Vikes Beat Da Bears, Now 12-2 And Control Destiny

 

The Fans and Defense carried the team this week until the Offense finally locked in the second half and put Da Bears away 30-12. Uncle Sam and Jetta didn't have a great game but made plays when it counted. Free 3 got thrown like a rag doll, drawing a long PI call on the defense in the endzone. The running game looked good with plenty of bursts from Jones, who scored his 50th career TD; Cam Akers ran it in after the PI of Addison.

The Lions lost a boat race at home to the Buffalo Bills 48-42, so now, if the Vikings win out, they will probably get the #1 Seed in the NFC. Winning the next two games is critical to achieving that goal. We are going to Seattle on a short week after playing on Monday night. Geno Smith, the Seahawks QB, injured his knee vs. the Packers in a highly physical game that the Hawks lost on Sunday Night. The Hawk's backup QB looked lost. Geno is a gamer who will probably try to play, but the chances of him being 100% are not good. The Vikes D will be licking their chops. The Hawks can't afford to lose this game. If the Vike's O-Line holds up and our running game gets going, I don't see how the Hawks can keep up without getting multiple turnovers.  

The next two weeks, the Vikes play the Packers at home and the Lions in Detroit; both teams will be on short weeks coming off of Monday night games, so the schedule makers did us a solid, provided we don't stumble on our short week. If the Vikings can beat the Hawks and the Pack without sustaining any costly injuries, I really like their chances versus that beat-up Lions team, which could be a game or two behind us if my boys take care of business. 

SKOL Vikes!

December Dreams of Soren

Update 12/18/24
 I had another dream with Soren. It's one that I think I have had or one similar to it in the past.  It was summer and we were in the cabin at Lake Sylvia, and I let Soren out. He bounded down the driveway, chasing after squirrels and birds. Then came running back up toward me before veering off down toward the lake on a dirt path that a neighbor labor lady was coming up with her dog. Maybe a Springer Spaniel. The dogs met. Soren tried to get it to play. I called Soren, and he did listen, coming right back to me in the cabin like a good pup and I gave him a treat.

Uncle Sam Goes Off, Vikes 11-2

Put the tights and cape on the man, Uncle Sam turned into Super Sam; He along with Free 3, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson, put on a show for Kirko, Viking Nation, and the world. It seemed to me that three weeks back, during the Titans game, things clicked for Uncle Sam and his play got locked in at a higher level. He was more confident, made better decisions, and let her rip every throw. With few exceptions, that has been Darnold ever since. Aaron Jones looked like he was close to being back to 100% yesterday. The O-Line had some problems early again but were rolling in the 2nd Half again.

The D continued to produce turnovers, but I'm a bit concerned about the lack of pass rush and leaky run game the last couple of games. Hopefully, an extra day before Da Bears tilt at home will give the D a "second-wind" that will allow them to get on a roll as the playoffs approach.

 

 

Vikes vs. Kirko Prediction

 

I believe Kirko gets the hook if he turns the ball over twice by halftime or three times by the fourth quarter.

Vikes 4th Quarter Comeback Gives Vikes 10th Win

10 And 2, Just Win, Baby!

The Vikes beat Kyler Murray and the Cards, who won the stat sheet except for the final score and turnovers. SKOL! 

Vikes Beat Da Bears, 9-2.

 

An insane comeback by the Bears results in the game going to OT. The Bears won the coin toss. The Vikes Defence came up big, and then Uncle Sam did work after getting sacked on first down taking us down the field quickly resulting in a Romo game-winning field goal.

3 Quick Thoughts:

1. Caleb Williams is an impressive QB. Just Wow! Lions better not sleep on him Thanksgiving Day.

2. Uncle Sam was locked in, and our Offensive weapons went off.

3. Aaron Jones looks healthy, and we need him to stay that way.

Final Thought:
The Cards and Kyler Murray are dangerous, but are they as dangerous as Uncle Sam and the Flores D. We will see next week. 

Bass Pundit's 20th Blogoversary Canceled

 I got a full hip replacement on November 19th and got out of the hospital the next day on my 20th Blogoversary. I had thought about the impending date and pre-publishing something but never got around to it.

It is now December 2nd. So I missed it. 

Vikes Win 3 In A Row, Now 8-2

 

I had a lot of questions three weeks ago, the last time I did some Vikings blogging. I still have quite a few questions, but as of right now, there are reasons for optimism. Cam Robinson is no Christian Darrisaw and Dalton Risner isn't a great run blocker, but these guys aren't to bad at pass pro. The O has not been hitting on all cylinders and the win 12-7 win in Jacksonville was ugly, but really was total domination by the Offence. The run game may be in a bit of a rut but if Darnold continues to be the guy we saw in Tennesee and not at Jacksonville, the sky is still the limit for this team. Hock and Addison are still getting acclimated to Darnold. 

The Defence with Cashman back in the lineup is dangerous and really tough to run on. 

Right now the Lions look unstoppable, but they have a trap game this week against the Colts, play the Bills in mid-December, and play the 9ers on the road the week before they play us. This horse race is far from over. We'll just have to see what the Vikes put on tape. 

