Favre's Struggles

Favre Has Thrown 13 interceptions this year

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has 10 interceptions and four lost fumbles this season. Those 14 turnovers have led to 51 opponents' points.



Game 6: Packers 28, Vikings 24



Third quarter: A.J. Hawk intercepts Favre at the Packers 38-yard line; his 21-yard return sets up a touchdown drive that gives the Packers a 21-17 lead.



Third quarter: Desmond Bishop returns an interception 32 yards for a touchdown and a 28-17 lead.



Fourth quarter: Nick Collins intercepts at the Vikings 20 with 9:35 remaining. Trailing 28-24, the Vikings defense forces a punt.



Game 5: Vikings 24, Dallas 21



First quarter: Favre loses a fumble at the Dallas 49. Eight plays later, the Cowboys score for a 7-0 lead.



Game 4: Jets 29, Vikings 20



Second quarter: Favre's fumble is recovered by Bart Scott at the Vikings 47. The Jets drive for a field goal and a 9-0 lead.



Third quarter: Favre's fumble is recovered by Darrelle Revis at the Jets 44. They drive for a field goal and a 12-0 lead.



Fourth quarter: Trailing 22-20 with 1:30 left, the Vikings have a third-and-5 at their own 21. Favre's pass is intercepted by Dwight Lowery and returned 26 yards for a TD.



Game 3: Vikings 24, Detroit 10



First quarter: Favre is intercepted by Corey Williams, who returns it 27 yards to the Vikings 12. Three plays later, Detroit takes a 7-0 lead.



Second quarter: Alphonso Smith intercepts Favre's pass at the Lions 49 with 1:02 left. Detroit kicks a field goal as time runs out.



Game 2: Miami 14, Vikings 10



Second quarter: Trailing 7-0, the Vikings have the ball at the Miami 13. On third-and-12, Favre is intercepted at the 1 by Vontae Davis. Miami, however, is forced to punt.



Third quarter: Favre is sacked and fumbles into the end zone where Koa Misi recovers for a 14-0 Miami lead.



Third quarter: Trailing 14-0, Favre is intercepted by Jason Allen at the Miami 2. The Dolphins fumble on the next play, setting up a Vikings touchdown.

Game Review: This Time, Close One Goes Packers' Way

Back-to-back overtime losses will sap any team’s resolve, but in another down-to-the-wire finish on Sunday night, the Packers somehow found enough deep down inside to reverse their fortunes.



Holding off what in all likelihood was Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre’s final drive at Lambeau Field, the Packers hung on for a 28-24 victory over the Vikings as Favre came up 20 yards short of the potential game-winning touchdown in the final seconds.



“An excellent team win and an excellent character win,” Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. “And it was definitely something that we needed.”



That’s for sure. The consecutive overtime defeats the past two weeks had dropped the Packers to 3-3, and as the former Green Bay legend drove Minnesota from its own 17 as far as the Packers’ 15-yard line, it looked as though Favre might overcome his three second-half interceptions, pull off one last miracle in front of a sold-out Lambeau (71,107), and drop the Packers below .500 with their third straight last-second defeat.



But a false start followed by a facemask penalty on right tackle Phil Loadholt as he was trying to block linebacker Clay Matthews cost the Vikings 20 yards, pushing them all the way back to the 35. Ultimately, after replay correctly reversed a typical Favre rocket of a touchdown pass to Percy Harvin with 48 seconds left – Harvin’s second foot was out of bounds in the back of the end zone – the game came down to two throws intended for Randy Moss on third and fourth downs from the 20.



But both sailed high and incomplete, out of the back of the end zone, and with a huge sigh of relief the Packers not only had beaten their former quarterback for the first time in three tries but had pulled into a first-place tie in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears at 4-3. Minnesota dropped to 2-4.



“All the stuff we’ve been going through, these guys show so much heart, so much dedication just to go out there and fight, fight fight ‘til the end,” safety Nick Collins said. “This team can battle through anything.”



Including more injuries on defense, as if that even seemed possible. The Packers got Matthews back from his hamstring troubles but defensive end Cullen Jenkins strained a calf muscle during warm-ups about an hour before the game and couldn’t play. On top of that, defensive end Ryan Pickett re-injured the ankle that forced him to sit out last week, and he was out again early on.



But the defense overcame all that and was able to slow down the Vikings after they got on a roll in the first half.



