Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 16 - Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals (Plus Picks!)

Baby, if you've ever wondered what became of me...

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.

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.     

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 15 - Philadelphia Eagels at Minnesota Vikings (Plus Picks!)

I just want to get black out drunk and relax...

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.

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.