MNF: Vikings-Colts/NFL midseason

[Guest Vitamin X]

Minnesota (5-2) at Indianapolis (4-3)

 

The only people who might miss Randy Moss as much as the Minnesota Vikings are the people watching ``Monday Night Football.''

 

Moss won't be able to continue his brilliance in prime time when the Vikings meet the Indianapolis Colts in what figures to be a high-scoring game.

 

With Daunte Culpepper and Peyton Manning leading potent offenses against teams that struggle defensively, this should be an opportunity for the offensive players to shine.

 

But Minnesota may struggle to keep up its end of the bargain because it has to play without Moss, who continues to be bothered by a strained right hamstring. Moss didn't have a catch while playing sparingly in the last two games, and though the injury improved this week, he has not practiced.

 

Coach Mike Tice said if his star receiver travels with the team to Indianapolis, he'll sit upstairs in the coaches' booth.

 

Moss will be missing a game for the first time in his NFL career and must particularly hate to sit out this one, because he has always been at his best when playing under the lights. He has 11 touchdown catches and five 100-yard receiving games in nine career Monday night contests, and has another nine TD receptions in 10 Sunday night games.

 

Even without Moss, Culpepper should be able to find ways for Minnesota's offense to score points against an Indianapolis defense that yielded 590 yards in a 45-35 loss to Kansas City on Sunday.

 

The Colts wasted five touchdown passes and 472 yards from Manning, who leads the NFL with 22 TD passes and a 117.4 passer rating. Culpepper ranks second with 20 TDs and a 114.2 rating, but his 2,180 yards are 19 more than Manning's total.

 

Culpepper and Manning are two of the six NFL quarterbacks who have two or more five-touchdown games in a season since 1970, joining Dan Fouts, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Warren Moon.

 

Both quarterbacks will have to be sharp if their defenses play as poorly as they did last week. Minnesota also lost, allowing the New York Giants to rush for 168 yards and giving up the first 34 points in a 34-13 defeat.

 

That snapped a three-game winning streak and came just a week after Minnesota's defense had its best performance of the year in a 20-3 victory over Tennessee. The Vikings have yielded 27 or more points in four of their seven games and are ranked 25th in the league in total defense.

 

Still, that looks good compared to the unit Tony Dungy has in Indianapolis. The Colts have lost two straight and surrender a league-worst 418.7 yards per game -- a high number considering Dungy made his reputation as a defensive coach. He was Minnesota's defensive coordinator from 1992-95.

 

Indianapolis will have to quickly fix its problems as it prepares to host a Minnesota team that has 300 or more yards of offense in an NFL-record 36 straight games.

 

``You just have to do what you have to do: Don't gamble, be where you're supposed to be,'' defensive tackle Montae Reagor said. ``A lot of times we have two or three guys in one gap, and that's very uncharacteristic of a Tony Dungy defense. You feel sad.''

 

Monday's game comes at an important time for both teams. The Colts have fallen into a tie for second place in the AFC South with Houston, which it hosts Sunday on short rest.

 

Meanwhile, the Vikings want to avoid a repeat of last season, when a loss to the Giants was the catalyst for a poor stretch after a strong start. Minnesota started 6-0 in 2003 before its loss to New York started a four-game losing streak that it never really recovered from.

 

``I definitely think this team has a lot of character,'' defensive end Lance Johnstone said. ``Last year doesn't really have anything to do with this year, except for the fact that we just need to learn from the things that happened last year.''

 

Minnesota has won five of the last six meetings.

 

Great reason for optimism for cheeseheads: With Detroit's loss yesterday, if Minnesota loses tonight, it's a fight for first place at Lambeau next Sunday.

 

Now that we're officially at the midpoint of the season let's take a look at the teams who are .500 and above and the games they have left->

 

NFC

Philadelphia (7-1) at DAL, vs WAS, at NYG, vs GB, at WAS, vs DAL, at STL, vs CIN

Atlanta (6-2) vs TB, at NYG, vs NO, at TB, vs OAK, vs CAR, at NO, at SEA

Minnesota (5-2) at IND, at GB, vs DET, vs JAX, at CHI, vs SEA, at DET, vs GB, at WAS

Seattle (5-3) at STL, vs MIA, vs BUF, vs DAL, at MIN, at NYJ, vs ARZ, vs ATL

New York Giants (5-3) at ARZ, vs ATL, vs PHI, at WAS, at BAL, vs PIT, at CIN, vs DAL

Green Bay (4-4) vs MIN, at HOU, vs STL, at PHI, vs DET, vs JAX, at MIN, at CHI

Detroit (4-4) at JAX, at MIN, vs IND, vs ARZ, at GB, vs MIN, vs CHI, at TEN

St. Louis (4-4) vs SEA, at BUF, at GB, vs SF, at CAR, at ARZ, vs PHI, vs NYJ

 

Everyone else in the NFC is at 3-5 except for 1-7 Carolina and San Francisco, which makes their playoff hopes all but done (though not "mathematically eliminated"). Right now the race in the NFC is really too close to call, but the teams currently leading their divisions have tremendous crucial division games coming up. The only clear cut winner so far seems to be Atlanta, but the Saints or even the Bucs could come back and spoil them. The NFC North is again turning out to be dependent on Vikings-Packers, but the Lions and Bears are keeping things pretty interesting and very close. Only big surprise here are the Giants who might make it in if Philly and Pittsburgh don't crush them. Seattle will probably back into the playoffs if they can beat Minnesota and the Jets on the road.

 

Of the 3-5 teams that can potentially come back and/or play spoiler, I think all of them have a shot. You can't rule out a Parcells-coached team, no matter how bad they've been playing, and Washington still has the defense to help get them in the playoffs regardless of how bad their offense is. Chicago is actually riding a 2-game winning streak, and they might end up being like last year's Bengals, or could that go to Denny Green's Cardinals who have been playing their asses off in every game this season?

 

AFC

Pittsburgh (7-1) at CLE, at CIN, vs WAS, at JAX, vs NYJ, at NYG, vs BAL, at BUF

New England (7-1) vs BUF, at KC, vs BAL, at CLE, vs CIN, at MIA, at NYJ, vs SF

Denver (6-3) at NO, vs OAK, at SD, vs MIA, at KC, at TEN, vs IND

Jacksonville (5-3) vs DET, vs TEN, at MIN, vs PIT, vs CHI, at GB, vs HOU, at OAK

New York Jets (6-2) vs BAL, at CLE, at ARZ, vs HOU, at PIT, vs SEA, vs NE, at STL

San Diego (6-3) at OAK, at KC, vs DEN, vs TB, at CLE, at IND, vs KC

Baltimore (5-3) at NYJ, vs DAL, at NE, vs CIN, vs NYG, at IND, at PIT, vs MIA

Indianapolis (5-3) vs MIN, vs HOU, at CHI, at DET, vs TEN, at HOU, vs BAL, vs SD, at DEN

Houston (4-4) at IND, vs GB, vs TEN, at NYJ, vs IND, at CHI, at JAX, vs CLE

 

Everyone else in the AFC is 3-5 except for 1-8 Miami and 3-6 Oakland, who are all but eliminated. Every team left on Oakland's schedule is at .500 or above except for Tennessee and Kansas City, so they're a long shot at the moment to make the playoffs.

 

The Jets looking like they've got the shaft in terms of their last four games especially now that QB Chad Pennington is going to be out for the next 2-4 weeks, just in time for an away game at Pittsburgh. I'm loving San Diego's chances for a division title now, but that Denver-San Diego game is going to be a big one. Houston has an outside shot, but it's going to be a battle for a better record with Baltimore to get in. New England is absolutely a lock to make it in, as long as they can play well without their injured starters, but they've got a soft schedule coming up with no real challenges other than Baltimore and the Jets who will be fighting for their playoff lives. Jacksonville is clinging to that lead in the AFC South without Byron Leftwich, but it'll be a tough fight to keep up their record against an Indianapolis team who has to play the rest of the NFC North, and the last three weeks will come against playoff-bound teams. Pittsburgh is a shoo-in for the playoffs with how well they've been playing so far, knocking off the last two undefeated teams in the league in consecutive weeks in decisive fashion with their biggest challenges being Jacksonville, New York (both of em), and Baltimore.

 

Of the 3-5 teams in AFC who could be spoilers or potentially come back, Cleveland and Cincinatti both have shown they're not completely willing to lie on their backs and give up just yet. Everytime we're about to write them off, they go and get a big win (like Cincinatti beating Denver on MNF). I think the race in the AFC is a little more clear though by looking at the teams .500 or above though. The talent level is a little more like oil and water in the AFC than in the NFC.