The Packers had grabbed a 14-7 lead on the strength of some big plays by receiver James Jones (four receptions, 107 yards), a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon Jackson and a 9-yard TD catch by tight end Andrew Quarless. But the Packers had squandered other chances to score in the half, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions in scoring territory, one to defensive end Jared Allen on a screen pass, and the other to safety Madieu Williams, who snagged a bullett into the end zone intended for Greg Jennings that had been deflected by cornerback Frank Walker.



In the meantime, Minnesota’s big-play guys were starting to take over as the Vikings grabbed the lead by halftime.



Receiver Percy Harvin, who had 106 yards from scrimmage (65 receiving, 41 rushing), took an inside handoff and scored from 17 yards out for Minnesota’s first touchdown, tying the game at 7. Then, running back Adrian Peterson (28 carries, 131 yards) scored from a yard out to tie the game at 14 and Ryan Longwell’s 28-yard field goal gave Minnesota scores on three straight possessions for a 17-14 advantage.



But the Green Bay defense shifted the momentum back in a big way in the second half.



On Minnesota’s first possession, linebacker A.J. Hawk intercepted Favre as he was being pressured from behind by linebacker Brad Jones. The offense took advantage of the turnover and drove 41 yards for the go-ahead score, as Rodgers (21-of-34, 295 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 84.8 rating) connected with Jennings from 14 yards out to make it 21-17.



Then just two snaps into the Vikings’ next drive, Favre was trying to avoid pressure again as he threw a short pass right to linebacker Desmond Bishop, who returned the pick 32 yards. Suddenly, with two scores less than a minute apart, the Packers led 28-17.



“It’s huge to get the momentum in a game,” Hawk said. “We came out on fire as a defense (in the second half). They were really rolling against us, running the ball well, completing big third downs and scoring touchdowns, so we needed something, and luckily we got that.



“It’s crazy how fast it can switch, though.”



It did, as Favre and the Vikings answered with a 58-yard TD drive, capped by a 4-yard pass to Moss, to get within 28-24 with 4:12 left in the third quarter.



Strangely enough, there would be no more scoring in the game, but not for a lack of trying.



The Packers drove all the way to the Minnesota 34-yard line early in the fourth quarter, only to have running back John Kuhn stuffed on fourth-and-inches. Then the Vikings countered by getting all the way to the Green Bay 35, but Collins made an incredibly athletic play, jumping over and around Harvin to intercept a third-down pass for Favre’s third interception in a span of four drives.



Taking over with 9:18 left, Green Bay could only kill three minutes on the clock and punted, with Minnesota taking over on its own 17 for what turned out to be the final, nail-biting possession.



“Obviously it was a gut-check time,” said cornerback Tramon Williams, who was the primary reason Moss had just three catches for 30 yards on the night. “We’d pretty much been in this situation all year and been coming up on the short end of the stick.”



But not this time. After Favre’s final two heaves to Moss were no good, he was left with numbers (16-of-29, 212 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT, 50.4 rating) that paled in comparison those from last year against Green Bay, when he threw seven TDs with no picks, torching the Packers in two big victories.



The Packers had come so agonizingly close to victories the past two weeks, but this time it was their opponent who was left to lament what might have been.



“We knew it was going to be a grinder, character, gut-it-out type of performance and our guys stepped up big,” McCarthy said. “I was very, very proud of those guys today.”



As Collins said, the players were proud of each other, too, and rightly so after what the team has been through.



“We all have the intestinal fortitude to pull these games out,” nose tackle B.J. Raji said. “Early in the season it didn’t go our way. Tonight it did.



“This was a long time coming. I’m glad we got this one. Hopefully we can continue this like we did last year get on a roll.”

Vikings and Cowboys: Double desperado

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Romo And Favre A Little Too Much Fun On The Field

The last time the Vikings and Dallas Cowboys met, the circumstances were cut and dried, the significance understood. It was win and advance, lose and go home.







Playoff football offers no gray area.







Flash forward exactly nine months to the day after the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game and ended the Cowboys' season with a 34-3 victory at Mall of America Field at the Metrodome.







Same teams, same venue, many of the same players. The stakes are obviously much different, but it can be argued that both teams might feel a similar sense of desperation.







With so much returning talent on both teams, the Vikings and Cowboys were viewed nationally as Super Bowl candidates with enough firepower to be the last team standing this winter.







But their paths took a detour. Both teams are 1-3, a scenario few would have predicted.







