Vikings v Packers Preview

Question

What do you call it when the Packers wear purple?

Answer

Artificial intelligence.

To outsiders this game may have very little meaning outside of fantasy footbal (OK so nobody in fantasy playoffs have a Viking or Packer, but you never know). But I'm here to tell you that there is a LOT riding on this game.

1. Draft Pick - the loser of this game is in line for a top 10 draft pick, while the winner will probably drop 4 or 5 spots.
2. QBs worth watching - Brett Favre's last game at Lambeau and TJack's first of many wins at Lambeau.
3. Lambeau winning streak - the Vikings have 2 game win streak (include playoffs) at Lambeau, 3 would be kind of sweet
4. Records to be broken - Favre only needs 7 INTs to tie George Blanda's all time record. And something about 7 TD passes ties Dan Marino's all time record. My money's on INTs and TDs next season.
5. Playoffs - I HAVE to at least mention that the winner is still alive for the Wild Card with a W while the loser is officially done.

This one could be decided by the weather. If it is cold and snowing that will actually favor the visitors in purple. If the weather turns this into a rushing game the Vikings are heavy favorites. If the weather holds, I still like our chances but the playing field is leveled.

Ultimately when the season is ALMOST lost, the only consolation left is to beat the Packers in the frozen tundra. Of course Packer fans don't care about beating the Vikings because the Bears are their rival, that's fine I care and I want to see them lose.

Minnesota - 74
Green Bay - 3

NY Jets vs. Minnesota

a must win over an AFC team to make the playoffs. Unfortunately the Jets are in a must win situation as well.

I have not doubt we will stop the run but can we contain the passing game (Key to game #1)? Statistically their passing offense is worse than Minnesota! Yes there are teams with worse passing games, hard to believe I know.

NYJ - 22nd in NFL 188.6 yds/gm
Min - 16th in NFL 203.1 yds/gm

Key to game #2 - run the ball on offense. Jets are 26th vs. the run. The old adage of run the ball, stop the run and you win just might play out today (assuming Key #1 is taken care of). Chester is back and now there is another change of pace guy with Pinner. Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball (don't give Brad an opportunity to throw an IFTD, inteception for TD).

2 Interesting Notes...

1. This will be game #2 of Brad Childress 4 straight games vs. fellow rookie head coaches.
2. History is not on our side, the Vikings are 1-6 lifetime vs. the Jets. That mountain (or mole hill) must be overcome today.


Ultimately this is what it comes down to. Win and you will hold a Wild Card spot or at least be tied with the Philly/NYGiants loser. Not necessarily a must win, but you'll need LOTS of help if you lose this home game.

Vikings @ Lions

Vikings must win to keep playoff hopes alive.

Fortunately (and by fortunately I mean UNfortunately) Brad Johnson will be putting his hands under the arse of Birk at noon on Sunday. But I would expect that if he confuses Honolulu Blue for Viking Purple he'll quickly be putting that Reebok hat on his head instead of his helmet and we'll get to watch Jackson for an extended period of time.

The ESPN Insider scouting report says the following...

The Childress philosophy of providing an even keel and consistency, while demanding accountability, has created a locker room atmosphere that is tense and uptight, with his team playing that way.

Give me a break! So asking NFL players to act like adults and responsible citizens off the field and then also having the audacity to ask them to do their job on the field is making them tense? I feel so bad for these guys. I mean nobody likes to go to work everyday in such a stressful work environment. Playing football and collecting weekly paychecks that the average person has to work years for is tough enough. Childress is unreasonable to ask them to not make mistakes and not have sex in stairwells of popular downtown entertainment venues. I mean if he keeps this up free agents will start going to teams where sex boat cruises are acceptable behaviours.

The lockeroom is tense becaue the team is losing and the offense is terrible. Realy that is just terrible reporting by ESPN. If we win, even just last week, this lockeroom is not tense and everybody is happy.

Anyway, I don't know we'll overcome this Nazi coach with unreasonable expectations and the tense atmosphere he has created, but we will. We haven' t lost to Detroit in decades (or at least 4 years).

MN - 30 (1 offensive TD)
Det - 13 (Brad throws an INT for TD)

Quick Preview

I had a busy week and I don't have much time to get this week's rivalry prediction out there. It is never too early to drink the Kool-Aid on a Sunday morning so here we go...

T Jones gets 13 yards rushing
Rex has to throw a lot which will equate to INTs
Pat Williams will make Kruetz his bitch
Chester will have a low yds per carry stat but he'll get 80.

Vikings win!

Minnesota - 3
Chicago - 0

Vikings v 49ers Kool-Aided Preview

Week 9

Well this week is pretty simple, if you want to make the playoffs, you have to win this game. The Niners are 2-5 and the Vikings need to maintain their stellar NFC record. Like I said, this isn't complicated the Vikings must win or think about whether or not they want to make the playoffs.

