Vikings Scoring Analysis (Week 14)

Yeah, so some people have been ripping on me for getting negative last week. I'd like to point that it wasn't just me overreacting to a loss, my worries came from A) The way the Vikings lost and B) (And I said this was my main concern) The injuries that occurred during the game. I also said that this game would be important in determining how the rest of the season would go.

Well, the Vikings responded the way a good team should. And I'm impressed they overcame the sudden rash of injuries, including Percy Harvin's migraines. So it looks like it's going to be a good rest of the season. The post season could be another story, but we'll worry about that when the Vikings get there.

On to the scoring:

Quarter 1
No scoring in the first quarter. There was an interception. Isn't it weird that I'm surprised when Brett Favre throws an interception? I suppose that shows what kind of season he's been having.

Quarter 2
Vikings 41 Yard Field Goal:
Vikings Offense (+2) - This is a possession that started on the Vikings' 38 yard line. This also included the terrible illegal forward pass Brett Favre threw when he was clearly passed the line of scrimmage. That play really annoyed me. It occurred on first down and when Brett Favre threw the ball he had like 5 to 6 yards of free space ahead of him. Now, obviously, we can't have our prized 40-year-old quarterback scrambling and butting heads with the opponents' defense, but he could have at least got 5 yards and then slid. If he did that it would have been 2nd and 5, not 2nd and 11.

Vikings Special Teams (+1) - Brett Favre's refusal to scramble probably cost the Vikings a first down and a touchdown. So they got a field goal instead. 41 yards is no gimme, but Longwell's solid like usual.

Vikings 9 Yard Touchdown Pass:
Vikings Special Teams (+1) - Darius Reynaud had a nice 20 yard run to the Minnesota 42 yard line.

Rey Maualuga's Lack Of Discipline (+1) - I wasn't sure how to award this, but the 15 yard late hit penalty was pretty big. It got the Vikings into the Bengals' territory before the offense got on the field for this drive. Overall, the Bengals were sloppy on Sunday.

Vikings Offense (+5) - Nice drive to take advantage of the good field position that ended in Brett Favre's only touchdown pass of the day.

Bengals 15 Yard Touchdown Pass:
Vikings Defense (-7) - I hated to see the defense let the Bengals go 82 yards for a touchdown right after the Vikings went up by 10. I was very bitter at the time, especially considering how easy that touchdown was for Chad Ochocinco. He was wide open!

Speaking of which, kudos to Ochocinco for not doing a goofy celebration. I don't know if it was because the Bengals were still down by 3 or because Ray Edwards was injured on the play, but, either way, it was the right call. I actually enjoy Ochocinco's over-the-top celebrations, but there's a time and place for them and Chad Ochocinco realizes that.

Vikings 23 Yard Field Goal:
Vikings Offense (+3) - This drive started at the Minnesota 24. The Bengals really flexed their defensive muscles once the Vikings got to the Cincinnati 12. They've got some good corners. The Vikings had to settle for a field goal.

Vikings 44 Yard Field Goal:
Vikings Defense (+2) - Welcome back Antoine Winfield! A big hit causes a fumble that puts the Vikings immediately in field goal range with 4 seconds left in the half.

Vikings Special Teams (+1) - This was all set up by the defense, but you still have to make the 44 yarder. So one point for the special teams.

Quarter 3
Vikings 1 Yard Touchdown Run:
Shayne Graham Kick Out Of Bounds (+1) - Wow, the Bengals limped into halftime and they come out and kick the kick off out of bounds (always unacceptable). Terrible momentum for the Bengals. The penalty set up the Vikings at the Minnesota 40.

Vikings Offense (+6) - Nice to see Adrian Peterson get back into the end zone. This still isn't the Adrian Peterson of old (which probably has something to do with the offensive line) but it's a positive step forward.

Quarter 4
Bengals 22 Yard Field Goal:
Vikings Defense (-3) - The Bengals had first and goal from the Minnesota 8 and couldn't get the touchdown. After they settled for a field goal I pretty much thought this game was over.

Vikings 3 Yard Touchdown Run:
Vikings Offense (+7) - A long, sustained drive that chews up clock and ends in a touchdown. Excellent.

Game Totals:
Offense: +23
Defense: -8
Special Teams: +3
Rey Maualuga's Lack Of Discipline: +1
Shayne Graham Kick Out Of Bounds: +1

Nice to see the Vikings get back on track. -8 is very good for the defense, +23 is great, of course, for the offense, and +3 is good for special teams. An all around great bounce back performance.

Season Totals:
Offense: +248
Defense: -98.5
Special Teams: +6.5
Brad Childress: +1
The Referees: -6
Mike McCarthy: +3
Donald Lee's Inability to Catch A Pass: +4
Brady Quinn's Greasy Hands: +0.5
Kyle Boller's Tendency To Panic: +2
Big Time Pressure On A Young Kicker: +3
Johnny Jolly's Short Temper: +2
Mason Crosby's Inaccurate Kicking Leg: +1
Rey Maualuga's Lack Of Discipline: +1
Shayne Graham Kick Out Of Bounds: +1

Considering this is the first season I've done this I'm not exactly sure what's good and what's not. But the offense's positive net points are more than double the defense's negative net points. I think that is a good thing. It pretty much means that, on average, you're doubling up your opponent. I'll take that.