Peterson will need 208 yards next week to break the all-time NFL rushing record.

The Minnesota Vikings not only stunned the nation Sunday when they routed the Houston Texans, they also did so without Adrian Peterson running 100 yards.

The Vikings, in arguably one of their most impressive games of the season, came into Houston as nine-point underdogs and won 23-6 to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Vikings came out with a vengeance, holding the Texans to just a field goal in their first possession and then driving 78 yards for the score. QB Christian Ponder linked up with TE Kyle Rudolph for a three-yard touchdown.

Two possessions later, Houston was driving when QB Matt Schaub handed the ball off to RB Arian Foster. LB Jasper Brinkley hit Foster hard and the ball came out. CB AJ Jefferson was there to recover. The turnover led to a Vikings 56-yard field goal by Blair Walsh, who set an NFL record for his ninth 50-yard field goal of the season.

» Continue reading “UPSET ALERT: Vikings Win Big in Texas”

Is Percy Harvin on his way to a MVP-type season?

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-1 and in first place in the NFC North. I REPEAT, the Minnesota Vikings are in FIRST PLACE (!!) in the NFC North. Raise your hand if you expected that? And if you raised your hand, you’re lying.

The Vikings not only have beaten TWO 2011 playoff teams this season, they are now beginning to beat up on the lower-tier teams.  After their week two loss to Indy, the Vikings have been putting forth a total team effort in each of their three victories since then.

HOW THE GAME WAS WON
The Minnesota Vikings came out today and flat out dominated the Tennessee Titans in their 30-7 victory.  The Vikings held the Titans, who were playing with their backup quarterback, Matt Hasselback, scoreless through three complete quarters.   Although the Vikings offense was effective and put the game away, credit for the win needs to be given to the surprisingly dominate Vikings defense.

» Continue reading “Vikings Win Big In 30-7 Blowout of Tennessee”

Adrian Peterson was held out of the game, but that didn’t stop him from putting his uniform and pads on for pregame warm-ups
Credit: Dave Schwartz

The Vikings failed to impress in the third preseason game, which is claimed to be the dress rehearsal of the regular season.  On Friday night, the Vikings fell to the San Diego Chargers, who sat some of their starters including QB Phillip Rivers.

The Vikings first team offense failed to get anything going on offense.  All they managed to do in two plus quarters of action was a single field goal.  When likely third string QB Sage Rosenfels entered the game in the fourth quarter, he and the offense marched down the field and scored a touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 10 to 9.

However, on the last drive of the game, the Chargers responded with some help from a penalty brought about by rookie Harrison Smith to take a 12 to 10 lead as a time expired with a field goal.

Hits from the Vikings loss

• With Jerome Simpson not suiting up for the third preseason game to prepare the offense for his three game suspension, the Vikings offense failed to get any long drives going.  Without Simpson, the Vikings lack a depth threat that take pressure off of Percy Harvin and the tight ends.  Someone will need to step up during the three games Simpson will miss. » Continue reading “Recapping The Vikings 12-10 Loss to San Diego”

Minnesota media flooded Winter Park today to get a glimpse of the 2012 Minnesota Vikings on the field during their first day of their three day mandatory mini-camp.  Below are the top tweets from the reporters in attendance.

Tom Pelissero (1500ESPN)

» Continue reading “Twitter Recap of Vikings Mini-Camp Day 1″

Credit: Aj Mansour (KFAN)

Ponder earns VCF Rookie of the Year Award: The Vikings honored QB Christian Ponder on Wednesday with their first Vikings’ Children Fund Rookie of the Year award.  A $5,000 donation will also be made in Ponder’s name to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital, according to Vikings.com.

“Christian showed great poise and leadership during his rookie season,” said Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier. “His presence in the locker room and his willingness to help teammates speaks to his character.”

“I’m honored to receive this award and hope to build a strong tradition of young players being involved in the community,” Ponder said. “As players we have the chance to make a difference in the lives of kids and families. I hope next year’s winner is as humbled by this as I am.”

The Vikings VCF Rookie of the Year award will be presented each year to a rookie from the previous season who best represented himself and the Vikings organization on and off the field.

Veteran players remain M.I.A. in voluntary workouts: Since being able to partake in his first practice since shoulder surgery, Vikings WR Percy Harvin hasn’t shown up for the past three practices.  CB Antoine Winfield and DE Jared Allen have also elected to not participate in the voluntary sessions.  RB Adrian Peterson is said to be continuing his knee rehab in Houston.  Middle LB Jasper Brinkley, who is assumed to take over the starting position after Vikings chose not to re-sign E.J. Henderson, has been out since last week following a groin strain while attempting to break-up a pass.   One positive note on the health side: WR Greg Childs,who had an injury-plagued college career, was back in action this week.  Childs has been out since suffering a calf strain at Rookie camp.

» Continue reading “Catching Up On Vikings Headlines From The Week So Far”

The NFL will allow all teams to take 90 players to training camp, which is where the current Minnesota Vikings roster stands (however, the 10 draft picks remain unsigned).  Below is the breakdown of each position, as of May 21st, 2012:

Offense

Quarterbacks: **Christian Ponder, Joe Webb (back-up), Sage Rosenfels and McLeod Bethel-Thompson

Running backs: **Adrian Peterson, Toby Gerhart, Jordan Todman, Derrick Coleman, Lex Hilliard and Jerome Felton

Wide receivers:  **Percy Harvin, **Jerome Simpson, Manny Arceneaux, Devin Aromashodu, Stephen Burton, Michael Jenkins, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, Chris Carr, Bryan Walters, Kamar Jorden and Kerry Taylor

Tight ends: **Kyle Rudolph, **John Carlson, Mickey Shuler, Allen Reisner and Rhett Ellison

Offensive linemen: **Matt Kalil (LT), **John Sullivan (C), **Phil Loadholt (RT), **Charlie Johnson (LG), Geoff Schwartz (OL), Kevin Murphy (OT), DeMarcus Love (OT), Brandon Fuscco (OL), Chris DeGeare (OG), Pat Brown (OL), Joe Berger (OL), Tyler Holmes (OG), Darrion Weems (OT), Quentin Saulsberry (C) and Austin Pasztor (OG)

Fullbacks: Ryan D’Imperio and Matt Asiata

Defense

Linebackers: **Chad Greenway, **Erin Henderson, **Jasper Brinkley, Tyrone McKenzie, Larry Dean, Audie Cole, Marvin Mitchell, Tyler Nielson, Corey Paredes and Solomon Elimimian

Defensive linemen: **Jared Allen (DE), **Brian Robinson (DE), **Kevin Williams (DT), D’Aundre Reed (DE), Letroy Guion (DT), Everson Griffen (DE), Fred Evans (DT), Christian Ballard (DL), Trevor Guyton (DL), Nick Reed (DE), Anthony Jacobs (DE), Chase Baker (DT), Terrell Resonno (DT), Tydreke Powell (DT), Ernest Owusu (DE) and Eric Latimore (DE)

Safeties: **Harrison Smith, Robert Blanton, Eric Frampton, Mistral Raymond, Jamarca Sanford and Andrew Sendejo

Corner backs: **Chris Cook, **Antoine Winfield, Marcus Sherels, Brandon Burton, Asher Allen, Josh Robinson, Zach Bowman, Reggie Jones, Bobby Felder, C.C. Whitlock and Nick Taylor

Special Teams

Kicker: Blair Walsh

Punter: Chris Kluwe

Long snapper: Cullen Loeffler

** indicates likely starter/will receive major reps