November 2nd, 2009 • 5:59 amBrett’s Triumphant Return (And Percy Harvin’s Exciting Returns)
Thanks to Brett Favre’s spectacular play, No. 4’s return to legendary Lambeau Field was a triumphant return. Rookie Percy Harvin’s kickoff returns and his 51 yard catch & run TD played a big part in helping his legendary teammate win an important NFC North game against the hated Packers.
Simply put, the Vikings just had too many weapons for the Packers to defend against.
With the day’s focus clearly on Mr. Favre, the speculation was about whether he’d be too emotional. Favre dispatched with that speculation on the Vikings’ third drive, leading them down the field before letting superstar runningback Adrian Peterson vault over the line of scrimmage and into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
That drive effectively answered the Pack’s field goal. It was set up by Mr. Harvin’s 77-yard kickoff return. By the day’s end, Harvin accounted for 261 yards in total offense, with 2 yards rushing, 84 yards receiving and 175 yards in kickoff returns.
After a Packers 3-and-out, Favre took the Vikings offense down the field again. When Favre capped this drive off with a lasershot to TE Visanthe Shiancoe for a 12-yard TD reception, thoughts must’ve been running through Vikings fans’ heads over whether this would turn into a blowout.
To their credit, Green Bay didn’t quit, even after Favre hooked up with rookie Harvin on an improbable 51-yard catch in triple coverage that included Charles Woodson. After making a great catch, Harvin gathered himself, made a great move before prancing into the end zone.
Trailing 24-3 at that point, the Packers scored the next 17 points to trim the lead to 24-20. Favre again asserted himself, directing the Vikings down the field, culminating with a 2-yard TD pass to H-back Jeff Dugan.
After Green Bay scored again to make it 31-26, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy went for a 2 point conversion. The 2-point attempt failed when Vikings All Pro DT Kevin Williams deflected the ball with his bicep.
It didn’t take long for Favre to throw his 4th TD pass of the day, hitting Bernard Berrian with a 16-yard laser to complete the scoring.
The Vikings defense played outstanding football in the first half, holding Green Bay’s offense to a mere 47 yards.
The victory gives the Vikings a 3 game lead over the Packers thanks to their sweeping the season series with them. The Packers and Bears are tied with 4-3 records. Meanwhile, the Vikings have a bye before opening the second half of the season with home games against Detroit, Seattle and Da Bears. It’s understatement to say that the Vikings are in a commanding position to win this division.
That’s due in large part to Favre’s inspirational play against his former team and to Percy Harvin’s electrifying performance. (It’s telling that Adrian Peterson’s ‘quiet’ 97 yard rushing performance barely gets a mention.)
Technorati: Packers, Lambeau Field, Vikings, Brett Favre, Percy Harvin, Kickoff Returns, Adrian Peterson, Visanthe Shiancoe, Kevin Williams, Bernard Berrian
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It is too bad the defense permitted scoring at the end of the third and into the fourth periods. In an ideal world Jackson would have gotten more game experience and a chance to put up points to show he is ready to step in at any moment.
Three games so far against quality teams, San Francisco, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. They played largely even with each, winning two of the three games but playing again, who’s to say.
Bottom line, expect Pittsburgh to repeat a super bowl appearance until something suggests otherwise. Yes there are the Colts, but wait and see. And the Patriots.
I see Colts or Steelers - Against what team.
Vikings, New Orleans, Atlanta and Philadelphia all have an NFC shot, along with others.
And Drew Brees has in his career owned Minnesota teams in face to face play, but that was Purdue mainly owning the Mason - Gophers.
The Vikings defense has had trouble with good quarterbacks. Atlanta and New Orleans offer challenge at that position and McNabb still has it going similar to but younger than Favre.
If Childress gets the team beyond the first round playoff hurdle, anything is possible.
What if Favre gets hurt? Peterson? Harvin. Peterson, for all his talent has the most proven back-up. There are other wide-outs and slot options if Harvin is hurt and on kickoff returns that’s true.
Jackson has potential and may learn from Favre how to read what defenses give and how to get the ball out quickly but safely. If he does, his mobility will be similar to Rogers being flushed from the pocket but able to gain yardage.
Long term, Jackson needs game experience without pressure, meaning the defense needs to hold opponent scores down.
If Favre can sit more late in games, and late in the schedule as is looking likely, things could turn out very favorably.
Comment by eric z. • 02Nov2009 @ 6:59 am