Well hello again, football fans, and welcome to Ten & Six with Mike Otto. For those of you who don't know, Mike is a lifelong Vikings fan and our resident football expert. He also has fantastic hair. Just sayin'...
Anyway, Mike's joined us once again to discuss the local squad, your FIRST PLACE Minnesota Vikings. He's going to break down last week's win over the Titans, give us some pros & cons, and then tell us what to watch for when The Purple take on the Washington Redskins.
First, though, we have to get into Mike's picks for the rest of the week. If you missed his Thursday night pick just scroll down a bit. He picked wrong, but he picked funny, which is a kind of win.
So far this season Mike's compiled a record of 52-42 and hopes to keep his momentum rolling through this week's games.
Mike, talk to us, buddy.
Hello football fans! What a great week in the NFL it was and what a great week for my prognosticating. Not only did my picks go 11-3, but, hell, I called almost every aspect of the Vikings victory too! More on this later.
The Vikings are 4-1 and, waddaya know, they still aren't getting much respect nationally.
For example, the stooges & goons that run NFL.com have the 2-3 Packers ranked as the 10th best team in the NFL. Where are the 4-1 Vikings? NUMBER 12!! Are you fucking kidding me! It's just comical, really. A 2-3 TEAM IS NOT A TOP 10 SQUAD IN THE NFL!!
Dear NFL.com,
Please get off Aaron Rodgers' dick.
Sincerely,
Everyone that isn't Aaron Rodgers.
Whatever. The Vikings have always been the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL, no respect. No respect at all. Well, for all of you doubters out there, I dug up a few stats on The Purple.
This year the Vikings have had 9 drives of 5 minutes or more (they had 18 all of last year). They've allowed only 6 points off turnovers. Most impressively, they haven't trailed in any of the last 3 games (Niners, Lions, Titans).
Percy Harvin is the only player in the league with a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown, and a kick return touchdown. Worth nothing, this is the 3rd year in a row he has accomplished that feat.
Christian Ponder's 4th quarter QB rating is 116.1, which is 4th in the NFL.
Most notably, the Vikings have only one false start penalty and one offsides penalty One! That is the sign of a disciplined team that isn't going to beat themselves. So please, everyone, just fuck off. Keep doubting. You're already digging your own grave with a fucking purple shovel! On to the picks:
Kansas City (1-4) at Tampa Bay (1-3)
The Chiefs fans got put on blast by unfrozen caveman Erin Winston this week for their celebration of Matt Cassel leaving the game with a head injury.
While that is sad, I think the saddest thing yet is KC fans celebrating Brady Quinn taking over their offense. It's Brady fucking Quinn! He's a Cleveland Browns castoff for god's sake! I hope you all took showers after cheering for Brady Quinn, as that's a new low. Even Josh Freeman can beat Brady Quinn. Bucs win 21-3.
Indianapolis (2-2) at New York Jets (2-3)
Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!
Fat & doomed! Fat & doomed! Fat & doomed!
The only thing funnier than watching Mark Sanchez's abilities & confidence erode right in front of our eyes was watching Rex Ryan try to run down the sideline during Joe McKinght's kickoff return touchdown. A manatee flopping back toward the ocean would have looked more graceful. The Jets are completely lost and so is their season. Colts win 27-17.
Cincinnati (3-2) at Cleveland (0-5)
The game of the year is here! It's the battle for Ohio! No, I'm not talking about Romney vs. Obama, it's Bengals vs. Browns and I can just taste the excitement!
28 year old rookie and former door-to-door salesman Brandon Weeden faces off against Andy "Crystalized Ginger" Dalton. Which one will stand atop the giant tire fire that is the state of Ohio once the dust settles?
Believe it or not, I'm breaking one of my own rules and picking the Browns to win this one 21-20 behind a big day from Trent Richardson! Now to go scrub the dirt off myself that predicting a Browns victory leaves behind.
Detroit (1-3) at Philadelphia (3-2)
King Of The Jungle vs. King Of The Sky!
This contest pits two under-performing quarterbacks against each other. Of the two QB's in question, I like Matt Stafford more because, well, he's never murdered any dogs. Plus, I like a guy you can nickname "Matt Staff."
Yes, these two side-arming douchebags will square off and one of them has to win. Jim Schwartz is slightly dumber than Andy Reid so I'm going to go with the Eagles at home, 21-17.
Oakland (1-3) at Atlanta (5-0)
Oakland must take a cross-country flight to Oakland Southeast... er, Atlanta. Gucci Gucci pooty poo, make my stylist shoot at you!
Sorry, got off track there. 1970's-era John Madden could come back as coach and the Raiders could pick their best players from through the ages and they would still lose this game. Falcons dominate 31-13.