The Trenches - The MN defensive line overmatches the SF offensive line. This is a match up that we need to do more than just win, we have to dominate. On the other side of the ball this is a match up we can also win but it is not a sure thing. The Vikings are facing another 3-4 defense this week and it was not a particularly good situation last week vs. New England (that was the last Patriot / 49er comparison). We should be able to handle their 3 down linemen (SHOULD) but the Niner LB corp is pretty solid and we have to do a better job of picking them up on the blitz.

The Pretty Boys - If the OL can give Brad time he should be able to move us downfield. Our passing game should seriously overmatch the San Fran secondary. Chester should have an opportunity to get his legs going again IF our OL can manhandle their defensive front. On the other side, the Niner offensive skill guys are young and improving. But they are still young, make mistakes and they don't have the OL to help them out.

The Ball Hawks - THIS is an interesting match up. Last week the Vikings secondary looked like they were wearing maroon & gold and they were still tired from getting beat by Ohio State. This week could be ugly or they could grab a handful of turnovers.

Keys to the Game

1. Minnesota D-line MUST DOMINATE - Not much to elaborate on here, get to Smith and keep Gore from breaking anything big.
2. Minnesota secondary - has to make the adjustments that got them embarassed on Monday night. Alex Smith is not Tom Brady no matter how much Kool Aid I drink, but Smith is getting better and he can get on a roll if we let him.
   
3. Overcome injuries - Napoleon Harris and Marcus Robinson are out this week. Marcus is a bigger loss than we thought before and usually I wouldn't care about Harris but his speed is necessary to help cover Vernon Davis (assuming he is back from injury). Also Napo was inefective last week and I think he'd come back this week to be productive.

The season would not be lost but this is a must win. The Vikings have a handful of games vs. bad teams in the next month. Losing to Green Bay is a possiblity as divisional games are often competitive, losing at Miami would not hurt as much as losing this week as they are an AFC team and Arizona at home is a dangerous game with Leinart improving and Denny returning to the Dome. All that to say that this is the easiest of the upcoming games and a must win to keep their playoff position.

Vikings v Patriots Kool-Aided Preview

Week 8

OK so I have taken a pregame, Kool-Aided hiatus. Week 6 was the bye week and Week 7 I was in South Bend for the weekend. But I'm back. I didn't get a chance to post it but my Seattle prediction was going to be Vikings 31 - Seattle 14. That was a pretty good prediction if you ask me, of course you have no way of disproving it so that runs my prediction record to 4-2.

Anyway, enough about me. In this mostly liberal state that most of us live in this is the perfect week for all of us. All of the anti-war, anti-Bush and generally anti-patriotic football fans in this state get to take this un-patriotism to another level. Because this week we are all un-patriotic. Patriots suck.

Before I get into the nitty gritty of my prediction, does anybody else wonder why this game was picked a the MNF game this week? This is a rare AFC/NFC battle between two teams with no history between them and when the schedule was set nobody thought these two teams would have similar records. The fact that this will be 1 week before the elections and a certain DFL resurgance is not lost on conspiracy theorists around the state. The Patriots will be defeated and a message will be sent (and this is payback for Wellstone!)! OK, I really don't know what message will be sent, what exactly we are paying back or what this has to do with politics, but I am certain this game will be a certain victory for the Vikings (and here is why)...

The Trenches - There are plenty of intriging matchups on both lines this week. I think the Vikings have a slight edge on both O and D line. The Vikings O-line has an advantage of the Pats D-line but that could be thrown out the window if they are unable to adjust to the 3-4 Defense which they are seeing for the first time this season. The matchup of Vikes D-line vs. Pats O-line is nearly a draw. The Pats O-line has been an anchor for them as they have won a few championships recently. But they are not quite as strong as in recent years and the Vikings D-line (especially the Williams brothers) has been dominating and stuffing the run all year.

The Pretty Boys - The Pats do very well what the Vikings are trying to do this year. That is have a productive, ball control passing game with a WR by committee approach. New England has been successful with that approach while MN has struggled. Advantage New England. Tom Brady vs. Brad Johnson? Advantage New England. Dillion and Maroney vs. Chester Taylor, I give advantage to New England. BUT the matchups that matter are Tom Brady vs. MN secondary (OK, I'll still give that to NE) and Dillion/Maroney vs. the Vikings run defense (ADVANTAGE Minnesota).

Brady is the guy you want behind center for every single game. He is cool as ice and gets better as the lights get brighter. MN will need to stop the Patriot run game, make them 1-dimensional then get to Brady and rattle his cage.

The Ball Hawks - New England has a good secondary and they are in luck because they will be covering an average WR core. Minnesota has a very good secondary and they will be taking on a highly efficient and opportunistic passing game. Both team's linebackers are playing at a high level and making plays in both the run and passing games.

All that to say that if Minnesota plays well at home this will be a very tight game. Mistakes have to be minimized and opportunities cannot be squandered. Minnesota will stay hot and prove that Seattle was not a fluke.