"Not ... at ... all," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "We are surprised, too. But we still have a long way to go. It's not impossible. But our main focus is getting a win this week."







Unlike last January, the season won't end for the team that falls to 1-4. But the margin for error will continue to shrink while any remaining preseason optimism will all but disappear.







Consider: Since the current playoff system started in 1990, only five teams that started 1-4 made the playoffs. None won the Super Bowl.







Neither team wants to test that history.







"Two teams starving for a win," Vikings middle linebacker E.J. Henderson said. "I think a win would point us in the right direction. I'm expecting a lot from the Cowboys and definitely expecting a lot from the Vikings."







Said Dallas coach Wade Phillips, whose job security has become a hot topic again: "I think both teams are certainly disappointed with what their record is right now, but they can both do something about it. It's a good opportunity for one team to get their season started in the right direction."

Moss Might Help Run As Much As Pass

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Randy Moss Threat  Takes Men Out Of The Box

Adrian Peterson said the acquisition of Randy Moss made him feel like a kid in a candy store. He also compared it to Christmas.







His excitement is understandable. While most of the trade talk has focused on Moss' potential impact on the Vikings struggling pass game, the threat of his big-play capability and downfield speed also should loosen things up for Peterson and the running game.







"That was my initial thought when I heard the news," Peterson said. "It's going to make the offense more dynamic, definitely give us that deep threat and open up the run game."







Both Peterson and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell used the phrase "pick your poison" to describe how Moss' presence could affect defensive game plans.







Opponents routinely have committed an extra defender or two near the line to clog up running lanes and neutralize Peterson. That plan doesn't always work, and it's not an every-down strategy, but it's certainly made life difficult for Peterson and the offensive line.







The Vikings said they believe the addition of Moss will force defenses to play more honestly and not have their safeties help as much in run support.







"It definitely loosens things up," Peterson said. "When you got a player like Randy Moss, it loosens it up even more. When I heard the news I was excited and overwhelmed. I'm just looking forward to taking that first snap with him."







It's not as if Peterson has struggled in the absence of a consistent passing game. The Vikings rank fifth in the NFL in rushing. Peterson is tied for third in rushing with 392 yards, is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and had a career-long 80-yard touchdown run against Detroit.







But with Sidney Rice sidelined after having hip surgery, the Vikings had virtually no vertical passing game the first three games, or even the threat of one. They are ranked 24th in passing, and their longest pass play is 33 yards.

Is It 2001 All Over Again?

 We remember. It was a season coming off of one of the harshest losses the Minnesota Vikings had ever suffered in an NFC Championship. Beaten on the road after a decisive win at home in the previous round. Fans who disliked the coach for his lack of playoff success grew. But their was hope by many as the team had a new quarterback who had played very well in getting the team to the NFC Championship.








And Then, Tragedy Struck.







A player would not be available to start the season. It would be a blow to the offense, who had counted on this player for its' success. They would start poorly without him, losing their first two games. Then they would win one they should at home to be 1-2 in the standings. A tough schedule lay ahead.







The 2010 Minnesota Vikings you say?







Or maybe the 2001-02 Vikings. Back then it was Daunte Culpepper, fresh off his successful first year with the team. The much maligned Denny Green had disappointed in the playoffs again. The New York Giants disposed of Minnesota 41-0 at the end. During the following training camp, Korey Stringer died tragically, and the team was scrambling to replace such an important member of the offense.







They started the season by losing 24-13 to Carolina. The Panthers would win only one game the entire year. Next, Minnesota lost 17-10 to Chicago. After a 31-26 win over Tampa Bay, they stood at 1-2. The city was nervous. Things were not clicking like they had in the previous year. And they were right to be nervous. Minnesota would make it to 3-3, and then proceed to lose nine of the last eleven games, to finish at 5-11.







Dennis Green was let go before the end of the year. He had not done enough with the talent he was given. That final year, Minnesota had an exceptionally poor Draft, with Michael Bennnett being the top selection with the 27th pick. Mike Tice replaced Green in the final game, and would go on to a mediocre few years before being let go. Both Green Bay and Chicago had success in those years while Minnesota floundered.







Flash forward.







The loss of Sidney Rice just before the season has had an obvious impact on Minnesota. The Vikings are 29th in total offense. Brett Favre, who tore the league up in 2009, has a 60.4 passer rating (that's really low). He has only 597 yards and two touchdowns in his first three games. Despite the number two rusher in the NFL, the offense is just not getting it done.