St. Louis (3-2) at Miami (2-3)
Two surprisingly good teams, but two teams that are one decent draft away from being playoff contenders.
Ryan Tannehill looks like his future is bright, but to me he's just Phillip Rivers (Florida Version). He even wears the same number!
The Rams defense is pretty good (Jeff Fischer-coached teams are always good on defense) and this should be a very interesting and competitive game. Ultimately, I think Florida Phillip Rivers leads his team to victory. Miami wins 23-20.
Dallas (2-2) at Baltimore (4-1)
So, it will be Week 6 this year. I'm referring, of course, to the week a Tony Romo-led team falls flat, gives up, and lets the season go down the tubes. At least he's not procrastinating any more. Romo usually waits until December to completley ruint the Cowboys season. Funny, the words "Romo" and "Ruin" both start with 'R' and have four letters.
I think Romo desperately needs a change of scenery. Wouldn't be surprised to see him wearing a different uniform next year if the Cowboys don't make the playoffs. Ravens win 20-10.
Buffalo (2-3) at Arizona (4-1)
The Cardinals terrible offense was finally exposed. An offense ranked 31st in the NFL to be exact. Needless to say, that's not going to get it done unless you have the 2001 Baltimore Ravens on defense.
(Editor's Note: They do not have the 2001 Baltimore Ravens on defense as that would violate several league & space-time continuum rules.)
Arizona WILL NOT make the playoffs this year. As pedestrian as the Buffalo Bills are, they will do enough to win this yawn-fest. Bills on the road 13-6.
New England (3-2) at Seattle (3-2)
This Patriots team is good, but they just don't seem as unbeatable as they did when they were building their dynasty.
The Seahawks are good (mainly just their defense), but I doubt they can hang with the Patriots. In terms of head coaching, Pete Carroll is essentially Bill Belichick's dick. Pats win on the road 28-20.
New York Giants (3-2) at San Francisco (4-1)
Can you say rematch? If you're Michael Strahan, not without a lisp.
Regardless, this looks to be the game of the week, a flashback to last year's NFC Championship game that was miserably pissed away by Kyle Williams of the 49ers. Needless to say, I doubt Mr. Williams will be returning punts this week. May as well put Moss out there.
Speaking of Randy, I think he gets in the end zone this weekend as the 49ers get their revenge and win 31-24.
Green Bay (2-3) at Houston (5-0)
Well, well, well... What do we have here? Do we have a 2-4 Packers squad after Sunday night? Yes! Yes we do!
The Packers have no secondary, they have no running game, they have no offensive line, and they have no real identity. Everyone knows the Packers gameplan: Pass, pass, pass, and then pass some more. They are, essentially, the Detroit Lions in a drunker, less crime-ridden "city."
The Packers should just give up now, lose out, and get a high draft pick. Can you draft an entire secondary with one pick? No? That's a shame. Packers - garbage. Packers fans - a perfect example of de-evolution. Texans DESTROY the Pack 42-24.
Denver (2-3) at San Diego (3-2)
I almost feel bad for Peyton Manning every time I watch him try to throw downfield. It's just not happening and you can see the look of frustration and realization all over his disappointed face. Maybe he should have just hung it up after the 5th or 6th neck surgery. Now he has to go to San Diego and get upstaged by Phillip Rivers? It's really sad.
Also, does Antonio Gates still play football? Probably not.
I'm rooting for you, Peyton! Rooting for you to come to your senses and retire after this year, that is. Chargers win at home 32-21.
Oh yeah, almost forgot: Fuck you, Norv Turner.
Thank you for that obscenity-laden preview of the rest of the week, Michael. Now on to The Purple!
(Mike's Note: RGIII has not yet been cleared for contact, but the Vikings are preparing as it he will play. So far as this blog is concerned, I will too.
Plus, the Skins have no chance if Kirk Cousins or Rex Grossman is under center.)
The Vikings are coming off their most dominant win yet this season against a Titans team that many think is garbage. No, they aren't great, but NFL wins are NFL wins no matter who they come against.
(Mike's Other Note: The Titans did beat the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, so maybe they're a little better than everyone, including myself, gave them credit for.)
Either way, it was another great week for the Vikings and an equally great week for my predictions regarding the squad. I called CP7's stat line, I called an Antoine Winfield pick, and I called the defense shutting down CJ(No)K. Alright, so it doesn't take a football wizard to call that last one, but still!
Percy Harvin keeps this offense going, so let's all pray he doesn't get injured this year.
The unsung heroes of this team, though, are the 11 guys that play defense. I said at the beginning of the season that our defense has no real "star power" outside of Jared Allen and it all depends on how much they want it.
