The Minnesota Vikings returned home this week to play the Miami Dolphins. This was a huge game for both teams, with a win helping both of their playoff chances. The Vikings came out fast and scored 21 points in the first quarter. This was awesome to see because we just signed a new offensive coordinator. From there it seemed as if the Vikings would just coast from there, getting a couple late scores to win 41-17. This was a huge win for the Vikings and it was exactly what they needed. They now improve to 7-6-1 and play in Detroit this week against the Lions. This will be another big game for them as they need to win with teams just a half game behind them for the last Wild Card Spot. I'm very excited to watch them on Sunday because I think things are going in the right direction.
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Well the Vikings lost again, that makes it two in a row after their loss to the Patriots last week. As a Vikings fan I hate to say it, but things are not looking good for Minnesota. Watching that game was really hard for me. The play calling was terrible and Kirk Cousins was constantly missing easy throws to open receivers. Also, there was no run game, which has been the problem all year. But enough of me ranting. The game didn't have a lot of action in the first half, with only 3 points put on the board. But a big play was made at the end of the half, when the Vikings defense got a big interception at the goal line to keep Seattle from scoring and making it 3-0 at half. Seattle would kick another field goal to make it 6-0. The biggest play in the game came in the fourth quarter when the Vikings decided to go for it on 4th down on the 2 yard line. Unfortunately they could not convert and turned it over. On the following possession they had another scoring chance but the field goal was blocked. That was a game changer because there should've been a 15 yard penalty on the defense which would've given the Vikings a first down and could have possibly scored a touchdown. The Seahawks then drove down the field and scored a touchdown to seal the game. The final score would end up 21-7. To me this was a terrible loss for the Vikings. If they want to make the playoffs, they need to turn this thing around quickly.
The Purdue Boilermakers traveled to Minneapolis on Saturday as heavy favorites over the Minnesota Gophers. The Gophers having just come off a loss at a bad Illinois team and the Boilermakers having beaten two ranked teams in the past three weeks, this one seemed over from the start. But I guess that's why they play the game. Minnesota came out on the opening drive going down the field and getting three points on the board after a Emmit Carpenter 24-yard field goal. Purdue would respond with field goal of their own later in the quarter after a costly turnover by the Gophers, making it 3-3. It would be all Minnesota from there, scoring 38 unanswered points to roll to a 41-10 blowout victory. They scored in every way possible with two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown and a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery. For me, this was so great to see the Gophers get a big win like this. Especially when it seemed like all hope was lost after last week, they have given me a reason to watch again. I am definitely back on the P.J. Fleck bandwagon and I am rowing the boat once again. The Gophers have a chance at another big win as the Northwestern Wildcats come to town after they clinched the Big Ten West last week. If the Gophers could get another win this week, that would be huge for the program.
The Detroit Lions traveled to US Bank Stadium on Sunday to take on the Vikings. Minnesota took control from the opening kickoff. They went 65 yards on the opening drive, capped off by a Latavius Murray fumble into the endzone recovered by Kyle Rudolph for a touchdown. Although the touchdown was great, it wasn't the best part of the drive for me. My favorite part of the series was going for it on 4th down and 2 and converting. To me that shows that Mike Zimmer has confidence in his offense. But the big story of the day was the Vikings defense. They would absolutely dominate the Lions. With a franchise record 10 sacks and a scoop and score for Danielle Hunter to seal the win, the defense imposed their will all game. Going forward the Vikings will need their defense to perform like that if they want to make a run deep into the playoffs. The only disappointing part of the game for me was that Adam Thielen didn't get to 100 yards. However, he still played a good game and scored a TD which was nice to see with Stefon Diggs sidelined with an injury. Speaking of injuries, Dalvin Cook made his return and busted one open for 70 yards. That was awesome to see that he is healthy because the Vikings will need him down the stretch. Minnesota would get the win in this one 24-9, moving their record to 5-3-1 going into the bye week.
The Minnesota Vikings traveled to Philadelphia this week to play the Eagles in America's Game of the Week. And the game lived up to the hype. The Vikings dominated the game from the start but I feel as though they could've played much better. On the opening drive they looked good but settled for a field goal. On the next drive they missed a 42 yard field goal. So clearly they had some opportunities to score and I feel that they played good, but not as a good as they could've. However, the defense looked much better compared to last week. They forced two turnovers, including my favorite play of the game, a Linval Joseph fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. The other turnover was also huge, recovering a fumble on their own 10 yard line as the Eagles were driving. I was very happy with the play of Kirk Cousins again. He is so great under pressure and makes perfect throws. His throw to Thielen in the end zone was right where it needed to be. When you combine the talent of Diggs and Thielen with a good quarterback like Cousins, it's going to be hard to stop. I would like to see the running game get going more though. It seemed the only way they could move the ball was passing. Hopefully Dalvin Cook can come back next week as that would be a big boost in the running and passing game. Lastly, although Dan Bailey missed two field goals early in the game, his 52 yarder late in the game was absolutely huge. I think signing him was one of the best moves the Vikings have made all season. The Vikings take on the Cardinals next Sunday at home. I get to be in attendance for which I am very excited.
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AuthorMy name is Riley Swenson. I am a sophomore at Moorhead High School. Archives
April 2019
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