Vikings fall to Lions 34-24
The Vikings dropped their first game of the season to the
Detroit Lions 34-24 at the Metrodome on Sunday. Minnesota started the day with an awesome
Adrian Peterson 78-yard touchdown run as the Norsemen jumped out to a 14-6 in
the second quarter but struggled to keep pace with the Lions offense as Detroit
rolled up 469 yards to the Vikings’ 330.
They particularly struggled to corral the newest Lion, running back
Reggie Bush who had a career day. The
former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 90 yards and caught four passes for 101
yards and a touchdown.
Much has been made about the progress (or lack thereof) of
Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder.
He did not impress against the Lions, throwing 3 interceptions and
losing a fumble, which overshadowed his 18 for 28 for 236 yards. Also lost in the shuffle was a career day by
Jerome Simpson who caught 7 passes for 140 yards. Besides Simpson and Peterson, who only gained
16 yards on his next 17 carries, there wasn’t much on offense to be happy
about. The Vikings defense clearly
missed Kevin Williams, surrendering 201 yards in the first half, with missed
tackles galore. The Lions offensive
line stonewalled the Vikings front four, with Jared Allen notching a solo
sack.
The rookie impact that was predicted to be felt didn’t
amount to much in Week 1. Patterson was
targeted once catching a ball for ten yards but didn’t play many snaps.
Patterson seemed to be in the flow of the game due to his play in special teams
but didn’t get in. His one pass, a
screen, was exciting as he made several defenders miss. Fellow first rounder Xavier Rhodes added three
tackles but no pass breakups and Sheriff Floyd notched one pass breakup. Even newcomer Greg Jennings did not get in
sync with Ponder catching 3 for 33 on seven targets.
Detroit still made several boneheaded plays that the Vikings
couldn’t capitalize on; the Lions Brandon Pettigrew fumbled the ball away with
about 1:19 in the second quarter, trailing 14-6. Free
safety Harrison Smith recovers the fumble, forced by corner Josh Robinson. The Vikings then go to the air on
back-to-back plays getting Lions penalties on each and before you know it they
are at the Lions 30. A perfect
opportunity to go up at least two scores before the half—nope—Ponder tried to
hit Jennings and got picked off. Drive over.
Detroit then march down the field in the two minute drill and scores,
even though Robinson almost recovered a fumble on our goalline.
That series seemed to take the momentum away from the
Norsemen and the halftime speech didn’t help.
The Vikes get the ball to start the third quarter and Ponder takes two sacks
on a three and out. The Lions immediate
go the air and score again in seven plays.
By that point the Vikings have to abandon the gameplan, but Peterson was
seeing eight and nine men in the box anyway.
The Vikings will need to call less predictable plays against
the Chicago Bears in Week 2. The play
calling in short yardage situations failed in key situations. The formations should probably be spread out
more to create easier looks for the running game and give Ponder multiple easy
reads. Also, Ponder will have to work
harder at not staring down receivers, turning the ball over and going through
his progressions. It just doesn’t seem
to be in his toolbox to process information quickly enough to get to his third
and fourth looks. The great quarterbacks,
and we’ve seen some in the purple and goal all have this ability—especially if
they lack the arm strength to force the ball in anyway.
Their were positives in this game besides Peterson and
Jerome Simpson; kicker Blair Walsh banged a 52-yarder quite easily and
certainly looks to have plenty of opportunities to kick long ones—and plenty of
extra points as well. We’re optimistic
the secondary is better because Megatron had a quiet 4 catches on 9 targets. Add Kevin Williams back in there and the Vikings
will be better balanced. Onward to
Chicago; the boys will have plenty to fight for next week.
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