Minnesota Vikings American Football Club 2007 Season

Plus Playoffs and Super Bowl XLII

(6-6-0) after week 13

I have been a "Vikings" fan since 1985. I have seen some very fustrating years especially under head coach Burns, ( Is Mr.Burns off the "Simpsons" named after him?).

I was sad when Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss left, which led to a dull 2006.

It is nice in week 12 to see a team on the mend and even if we fail to go past week 16, I feel next season will be something to remember.

With the highlights for the 2007 season now on NFL.com it is even easyer to follow the "Vikings".

Week 9 San Diego "Charges" v "Vikings" (H) 17 : 35

Adrian Peterson's RB Record (30-296-3TD), and the longest return for a touchdown you are ever likley to see.

Week 10 "Vikings" v Greenbay "Packers" (A) 0 : 34

Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bret shows he's the best.

Week 11 LA "Raiders v "Vikings" (H) 22 : 29

Culpepper makes his return, but Jackson soes he has more than filled his shoes.

Minnesota's defence forced Los Angeles to field goals after the offence fumbled 4 times

Chester Taylor leading NFL rusher with 164 yards

Week 12 Vikings v New York "Giants" (A) 41 :17

A great victory the highlights being picking off Ely Manning (QB) 4 times, Darren Sharper defencive interception leading to a TD now only one of only five defencive players in NFL history to score 10 TD's + Dwight Smith 2 interseption picks plus 1 TD + Chad Greenway 1 interception for a a TD. A solid if not high stat performance by Tarvaris Jackson 10/12 for 129 yards 1 TD, Sidney Rice leading receiver with 82 yards and 1 touchdown, and Chester Taylor leading rusher 31 for 77 yards and 1 TD.

Even with Adrian Peterson (RB) still out the "Vikings" are showing an increacing confidence and ability in all departments.

The "Vikings" defence plucked a "Giant" of a bird for their "Thanksgiving" dinner.

Forget the "Purple People Eaters" of the 70's, just attack the ball in the air. If the ball does not reach the receiver then the defence can eat something healthier.

Week 13 Detroit "Lions" v "Vikings" (H) 10 : 42

A well organised alround team performance. With a defence that stopped Detroit scoring any points in the second half, and only allowing 23 yards rushing.

84 Aundrae Allison : Longest kick off return for a touchdown in Minnesota "Vikings" history (103 yards).

Rushing Adrian Peterson 15 carries 116yds 2TD + Chester Taylor 14carries 70yds 1TD

Passing : Tarvaris Jackson 18/24 204yds 2TD & 1 Int

Receiving : B. Wade 4 54yds 1TD
S. Rice 5 53yds 1TD
A. Allison 2 52yds

Week 14 "Vikings" v San Francisco "49ers" (A) 27 : 7

Chester Taylor RB did the play of the game running 84yards for a TD from scrimmage.

Minnesota only scored in the first half, with the only major rushing yardage being the one above.

Passing : Tarvaris Jackson 16/25 163yds 1TD & 0 Int

Rushing : Chester Taylor 8carries 101yds 1TD

Defence : 4 Forced Fumbles (C. Griffin, B. Leber, C. Bolston, & O. Grigsby)

Plus 1 Interception for TD (K. Williams) & 1 Interception (P. Williams (Not mentioned in stats, but it's on tape!))

Top Tackler : C. Greenway 7T-4A

Week 15 Chicargo "Bears" v Minnesota "Vikings" (H) Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 13 : 20

The "Bears" had their third string QB in and after first half points secomed to the "Vikings" defence in the second half.

This game had a mirror running attack with different figures. Both teams had a leading Running Back called Adrian Peterson. The "Bears" version only managed 9 ATT. / 26 YDS / 0 TD. While the "Vikings" version managed 20 ATT. / 78 YDS / 2 TD

Passing : Tarvaris Jackson 18/29 249yds 1TD & 3 INT.

Leading Receiver R. Ferguson 2ATT / 79 YDS / 0 TD / 71 LONGEST

Top Tackler : H. Henderson 7T-0A, an intception by D. Sharper 1-0 / 1 INT. and a sack by K. Udeze 3T-0A 1.0 SACK

The Denver "Broncos" Have been beaten, so when they play Minnesota "Vikings" in the final week of the season they can only finish on 8-8 so are only playing for pride.

Why do the "Vikings" Play indoors? Answer :- Buffalo "Bills" v Cleveland "Browns

Week 16 Washington "Redskins" v Minnesota "Vikings" (H) Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 32 : 21

Dispite a goal line stop by the "Vikings" defence in the first half, the rest of the half was owned by the "Redskins".

Minnesota's offence drew a blank allowing the Redskins to chalk up 22 unanswered points. I saw the first half live, but did not stick around for the rest.

In the second half the "Vikings" scored 21 points with the "Redskins" racking up another 10.

For me QB Tarvaris Jackson lack of experience showed in the first half as the "Redskins" shut down the run. To his credit he did put on a good second half performance with 1 thrown and 2 rushing touchdowns, but a bit too late.

12 man defence by Minnesota "O Dear".

Passing : Tarvaris Jackson 25/41 220yds 1TD & 2 INT.

Leading Rusher : 8 ATT / 44 YARDS / 2 TD / 11 LONGEST

Leading Receiver : R. Ferguson 4ATT / 51 YDS / 0 TD / 16 LONGEST

Top Tackler : C.Greenway 8T-3A, 2 sacks. 1 each by H. Henderson, and B.Leber, No intceptions by the "Vikings"

The "Vikings" now need to win and have the Cowboys, who have wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, knock off the Redskins. to get a "Wild Card" The Broncos have already failed.