Keys to the game

1. Dillion/Maroney vs. MN Run Defense - this is kind of a broad matchup, but this will be the primary key to the game in my Kool-Aided opinion. If Maroney thinks he's running against the Hoosier defense on the Metrodome turf again then the Vikings are in trouble. As stated above if they can shut down the run like they've done all year they can put Brady in comprimising positions and we have to jump on any (or the only) mistakes that Brady makes.
2. Marcus Johnson - Marcus is facing a 3-4 defense for the first time this year. I assume that blocking schemes are different and he has to be ready for varying blitzes from the LBs. He has to have his head in the game and do his part to give Brad time.
3. Don't let Brady be Brady - a scenario where MN is ahead late in the 4th qtr and New England has the ball is always scary when Tom Brady is the opposing QB. MN has to get in his face and make him uncomfortable and NOT let him be a road-hero.

It comes down to the team's logos. The old patriot is seriously gay and would not last a day on a Viking's ship sailing to Iceland.

Minnesota - 24
New England - 20

Vikings v Lions Kool-Aided Preview

Week 5

Well, now we will find something out about this Vikings team. Chicago was a game we gave away, Buffalo was a game we didn't show up for and now we get a weak Lion's team at home. Are we going to execute and beat a team we should be at home? Or are we going to remain in this 1 week funk and give the Lions a chance to beat us for the first time in a long time. The Vikings have tames the Lions for the better part of the last decade. We are 14-2 in the last 8 years including winning the last 8 meetings. This is a game the Vikings not only have to win, but have to dominate if they want to be established as a playoff team in 2006.

The Trenches - The Lions are hit and miss along their offensive line. OG-Verba is injured and likely will not be playing but C-Raiola is decent and OG-Woody is pretty solid. But this is a matchup our D-line should win. I think Kevin Williams and Udeze have matchups they should win, while Pat Williams should win his battle on most snaps as well.

The strength of the Lions defense is their D-line. Rogers is one of the better DTs in the league and his matchup with Hicks is a big one. This could turn into a Johnson/Peppers situations if the Vikes don't help Hicks out a little bit. On the left side McKinnie vs. DE-Hall is another matchup that we need to win. There really is no excuse for our O-line to not start producing, this group is counted on to help our run game out and to date they have been disappointing.

The Pretty Boys - If I feel as though our WRs are bad, for this game I like our corp better than the Lion's WRs. After what seems like 8 years of the Lions taking a WR with their top 10 pick, they still do not have a productive group that strikes fear into opposing DBs. Roy Williams is solid, but something called Mike Furrey is no more feared than a Teletubby.

If the Vikings passing game is ever going to get going this is the week it will happen. Detroit is last in the league in pass defense. But it doesn't matter how wide open you are if you drop the ball.

Chester has a chance to be a factor but I think he production is too closely tied to the O-line so he is not a key, but could be a factor.

The Ball Hawks - As discussed Detroit's pass defense is last in the league. This is a key matchup as our WRs HAVE to find a way to be productive this week and attack their weakness. The Lion's LBs are solid and 1st round draft pick Ernie Simms is playing like a ROY candidate.

I like the matchup of our DBs vs the Detroit WRs. Like so many of our games if we can get pressure on Kitna our DBs will have a shot to create some turnovers.

Keys to the Game

1. Turnovers to TDs - The Vikings need to win the turnover battle and we have to make Detroit pay for their mistake by puting 7 points on the board instead of scoring in 3 point increments.
   
2. MN O-line - time for them to step up and earn their paychecks. The Detroit D-line is solid but a group we should beat.
   
3. WRs hang on to the ball - these guys will get open and I am confident Brad will have time, but drops are killing us and they need to stop.
4. Execute - For the first time all year the Vikings will be favored and are the more talented team, they need to execute and beat an inferior team.

Execute and Dominate that is the mantra for Sunday's game! And it would be nice to score a few TDs. I predict we score a TD on our opening drive and never look back.
MN - 27 Det - 13

Vikings v Bill Kool-Aided Preview

Week 4
These teams are a combined 0-8 in the Super Bowl (for now!) so it is a battle of big game losers. This should be a solid test for the Vikes but one that is VERY winnable. A road game is always tough to win in the NFL especially against a team you are not very familiar with. Look for Pat Williams and Antoine Winfield to have big games in their return to Buffalo.

The Trenches - I think on both sides of the ball advantage goes to Minnesota. MN O-line should be able to protect Brad and open holes for Chester. The Bills D gave up 4.7 and 4.6 yards per carry vs. New England and Miami respectivly so this is an opporunity to establish the run and dominate the line of scrimmage all game. On the defensie side of the ball this is probably the weakest offensive line the Vikes have face all year. This is an opportunity for the Williams and the DEs to start getting pressure on the QB without help from the LBs.

Nobody on Buffalo's O or D line should be a factor, if he is then we are losing a position battle that we shouldn't and 2-2 becomes more likely than 3-1.

