Vikings Message Board.Com

The Vikings are the darlings of the NFL after a wholly unexpected 3-1 start, including two victories against 2011 playoff teams. But with that success brings added scrutiny, and it's fair to question whether the Vikings can sustain on the low-octane offensive model displayed at various points during this start. Let's be clear on how rare it is to win a game without an offensive touchdown, as the Vikings did Sunday. For this franchise, at least, it hasn't happened since a 2005 victory over the New York Giants. It's a once-in-seven-years kind of thing. The Vikings scored six points Sunday aside from Percy Harvin's 105-yard kickoff return and Marcus Sherels' 77-yard punt return. But maybe that's the point. Perhaps this team's identity will be to find ways to win, without any theme or trend. Eventually in the NFL, confidence snowballs.

Sunday's victory wasn't perfect. But it included many of the accomplishments Frazier wants every week.

The turnover battle? Won, thanks to Mikel Leshoure's third-quarter fumble, forced and recovered by safety Jamarca Sanford.

Run defense? Sturdy, surrendering only 55 yards on 20 Detroit carries.

Strong ground attack? Present, thanks to Adrian Peterson's 102-yard day.

No wonder Frazier seemed as pumped as he's ever been as a head coach.

The Vikings are resilient, they're focused and, man, they're packing quite a pop right now. Just ask Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who managed five catches for 54 yards. But Johnson also had took big shots several times. The most notable came with 2 minutes left in the first half when Stafford put a 13-yard touchdown dart right onto the 81 of Johnson's jersey.

For a second, it looked like Detroit would pull within 13-10. Until both Vikings safeties, Sanford and Harrison Smith, sandwiched Johnson.

Smith's textbook shot sent the ball skidding into the turf for an incompletion. Detroit settled for a field goal.

dead_poet wrote:Encouraging stuff.

Special teams take Vikings to 3-1
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... ml?refer=y

Mothman wrote:Great stuff from Siefert, as usual:

dead_poet wrote:Encouraging stuff.

Special teams take Vikings to 3-1
http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikin ... ml?refer=y

Texas Vike wrote:Here's a video clip of Smith's hit on Calvin Johnson for those that couldn't see the game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Jl9risBDM

dead_poet wrote: Nice! I saw it but it's fun to watch a few more times. A big-time play for sure.

Here's a vid of the Robinson hit/slam on Burleson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbgm6QIko88

PurpleMustReign wrote:
He got a penalty for that/ Wussy.

Note: If in doubt about a roughness call or potentially dangerous tactics, the covering official(s) should always call unnecessary roughness.

Demi wrote: There's a quote I can't remember about not knowing what something is, but knowing it when you see it. As soon as you see the play you can't help but wonder if a flag is going to be thrown. He wraps him up, pulls him back two yards, lifts him off his feet, and slams him to the ground. Necessary?