Brad Childress is a coach walking the plank, so to speak. He has had improved success in regular season each year, but little in the playoffs. Minnesota fans are not happy with just getting there. Childress has been given plenty of talent to obtain that elusive first Super Bowl. Positive drafts have yielded players like Adrian Peterson, Rice, Percy Harvin and much more. Acquisitions, like Favre and Steve Hutchinson, have given the team elite offensive talent. Their are many veterans on the defense who are candidates for All-Pro consideration this year. It is now or never for the coach.







Some are hoping that Childress' trend of improvement every year will also apply to the playoffs. Most fans would concede that the Vikings certainly had the team necessary to win one. The humbling of the Cowboys and the strong effort in New Orleans demonstrated just that. But this year's slow start, or more specifically, the loss to the Dolphins at home, has fans on edge. The Childress haters are convinced we have no chance. The realists see a very tough schedule in the upcoming weeks and more talent on both the Bears and Packers than a true Viking fan could stand. And the optimist correctly assessing available talent, is sure that this is still the strongest team in the NFC North. They remember that this team was a play (or huddle) away from winning the NFC Championship. And they have faith that Brett Favre will begin to return to last year's form.







We did experience 2001. It was not fun. This season's start has been somewhat depressing, given the talent and expectation coming into the opener in New Orleans. If it is to be deja vous all over again, it will probably come at the expense of a head coach. Many would like that. Sacrifice a season to get a new head coach. But what if the next one is Mike Tice? I think we should just start winning again with the same coach.







We will find out soon after the bye week is over.

The Vikings Take Long, Ugly Road Through October

If the Vikings can survive the October schedule, maybe this team is bound for a deep playoff run. Because the next four games will feel like the playoffs.



The schedule doesn't get much steeper: at New York Jets on Oct. 11, Cowboys at home on Oct. 17, at Green Bay on Oct. 24 and at New England on Oct. 31. Since 2000, these teams have combined for almost 400 wins, 22 playoff victories and, thanks to New England, three Super Bowls.



Here's a quick resume breakdown based on their NFL statistical ranking.



Jets (2-1)

26th passing (172 yards per game), 9th rushing (132.7 ypg), 21st total yards (304.7 ypg), 11th touchdowns (seven), 20th total defense (336.3 ypg), 27th pass defense (274.7 ypg), 4th rush defense (61.7 ypg)



Cowboys (1-2)

4th passing (311.2 ypg), 26th rushing (80 ypg), 5th total yards (391.7 ypg), T-18th touchdowns (six), 8th total defense (299.3 ypg), 14th pass defense (215.7 ypg), 7th rush defense (83.7 ypg)



Packers (2-1)

11th passing (246 ypg), 22nd rushing (95.3 ypg), 12th total yards (341.3 ypg), T-4th touchdowns (nine), 2nd total defense (260.7 ypg), 3rd pass defense (144 ypg), 18th rush defense (116.7 ypg)



Patriots (2-1)

10th passing (247.3 ypg), 10th rushing (123.3 ypg), 7th total yards (370.7 ypg), 1st touchdowns (12), 27th total defense (379.3 ypg), 25th pass defense (260.3 ypg), 20th rush defense (119 ypg)

Vikings Defense Epitomizing Consistency Early In 2010 Season

EJ Henderson

Antoine Winfield



Ray Edwards



Jared Allen

Williams Wall

With so many different variables leading to ebbs and flows in the Vikings aerial attack along with other personnel finding a rhythm early in the regular season, the Purple are welcoming the bye week to rest and gain extra preparation for a Week 5 Monday night matchup against the New York Jets at the New Meadowlands Stadium.



Yes, the Vikings have shown irregularities throughout the first 3 weeks. But one factor that’s been a consistent force is the play of the defense. Through 3 weeks the Vikings defense ranks in the top 5 in points (3rd-12.5 PPG) and yards allowed (5th-276.3 YPG) and also boasts an 8th-ranked passing (189.0 YPG) and rushing (87.3 YPG) defense.



The Purple have prided themselves on a dominant run defense ever since Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress’ arrival in 2006. The Lions were the latest team to face this staunch unit, as they were held to a season-low 63 yards rushing in last Sunday’s contest – nearly 100 yards less than Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s total for the game (160).



As the run defense continues its stout performance, so has the pass rush.