 

Ah, this is why I love football. 8 weeks in, and we can already start thinking about the playoffs.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

This was a good post, lots of info. I thought it would get some responses.

 

Anyways, the Vikes look lost without Moss. And their defense is just terrible.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I'm going to laugh my ass off when the Vikings fall apart again and miss the playoffs.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Hell of a punt return by the Vikes, 90 yards or so after the punt was almost blocked. Touchdown Dikes, I mean Vikes.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I think next week tells whether the Vikings will make the playoffs or not. Mark my words, if they lose to Green Bay, they will find a way to lose the division. They will have lost 3 in a row by that point, while the Packers would have gone 5 weeks without a loss counting the bye. With a team with as fragile emotions as the Vikings, it will be disasterous.

 

EDIT: Assuming they lose tonight, of course. This game is far from over.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Colts take it 31-28, with a great little lefthanded shovel pass by Manning to James to pick up the first down which setup Vanderjagt for the kick.

 

NFC North and AFC South look like almost the exact same divisions now.

 

NFC North

Minnesota (5-3)

Green Bay (4-4)

Detroit (4-4)

Chicago (3-5)

 

AFC South

Jacksonville (5-3)

Indianapolis (5-3)

Houston (4-4)

Tennessee (3-5)

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Looks can be deceiving. The Colts are clearly the class of the AFC South, where there is a real race going on in the NFC North. Jacksonville is due for a fall without Leftwich. I like Houston, but I don't see them making a serious run at Indy.

[cabbageboy 0]

My god, did anyone look at that Falcons schedule? The Bucs and Saints twice? Oakland? Carolina? Hell, the only reasonable tests they have are the Giants and Seahawks. Falcons should be no worse than 12-4 and the #2 seed in the NFC.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Add into the fact that the Giants also just lost two of defensive lineman, one of them their best player on defense (Strahan out for the year) and their other starting DE Keith Washington out for the year.

 

Good lord, has the curse shifted to the New York area or what?

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

My god, did anyone look at that Falcons schedule? The Bucs and Saints twice? Oakland? Carolina? Hell, the only reasonable tests they have are the Giants and Seahawks. Falcons should be no worse than 12-4 and the #2 seed in the NFC.

It will burn them in the playoffs. They won't be prepared for the level of competition. Just ask the Chiefs, it has happened to them 3 times in 10 years.

[cabbageboy 0]

Anyone want to start taking bets on who the Eagles will have their 4th straight NFC title game tank job against? Will it be the Falcons? A resurgant Seattle? Maybe even a Cinderella Packers?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I think the Eagles will get bounced before the NFC Title game. They'll go 13-3 and then get eaten alive by a team with a semi-decent running game.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Anyone want to start taking bets on who the Eagles will have their 4th straight NFC title game tank job against? Will it be the Falcons? A resurgant Seattle? Maybe even a Cinderella Packers?

Both the Packers & Seahawks match up well against the Eagles. If Philly can avoid playing them, they would be much more likely to make the Super Bowl where they would get destroyed by the AFC representative (Pats, Jets, Steelers, Broncos & Colts should all beat Philly). Philly might have trouble with the Vikings or Falcons too, but I really think they can beat Atlanta. Giants are in trouble without Strahan, and the Eagles would destroy the Rams.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

Atlanta or Green Bay would be preferable by the media but it'll be the ho-hum Seattle Seahawks just because it seems every superbowl since Favre/Elway we get at least one "yawn" team (Falcons in '99, Titans in '00, Giants in '01, NE in '02, '03 is a write-off and '04 with Carolina) and by Yawn I mean boring personality.

 

 

 

Philly has a slightly rough road here... Two games against Parcells isn't neccesary a walk over, esp considering He won't stand to have a shitty season. I say they spilt this series. Was and NYG are gimmies. GB will be a true game but they should take this one but it's Favre. STL is always a question mark and 'Nati could easily give them a tough last game. With that said, they still are the cream of the NFC.

 

The Falcons have a sickingly easy schedule that will likely cause them to run the table or at least finish with the other bye slot. The easy road may cost them come playoff time.

