vikings/nfl
Dan Wiederer began covering the Vikings in 2011, enthusiastically delivering insight on the team across the Star Tribune's print and digital products. Prior to joining the Access Vikings team, he spent seven seasons covering ACC basketball at The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer. He also covered the Chicago Bears in 2003 and 2004. Follow him on Twitter @StribDW.
Mark Craig has covered football and the NFL the past 20 years, including the Browns from 1991-95 and the Vikings and the NFL since 2003. Since 2008, Craig has served as one of the 44 Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors. He can be followed on Twitter at @markcraignfl.
A 30-minute team in a 60-minute league
Posted by: Mark Craig under Quarterbacks, Vikings, Lions Updated: September 18, 2011 - 8:37 PM
I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the Lions will not be rattled if they're trailing at halftime of next Sunday's game at the Metrodome.
Considering the Vikings have been outscored 41-3 in the second half, they've established themselves as a 30-minute team in a 60-minute league.
And the amazing thing is it's not because of turnovers. In fact, the only turnover the Vikings have in the second half this season is today's fumble as time expired in the 24-20 loss to the Buccaneers at the Metrodome.
It's hard to determine how much of the problem belongs to the coaching staff, the quarterback, the new offense, etc. If it's not halftime adjustments that are to blame, the coaches should at least share in the blame for how thoroughly outplayed the players have been in the second half.
It's not even close. For instance, the opposing quarterbacks -- Philip Rivers and Josh Freeman -- have combined to complete 33 of 43 passes (76.7 percent) for 384 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. Meanwhile, Donovan McNabb has completed 8 of 19 for 77 yards and no TDs.
But it's not just the quarterback play that's been different. Today, in the first half, Adrian Peterson ran for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 15 first-half carries, while LeGarrette Blount had four yards on five carries. In the second half, Blount ran for 67 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries (8.4), while Peterson was held to 37 yards on 10 carries.
The Lions are riding a six-game win streak and are coming off a 48-3 win over the Chiefs. But they haven't won at the Metrodome since 1997. That's 13 consecutive losses.
At this point, it's hard to imagine it will reach 14 straight, no matter what the score is at halftime.
ADVERTISEMENT
recent posts
- NFL calendar change could push draft into May, combine into March
- Vikings' Chris Kluwe to sign with Oakland Raiders
- Vikings sign three more draft choices; only first-rounders left
- Hold off on buying that Urlacher jersey ...
- Vikings sign three draft picks; Chuck Muncie dies; Urlacher "rumored" to Vikings ...
- Access Vikings blog: ESPN's Bayless, Smith debate whether Ponder was as responsible for playoff run as Peterson (really)
- Bar to be higher for Ponder, lower for Peterson in 2013
- Dayton, PTI hosts question Vikings over Kluwe cut
- Vikings sign Mankato receiver Adam Thielen, tackle Brandon Keith
- Vikings make it official: Punter Chris Kluwe has been cut
- Vikings searching for best development plan for Cordarrelle Patterson
- Rookie Locke could have punter's job locked up by Monday
- Erin Henderson stepping into new role with 'more lead in my pencil'
- Ponder talks: Cassel, Harvin and a scary visit to the emergency room
- Vikings announce signings of 16 undrafted free agents
- Vikings sign defensive end Jackson, cornerback Lacey
- Craig blog: Vikings to give Cris Carter's son, Duron, a tryout
- Spielman summarizes six Saturday selections
- Spielman: Drafting punter `has nothing to do with Chris Kluwe off the field'
Post By Category
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters