This is my first blog entry ever and I am using it to try and share some of the knowledge that I have developed over the years as an enthusiastic NFL fan! I have been a big NFL fan for a long time. I have spent a lot of time over the years breaking down the games and trying to come up with one or two real solid plays. What people need to understand is that as much as a game can be broken down based on statistical information, it is also a game that is based heavily on emotion. The season is only 17 games. Teams tend get up and down against various rivals. With that said let's look at the Detroit/Minnesota game...
Detroit has yet to win a game and has been the absolute laughing stock of the NFL. At times they do not even resemble an NFL franchise. I can think of a few college teams that would give them a run for their money at the present time. The way I see it they realistically have two more chances this year to get a "W" in the win column, this game and the game against New Orleans on Dec 21. Minnesota comes off the Sunday night romp over the Bears which had a number of implications concerning their playoffs and the division title. First, they were both tied for the division lead. The winner of this game took over the top spot as Green Bay who lost earlier in the day to Carolina was now about to be two out of first. Second, we know there will be no wild card team coming out of this division. So it means whoever finishes on top will get a spot in the playoffs as a division winner. The other three teams will be out. By Minnesota winning it gave them the tie breaker edge if the teams finished tied at the end of the regular season. Both teams played their guts out and left everything on the field becuse it was a must game for both sides. Now Minnesota has to travel to Detroit on a shorter rest. The following week after Detroit they play Arizona at home. The Arizona matchup will be another big game for Minnesota as well because it could be significant in determining the seeding at the end of the season for the division winners. I believe that Minnesota will be looking ahead to that game and will not take Detroit as seriously as they should. Detroit, as bad as their season has been, will be up for this game big time. It is at home, they are trying to give something back to their fans because of such a disappointing season and they are desperately looking for their first win. Add in the fact that they are playing the top team in their division and sprinkle in the fact that Dante Culpepper is now QBing for Detroit and you have the makings of a very emotional Detroit Lions team. Culpepper will have a little extra incentive for him to beat his old team and will play with a chip on his shoulder. Even if Detroit doesn't win another game this year, they would be ecstatic to beat Minnesota and hurt their chances of winning the division. Regardless of the final score, Detroit will play as hard as they have all year and put up a good show for the fans. The points are very generous and Minnesota is ripe for an upset. It's the Detroit Lions (+9) over the Minnesota Vikings with a real chance to upset them and get their first win of the year. Good luck to everyone !
Detroit has yet to win a game and has been the absolute laughing stock of the NFL. At times they do not even resemble an NFL franchise. I can think of a few college teams that would give them a run for their money at the present time. The way I see it they realistically have two more chances this year to get a "W" in the win column, this game and the game against New Orleans on Dec 21. Minnesota comes off the Sunday night romp over the Bears which had a number of implications concerning their playoffs and the division title. First, they were both tied for the division lead. The winner of this game took over the top spot as Green Bay who lost earlier in the day to Carolina was now about to be two out of first. Second, we know there will be no wild card team coming out of this division. So it means whoever finishes on top will get a spot in the playoffs as a division winner. The other three teams will be out. By Minnesota winning it gave them the tie breaker edge if the teams finished tied at the end of the regular season. Both teams played their guts out and left everything on the field becuse it was a must game for both sides. Now Minnesota has to travel to Detroit on a shorter rest. The following week after Detroit they play Arizona at home. The Arizona matchup will be another big game for Minnesota as well because it could be significant in determining the seeding at the end of the season for the division winners. I believe that Minnesota will be looking ahead to that game and will not take Detroit as seriously as they should. Detroit, as bad as their season has been, will be up for this game big time. It is at home, they are trying to give something back to their fans because of such a disappointing season and they are desperately looking for their first win. Add in the fact that they are playing the top team in their division and sprinkle in the fact that Dante Culpepper is now QBing for Detroit and you have the makings of a very emotional Detroit Lions team. Culpepper will have a little extra incentive for him to beat his old team and will play with a chip on his shoulder. Even if Detroit doesn't win another game this year, they would be ecstatic to beat Minnesota and hurt their chances of winning the division. Regardless of the final score, Detroit will play as hard as they have all year and put up a good show for the fans. The points are very generous and Minnesota is ripe for an upset. It's the Detroit Lions (+9) over the Minnesota Vikings with a real chance to upset them and get their first win of the year. Good luck to everyone !
