Unlike last Sunday, there are quite a few players worthy of being rewarded with a place in the three stars. Chad Greenway recovered two important fumbles in the fourth quarter (but only one was ruled a fumble). Bobby Wade had 83 yards receiving, including a 40 yard catch that set up the Vikings second field goal. Brian Robison picked up his third sack of the year and Dwight Smith forced a fumble at the goal line that prevented a Packers touchdown. Kelly Holcomb was sacked four times and had numerous passes knocked down at the line...ummm, moving on... [Seriously folks, Kelly Holcomb is not the answer. He's immobile, inaccurate and holds onto the ball too long. When Tarvaris is healthy, he needs to be back as the starter.]
And now that I'm done complaining about Holcomb, let's talk about players that had the most impact on the game for the Vikings.
3rd Star: Sidney Rice
With all of the hype surrounding the Purple Jesus, the Vikings' second round draft pick hasn't gotten much publicity. That wasn't the case on Sunday, as he hauled in six passes for 75 yards and his first career touchdown. And what a touchdown catch it was. The pass was under thrown, but that didn't faze Rice, who pulled it in off the defender's back. Rice wasn't able to haul in a deep ball early in the game, he more than made up for it with that touchdown catch. Today was the first day we got to see Rice's talent and it was good to see.
2nd Star: Antoine Winfield
Antoine Winfield made the play of the game when he drilled Korey Hall, forcing him to fumble the ball two steps after he had caught it. Of course, the referee blew the play dead as an incompletion, but we won't go into that. Winfield led the team in tackles, racking up 10, and also prevented Donald Driver from getting into the end zone, holding him to only 58 yards receiving.
1st Star: Adrian Peterson
Once again, Peterson was quite simply the best player on the field. He didn't get into the end zone, but he rushed for 112 yards on only 12 carries, including a 55 yard run where he carried Nick Collins 15 yards leaving Collins on the field in a heap. the Purple Jesus is now second in the NFL in rushing and has Luckily for the Packers, he only had two carries in the second half. He still managed to make an impact, however, as he returned a kickoff 51 yards to answer a Packers drive that had put them up 16-9. It was only fitting that on a day where the greatest Vikings running back was honored, the next great Viking running back put on a show.
4 comments:
I was wondering when the inevitable whining would begin...
Just wanted to give you props after having to deal with the mouth-breathers from Wisconsin all week. I didn't get the same flood of Packer trolls that you did. . .probably because they actually have to register for an account at my site and were unable to do so, what with Wisconsin literacy being what it is.
The sun will go down tonight, the sun will come up again in the morning, you'll still be a Viking fan, and Packer fans will still be the most useless human beings on the planet. (They don't like to hear that, but it's true.)
"...probably because they actually have to register for an account at my site and were unable to do so, what with Wisconsin literacy being what it is."
Gonzo: um, actually, it had more to do with the fact that Deadspin, one of the most popular sports blog on the web, linked to this site and not to yours.
"(They don't like to hear that, but it's true.)"
Ouch! Packers fans, feel the sting of gonzo! For unto him is given knowledge of that which is true and untrue.
By the way, I was thrilled to be one of approximately 25,000 or so useless human beings who once again turned the Metrodome into Lambeau Field West. Vikings fans are kind: not only do they sell their tickets to us Packers fans, they leave the stadium before the game ends, so that Packers fans can savor the victory together. We thank you.
P.S. My condolences on your loss. Please know that you -- and all Vikings fans -- are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Mr. Anonymous Coward, you truly are Favre-like in your spinelessness.
If getting a link from Deadspin would bring dozens of people like you to my website, I'm glad I didn't get it. That and, as I said, I doubt any of you would be smart enough to get through the registration process.
Packer fans are living proof that a football team winning does not, in any way, make their fans winners.
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