Update: I didn't mention Green Bay at the Lions because I figured that Jordan Love's leg injury would be an ongoing impediment, but he got healed up after the bye week 

Trophy Out Of Platte For 2024

 I got my tackle out of the boat house in the morning. When I got home, I discovered the small pole barn garage door had been lowered too far, so I couldn't raise it. I was not happy.  Dad got home from church early, and I had the boat trailer hooked up and ready to go at the top of the driveway before the Vikings game started. The Vikes handled business in Nashville, and I headed to the Lake Place a bit after 3:30PM. I had a bit of a delay getting the Trophy started, and then off I went. Per usual, things didn't go totally smoothly getting the Trophy on the trailer, but we got it on the trailer and out of the water straight eventually. I was home before dark, and a couple of deer greeted me as I headed up the driveway.

On Monday evening, on his way home from work, Steve stopped by, and we got the pole barn door working again. It got dark quickly. I took the trolling motor off the boat, and Steve put the batteries in the basement. I got the cover on the boat as it started sprinkling. A couple of the long old bungee cords gave up the ghost, but I was able to get things strapped down. I managed to spill a little gas in the pole barn because of a moron chip malfunction when I tried to fill the boat's gas tank on an uneven surface. I wasn't a happy camper. I finally got things squared away and headed up to the house.

News On Minnesocold Bass Seasons

 

It looks like we have one more year of a closed bass season in MN before the state does away with a completely closed season for bass in favor of allowing catch and release fishing for bass year round.

My Final Fish of 2024

24.75" Jerk Shad (Chart Shad)

 

It turns out that this trip to the jetty on November 9th produced my final fish for 2024. Fall fishing pretty much sucked, and I didn't get out in the Trophy the final week I had it in the water, even though there were a couple of decent days I could have. My mind was distracted by the election and my upcoming hip surgery on the 19th. The 2024 Fishing Season was really good for big silver bullheads and that was about it. Not sure when I will get out fishing again, as I don't wnt to take any chance of injuring my new hip.

"And then depression set in"

 

I was still pretty high after the loss to the Lions; They barely beat us and Hockenson hadn't played yet. I figured Hock would be back for the Rams game except he wasn't. Puka Nacua was unexpectedly ready to play for the Rams. Son of a ... Just the spark the struggling Rams Offense needed. Cashman was a no-go at LB; The Defence struggled again with him out. The pass rush struggled to get pressure. Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL. Uncle Sam nearly had his head ripped off on an uncalled Facemask Penalty in the endzone resulting in a game-sealing Safety for the Rams. Ridiculous! 

Oh, how the cruel winds of fate turned on my favorite team. Losing Darrisaw and the game basically assures that the Vikes will not be able to catch the Lions for the Division and the #1Seed. All my hopes and expectations went out the window with that loss. Losing one of the best Left Tackles in the NFL totally bites. How negatively will the running and passing game be affected? Right now, it's anybody's guess. 

Will the injury bug keep biting and bring down a once-promising season?

After the next three games, I think I will have a clearer grasp on where things are headed. Right, now things are muddied up. I think the picture is even darker for the Packers and their fate with a one-legged quarterback and the Lions coming to town this week.

Final Bass of 2024

 Despite several nice days between October 23rd and when I took the Trophy out of the lake on November 17th, I only went on two trips in the boat in that span, and I came up empty on Jumpers at the Grumpy Old Man Hole. So this little guy I caught off of the dock at the lake place was my last bass of 2024.

Huge Game This Sunday

 This is what I wrote over at IDO about the match-up with the Lions this Sunday. The Lions and Vikes are the premier teams in the NFC right now. The odds of the Vikes being the #1 Seed in the NFC go up significantly if the Vikes get the W. Will that happen? The Lions have to be the most feared team in the league right now.  I think the teams are fairly evenly matched with the Lions having the stronger Offense currently and the Vikes with the better Defense. It is a true toss-up from my perspective. This game could go in any direction at any time. It could be a blowout in either direction or be nip and tuck from start to finish depending on how the ball bounces and the success or failure of game plans on all sides of the ball. The teams don't play again in the final game of the regular season. Who knows what will happen between this week and that match-up in January? Either team could be injury-depleted or both could be the juggernauts they have been to this point. A Vikes win this week is a big step toward making that final game in Detriot meaningless, but there is a lot of football yet to be played between now and January.

SKOL Vikings!

 

Vikes Take Care of Business In London, Defeat A A Ron

 The Offense and aspects of the Special Teams did not play well, but the Defense and other aspects of the Special Teams were on point, so we won the game in a squeaker. Uncle Sam made bad decisions and bad throws. AJ got injured. We had the Jets Defence on the ropes and didn't press the advantage when we had the chance to impose our will in the running game when we were ahead in the first half. The Special Teams had multiple screw-ups that cost the team.  It was a sloppy, but we got the W. Now we have the bye week. Hopefully, AJ's hip injury isn't that serious and the team comes out refreshed and ready vs. the Lions in a couple of weeks.

Vikes D picked off A A Ron three times including the dagger in the final minute. Flores won the chess match vs. Rodgers pretty convincingly. If other aspects of the team could shoot straight they would have won easily. 

4-0, Vikes Win At Lambert

 

The ref's made this game closer than it was by not overturning the Darnold INT call. KOC needs to run more often. Addison is so fricken good as is Jets and AJ. Who is going to beat this team? The Jags, SeaChickens, or Lions at home maybe. I don't see this squad losing at home. This team is elite and the front-runner for the #1 Spot in the NFC.