The Pretty Boys - Losman vs. Brad and I'll take Brad. RB and WR I'lll give the advantage to Buffalo. But when you factor in the offensive line I think our skill position players will have better games. I fully expect Chester to have a breakout game this week, start him on your fantasy teams! If we get pressure on Losman then Price and Lee Evans shouldn't be a major factor. Troy vs. Nate Clements is an interesting matchup, one that if we can win it will go a long way to being 3-1 on the flight home.


The Ball Hawks - If the D-line can get pressure on Losman then it will be intersting to see how our pass defense is with everyone in coverage. I am counting on 2 picks this week! In addition to solid pass coverage (an no blown assigments Whittaker!), we need to continue to be stout vs. the run. If anyone can take over this game for Buffalo it is McGahee. We must continue to stop the run, make them one dimensional and then be in position to create turnovers.

For Buffalo, London Fletcher has been playing great through 3 games. If we get a block on him, as stated I think Chester will have a breakout game.

Keys to the game

1. Chester - I've said it thrice times now, but Chester needs to have a breakout game. O-line vs. their D-line should be a win for us and if we can get a helmet on Fletcher I think Chester will put up big yards.
2. D-line getting 4 man pressure - we have been blitzing on a far too regular basis through 3 games. This is the weakest O-line we'll see all year so I'd like to see Udeze, Williams and Williams get to Losman without Napo or EJ blitzing. Let Napo and EJ get into coverage or flow to stop the run without taking them out of position.
   
3. Red Zone futility - both teams have struggled in the red zone this year. The team that breaks that funk and gets 7 instead of 3 might be the team that has the happy locker room.
   
4. Williamson vs. Clements - if TWill can be an open target for Brad (and CATCH the ball) on a regular basis we will move the ball and score this week.
   

This is a game that I am really excited for. I truly think the Vikings win most of the matchups that we'll be faced with. If Chester can run for yards and our D-line can get pressure on Losman I really think this game could get out of hand.

Vikings go 2-0 on road and dominate the line of scrimmage
MN - 27
Buf - 13

Vikings v Bears Kool-Aided Preview

Week 3

The purple headed warriors are 2-0 heading into our first divisional game. We have been witness to 2 straight weeks of a solid gameplan that was executed till Longwell decided he wanted it to be over. I believe that every good team has at least 1 game per season where neither the offense or defense "wins" the game for you and special teams has to step up and make the plays necessary to win. This was that week for the Minnesota Vikings. Ryan Longwell was special teams player of the week after drililng 4 FGs and throwing a crucial TD on a fake FG. In addition to Longwell, the Viking's special teams recovered a critical fumble on Chris Gamble's ill advised punt return-throw back fumble. For the most part the offense played OK and the defense played pretty well but the special teams won the game.

Week 3 will be a similar type game but the O and the D need to step up their play if we are going to be 3-0. Here is how I see it happening...

If Bears fans think that Walter Payton, Jim McMcMahon, Mike Singletary and Dick Butkis are going to walk through the tunnel onto the HHH turf on Sunday they have another thing coming. In fact since most Bears fans live in the past, they probably do expect the 85 Bears to play on Sunday. But it won't help them because the Bears suck...

The Trenches - As good as the left side of our O-line was in week 1, the right was the ying to the left side's yang in week 2. Marcus Johnson was beat to a pulp on a regular basis by Julius Peppers. Fortunately for Marcus the Bears D-line is not as good as Carolinas, but it Ogunleye is pretty dang close. These are fairly even mathcups on both sides of the ball. The Bears D-line is pretty good but so it our O-line. The Bears O-line is also rather good, but our D-line is quickly becoming a strength of our defense. I expect these matchups to be a wash. We'll open some holes and give Brad time to pass on most plays but their D-line will occasionally make some plays to put us in 2nd or 3rd and long. Same thing will happen on the other side of the ball.

I think it is more important for Chicago to win the battle of O-line protection. Grossman is prone to more mistakes when rushed than Johnson is. As we saw last week even with a D-line in his face all day Brad was till able to make plays and not make mistakes.

The Pretty Boys - Going into the season neither team's skill position players really thrilled you or took up roster spots on your fantasy team. After 2 weeks though Grossman, Berrian, Williamson and Chester are either hot pickups or are moving from your bench to a start position. Both defenses now realize there is big play potential on these offenses so I wouldn't expect to see 8 men in the box all game long like we have in the past. If one team can come up with 1 or 2 big plays I think that is what will be the difference maker.

The Ball Hawks - this is a monster key for the Vikings. On the road in a hostile stadium, you can expect that Grossman will make a couple mistakes. We have to capitalize on them. LBs will have to do their job vs. the run so we don't have to pull up our safeties and the LBs can't get blocked when blitzing. I keep seeing visions of Napo breaking through the line, Grossman tries to hit his hot receiver but a DB jumps the route, picks it and takes it to the house.

