Seen through a Purple lens the post-game numbers were ugly.
In their season opening game in San Diego yesterday, the Vikings had 10 first downs and 28 yards passing. The Chargers had 31 first downs and 330 passing yards.
The worst numbers of all: Chargers 24 points, Vikings 17.
The Vikings’ offense was a second half no-show after Minnesota held a 17-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Donovan McNabb and his receivers never established a rhythm including late in the game when they trailed 24-17. When the Vikings had their last possession of the game with about five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, McNabb and friends went three and out.
Coach Leslie Frazier and coordinator Bill Musgrave took a conservative approach most of the day, seemingly trying to win the game against the favored Chargers with minimal offensive mistakes and a stout defense. Except for Adrian Peterson, who rushed 16 times for 98 yards including a 46 yard first half run, there wasn’t much life to the offense.
Even the team’s second best playmaker, receiver Percy Harvin, could only produce two receptions for seven yards. Harvin, though, returned the game’s opening kickoff 103 yards, providing an initial spark for a team that could be points challenged this season with an iffy offensive line, so-so receivers and a 34-year-old quarterback who is trying to become the Comeback Kid after last season’s disappointing season in Washington, D.C.
The Vikings’ defense, despite missing three starters from last year’s line, deserved better yesterday. The defense gave up one short touchdown to the Chargers in the first quarter after McNabb “completed” a pass to San Diego linebacker Saun Phillips at the Minnesota six yard line. In the second half the defense was on the field too long and although Vikings’ end Jared Allen killed one San Diego drive with a nifty running interception, the Chargers and quarterback Phillip Rivers established a rhythm and produced points.
McNabb and the Vikings had very little of each yesterday.