I remember when I was a freshman in high school, Sports Illustrated wrote an article titled “When the dust cleared it was Minnesota”. The article was all about how bad the NFC Central was (now the NFC North). And how the 9-6 Vikings clinched a playoff berth and the division with a last second Hail Mary pass caught by Ahmad Rashad from Tommy Kramer over the Cleveland Browns. I remembered that article so vividly because no one really gave the Minnesota Vikings a chance to come out of the Central that year because they started off so horrendously.
SI 1980 When the dust cleared it was Minnesota.
As I prepared to watch the game on Saturday between the Saints and the Vikings everyone on ESPN (other than Randy Moss), the NFL network CBS, Fox, and NBC all picked the Saints overwhelmingly to win. Can you blame them? The Saints came in 13-3 Drew Brees was red hot, the defense had been making plays the last few weeks of the season and they were at home. The Vikings on the other hand limped into the playoffs losing their last 2 games of the season at home against the Packers and the Bears. When interviewed prior to the game, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said: “We are going to go to New Orleans and we are going to win.”
Photo: Jim Mone, Associated Press
Tomorrow the Vikings find themselves as a one touchdown underdog to the 13-3 number one ranked San Francisco 49ers. Once again they have to travel and play on the road against a “superior team”. The 49ers have a prolific offense when clicking on all cylinders and their defense is one of the best in the league. Coach Mike Shanahan and GM John Lynch have transformed the culture in San Francisco and they truly look like one of the best teams in the NFL. And I’m sure as I watch all the sports networks tomorrow they will all be singing the same song San Francisco San Francisco San Francisco! The Vikings pretty much have no chance to win here. Kirk Cousins can’t win a big game, the Vikings secondary is too banged up, Adam Thielen cut his ankle so he will not be 100% tomorrow, and over all the 49ers are the better team. All valid points but here’s a couple things to remember, Kirk Cousins just won a big game and all season long he’s been doing what he needs to do to get the Vikings in a position to win. The secondary is banged up but Mike Zimmer is a defensive guru and will be ready to take away the 49ers biggest weapon…George Kittle. When interviewed about his team’s experience in the playoffs coach Zimmer referred to the loss that the Vikings took 2 seasons ago in Philadelphia for the NFC championship game, he said that his team is better prepared to handle the amount of media that will be there and all the distractions that come with playoff football. Coach Zimmer also felt that they are ready for the challenge this season.
Photo by Sacramento Bee
Defense wins championships that’s the saying. The San Francisco 49ers have an excellent defense but lately they’ve been a little susceptible in the secondary and they’ve given up a lot of points the last few weeks of the season. But the 49ers are getting healthy again, play maker Dee Ford should be back and they baost one of the meanest defensive lines in the NFL. On offense, Jimmy Garoppolo, Emmanuel Sanders, George Kittle, and the 3 headed monster that they call a running game are all ready to go! If the 49ers are able to establish the running game and set up their passing game it could be a long day for the Vikings. But The Vikings have a few playmakers on the offensive side themselves, Kirk cousins, Stefan Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph. And oh yeah, have I mentioned Dalvin Cook? If The Vikings are able to establish the running game and set up their passing game it could make things very very interesting. The Vikings also have a defense that travels anchored by All Pro Danielle Hunter.
Closing: If you take a hard look at both of these teams they really mirror each other, they both have excellent run games good quarterbacks and receivers and top 5 defenses…it’s all going to come down to who makes the least mistakes and big plays in those critical moments. If I were a betting man I would put my money on Minnesota and take the points… I’m not saying they’re going to win I’m just saying it’s going to be a close game, I do believe that The Vikings can once again shock the NFL world, go into San Francisco and come out with the win. Either way I believe we are in for great game and strong playoff weekend!! So sit back crack open your favorite beverage and enjoy!!
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