Keys to the game

1. Grossman - we need to get some pressure on Rex and pounce when he makes a mistake. If he manages the game, can sit comfortably in the pocket and doesn't throw into coverage then I don't like our chances.
   
2. Tony Richardson's blocking - really this is Richardson vs. Chicago LB core, but specifically Urlacher. If MN wants to establish the run at any point it is critical that Richardson can get to a LB and hold a block (without holding of course) long enough for Chester to get into the secondary. Tony also needs to help on the pass blocking so we don't see visions of Peppers in our backfield again.
3. Safeties - the Viking safeties may also be a key to this game. They will need to fill quickly to stop the run but not bite on play fakes and keep the likes of Berrian in front of them at all times. On the other side the Bears are starting rookie Danieal Manning at Safety this week, if he makes rookie mistakes we have to cash in on those.
   
4. Penalties - The Vikes have had a few too many penalties of late. 2 TDs were essentially taken from us last week inside the 10. And conversely Chicago benefited from Detroit's rash of yellow flags last week to help them breeze to their W. Last week Detroit intercepted a Grossman pass and took it for 6, but was called back because of a personal foul. That is exactly what cannot happen if the Vikes want to win agian this week.
5. Special teams has to win again - Longwell needs to pass for 250 yds and 3 TDs, oh wait... special teams does not have to win the game for us but simply outplay Chicago's special teams. Don't give up huge returns and win the field position battle. This game will come down to the little things.

I think this is the perfect time to be playing Chicago. They have a lot of confidence following 2 offensive explosions and defensive beatdowns, but it was vs. GB and Det so I'm hoping it is a false confidence. Also they are playing Seattle next week and everyone outside of Minnesota assumes that is a better test for the Bears. I don't expect them to totally look past a divisional road game, as they are not prone to do that, but I'm hoping they are more confident than they should be heading into this game. Finally let's not forget that it has been a LONG time since the Bears have won in the Metrodome.

The Vikings win as Rex struggles in the Dome.
MN - 20
Chi - 16

Vikings v Panthers Kool-Aided Preview

Week 2

Well, the PKA was accurate in week 1. The Vikings are 1-0 and we here at PKA are also 1-0 (I think we can both go 16-0 if the the Vikes hold up their end of the bargain). Here is how I see week 2's matchup with Carolina breaking down...

The Panthers are TERRIBUL and the Vikes are un beatable!!!

The Trenches - as I stated last week, this will be important in every game this year. Last week it held true as the O-line won the game in the 4th qtr and the D-line made 2 huge plays in the 4th to make sure a Redskin's 1st and goal resulted in only 3 points. This week is no different. The Panthers D-line is better than Washingtons and it is vital that our O-line protects Brad and lets Chester get to the LB level of the Panther defense. Kris Jenkins and Julius Peppers both grade out as the top DT and DE respectively in the NFL. We may not see a better D-line this season. Birk and Hutch should be able to handle the interior with the help of Hicks, but Peppers vs. Marcus Johnson is a key (if not THE key) to our offense being productive on Sunday.

Defensively this is a matchup that we have to win. The Panthers LT Travelle Wharton is out and their C Justin Hartwig is also likely not playing. RT Jordan Gross moves to LT and Todd Fordham starts at RT. This jumbled O-line is something that we HAVE to take advantage of. I'm hoping that our defensive scheme will involve giving a solid rush to the right side of their line and getting in Delhomme's face.

The Pretty Boys - Offensive skill positions are a little more important to this week's game. If Steve Smith plays he is obviously the key to their offense. Keeping him to under 200 yds might be a good idea this time around. I think better scheming and not just putting Smoot on an island with Smith will help a ton, but he has to be slowed down. On our side of the ball Troy Williamson has quickly become a factor. It was obvious that Brad looked his way early and often. It appears as though he is a favorite target, BUT Troy has to hang on to the ball or Brad will find a new catching partner. If Troy can get down field, make big 3rd down catches and actually hang on to the ball that will continue to open things up for the rest of the passing game and Chester on the ground. I wouldn't expect quite as many carries for Chester this week but hopefully he can still bang out 80-90 yds on 25 carries this week.

The Ball Hawks - Last week Carolina was held to 65 total yards rushing and were 2/12 on 3rd down. I'm guessing those are 2 things they are looking to correct this week. With the reshuffled O-line, hopefully they will not be able to get that ground game going and they'll be stuck in 3rd and long early and often. If that is the case the LBs and DBs need to turn last weeks stats into a trend. I feel that EJ had a solid game last week and he needs to continue that this week.

