This was a huge win, taking the Vikings from a 3-13 record in 2011 to a winning record in 2012 and keeping them alive for the postseason. Kudos to Leslie Frazier and his staff for a great game plan and for keeping this team focused and playing hard down the stretch. They've guided the Vikings through a very difficult mid-season stretch into a run for the playoffs after many people left them for dead weeks ago.
Game balls to:
Allen Williams for a superb defensive game plan
Harrison Smith, who was outstanding today
Christian Ponder, who kept his cool 99% of the time and made some key plays, including a big run in the second half
... and to the entire defensive line for their role in stuffing the vaunted Texans running game, for leading a great goal line stand and for pressuring Schaub all afternoon.
Fred Evans sack of Schaub to finish off the goal line stand deserves special mention.
I though Peterson delivered a tough performance against a good defense complete devoted to stopping him.
Simpson was disappointing in the first half but made a great catch along the sidelines in the second half and I thought the much-maligned Bill Musgrave called a great game. This was a team win and every unit made a significant contribution. Walsh's 56 yard FG was awesome!
I have to give J.J. Watt and the Texans defensive front 7 a lot of credit. On all but a few running plays, they owned the line of scrimmage, often giving Peterson little or no chance to get going. It's a testament to Peterson and Gerhart that they gained as much yardage on the ground as they did. A lot of that was individual effort, although they were a few plays where the Vikes won those blocking battles.
Watt is an unbelievable player. I wish the Vikes had him playing next to Kevin Williams on the inside. The Vikes d-line would be unstoppable.
What a great win! Here's hoping the team beats GB next week, Peterson explodes for 200+ and gets the record and the Vikings find their way into the postseason.