 

Minnesota has a handful of tough games and I honestly think R.O won't heal up and basically they fall again for another year short of playoff time. They can't win without Moss and that Defense.

 

Besides the Jets and the Falcons, the Seattle group shouldn't have problems. They should wipe the floor with Stl. after the collaspe last time. Dallas might give them a challenge but if they are truely a SB contender. This shouldn't be a issue. I feel however, they let a couple of those gimmies away.

 

I think the early Romance for NYG is over as Warner is again getting exposed and the injuries are piling up. The schedule is a bitch as well...

 

Green Bay should easily win this divison with Minnesota falling about but...

 

They have to watch out for the Mariucci led Lions who could creep into a wildcard slot.

 

St. Louis certaintly has the talent to make it but they seem to have problems executing it.

 

Final Mid-Season NFC Post-season Prediction

 

NFC East-Philly

NFC South-Atl.

NFC North-Green Bay

NFC West-Seattle

Wildcards-Detroit(there's usually a suprise every year on each side and this is it for the NFC) and St. Louis.

 

Pittsburgh has basically locked the North up already and should coast for a 13-3 finish.

 

Patriots should run away now with the east since Pennigton is out. They'll likely drop a couple but still walk away with the other bye slot.

 

Denver has a easy lineup save for 3-4 games and if they are worth anything, should be able to win those winnable games and take a couple of those shakey games.

 

Jax lost their QB but lucked out with 3 straight easy games they should win and a couple more gimmies. If their "D" can hold up, they should take a Wild-Card spot.

 

I believe Indy's Offense will keep the team alive to take the divison title

 

The Jets lost thier QB and has a rough schedule. I don't think they can overcome it.

 

San Diego is this year's "What the Fuck?" team and they will slide into a WC berth.

 

Final Mid-Season AFC Predictions

AFC East-NE

AFC North-Pittsburgh

AFC South-Indy

AFC West-Denver

Wildcards-San Diego and....Jacksonville.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Despite the worst defensive unit I ever saw, it was nice to see the Colts win. With even a mediocre defense, this team would be a legit superbowl threat. As they stand, I don't see them even getting to the AFC championship.

[The Man in Blak 0]

If Indianapolis draws San Diego in the playoffs and the body snatcher hasn't released Drew Brees yet, they're in for a world of hurt.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Atlanta or Green Bay would be preferable by the media but it'll be the ho-hum Seattle Seahawks just because it seems every superbowl since Favre/Elway we get at least one "yawn" team (Falcons in '99, Titans in '00, Giants in '01, NE in '02, '03 is a write-off and '04 with Carolina) and by Yawn I mean boring personality.

 

Yeah the `98 Falcons, the "Dirty Birds", the ones who were able to squeak out a win over arguably one of the best teams I'd EVER seen in my entire life (The 1998 Vikings) at the Metrodome, but came out flat against the Broncos. I wouldn't call them boring. Or the Tom Brady underdog Patriots of `01. Or the Gruden Bowl of `03, with the Bucs finally atoning for all their past failures with a championship (A defense that was that good for that long deserved it eventually). Or the Cardiac Panthers of last year who barely beat Dallas in the wildcard round, played one of the best playoff games in recent memory in a double-OT win over St. Louis, trounced the favored Eagles AGAIN in the NFC Championship, then took the most dominating team that season to the limit in the Super Bowl? Come on now.

 

The Giants do suck, though.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

I'm not talking bout the teams, I'm refering to the boring personality of the teams. Atlanta aside from the mildly amusing Jamal Anderson was so boring the focus of the hype was on the coaches just like it was for TB/Oakland but the players went and decided to steal the hype.

 

It wasn't an attack on the team. I was just saying it seems like every season there's a boring team with no discernable personality. Last year, the most talked about player of the SB was a kick returner. Think about that.

[Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0]

TB/OAK was the first Super Bowl in recent memory that I didn't even watch.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'm not talking bout the teams, I'm refering to the boring personality of the teams. Atlanta aside from the mildly amusing Jamal Anderson was so boring the focus of the hype was on the coaches just like it was for TB/Oakland but the players went and decided to steal the hype.

 

It wasn't an attack on the team. I was just saying it seems like every season there's a boring team with no discernable personality. Last year, the most talked about player of the SB was a kick returner. Think about that.

I watched that Super Bowl because the Falcons backed up Goldberg in a feud with the nWo.