Keys to the game

1. Shutting down the Panther run game. The more 3rd and long situations and the quicker we can make them 1 dimensional the better for us. At that point we can key on Smith and attack their wounded O-Line.
2. Peppers vs. Marcus Johnson - I feel pretty good about the rest of our O-line vs. their D-line matchups, but this one makes me nervous. All week we've heard about the left side of our line, well Marcus now is the time for you to stand up and point out that our entire O-line is good, not just the left side.
3. Brad's trust in Troy - Brad is clearly looking Troy's direction and Troy needs to reward him with receptions, first downs and touchdowns. Dropping a perfectly thrown ball that goes right through your hands is unacceptable. Troy has the choice to be a fan favorite or the complete goat.
4. DBs vs. Steve Smith - the healthier Smith is the higher this moves up the list. Smith is very good and will make plays, but a TD and 201 yds on 11 catches (or 12 for 218 and 2 TDs vs. Chicago) are unacceptable and will secure a road win for the Panthers.

I know we are not supposed to look too far ahead, but this game is actually really huge. Carolina is wounded and on the road. We are playing well and completely healthy. This win (paired with the WAS win) really will come into play at the end of the season when we are compiling playoff scenarios. Washington and possibly Carolina are teams we could be vying for a wild card spot with. It is WAY too early to know who is a wild card team and who is a division winner, but it is never too early to rack up NFC wins to put us in a better position in December when that is all we will talk about. Every win is important, but head to head and NFC record will be a factor down the road so take care of business when you have the opportunity.

Verdict - Longwell has 3 FGs, but the game winning score will be a 4 qtr TD.
MN - 23 Car - 20

Vikings v Redskins Kool-Aided Preview

WEEK 1

Ready for some in depth analysis that will blow your minds? Are you prepared for a verbal abyss of information that will make you the smartest person at your Vikings MNF party? Well strap on your Helga Horns and pay attention...

The Vikings rock and the Redskins suck!!!

Alright here is some real insight...

The Trenches - This could be said for probalby all 16 games this season but this game will likely be won or lost with the O-line and the D-line. The Vikings offensive line will have to be prepared and ready to right what was wrong in the preseason. The Redskin's D-line isn't spectacular, but their LBs are all pretty good. McKinnie, Hutch, Birk, Hicks and Johnson need to give WonderBrad time in the pocket from blitzing LBs and create some holes for Taylor to get into the backfield. If they can do this I really like our chances of moving the ball downfield, especially with Shawn Springs out for the Redskins.

Defensively, our D-line HAS to put pressure on Brunell and occupy enough of their O-line so our LBs will be free to flow to the ball and keep their running game in check.

The Pretty Boys - our offensive skill positions are all decent but nobody is really a dynamic weapon. As discussed above if the guys in the trenches do their job at an exceptional level, our offense will be good enough to put up 20 points or more. The MidWest Coast Offense (copyright John Clayton) will one that eats up yards and eats up clock, but WonderBrad, Chester and the WR core are not good enough to do it all on their own. Given time and some holes they are good enough to get the job done.

The Ball Hawks - defensive LBs and DBs are important to the outcome of this game (duh!). If the D-line does it's job, that doesn't guarantee much if the LBs and DBs don't hold up their end of things. Our LB core which is suspect to begin with HAS to play disciplined. They are athletic enough to cover the likes of Cooley and whoever is in at RB for the skins, but if they bite on play fakes/counters or overpursue they will be out of position and made to look like fools. That will be bad for us.

I am secure in all 4 of our DBs. Winfield and Smoot's ability to cover and tackle (especially Winfield) make them one of the best CB combos in the league. Sharper and Smith are solid as well, just cover guys downfield and let the D-line get in Brunell's face. These guys will make plays on the ball when the skins make a mistake.

Keys to the game

1. O-line must do their job at a high level. Open holes for Taylor and give Brad some time to find the open guy.
2. D-line must make plays in the backfield. Udeze/James have to be in Brunell's face, KWilliams must be making plays vs. the run and pass in the backfield and PWilliams has to occupy linemen to allow Napo/EJ to make plays.
3. Nape/EJ/Leber MUST PLAY DISCIPLINED and make the plays they are suppose to make
4. DBs have to create turnovers when the skins make a mistake.

Verdict
MN - 20
Was - 13

Other Vikings Previews from around the web

ESPN - Camp Report by the biggest nerd in sports, John Clayton. "I am on the record for saying this: I didn't think this team was void of talent," Childress said. "My thinking was this was one of the best of the seven jobs." Sounds to me like Major Dad is declaring this a team full of Super Bowl talent. And he's the guy to bring it all together.

SportsIllustrated - Projected at 6-10 and 3rd in the NFC North. Remember though, SI picked the Vikes to be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl last year, so apparently they know their stuff.

Deadspin - "the only NFL team named after a race of Scandinavian explorers who prized raping and pillaging over cartography." This is a pretty funny preview of why we should love the Purple. *** (Not a safe link for kids due to language) ***

"New staff, new system, even new uniforms. We all understand it's time to be accountable." 3 guesses who's quote THAT is... give up? Well it is the recently release Koren Robinson, you can't make this stuff up folks.

