Well hello once again football fans! Welcome to a very special edition of Ten & Six!
It's Week 17, which means that this will be the last regular season post of Ten & Six. We can't stress enough how much we appreciate everybody who's stopped by over the course of the season to check in with Mike's coverage of the Vikings and his rantings about the rest of the NFL. He puts a TON of work into this each week and it means a lot to us that you stop by and have a look. Extra special thanks to those of you who have retweeted or shared a link to Mike's column. As a blog with no budget whatsoever your word of mouth is our biggest asset when it comes to advertising and we truly appreciate it.
All that being said, Mike will be running his column all the way up through the Super Bowl (or Super Whore, as he once called it). Plus, we're sure he'll want to put together a season recap once all the dust has settled and we Vikings fans have had our hearts broken for the 52nd straight season.
But all that is for another day. This, right here, is Week 17 and all the marbles are on the line! Vikings! Packers! Metrodome! Playoffs? It could happen.
Michael, you've taken us this far. What's on tap for tomorrow's Border Battle?
This is it, season's on the line! Ponder takes the snap, drops back, looks left, back to the right, steps up, fires into the end zone...
If you're a Vikings fans it doesn't get any better than this. Week 17, at home, against the hated Green Bay Packers, win and they're in.
Welcome back to Ten & Six! The Vikings improved to 3-0 in December with a victory over the Houston Texans last week and oh, how sweet it was!
Speaking of peaking at the right time, my picks went 15-1 last week! I feel like the '98 Vikings right now (pre-Falcons game).
Oh, by gosh, by golly! It's time for touchdown throws and 'Sconny!
If you can't tell, I'm jacked up!
Interesting note: If the Vikings win on Sunday, their first playoff game would be against a very familiar team: The Green Bay Packers! Back-to-back games against the same team almost never happen in the NFL! Talk about playoff football!
So much more on The Purple a bit later, now for the necessary evil of league picks. Let's see if I can go 16-0!
Tampa Bay (6-9) at Atlanta (13-2)
Matty Ice and the Falcons have the #1 seed locked up, but I think they would be wise to play all their starters. We all know about the well-documented Matt Ryan/Atlanta Falcons 1st round playoff woes. One week off is plenty, two weeks away from game action and the rust may start to build up. The Falcons can't afford to be rusty for that divisional playoff matchup.
And now, an ode to Josh Freeman:
Josh Freeman, you ruined me left, you ruined me right,
You beat my team on Thursday night...
My predictions, you made look silly,
Can't believe I ever thought you'd win,
I mean, really?
Your inconsistencies are great,
Losing season? Sure, your fate...
For a division title, Tampa fans must wait,
Until Josh Freeman is used as trade bait
Until that day, I will...
Hate
Hate
Hate...
Falcons win 24-17
New York Jets (7-9) at Buffalo (5-10)
For whatever reason, most everyone in the national media thinks Rex Ryan will be back next year. I think that's just wishful thinking on their part. Now, I love being able to trash a head coach from New York just as much as the next guy, but this fat moron has to go!
Hello? Do you not see the same fat and doomed idiot I do? Players don't respect him! How could they respect the Rush Limbaugh of the NFL? Albeit, with less racism & sexism than the real Rush, but just as much dumbism. He's a freaking blowhard dunce. A "speak-your-mind" coach is only a good thing when he has intelligent thoughts. Jets lose 21-9 and Rex needs to go.
Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (9-6)
Let's hear it for Cincy! They are playoff bound and I'm rooting for them in the AFC. Andy Dalton-to-A.J. Green has become a feared, and at times, unstoppable connection. I just love rooting for the underdog and, come the AFC playoffs, the Bengals will be just that.
The Ravens finally turned it around last week and beat a seriously slumping New York Giants team. That Bengals defense is playing mean and I think they beat the Ravens 23-20 and get their 10th win.
Chicago (9-6) at Detroit (4-11)
The Bears were 7-1 at one point this year. Since then they have gone 2-5. Only the 1986 Washington Redskins have started 7-1 yet failed to make the playoffs. Now the Bears must root for their fiercest rival to win in order to have a chance to make the post-season. Talk about an identity crisis.
