Vikings @ Rams Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 15

[tmscr]

looked like it was going to be a battle early on. we always struggle on the road and the rams were hot. the defense was swarming today and really propelled the vikings to a win (not to mention #28). as was said already, walsh could make a great case to get zygi's tie as well. if he misses his last FG, the rams have the ball near midfield, down 11 with plenty of time. he was crucial to the win.

another meh day from ponder. although he had a legitimate plus 100 yard passing day, many of his throws were off target, hanging his WR's out to dry on several occasions. i think he was fortunate to have zero INTs today. the win makes these things easy to overlook, but not for me.

i was disappointed that, although they did a pretty good job for most of the day, the vikings took their foot off the gas on defense. up by as many as the vikings were, i don't understand why you don't play a little more aggressively (i/e blitzing). if you gamble and get burned, so what? bradford was wilting under the pressure but they only rushed 4 and let him move down the field (and quickly).

[Raptorman]

^ SF @ NE. Actually it would be good if Seattle makes a run for the division title since we have the head to head over SF.

Actually if we end up with the same number of wins as SF they take it because they have a tie. They would have a better win/loss percentage.

[tmscr]

i just re-watched AP's highlights. i really don't want to take him for granted. he's the best RB i've ever seen play the game. we are quite blessed to have him

[Purple bruise]

Congrats to the Frazier, the team and especially to AD. The Coach had them fired up for the game and won a huge contest on the road. To say that AD did a great job is an understatement but credit has to be given tho the O-line for their play too and again what a difference Felton has made.
Don't want to hurt anyones feelins and apparently I should not express mine. Thanks for the heads up Lashman.

[Lash Man]

Congrats to the Frazier, the team and especially to AD. The Coach had them fired up for the game and won a huge contest on the road. To say that AD did a great job is an understatement but credit has to be given tho the O-line for their play too and again what a difference Felton has made.
I just read through the game thread and again had to be amazed by the huge amount of negativity and complaining. This team went on the road for a must win and pretty much dominated the game sans two of the Ram's scoring drives when the game was for all intents and purposes over and STILL so much complaing and criticizing the whole way through .
Amazing that some would complain that the coach took AD out of the game when they did and then complain when Gerhart was stuffed The Rams were playing the run all the way and the Vikes were using up the clock. I can only imagine what would be said if Frazier left AD in the game and he got hurt
8-6, right in the play-off mix and still all the complaining . This team has Zero wide receivers and has played without Harvin (maybe the best all around player in the league) for a great deal of the year.
I just do not "get it" how does anyone pound on the keys of a computer for three hours during a game griping about the coach the defense the QB and enjoy it :confused.
Any way, I am thrilled with the win the achievements made so far by this "rebuilding team" and look forward to watching the rest of the season and seeing how the year plays out.
Skol to all of the real fans out there

lol and you follow a win with a rant about fans ? theres a rule on the board about that good fan bad fan stuff you better watch it .

[Demi]

lol and you follow a win with a rant about fans ? theres a rule on the board about that good fan bad fan stuff you better watch it .

He doesn't care.

[yezzir]

The key idea is this.... The Broncs would prolly have made the playoffs this year WITHOUT Manning. Without AD, this team wins 4 games max

[DanAS]

The key idea is this.... The Broncs would prolly have made the playoffs this year WITHOUT Manning. Without AD, this team wins 4 games max

I don't think it's a simple equation about who will get the award. But my best guess is that Peterson is unlikely to get the award if the Vikes miss the playoffs unless he gets the record, in which case I think he'll get the award. If the Vikes do make the playoffs, then I'd guess that he'll get it as long as he hits the 2000 yard mark.

[Angels Wings]

I wonder if AD will still change his number to 23?

[Cliff]

The key idea is this.... The Broncs would prolly have made the playoffs this year WITHOUT Manning. Without AD, this team wins 4 games max

They had AD last year and only won 3 games ... he can't do it alone.

[cstelter]

They had AD last year and only won 3 games ... he can't do it alone.

2011, Vikings Total Yards: 5275, AD Total yards: 1109 (21%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 38, AD Total TD: 13 (34%)

2012, Vikings Total Yards thus far: 4596, AD Total yards: 2023 (44%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 28, AD Total TD: 11 (39%)

It would seem he's doing much more of it this year than last year.

We have 5 more wins already than last year. I would submit the biggest reason for the increased wins this year is our defense. AD's play would be the next biggest factor. I'd say the defense got us 3.5 more wins and AD's beast mode got us 1.5 more wins.

But I may be underestimating the AD effect. I think that 82 yard run yesterday motivated the Defense to play bettter than they may have otherwise.

The 3rd biggest factor in their increased wins is the team cohesiveness that they seem to have-- for that I think I credit Frazier. I *really* like his overall team philosophy (read the in depth interviews with him over the past few months). If he can continue to improve his game-day decisions while maintaining the team philosophy, I'll remain optimistic about next year.

[Texas Vike]

2011, Vikings Total Yards: 5275, AD Total yards: 1109 (21%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 38, AD Total TD: 13 (34%)

2012, Vikings Total Yards thus far: 4596, AD Total yards: 2023 (44%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 28, AD Total TD: 11 (39%)

It would seem he's doing much more of it this year than last year.

We have 5 more wins already than last year. I would submit the biggest reason for the increased wins this year is our defense. AD's play would be the next biggest factor. I'd say the defense got us 3.5 more wins and AD's beast mode got us 1.5 more wins.

But I may be underestimating the AD effect. I think that 82 yard run yesterday motivated the Defense to play bettter than they may have otherwise.

The 3rd biggest factor in their increased wins is the team cohesiveness that they seem to have-- for that I think I credit Frazier. I *really* like his overall team philosophy (read the in depth interviews with him over the past few months). If he can continue to improve his game-day decisions while maintaining the team philosophy, I'll remain optimistic about next year.

Nice post. I especially agree with the part I've bolded above. I used to question Frazier's ability as HC, but over the course of this season I've become convinced that he has what it takes. Most importantly, his players play hard for him, even in situations that are typical for NFL players to pack it in.

[Cliff]

2011, Vikings Total Yards: 5275, AD Total yards: 1109 (21%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 38, AD Total TD: 13 (34%)

2012, Vikings Total Yards thus far: 4596, AD Total yards: 2023 (44%), Vikings Rush/Pass TD: 28, AD Total TD: 11 (39%)

It would seem he's doing much more of it this year than last year.

And I would submit that has a lot to do with not only a strong improvement by the offensive line and strong lead blocking from his FB.

Plus Harvin being out these last couple of weeks has put Peterson in a position to get more touches.

We have 5 more wins already than last year. I would submit the biggest reason for the increased wins this year is our defense. AD's play would be the next biggest factor. I'd say the defense got us 3.5 more wins and AD's beast mode got us 1.5 more wins.

But I may be underestimating the AD effect. I think that 82 yard run yesterday motivated the Defense to play bettter than they may have otherwise.

I think you're right in that the defense is the biggest factor. Peterson's played definitely helped but they came out motivated and stopped the Rams on the opening drive to get the ball into Peterson's hands.

[Eli]

Everson Griffen looked like Audie Cole on that pick six.

[S197]

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero 11m
Adrian Peterson leaving presser, last to bus. Sees kid wearing his jersey, stops, chats for a minute, slaps him five. Kid's face: priceless.

He also gave his shoes to some kid after the game.