It was a tight one in ATL, but MIN was fairly in control the whole gm despite the close score. ATL was red hot too, so this was MIN’s most impressive rd win this yr. DET looked awful @ BAL, but Woodhead & esp Alex Collins are pacing that “O”. PHI played way too conservative @ SEA & that “D” made them pay, to blow my weak teaser (only 1 unit).
POW 8-5, Teasers 6-7, Overall 34-24-1.
MIN -2 ½ are riding a 8 gm win streak & are attempting to break a franchise record w/a 6[SUP]th[/SUP] straight rd win. How are these Vikings so good? They are winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball, which is equating into (check these out) the #1 in 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down “O”, #1 in 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down “D”, #1 redzone “O”, #1 redzone “D”, #2 in scoring “D”, #3 in “O” TOs, & #6 in run “O” despite losing their starting QB & RB & various injuries all along oline. It doesn’t end in the trenches either. When pressure is delivered, Keenum has shown superb pocket presence & completed a bunch of passes while on the move. You would think that’s enough, but no, even Latavious Murray is breaking tackles, McKinnon is making plays receiving, Rudolph is a big redzone threat, Thielen is showing crazy shiftiness, & their actual stud WR Diggs is acting more like a decoy (but still has 630 yds & 5 TDs on the yr). And I don’t really need to talk about their “D”, which has pro-bowlers & vets all over the field. Indeed, CAR needs this gm more, sees C Kalil & TE Olsen returning, & is @ hm. But their only quality win @ hm this yr is against ATL when they were just starting to find their groove, both Kalil (neck) & Olsen (foot) tried returning wks ago but needed to be taken out of the gm, & CAR will still be only a gm behind NOR for the div if they lose. Also greasing the MIN skids are key injuries to LBs Shaq Thompson (out) & Thomas Davis (hammy), & the suspension to Charles Johnson. Those 3 missing time last wk was a huge reason why Kamara & co ran rampant @ NOR. The cherry on top is Mike Zimmer owning this matchup so far w/big wins against Rivera & Scam to the tune of 22-10 last yr & 31-13, 3 yrs ago @ MIN.
MIN 24
CAR 13
5 Units
GL to all & comments are most welcome.
POW 8-5, Teasers 6-7, Overall 34-24-1.
MIN -2 ½ are riding a 8 gm win streak & are attempting to break a franchise record w/a 6[SUP]th[/SUP] straight rd win. How are these Vikings so good? They are winning in the trenches on both sides of the ball, which is equating into (check these out) the #1 in 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down “O”, #1 in 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] down “D”, #1 redzone “O”, #1 redzone “D”, #2 in scoring “D”, #3 in “O” TOs, & #6 in run “O” despite losing their starting QB & RB & various injuries all along oline. It doesn’t end in the trenches either. When pressure is delivered, Keenum has shown superb pocket presence & completed a bunch of passes while on the move. You would think that’s enough, but no, even Latavious Murray is breaking tackles, McKinnon is making plays receiving, Rudolph is a big redzone threat, Thielen is showing crazy shiftiness, & their actual stud WR Diggs is acting more like a decoy (but still has 630 yds & 5 TDs on the yr). And I don’t really need to talk about their “D”, which has pro-bowlers & vets all over the field. Indeed, CAR needs this gm more, sees C Kalil & TE Olsen returning, & is @ hm. But their only quality win @ hm this yr is against ATL when they were just starting to find their groove, both Kalil (neck) & Olsen (foot) tried returning wks ago but needed to be taken out of the gm, & CAR will still be only a gm behind NOR for the div if they lose. Also greasing the MIN skids are key injuries to LBs Shaq Thompson (out) & Thomas Davis (hammy), & the suspension to Charles Johnson. Those 3 missing time last wk was a huge reason why Kamara & co ran rampant @ NOR. The cherry on top is Mike Zimmer owning this matchup so far w/big wins against Rivera & Scam to the tune of 22-10 last yr & 31-13, 3 yrs ago @ MIN.
MIN 24
CAR 13
5 Units
GL to all & comments are most welcome.