I don't think it even matters though, because the Lions are going to win 27-24 and Megatron is going to become the first NFL wide receiver to break 2,000 yards receiving.
Jacksonville (2-13) at Tennessee (5-10)
Word has it the loser of this game has to drink a bucket of Blaine Gabbert's tears. Who says there's nothing on the line? Imagine the biggest bucket you've ever seen at your local hardware store. Now imagine it filled with salty, warm Blaine Gabbert tears.
There was a lot to cry about this year. Titans win 17-13 and this week ends like so many others, with Blaine Gabbert tasting his own tears.
Houston (12-3) at Indianapolis (10-5)
Chuckstrong! returns to the sideline!
I hate to point this out, but the Colts were 1-3 with Pagano on the sideline and 9-2 without him. To be fair, those were Andrew Luck's first 4 NFL starts.
We'll see how the Colts perform this weekend when their head coach returns. I think the Texans win 27-23 and lock up the 1st seed in the AFC.
Carolina (6-9) at New Orleans (7-8)
The first year of Drew Brees' monster contract hasn't gone quite according to plan. The Saints need a complete defensive overhaul in the offseason to do their star quarterback justince.
I didn't mind that arrogant bastard Sean Payton being forced to sit this season out. In fact, I openly enjoyed the fact that the punishment was complete bullshit.
One thing is for sure, Roger Goodell loves his power and probably likes abusing it whenever he thinks he can get away with it. Roger Goodell: An iron fist with skin like a hot dog. Seriously, dude, lay off the tanning. Saints win 35-31.
Philadelphia (4-11) at New York Giants (8-7)
No more Victor Cruz salsa dance. No more Eli Manning pouty face. No more cocky asshole Osi Umenyora. No more New York teams in the playoffs! I am loving this! Who the fuck is ESPN going to report on in January?
Now, I'm not ignorant enough to think their won't still be daily Tim Tebow stories. "Where Will Tim Tebow Land Next Year?" "Can Tim Tebow Start In The NFL?" "Tim Tebow Has Wet Dream, Wakes Up, Goes To Confession..." Things of that nature.
Now, I know the Giants aren't officially eliminated, but they will be when The Dog Murderer beats them. Eagles win 24-20.
Cleveland (5-10) at Pittsburgh (7-8)
No playoffs for Pittsburgh either? Poor little bitches! Take your six Super Bowl rings and shove them up your ass, dickwads. You should've kept playing Charlie Batch. Well, that's the first time in recorded history that sentence has been written.
A perfect ending to this lackluster Steelers season would be a loss to the Browns, but, I mean, c'mon, it's something called Thad Lewis? Thad Lewis who is behind Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden on the depth chart! Steelers win a meaningless game 20-16.
Kansas City (2-13) at Denver (12-3)
The Broncos still have something to play for. The Chiefs haven't had anything to play for since last year, when they somehow went to the playoffs. NASA's best scientists are still working on that one...
The Broncos look good, but their division has been crap all year. The list of quality opponents that Denver has defeated is short. We'll see if that screws with them come playoffs because it won't be a factor this week. Broncos win easy 28-10.
Miami (7-8) at New England (11-4)
I'm so fucking sick of trying to find anything interesting about the Miami Dolphins. Bring back Chad Pennington! Dolphins fans, remember when you went 11-5 with him at quarterback? That was fun. And sad. Even when your team succeeds it's kind of sad. And that's coming from a Vikings fan.
Until next year, Miami! And thank god for that. Bring back Shula! Bring back Shula! Patriots win 27-17.
Oakland (4-11) at San Diego (6-9)
So this is it. Years of unparalleled and impressive failure is coming to an end. Norva is about to coach her last game for the Chargers. After thousands of pock marks and at least 100 tubes of Pro-Active, it's all coming to its unceremonious conclusion.
Sure, Norva might be looser than a Packers fan on a rooster farm. Sure, she might have more diseases that a 60 year old Lindsay Lohan. But god damnit, Norva deserves our respect! She is the first female NFL head coach! Not only that, but she tricked three different teams into giving her the job!