2006 Vikings - Kool-Aid(ed) Preview

Well after Saturday's beat down on the defending Super Bowl champs it seems to me an apples to apples equation that we beat the defending Super Bowl champs, ergo Vikings will be the 2006 Super Bowl Champions of the world.

BUT, many of us remember the amazing offensive dominance displayed by Culpepper/Burleson in the 2005 preseason. And that awesomeness was followed up by interceptions at a Favre-like pace and Burleson disappeared like a Lion's fans after and 0-2 start.

So we can't put too much stock in this mighty preseason win. Here is what we can expect though...

(semi) Realistic Outlook - Vikings finished 9-7 last year and I argue the 2006 version is slightly better than the team that finished last year.

Offense - QB, WR, TE, RB are all basically the same as last year. Chester Taylor is the new RB, but he is a question mark. At worst he is as good as the Moe Williams / M. Moore combo last year. Upside could make this a significant upgrade over last year. The WR core is essentially the same. Burleson and Robinson are gone but they were not significant contributors last year anyway. This position may be a slight downgrade, but not much as they were pretty average last year anyway and if Williamson can emerge as a good and reliable WR this may be an upgrade. QB is essentially the same situation since Week 5 when Culpepper went down. Backup QB is an issue but it was last year and is for nearly every team in the NFL.

Offensive line is where there is a massive upgrade. We brought in the best OG in the league and the former best C in the league returns after 2 years of injury. Birk may not be the same but he HAS to be better than last year. The right side of the line is a question mark but it was a year ago as well.

Defense - the corners and safeties are essentially the same as last year with the addition of Darren Smith at a safety spot. He is an upgrade, making our defensive backfield slightly better. Linebackers are a HUGE question mark!!! The signing of Ben Leber was pretty low profile, but he may be a guy who can make the plays in front of him and maintain his assignments. EJ Henderson is supposed to be having a good camp but I predict that once the season gets started, the offense starts moving faster and our defense gets more complicated he'll return to his old form of being out of position on most plays. Napoleon Harris is, well read the EJ Henderson remarks above. The loss of Greenway will seem bigger in Week 4 than it does now. The D-Line is basically the same as last year. I would expect James and Udeze to improve on their inexperience but I would also expect a slight drop in production from Pat Williams.

Special Teams - we have upgraded at kicker, punter will remain the same (hopefully better with age), and our return game will probably take a dip assuming K-Rob doesn't every play another game in a Vikings uniform.

Now as I mix the Kool-Aid, sit down at the computer, drink it down and begin typing I see things much more clearly. I open a new tab in Firefox and go to Orbitz and start booking a hotel room. Where am I going? Well, I'm booking my room for the Super Bowl in Miami!!!

• Brad Johnson is the greatest thing since white bread. Wonder-Brad!
• Wiggins should be your #1 scoring TE in the league (a free fantasy tip)
  
• Troy Williamson will have a monster break out season as WR and PR and make us forget about K-Rob
• Chester Taylor will have Prieste Holmes break out season
• The O-Line will dominate all opposing defensive fronts.
• James and Udeze will combine for at least 27 sacks.
• Napoleon Harris will return to the Hardest Hitting LB!
• Smoot/Winfield will both start in the Pro-Bowl
• Longwell will hit 100% of kicks in the regular AND post season.

You think those statements seem outragious? Well, here is how I expect it to happen...

Offense - the O-Line is the key to everything. Holes will be tank sized for Taylor and Wonder-Brad will have all Sunday afternoon to pass and find Williamson downfield or check down to Wiggins. And if Brad goes down you ask? Well we have a unique combo of Vick and Warren Moon in Tarvarus Jackson. And that combo is Vick's legs + Moon's arm (not the other way around).

Defense - the last 10 games of the year the defense led the purple. That will continue and they will improve in the "Tampa 2." Winfield/Smoot is as good as anybody else in the league (EVER). EJ Henderson and Nap Harris will use their incredible speed and athleticism to make plays all over the field on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Most importantly, Major Dad will have us much more prepared each and every week. He'll have us ready and put us in position to win every single game if the players can execute. Seems so easy, almost too easy.

The more I drink the more clear my brain becomes. 9 months from now you will all be scratching your heads and wondering why didn't I see the Vikings coming? Well, it's cause you aren't drinking the Kool-Aid. Drink up Vikings fans!

Pesimistic Prediction - 9-7, maybe 10-6 and a wild card birth
Kool-Aid(ed) Assesment - I'm going to go conservative on this one and say 15-1 and a Super Bowl victory (the first of a few).

2006 Chicago Bears - Kool-Aid(ed) Preview

The story of the 2005 Chicago Bears was DEFENSE and 2006 should be no different. The unit led by MLB Brian Urlacher drew comparisons to the '85 Bears D that is widely considered the best in NFL history.

• 2nd overall in yardage allowed
• 1st ovearll in points allowed (by nearly 3 full points)
• 4th in NFC in takeaways
• 2nd in NFL in INTs

The Bears D was greater than any of the offensive weaknesses and question marks. The running game of Thomas Jones was solid and helped to overcome their 31st ranked air attack.