Through 5 games, this "bunch of nobodies" have proven they may want it more than any other team in the league. For the first time in who-knows-how-long, opposing wide receivers have to think twice about going over the middle with hard-hitting rookie Harrison Smith always lurking. The linebackers are communicating and maintaining their gaps against the run while the front four are getting pressure on the quarterback by themselves.
Rookie cornerback Josh Robinson and third year man Chris Cook aren't getting beat and Antoine has been solid in the slot. Even Jamarca Sanford seems to have matured right before our eyes!
This defense is no joke and they are giving us a chance to win every game right now. All that said, let's take a look at some positives and negatives from last week. As usual, we'll start with the positives:
-Christian Ponder: He threw his first couple picks of the season but shook them off right away. He kept throwing and, in doing so, threw his way to two touchdowns. Bravo!
-Tight End Rhett Ellison: The rookie was a great asset in the run/pass-blocking game and even mixed in a few catches for 35 yards. Move over, Jon Carlson
-Percy Harvin: He really does it all for this team offensively. He never takes a play off. It doesn't matter if his number is called or if he is asked to block downfield for A.P., he's going to give it 100%.
-Leslie Frazier: Whatever Coach Frazier is preaching in the locker room and on the practice field is working. The players have bought into his system and, most importantly, bought into him as a man and a coach.
And the negatives:
-Harrison Smith: He's been playing great, but that only does the Vikings any good if he stays on the field. He has to learn to control his emotions. You just can't shove refs, even if they are being assholes.
-Jon Carlson, again: He got his second catch of the year, a quick out for a gain of 2 yards. If you're counting at home that's 2 catches for 0 yards. I'm considering an addition to the blog entitled, "The $25 Million Dollar Man Watch" if these woeful numbers continue much longer.
(Editor's Note: No.)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-1) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-3)
Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:
Key #1: Make RG III hear footsteps
RG III just took his first good lick as an NFL quarterback and might not like how it felt. If, say, on the first series he gets sacked or even hit hard once or twice, he may get flustered and lose his poise. Let's not forget, he is still a rookie.
Key #2: Contain Alfred Morris
Another impressive Redskins rookie, this running back has quietly had an explosive first 5 weeks in the NFL. After the big hit RG III took, the 'Skins brain trust may try to limit their young QB's dropbacks early to ease him into the game. If we can stuff Alfred Morris right away the Redskins will be forced to become one-dimensional offensively, which plays right into the Vikings hands.
Key #3: Continue to create turnovers
The Vikings defense has done a great job of this lately and they need it to continue. Harrison Smith has been playing unbelievable football for a rookie safety. He has been great in coverage and makes the big hit when necessary. I think he bursts onto the national scene this weekend with his 1st NFL interception AND his 1st NFL forced fumble.
Matchups To Watch:
Matchup #1: Vikings Front 7 vs. Robert Griffin III
The Vikings have historically struggled against dual threat quarterbacks and RG III is the definition of one. It is up to the Front 7 to keep him in the pocked and not over-pursue, because RG III will make you pay for that quickly.
If RG III gets outside the tackles he can either kill you with his feet or bide time until some wretched Redskins receiver gets open.
(Editor's Note: Alliteration is fun.)
Needless to say, keeping RG III in the pocked is incredibly important to a Vikings victory.
Matchup #2: Adrian Peterson vs. FedEx Field Bad Voodoo
A.P. returns to the scene of his injury and hopefully that isn't in the back of his mind. Keep your pads low and your wits about you, A.P. We need you healthy as a horse!
Mike's All Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week:
Adrian Peterson!
All Day hasn't got in the endzone since Week 1 and that ends on Sunday! Adrian scores two touchdowns and rushes for right around 100 yards in an injury-free day!
Final Takes
Assuming RG III plays (a pretty safe assumption if you believe the tea leaves we've all had to decipher this week), this is the toughest challenge The Purple has faced since the 49ers contest.
Not that it matters, but Leslie Frazier is 2-0 as Vikings head coach at FedEx Field.
For the first time in a long time the Vikings seem to be built to win games on the road. They have a strong defense and a multi-headed running attack that perfectly compliments their play-it-safe passing game. What an exciting time to be a Vikings fan!
The Vikings need to stick to the legitimate identity they have established. Until someone proves they can beat it over the course of four quarters there is no need to change anything.
As long as the players continue to execute the gameplan as well as they have these last three weeks, the Vikings should win. I, of course, believe that this will be the case!
FINAL SCORE:
Minnesota Vikings: 27
Washington Redskins: 24
There you have it, Vikings pick up their second road victory of the year and I do my dance! WOOOOO!!
Blaow! Mikey Otto picks another Vikings victory! 5-1 would be a thing of beauty.
As always, thanks to Mike for stopping by to drop some football knowledge bombs on us. For more of Mr. Otto, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters). His gameday commentary is filled with knowledge bombs and knowledge shrapnel.
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