It started in Washington, where she famously blew President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office and gave birth to Daniel Snyder, who remains in control of the Redskins to this day.
Then she was off to Oakland, where she notoriously gave Al Davis, "the best handy this side of Jon Gruden."
Once she sent Al Davis spiraling she was off to San Diego, where she seduced Philip Rivers behind the San Diego Pump 'n' Munch. Norva did a little of her own pump 'n' munchin' that day and a love story was born.
Through all the baby mama drama, through the countless pick sixes, and through the endlessly questionable play-calling one thing is certain, Norva and Philip deserve each other.
Chargers win 31-20
Arizona (5-10) at San Francisco (10-4-1)
Harbaugh West has lost every 3rd game this year. That ain't going to win you a Super Bowl, homeboy.
The Niners lost Mario Manningham to a gruesome torn ACL last week. That makes Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss the Niners starting wide receivers. I like dat!
Colin Kaepernick has been somewhat streaky, which needs to stop if the Niners want any chance of going to the big dance. Niners get the win this week 24-16.
St. Louis (7-7-1) at Seattle (10-5)
Those Seahawks are dominating right now. In fact, the last three weeks they have been downright unstoppable. I won't fully believe they are a Super Bowl contender until I see Russell Wilson win a game in the playoffs.
The Rams should be happy with the direction Jeff Fisher is taking their team. They are one solid offensive lineman and one solid wide receiver away from being relevant. Seahawks win this one 26-17
Dallas (8-7) at Washington (9-6)
This is going to be a picturesque Tony Romo game. Tightly contested, a lot on the line, plenty of good plays for both teams, somebody is going to be the goat... and I think I know who it's going to be...
I'm seeing a one-score game going into the final quarter and a potential game-tying drive by the Cowboys ending with a Tony Romo pick. Because, in the end, he just can't help himself. Redskins win 31-24.
Nice picks. We're all going to miss Norva. After his 15-1 showing last week Mike's record stands at 163-95-1. Take us to the big show, Michael.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-4) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-6)
The biggest weekend in Vikings football since 2009 is here! Win and IN!
The defense is playing great, Christian Ponder has been proficient, and Adrian Peterson is chasing history. I haven't been this excited about the Vikings for quite some time.
Much like last week, I think this game will come down to quarterback performance. Christian Ponder has no chance of out-performing Aaron Rodgers from a statistical standpoint, but, if he can make smart decisions and avoid turnovers, the Vikings have a very legitimate chance to win this game.
It doesn't matter that the Packers have won 12 straight against NFC North opponents or that Aaron Rodgers has a 115 QB rating indoors. It doesn't matter that the Vikings have sacked Rodgers 19 times in 5 games at the Metrodome.
All of that goes out the window come 3:25 on Sunday afternoon.
It's the biggest game of Christian Ponder's career and I think he's up to the test. Let's take a look at some positives and negatives from last week's victory over the Texans. As always, let's start with the positives.
-The entire Vikings defense! This group is playing the definition of team ball right now. The Front Four has been getting pressure on the quarterback, the linebackers have been making plays against the run and the pass, while the secondary (led by rookie Harrison Smith) has been ball-hawking and hard hitting! The defense looks elite right now and it's a joy to watch.
-Blair Walsh He is the unsung hero of this Vikings team. If the Vikings have a crappy kicker (like, say, Mason Crosby), they lose the Jaguars game and quite possibly a couple others. He has made tough kicks look easy all year. I think the Vikings only have 7 wins without him.
-Christian Ponder Now, going 16-31 for 178 yards and a TD isn't going to make Aaron Rodgers blush, but it is going to be enough to win us a big game. Most impressively, young Mr. Ponder was 8-12 for 98 yards on 3rd down. He also scrambled for gains of 21 & 28 yards on separate 3rd downs, making him responsible for a total of 9 Vikings 1st downs. Not too shabby and exactly what the Vikings need from him.
And, of course, the negatives.