Overall they finished 11-5, earned a bye and home playoff game which they lost to Carolina 29-21.

Where does this leave the Bears for 2006? Well that depends on your perspective...

Reality? - The Defense may not be quite as dominant as last year but they'll still be one of the top units in the NFL. The offense will likely be virtually the same as last year. Muhammed is a solid WR and has the ability to dominate a game. Thomas Jones is also a very underrated RB who runs behind an underrated O-Line. Logic tells me that they will have a very similar record to 2005 and will be a playoff team. This is a good team that is well coached.

Let's put back a few cups of Kool-Aid - Last year's defense was injury free and played out of their butts all year. Their offense was generally mistake free and couldn't put up enough points to beat the Cubs most Sundays (OK they could beat the Cubs with a safety or FG, but for sure not the White Sox).That scoring trend will continue and expect more turnover as the QB carousel will begin spinning early. I would expect their defense to reselemble the 2002 Bears more than the 85 Bears. The last 2 times the Bears has a double digit win season they followed it up with 5-11 (in 1992) and 4-12 (in 2002). Actual Prediction - 11-5 but will be playing at home Wild Card Weekend
Kool-Aid(ed) Prediction - 6-10, 2nd in division but only because the Pack and Lions are so terrible.

2006 Detroit Lions - Kool-Aid(ed) Preview

After spending 5 straight 1st round draft picks on offensive skill position players the Lions offense was supposed to be a significant threat. The group of Harrington ('02), Kevin Jones ('04), Charlie Rogers('03), Roy Williams('04) and Mike Williams ('05) was thought to primed and ready for a breakout offensive season. Well Lions GM Matt Millen forgot 2 very important factors.

1. You need an offensive line to block and protect. Without this in place the other pieces are meaningless.
2. Joey Harrington is a bad QB. Putting your eggs in the Harrington basket is a recipe for disaster.

The Lions are finally ready to move in a new direction. Out is Harrington and former Head Coach Stever Mariuchi. In is Jon Kitna and Rod Marinelli? Talk about making the moves necessary to put people in the seats of Ford Field. I don't think you'll be seeing Kitna in "Honolulu Blue" on the cover of Madden anytime soon.

The Lions did not address any of their needs in the offseason after signing Kitna and backup QB Josh McCown (that BASTARD).

Defense ranked 21st in ppg
Offense ranked 28th in ppg

The prospects of 2006 being the first time the Lions make the playoffs since 1999 (or chances of first playoff win since 1992) seem pretty slim.

Realistic Prediction - 4-12
Purple Kool-Aid(ed) Prediction - 2-14 (who cares if they have a high draft pick, Matt McMillen won't do anything with it.)

**To both of my loyal readers I apologize for the harsh language above!

2006 Green Bay Packers - Kool-Aid(ed) Preview

2005 was a rough year for Green Bay fans (I feel terrible for you). 4-12 tied their worst season since 1991 when they had the same record. Packer fans will tell you that the season could have been totally different as they lost 5 games by 3 points or less. Well, it is hard to make up those points when you give the ball to the other team on a regular basis and then give up your kicker in the offseason.

Through my purple colored glasses it was a great season. The Vikings swept the Pack for the first time since the 98 season and evened the overall regular season record to 44-44-1. The Vikings have actually won 3 consecutive games vs. Green Bay dating back to their playoff victory at Lambeau in 2004.

One statistic jumps out that the Packers need to correct. Turnovers!

• Offense - 18th in yardage
• Defense - 7th in yardage (19th in scoring)
• Turnover Margin -23

That is incredible. 29 interceptions led all QBs by 12 (Aaron Brooks was 2nd with 17). What did they do to rectify this problem? Nothing, Ol'#4 is back behind center for another year. Favre needs just 24 TDs to break Dan Marino's career record of 420 (which would be a truly great accomplishment), but he is also on pace to set the career record for INTs (needing 22 to tie George Blanda at 277).

With a QB who will throw more INTs than TDs, an oft injured RB who is prone to fumbles, an inexperienced offensive line, a weak defense that was only slightly improved and having lost their reliable kicker; this could be another disastrous season for the state of Wisconsin.

I don't have to drink much Kool-Aid for this preview.

Reality says this team will finish right around the 5 win mark again.

After a gallon of Kool-Aid I think I actually want them to finish 7-9 and go 0-2 vs. MN. This way they don't get a top 10 draft pick and hopefully this will perpetuate their mediocrity.

Prediction is 5-11, 5th in NFC North
Hopeful for 6-10, 5th in NFC North

Regardless of how they finish, I'm sure we'll all hear multiple times about how many Super Bowls the Pack have won and how the Vikings are 0-4 in the big game (blah, blah, blah). While that is all true, they can cling to that while they participate in the 2007 Brady Quinn Sweepstakes.