An ugly win is still a win. Maybe Twin Cities fans are glad the game was blacked out — it was a second nerve-racking victory against the Lions.
The Vikings needed a reversal of a play that would’ve left the Lions first and goal; a strong performance by Tarvaris Jackson, subbing for the injured Gus Frerotte; and some strong defensive play in both halves.
I just knew this would be tough. I expected the Lions would win — it would fit perfectly with Vikings lore. It would be like the game against the Cardinals four years ago against when the Vikes made Josh McCown look like Johnny Unitas. (That 2004 loss left the Mike Tice-led Vikes out of the playoffs.)
It didn’t happen, but it sure could’ve.
Frerotte had two first-half interceptions, but the Lions settled for a field goal each time. Those missed opportunities would prove to be costly.
Daunte Culpepper was better than Frerotte today, that’s for sure. He was 14 of 24 for 220 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He hooked up with Calvin Johnson on a 70-yarder that would’ve reminded Vikings fans of his long bombs to Randy Moss (if they had DirecTV, that is).
Who would’ve thought Jackson would save the day? But maybe this was the perfect opportunity for him. He didn’t have enough time to get nervous.
Jackson was eight of 10 for 105 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
Adrian Peterson had another good day, rushing 23 times for 103 yards.
But you have to give one of the two game balls to the defense. (Jackson gets the other.) The Vikings had four sacks and allowed only 267 yards, though they were unable to get a takeaway. (Culpepper fumbled twice, but the Lions recovered both.)
The Lions were clearly fired up for this game, probably aware that this was their best chance to win a game and avoid the ignominy of going 0-16. That’s plenty of motivation.
The Lions play in Indianapolis against a hot Colts team; at home vs. New Orleans, a team’s that in the playoff hunt; and at Lambeau Field against the Packers. Those will all be difficult games, two of three on the road.
The Vikings have a tough schedule too. They play at Arizona, and then home against Atlanta and then the Giants.
The Bears won Sunday and are only a game behind the Vikings. Minnesota has to win one of the next two — and preferably both games.
Arizona will be tough — they can score a ton of points, and remember that the judge could still rule against the Vikings, leaving the team without the Williams Wall. On the other hand, the Cardinals were up 20 points against St. Louis on Sunday, and that would clinch the division.
The Vikes have to beat Atlanta. You can’t lose home games down the stretch if you expect to make the playoffs.
That leaves the final game against the Giants. They might have clinched home field through the playoffs, so they might rest their starters. That would be a huge advantage for the Vikes.
The Bears have a slightly easier schedule, but it’s no cakewalk. They play New Orleans and Green Bay at Soldier Field and then close on the road against the Texans.
The Saints won Sunday and have been playing well. And they’re now in the playoff hunt, as the Bears are.
Green Bay lost in the last minute against the Texans and has had some bad games down the stretch. But this is a rivalry, and expect the Packers to play well in this one.
The Texans have won three games in a row and will pose a challenge to the Bears.
NOTES: There was a fight in this game. Jared Allen was blocked in the knee and went after Detroit’s Gosder Cherilus after what an ESPN blogger termed a cheap shot. Allen returned in the next series... Frerotte didn’t play the second half. He has a lower-back injury.