-For the first time this year, there are no negatives to report. The Vikings won the turnover battle and dominated the game physically on both sides of the ball. Sure, I would have liked a couple of those field goals to have been touchdowns, but they also came while the Vikings were intentionally draining the clock.
When it comes down to it, nothing about a 23-6 victory on the road against a 12-2 team is negative. The Vikings couldn't have picked a better time to pull it all together.
Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:
Key #1: Keep Aaron Rodgers In The Pocket
Rodgers' ability to improvise with his receivers once he escapes the pocket is second to none. In the last game against the Packers, Aaron Rodgers hurt The Purple most when the Vikings defensive ends got too far up field and broke containment. This allowed Rodgers to slide out of the pocket and buy time until one of his down field receivers inevitably got open.
You can't blitz Rodgers. He'll recognize it and burn you. The Front Four needs to get pressure while maintaining containment.
Key #2: Stop The Run!
The Packers inexplicably had success running the ball in the last matchup against the Vikings and it killed them. The Packers passing attack is hard enough to stop by itself. Any success they find in the run game makes things even more difficult for pass defenders trying to keep Packers receivers in check.
The Vikings defense has been spectacular since that Packers game and I fully expect them to hold the running game in check this time around.
Key #3: Win The Turnover Battle
Turnovers derailed the Vikings chance of winning at Lambeau earlier this year and if they get sloppy with the football on Sunday the result will be the same. During their 3 game winning streak the Vikings have been a plus-3 in the Take/Give column.
Christian Ponder has taken better care of the ball while the defense has done their part with timely forced fumbles and interceptions. If the Vikings win the turnover battle they win the game!
Two Matchups To Watch:
Matchup #1: Vikings Offensive Line vs. Packers Front Seven
I'm convinced the Vikings O-Line can out-muscle the Packers linemen easily, but they also have to worry about Clay Matthews (who was injured when the teams first met). The Vikings need to account for Clay Matthews on every play because he is very adept at creating those dreaded turnovers.
The Purple did a great job of neutralizing J.J. Watt last weekend and if they could minimize Clay Matthews impact on Sunday it would go a long way towards a W.
Matchup #2: Aaron Rodgers vs. Harrison Smith
The rookie safety has had a great year. What better way to celebrate than picking off Aaron Rodgers a couple times? Last week he destroyed the Texans backup quarterback on a strip sack and if he gets the ball in his hands he is a threat to take the return to the house.
I can't emphasize enough how much the Vikings defensive resurgence has impacted their 9-6 record and Harrison Smith has had a lot to do with that. I expect a big game from #22.
Mike's All Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week:
Adrian Peterson, running back, YOUR Minnesota Vikings
He has to get the nod here. Ever since Week 7 he has run the football like a relentless locomotive. He has put the team on his back and has been the only absolute guarantee week-to-week from an offensive standpoint. He is running for more reasons than one in this game and if I were the Packers that would scare me. 225 yards and 2 TD's. Record books, baby.
Final Takes
The Vikings defense has been playing with a fierce tenacity that disturbs the tempo of teams that want a fast-paced, up and down the field type of contest. The Purple took command of that Texans game by forcing Houston to play their style of football. They should use a similar model against the Packers.
The Vikings defense is going to come out fired up and I'm certain they can disrupt Aaron Rodgers timing, but the Front Four must keep containment of #12.
This is the most the Vikings have had to play for in nearly 3 years and the first real "Big Spot" test for Christian Ponder.
One thing is for sure, a few questions will be answered by Sunday night.
I've got a really good feeling about this game. I love how the team is playing and the Dome is going to be rocking on Sunday!!
Plus, we're 6-1 at home this year!
I think the Vikings come out strong, jumping out to an early 10 point lead and never really look back.
Final Score:
Minnesota Vikings: 27
Green Bay Packers: 21
...and The Vikings Are In The PLAYOFFS! WOOOOO!!!
There you have it, football fans! Optimism rules the day! We're scared to even start thinking about how great a Vikings victory would be tomorrow for fear of jinxing the whole thing, but Mike hasn't been wrong many times this year. Skol Vikes!!!
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