Excuse the borrowed analogy, but there’s no other way to describe what the Vikings did on Sunday night then to say that they shot themselves in the foot. (And repeatedly, might I add.)
The media is going to concentrate on Brett Favre’s interception in New Orleans territory with 19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings turned the ball over five times in their 31-28 loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship Game. Favre’s interception was a horrid mistake that only most rookies make, but the fact of the matter is that the blame cannot be pinned on just one person. And truth be told, even if Favre threw that pass 12 rows deep into the stands, there’s no guarantee that Ryan Longwell would have made a 50-plus yard attempt on the next play.
The Vikings screwed the pooch tonight – plain and simple. That’s not to take anything away from the Saints because Drew Brees and company deserve the right to play in Miami in two weeks, but Minnesota blew several golden opportunities to put more points on the board. A team can’t turn the ball over five times (it could have been seven had they not recovered two Adrian Peterson fumbles) and expect to win. They just can’t.
But what doomed the Vikings more than anything tonight was when they were flagged for having too many men in the huddle on that third and 10 play from the Saints’ 33-yard line. Had they not gotten that penalty, there’s a good chance that Brad Childress would have called something safer (even if it were a pass play) and therefore Favre probably wouldn’t have gotten picked off while trying to make a play. For all their mistakes on the night, that 5-yard penalty may have been the reason they’re not heading to Miami in two weeks.
Rookie of the Year winner Percy Harvin was back at practice for the Vikings on Saturday after missing the past two days with migraine headaches.
One source told Werder the symptoms Harvin was suffering from with his migraine headaches were less severe but the problem still lingers.
Harvin traveled with his teammates to New Orleans for the NFC Championship Game later Saturday, the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune reported.
He was listed as questionable on the official injury report but his availability to play remained undetermined.
Hopefully for the Vikings’ sake, Harvin will be able to play. He gives the team another deep threat to go along with Sidney Rice and is also explosive when Brad Childress gets him carries in the backfield.
Hopefully the migraine (which can often last days) won’t linger much longer and he’ll be 100%.
Vikings’ rookie receiver Percy Harvin missed practice for the second straight day due to migraine headaches and now there’s some question about whether or not he’ll be able to play in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game.
Migraines are no joke, which is why Harvin hasn’t even been able to go through a light practice. They almost feel like someone is repeatedly driving a stake through one of your eyes, while any noise or light adds to the pain. In extreme cases, some people even have to be on suicide watch because the pain is so intense. (I’m not an expert on the subject, but I suffer from migraines myself and have gained some knowledge on them throughout the years from multiple doctors.)
This isn’t a situation in which Harvin would be able to tough out the pain. Migraines can affect your vision, focus and concentration, and therefore if Harvin wakes up with pain on Sunday then there’s zero chance that he will play.
This of course, is bad news for the Vikings. Harvin has game-changing speed and would be a viable asset on a fast track like the Superdome. Here’s hoping for Minnesota’s sake that he’s able to go and is pain free.
Prince, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings – those three things just fit together. That’s why it just made sense for Prince to write a new Minnesota Vikings theme song.
From Myfoxtwincities.com:
Prince said he hadn’t seen the Vikings play in a very long time, until he went to the game against the Dallas Cowboys last week.
“I saw the future,” said Prince.
He said he went home that night, wrote the song, “Purple and Gold,” and said the song came easy and fast. The Vikings love it and plan to put it on their website.
If the Saints aren’t terrified after listening to that song, then they must have a higher power on their side. Because no sane man could listen to that song and not tremble in fear.
NFL scouts say that it usually takes a defensive end three years to make an impact for their team. In the case of Ray Edwards, it took four years but the Vikings don’t mind.
After racking up 13 sacks in his first three seasons in the NFL, Edwards now has 11.5 sacks through 17 games this year. He gained national attention last Sunday by sacking Tony Romo three times in Minnesota’s 34-3 win over Dallas, while also compiling five tackles and two tackles for loss.
His performance ignited a Minnesota fan base that has seen the former 2006 fourth round pick mature into legitimate pass-rushing threat opposite Jared Allen on the Vikings’ defensive line. His development this season has been especially noteworthy, because at one point this summer it appeared that nickel specialist Brian Robison would push Edwards for more playing time.