Obtaining such a balanced defense is one of many reasons the Vikings have yet to allow more than 14 points a game this season. Even with CBs Chris Cook and Cedric Griffin out for the first 2 weeks, the Vikings pass defense allowed only 237 yards against the pass-heavy Saints team in Week 1 and a dismal 114 yards in Week 2 against the Dolphins.



During the Vikings 24-10 victory over the Lions on Sunday at Mall of America Field, the Vikings secondary welcomed back both Cook and Griffin in route to allowing 237 passing yards. After Lions star rookie RB Jahvid Best left the game with a toe injury, Detroit turned one-dimensional with its aerial attack and the Vikings quickly adjusted. Lions QB Shaun Hill was held to a 69.6 passer rating and was intercepted by LB Ben Leber and CB Antoine Winfield late in the game, putting a halt to any sort of comeback.



As the Vikings defense continues to show its consistency in both the run and pass rush, it’s well known that everyone needs to stay confident in their specific role with 4 straight games against talented offenses – at New York, home against the Dallas Cowboys and then 2 road games against the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots.



“Going into the bye week you need to get more confidence going,” Vikings LB Chad Greenway told reporters after Sunday’s victory over the Lions. “Whatever injuries we do have, the bye week will take care of them and now we know the stretch we have coming out of the bye so we need to get at least mentally healthy.”

Bud Grant Sees A Bit of George Blanda In Vikings' Brett Favre

Remembering 20 Years Of Brett Favre

Brett Favre Throwing Touchdown

     Vikings' Brett Favre at the Metrodome on September 26, 2010. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)Pro Football Hall of Fame former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant equates George Blanda, in terms of durability, with Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.



"The main thing he had is, he played every week, and he played effectively," Grant, 83, said of Blanda, who died this week at age 83 and played in the NFL until almost his 49th birthday.



Favre has started 288 straight NFL games, a record for a non-kicker.



"In order to be great, you have to have durability, and he had that durability," Grant said of Blanda, a hall of fame former quarterback-kicker. "And when he was done (starting) and was a backup, he'd go in there when you needed him and he could still handle the ball."



Blanda played 26 seasons in the NFL. Favre is in his 20th NFL season.



"If Favre could kick," Grant said, "he could play another 10 years."



Grant, meanwhile, continues to hunt and fish. He just returned from Saskatchewan, where he hunted ducks and geese, and today is headed to his lake home in Wisconsin in pursuit of grouse.



On Friday, Grant will travel to North Dakota for Saturday's opening of duck season.



Like Blanda and Favre, Grant still has durability.



"I still can go," he said.

Adrian Peterson Leads Vikings To 24-10 Win Over Lions

AP Has Another Big Day W/ 160 Yards Rus

 

   RECAP: Adrian Peterson continued his re-emergence as the Vikings' most valuable player with a dazzling 160-yard, two-touchdown performance to lead Minnesota to its first victory of 2010 against the always forgiving Lions (0-3). Brett Favre (23 of 34, 201 yards) was pressured plenty by Detroit's staunch defensive line and threw a pair of interceptions. But he connected with nine different receivers trying to establish some type of rhythm. His 24-yard touchdown strike to Percy Harvin tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter before the Vikings handed over the offense to Peterson.



MEANING: Favre and the passing game remain mostly inefficient but there is no mystery to Minnesota's offensive identity -- hand the ball to Peterson and let him pound the ball up field. The Vikings improve to 1-2 and salvage some dignity entering the bye week, with a brutal stretch of games looming against perennial playoff teams. They are off until Oct. 11, when they travel to New York for a Monday night matchup against reality show darlings the Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium.



PLAY OF THE GAME: First-and-10 at the Detroit 20 with 3:14 remaining in the third quarter and leading 17-10, Peterson hits the line of scrimmage, stiff arms C.C. Brown and out runs the Lions' safety for an 80-yard touchdown to put the game in a vise. It was Peterson's longest career run and the fourth-longest in team history.



ETC.: Linebackers Ben Leber and Chad Greenway recovered key Lions turnovers. Greenway



recovered Stefan Logan's muffed punt to set up Harvin's touchdown while Leber intercepted former Viking Shaun Hill's pass at the goal line as the Lions were driving for a score late in the fourth quarter. Antoine Winfield later intercepted Hill in the end zone with 58 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

UP NEXT: Vikings at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, ESPN, KFAN-AM 1130