Vikings QB has tried a 5 step drop to let something develop downfield, he ends up on his back. Granted that QB has usually been Christian Ponder, so it's hard to tell exactly who sucks and when, but the O-line just hasn't been as good as expected. In fact they have been middle of the road at best in terms of pass protection. Step up! Jerks.
-Chris Cook I haven't seen a Vikings cornerback look this consistently bad since Ramos McDonald. That is not good company to be lumped in with. The frustrating thing about Chris Cook's game is he's usually in decent position to make a play on the ball, but can't locate it or understand when to turn his dumb head around. He has good coverage, and is position to make a play, yet never has. He won't be on the team next year.
Three Keys To A Vikings Victory
Key #1: Feast On The Complacency
The Ravens won the Super Bowl last year and it seems as thought they are still on their parade route through downtown Baltimore. Amazingly, only two Ravens players got stabbed during that parade last winter. These reigning champs have been coasting through this year. The last thing any Vikings players coasted through was a happy hour at the local muni. So lets take full advantage of the Super Bowl hangover!
Key #2: Make Flacco Earn That Outrageous Paycheck
No doubt about it, this dude is one overpaid quarterback. Currently the richest man in the NFL salary wise, this dunce needs to have a target on his back. No easy drop-backs, no easy completions, make him wish he was home with the kid whose birth he missed to play the Browns. THE BROWNS! Seriously, if flying to Cleveland and playing the Browns is more important than witnessing the birth of your first son, you kind of deserve to die. Just saying.
Key #3: Get The Rock To The Beast Adrian Peterson
This is the second year in a row that opposing defenses seem just a little too tired to contain AP come December. The man has a bigger tank than anyone in the NFL. I don't care who he is, a safety who has played every game this year wants nothing to do with All Day in the open field. The enemy is weak. The battering ram is strong. Try and stop him.
Two Matchups To Watch:
Matchup #1: Xavier Rhodes vs. Jacoby Jones
Xavier has been busy covering the opponents best wide receiver in recent weeks and the good news is he has been rising to the challenge. He rarely gets burned for large gains (10+ yards) and when he does he makes a tackle immediately. He has displayed above-average ball awareness, breaking up a few passes he had no business doing so. Although he has yet to tally an interception, he has been a step away a couple times. Those instincts will come, and Flacco has been known to throw a couple floaters out to the flat, this might be the rookie's week.
Matchup #2: The Elements vs. The Vikings
With the final Metrodome game looming and ground broken on the new stadium, the Vikings must face the prospect of 2 years at TCF Bank Stadium, and with that comes the rain, sleet and snow. The Vikings will have to do their best mailman impression and perform regardless of the conditions the next few years. With the prospect of freezing rain at game time in Baltimore, the Vikings will get a good look at what they will face frequently during home games the next 2 years. Pass this test, and it will bode well for the transition years that the team will soon face.
Mike's All-Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week
Matt Cassel, quarterback, YOUR Minnesota Vikings
Matty Cassel is going to make the most of this latest, greatest opportunity and match Joe Flacco drive for drive en route to 250 yards passing and 2 TD's
Final Takes
Playing the defending champs in their own house is no easy task even though they are 6-6. Factor in the nasty weather predicted for kickoff on Sunday and the Vikings are going to have their hands full.
Don't be surprised if early turnovers stall Viking drives and lead to Baltimore points. That ball is going to be cold and slippery and whichever team avoids costly turnovers will come out on top. Unfortunately, I don't like the Vikings chances to win the turnover battle in poor conditions. I think the Vikings will have some fumble issues, particularly from the wide receivers.
The Vikings will make this one close, but lose it in the 4th quarter in typical dopey fashion.
Final Score
Minnesota Vikings: 20
Baltimore Ravens: 26
There you have it, Vikings fans! Another tough week in a season of tough weeks. Wrap yourself up in a blanket, make some hot chocolate, watch Audie Cole & Adrian Peterson, and thank your lucky stars you don't have to go outside for a few hours.
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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