Defensive end Everson Griffen was talking “must-win” last week as the Vikings anticipated Sunday’s Vikings game with the Lions at TCF Bank Stadium. After an embarrassing opening regular season loss to the 49ers, he didn’t want to contemplate an 0-2.
Not a problem. The Vikings took care of the Lions 26-16.
What exactly was Griffen saying last Thursday? “This is a big week against Detroit…and this is a must-win game because it’s a divisional game.”
Vikings wide receiver Mike Wallace pondered a possible 0-2 start, with games then immediately ahead with the Chargers and Broncos—formidable opponents. “It’s hard to come back…from those starts, and get to the playoffs,” Wallace said. “We know what’s at stake.”
NFL teams who begin 0-2 are unlikely to make the playoffs but it’s not always an obituary for postseason. In 2008, for example, the Vikings turned an 0-2 beginning into a final record of 10-6, NFC North title and made the playoffs.
The Chargers, 1-1 with a win over the Lions and loss to the Bengals, come to Minneapolis next Sunday to play the Vikings. Then Minnesota has to play Super Bowl contender Denver, 2-0, on the road so the Vikings made the immediate schedule ahead less daunting by winning against the Lions.
Call it a must-win or just a valuable victory, the Vikings have a reasonable chance to be at least 2-2 after the first four weeks of the season. They have won an NFC North game now, while division rivals Detroit and Chicago are off to 0-2 starts. The Packers are 2-0 and already lead the division.
Worth Noting
Among the Vikings who head coach Mike Zimmer is probably feeling better about after the win over the Lions is placekicker Blair Walsh. He wasn’t sharp in the preseason or the opener against the 49ers but yesterday was two-for-two on field goals—although he did miss an extra point.
Walsh signed a reported four-year, $14 million contract during the offseason but he denied the new deal put excessive pressure on him and impacted his kicking. “No, nothing to do with the contract. I know how good I am,” Walsh said recently.
Walsh said his summer slump wasn’t caused by poor kicking mechanics, and it’s important not to “over think” his situation. “It’s just all confidence,” he said last week. “I am close. I am right there. It’s just going to take two or three going in a row for me to just sort of break out of it. I’ll be fine.”
Walsh and Vikings punter Jeff Locke will participate as celebrity members of two teams at the first Minnesota United FC Footgolf Tournament. The event Monday at Baker National Golf Course in Medina benefits Children’s Hospitals and Clinics Minnesota Vida Sana program that promotes healthy living for underserved Spanish-speaking families.
Former Vikings long snapper Mike Morris will be signing memorabilia items on Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Triple Crown Sports Card and Bobble Show at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. Show hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tyler Duffey, who allowed three hits over seven shutout innings in the Twins win Sunday over the Angels, is 2-0 in his last three starts with a 1.35 ERA. The Twins ended a season high five-game losing streak with an 8-1 win.
Gophers safety Antonio Johnson said coach Jerry Kill cautions his players not to compare scores, telling them “every game is different.” Comparative scores were on the minds of Gophers fans after last Saturday’s close win over Kent State. The Golden Flashes lost 52-3 to Illinois on September 5, while Minnesota relied on its superb defense to beat Kent State 10-7. And for more numbers, remember North Carolina destroyed the Illini last Saturday, 48-14.
Johnson is correct about comparative scores. While the Gophers offense struggled on Saturday, Minnesota is 2-1 on the season and its one defeat came in a six point loss to TCU, ranked No. 2 in the country when the teams played on September 3.
Minnesota’s defense held Kent State to eight first downs and 142 total yards. The only score for the Golden Flashes was an 85-yard run by cornerback Demetrious Monday who scooped up a fumble by Minnesota wide receiver Rashad Still. “We played a hell of a game,” said Gophers defense end Alex Keith.
In three games the Gophers defense has allowed only four touchdowns.
The Gophers offense has produced five touchdowns this season. There were boos on Saturday but Minnesota is dealing with a reshuffled offensive line playing without two starters, and a third regular, Josh Campion, who has been moved from guard to tackle. Injuries have also been a problem at tight end, again impacting blocking. “We didn’t handle it very well up front,” Kill said.
A frustrated Kill said after the game he expected over 100 e-mails suggesting he be fired.
The Gophers were unable to establish a running game, gaining 104 yards. Quarterback Mitch Leidner had some good moments including a 14-yard touchdown pass to KJ Maye. He also threw two interceptions. The first one ended a streak of 157 pass attempts without an interception.
The announced attendance on Saturday of 52,823 was the second consecutive sellout of the season at TCF Bank Stadium. That’s the first time the Gophers have started their home schedule with sellouts since 2009.
Benilde-St. Margaret junior running back Ricky Floyd was among Gophers recruits at the game. He ran for 459 yards on Friday night in a win over St. Louis Park.
The Wild’s top seven salaried players for the coming season, according to the September 18 edition of the Thehockeywriters.com, are Zach Parise and Ryan Suter at $9 million each; Mikko Koivu, $7,290,000; Thomas Vanek, $6,500,000; Jason Pominville, $5,750,000; Devan Dubnyk, $5 million; and Niklas Backstrom, $4 million.
CBS and ESPN have deals with the Big Ten to televise men’s basketball games again next winter. Because preseason expectations are low for the Gophers, coach Richard Pitino’s team has one scheduled appearance—a January 2 telecast by ESPN2 at Williams Arena against Michigan State. Minnesota will have many games airing on the Big Ten Network.
The defending NCAA champion Gophers women’s hockey team plays an exhibition game against the Minnesota Whitecaps Friday at Ridder Arena starting at 7 p.m. The Gophers were selected the league’s preseason favorite in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association preseason coaches’ poll. Minnesota’s Hannah Brandt was named WCHA preseason player of the year, while teammate Sarah Potomak was selected preseason rookie of the year.