Everyone knows the Vikings do not play well in prime time and even more so on national TV. They also don’t score a lot of points. Except when they face Eli Manning and the New York Giants, perhaps. Eli has had some terrible games playing against Minnesota, and last night might have been the worst of the lot:
Eli Manning now has four touchdowns and 13 interceptions in seven-plus games against the Vikings in his career.
— Judd Zulgad (@1500ESPNJudd) December 28, 2015
And a few minutes after Judd posted that, Eli was picked off again, this time by Captain Munnerlyn who nearly got into the end zone.
A picture is worth a thousand jokes. pic.twitter.com/dP3moMIfWD
— NFC North Barroom (@NFCNorthBarRoom) December 28, 2015
Mid-game, the NFL decided to switch next week’s showdown at Lambeau Field into the prime time Sunday night slot. (See opening paragraph above…) Winner will host a playoff game in the Wild Card round, while the loser will play on the road. If the Vikings win in Green Bay, they’ll host the Seahawks at TCF Bank Stadium. If they lose, they go right back to Green Bay (if Seattle wins) or to Washington to face the Redskins (if Seattle loses). While the Vikings have done well on the road this season, they’re still historically bad in prime time on national TV:
#Vikings at #Packers flexed. Is this a good time to mention the #Vikings are 1-16 in primetime games outside of their home stadium since 09?
— Eric Thompson (@eric_j_thompson) December 28, 2015
At the Daily Norseman, Eric Thompson has a long list of blue-chip stocks in his weekly Stock Market Report, including an unheralded rookie leading the charge:
Danielle Hunter. Many draftniks thought taking Hunter in the third round was a reach because he only had 4.5 sacks in his entire college career at LSU. He now has six career sacks as a pro. And it wasn’t just the constant pressure Hunter applied throughout the game — he chased down a couple screen passes and even had a 10-yard kick return! Is there nothing this rookie can’t do?
Harrison Smith. Sore eyes, meet sight. Hitman Harry didn’t miss a beat after returning from two missed games due to a hamstring injury. He delivered his usual run stuffing and excellent coverage while taking this second quarter interception to the house to start the rout. How Smith isn’t in the Pro Bowl is something that cannot be properly explained to me. He is such a crucial part to a very formidable Vikings defense.
Teddy Bridgewater. The Seattle game might have been the wake-up call that Bridgewater and his teammates needed. Since the embarrassing home loss to the Seahawks, here are Teddy’s numbers:
57 for 81, 734 yards, 7 total TDs, 0 INT, 123.2 quarterback rating
Pretty decent, right? And some of those passes tonight — wow. Teddy has got the touch.
So please, keep hating on Bridgewater if you must. Say that he’s only riding AP’s coattails. Claim that his throwing motion prevents him from being an elite passer. Tell us how he’s only a game manager. He’ll just keep quietly stringing together these performances all the way to the playoffs. You know, that thing Derek Carr and Blake Bortles aren’t invited to even though they’re sooooo much better than Teddy.
KEEP HATING ON BRIDGEWATER. HE’LL JUST KEEP QUIETLY STRINGING TOGETHER THESE PERFORMANCES ALL THE WAY TO THE PLAYOFFS. YOU KNOW, THAT THING DEREK CARR AND BLAKE BORTLES AREN’T INVITED TO EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE SOOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN TEDDY.
Jerick McKinnon. So whenever that Peterson fella and the Vikings finally part ways, this “Jet” guy might be OK huh? McKinnon continues to impress with each and every opportunity he gets this season. McKinnon racked up another 97 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 9 touches tonight. He isn’t ever the biggest guy on the field but he’s usually the best athlete on the field regardless of who else is out there. He proved it with this long run late in the fourth quarter.
Eli Manning. I know I’m supposed to focus on the Vikings here, but Manning deserves a spot in the Blue Chips. If not for his terrible three-turnover performance tonight, perhaps for a lifetime achievement award. Eli is now 3-5 against the Vikings in his career with 5 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. You da real MVP, Eli.
