I have to apologize guys. Tonight started with a hyped Flip. Then I pulled my away Cris Carter jersey out of the closet five minutes before kickoff and saw a giant orange stain in the mirror. It remarkably resembled Chicago’s orange hue. Thus, I started this game incredibly unfocused as I thrust the jersey into the washing machine hoping that cursed orange color would go away. It did, and I slung it back on moments before Everson Griffen’s sack fumble. My bad.
Here are the top plays:
3rd and 15 at MIN 5
(1:31 – 1st) Leonard Floyd Safety
Instant Reaction
What have you done with Sam Bradford? What have you done with Pat Shurmur? Sam holds the ball WAY TOO long. It results in a bad sack safety after great protection by the offensive line. The crappy play calling, with fullback draws and short wide receiver screens at our own 10 yard line, doesn’t help!
Upon Further Review
My goodness. What a terrible start to that game. The defense just barely held on against a bad offense, despite struggles by our old scapegoat Trae Waynes. The offense tanked, hitting rock bottom with this safety. The game’s first points were also the Vikings’ third straight 3-and-Out. Eerily similar to last year’s game at Soldier Field. Still, the defense held.
1st and 10 at CHI 20
(2:34 – 2nd) (Shotgun) M.Trubisky sacked at CHI 13 for -7 yards (E.Griffen). FUMBLES (E.Griffen), RECOVERED by MIN-L.Joseph at CHI 13. L.Joseph to CHI 13 for no gain (C.Leno)
Instant Reaction
Oh yeahhhhh Sack daddy let’s go baby! When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light you’ll see, LEAN ON HIM. Sam sucked, defense starting to suffer from fatigue, Chicago gaining momentum, and boom Captain Everson Griffen makes the play to put them in field goal range!
Upon Further Review
There were 123 plays in this game. Six were big, 10 were bad penalties and the rest, very forgettable. Of all those, this strip sack may be the biggest. I will take three offside penalties for every jump like this Griffen gets if it means a turnover. At this point the offense was so stagnant that vultures were circling above. They didn’t even move the ball after the turnover, but the resulting field goal got our purple the lead going into halftime.
2nd and 7 at CHI 13
(8:16 – 3rd) Kyle Rudolph Pass From Case Keenum for 13 Yards
Instant Reaction
Rudolph the TOCUHDOWN REINDEER. Come on now that’s a drive. Ohhhhhhh haha what a great celebration duck duck goose NOW we know what they were focused on all weekend! Let’s see ALLL the TD celebrations they practiced let’s go now boys!
Upon Further Review
Yup. Starting Bradford was the wrong call. Keenum just did all the little things. He moved in the pocket just a bit. He checked down just a little bit quicker. Our play makers did the rest. Given the lack of Bradford, Cook and Diggs, our skill positions were phenomenal tonight. Did everything asked of them. The offense grinded though this entire game.
2nd and 5 at MIN 42
(3:31 – 3rd) Jerick McKinnon 58 Yard Rush K.Forbath extra point is GOOD, Center-K.McDermott, Holder-R.Quigley.
Instant Reaction
Jet Jet Jet away! Every bit of fuel used up as Jet dashes through the Bears defense and finishes the home run play! That’s the big play they needed! Didn’t think they had it in them this game. It started with a big Floyd 3rd down conversion and Jet FINISHED.
Upon Further Review
After a Bears fake punt brought Chicago back into contention. Jet delivered this powerful and necessary blow. Jerick ran with purpose all night. What happens when RBs go through tough sledding? They get rewarded with a break away run! Jerick beasted and feasted tonight
1st and 10 at MIN 20
(12:24 – 4th) Zach Miller Pass From Mitchell Trubisky for 20 Yards TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. M.Trubisky rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. #10 M. Trubisky handed off to #24 J. Howard who handed off to #86 Z. Miller who lateraled to #10 M. Trubisky
Instant Reaction
Oh myyy give me a break I just want to win. Hey Zimmer I have a clue it’s a freakin’ bootleg! All the plays are bootlegs! And Sendejo you MUST finish there man. You have to finish. Woah that’s a pretty nice 2 point conversion.
Upon Further Review
Sometimes Hail Maries aren’t reserved for the end of games. The Bears attempted multiple hail Maries throughout the game and seemed to hit on all of them. It made the game depressing to watch for us Vikings fans. Just close it out! But they couldn’t.
1st and 10 at CHI 10
(2:32 – 4th) (Shotgun) M.Trubisky pass short right intended for Z.Miller INTERCEPTED by H.Smith at CHI 22. H.Smith to CHI 28 for -6 yards (K.Wright).
Instant Reaction
Oh my goodness what a play. They’ve been testing him and that’s a bad idea! Harry cuts back in front of Miller and makes the rookie Trubisky look like a rookie. In FG RANGE. Let’s WIN THIS!
Upon Further Review
Coming into this game, Chicago saw tons of success when targeting Zach Miller. He’s their go-to guy when passing on 1st and 10. So what’s the answer? HITMAN is the answer! A defensive play woke the Vikings up, and another defensive play put the game away, as Forbath hit the game winner soon after. This Vikings defense will take us to Valhalla.
Final Take
Football tonight resembled survival of the fittest. The Vikings quarterback didn’t look fit in any way shape or form. The role players stepped up in huge ways, and the defense delivered blow after blow after blow. They won in a way that inspires little confidence against Green Bay on a short week. But hey at least they won!