When the Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-13 on semi-national television Sunday afternoon “Vikings Twitter” (IE loose collection of Vikings fans on the social media site) freaked out. Based on my Twitter feed you’d think the Vikings had lost their 10th straight game and were 0-10 on the season.
The overreaction was swift and severe. Many were quick to denounce the play of QB Teddy Bridewater (who finished with a respectable 100.7 passer rating) and perhaps more aptly the play of the defense who allowed 30 points whilst committing what seemed like penalty after penalty.
I for one must admit I was disappointed. As a Vikings blogger and aspiring journalist I try to stay as objective as possible when ‘covering’ the team but we all have our biases and the line between fan and blogger often becomes slightly blurred. My heart was telling me that this was a demoralizing loss but the object side told me to just hold on a minute and realize what many Vikings fans need to recognize. The Vikings are still tied for first in the NFC North, if the season ended today the purple would be in the playoffs and the sky is not falling.
It all started with a 13 play Green Bay drive that eclipsed over a third of the first quarter. Even though the first Packer drive only ended in a field goal, the tone was set and the Vikings’ defense would be in for it’s biggest test of the season.
The Vikings answered back quickly with a four play, 64 yard drive capped by a perfect Bridgewater to Kyle Rudolph connection for the 47 yard touchdown pass.
Green Bay would go on to score 16 unanswered points.
The Packers put foot to gas and accelerated out to a 16-6 lead headed into halftime with the capstone being a 9 play drive that took just over 2 minutes headed directly into halftime. Minnesota especially struggled when Rodgers escaped the pocket but the drive that ended the half and perhaps put the nail in the coffin was a simple slant pattern from Rodgers to Cobb. The Pack would extend their lead out of halftime via Mason Crosby’s 4th field goal and the game looked bleak as ever for Vikings fans.
Minnesota would calm “Vikings Twitter” down momentarily after another four play touchdown drive cut the Green Bay lead to six, capped with an Adrian Peterson TD run which was set up on the arm of Teddy Bridgewater.
The Packers would respond just like they did in the first half when put under pressure rattling off 11 additional unanswered points complemented by strong defensive play and that was that.
Not all is lost however. The last time the Vikings lost they went on to win five consecutive games. Someone texted me after the game that if the Vikings are truly a playoff team they’re going to have their chance to do it. It’s true, the Vikings play more than a few playoff contenders down the stretch and this isn’t the end of the season by any means. In fact Vikings fans might wish the season did end today because Minnesota would be in a playoff spot.
In the words of Vikings’ archenemy Aaron Rodgers, it’s time to “R-E-L-A-X”.
Don’t forget to attend our live in-person podcast at the Pourhouse on Nov 30 from 6-8 pm. We will have former Vikings interviewing and talking with fans. See more details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/929713007107493/
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