Week 17 Minnesota "Vikings" v Denver "Broncos" (A) Invesco Field at Mile High 19 : 22

(I write this on the 20th July 2008)

With my hopes, and asperations for the season lay deflated on the floor after a dashed againest a big jagged rock called the Denver Broncos.

QB : T. Jackson 16COMP/31ATT //175YDS //2TD// 0 INT

Rushing : C. Taylor 10Carries // 83YDS // 0TD //24 Longest

Receiving : B. Wade 5REC // 92YRDS // 2TD // 30 Longest

Kicking : R. Longwell 1/1 Feild Goal // 22Long // 0/0 EXP // 3

Defence : B. Leber 7T-0A, and 1.0 Sack plus C. Greenway 5T-1A, and 1 Forced Fumble

If this, If that

QB Tarvaris Jackson did the best job he knew, but as a rookie I think too much was expected of him. I would have prefered Brooks Bollinger to start. At the begining of the season I did have some doubts about this department. Although coming back with strenght and determination in the second half I feel we need a two half Quarter Back. I know having a settled QB is good, but rotating the QB would have given the opposition more to think about. In UK football, (you call soccer) we rotate the team more. (but we have more games in a season. the only person in football who has a similar role is a centre, (This is spelt right) midfielder.

If Daunte Culpepper wanted to come back I would forgive him. He has had two years in the wilderness, and I am sure he would relish a starting role after keeping the bench warm in Miami with only 4 starts, and only a few more at the Oakland "Raiders this season.

Running Back Adrian Peterson's RB lit up the season but light all goo fire works went out at the end. This was partly due to our opponents stopping/limiting the run and forcing us to throw.

END OF "VIKINGS" SEASON

Wild Card Weekend

(NFC) One supprise for me was the Washington "Redskins" going down to the Seattle "Seahawks" 14 : 35 (No offence ment Mr.Hasselbeck)

(AFC) / "Jaguars" hold on to beat the "Stealers" 31 : 29

(AFC) / "Titans" start okish, but get a good steamrollering by the "Charges" 6 : 17

& (NFC) The "Giants" take out the "Buccaneers" 24 : 14

Divisional Playoffs

Two shocks in my book "Charges" & "Giants"

(NFC) New York "Giants" v Dallas "Cowboys" 21 :17 (Not the Manning I thought would go further)

(AFC) "Charges" v "Colts" 28 : 24 (Peyton Manning 402 yards not enough with two interseptions.)

(AFC) "Jaguars" v New England "Patriots"(17-0-0) 20 : 31 (aNother Enigmatic Performance.) A record breaking side that seems unstoppable.

and not forgetting

(NFC) Seatle "Seahawks" v Green Bay "Packers" 20 : 42

"Packers" known as the "Cheese Heads" not for the colour of their helmts (yellow), but because the fans put real cheeses on their heads in an attempt to keep warm........only joking. This was more of a running game, (R.Grant 27 for 201 yard plus 3 TD.) dew to the white stuff....I mean snow. With the "Arm" I mean "The OLD MAN" I mean Brett Favre only getting 18/23 173yards, and he only bagged 3 TD's, (442 carear TD's. Best Season 1996 39TD's) this time, (Keep showing the youngsters how to play).

Divisional Finals AFC and NFC

AFC Champiomship Pregame San Diego "Charges" v New England "Patriots"(H) at Gillette Stadium

The "Charges" have had an amazing run since the "Vikings" beat them in week 9, but I do not think they have enough in them to stop the charging bull of New England.

NFC Championship Pregame New York "Giants" v Green Bay "Packers"(H) at Lambeau Field

I did not predict tis Manning to get this far, but I think this is "a bridge too Favre" (How many times has this been used. Google say's 2 times.) All the "Packers" have to do is play like they did last time minus the fumbles, so the fans can get home to make Brett Favre snow men or ice sculptures in their front gardens.

Before the kick off of the "Giants" v "Packers" game I was checking the local weather in Green Bay on google (-18C) when I found this artical on www.mercurynews.com (Silicon Vally, San Jose) does the football season revolve around the TV year. Try this with baseball and see what happens.

AFC Champiomship game San Diego "Charges" v New England "Patriots"(H) at Gillette Stadium 12 : 21

The "Charges" hung on to the ring through the bulls nose keeping it to 12 : 14 behind at the start of the 4th quarter, but the "Patriots" managed a 3rd touchdown in the 4th quarter to wrap it up. With no TD's during the game kicker Nate Kaeding racked up 4/4 feild goals the longest being 40 yrds. The "Chargers" defence while not 100% solid kept them in the game.

The New England "Patriots" treated it like just another game this season, and of course they won it. It took alot of nerve, and determination to grind out this all important win.

QB : Tom Brady 22/33 209 2 3

Leading Rusher : (2nd Yr) Laurence Maroney 25 122 1 20

Leading Receiver : Kevin Faulk 8 82 0 14

Minnesota's old friend Randy Moss was quite on the field 1Rec for 18yrds plus 1 carry for 14yds

NFC Championship Pregame New York "Giants" v Green Bay "Packers"(H) at Lambeau Field 23 : 20 OT

Second coldest game at Lambeau Field -3C and wind-chill of -24C. The coldest being Dec. 31, 1967, when the "Packers" hosted Dallas "Cowboys" in the NFL championship game -13C with wind chill between -30C to -48C)

Murray Brothers (Tennis) & Manning Brothers (American Football)

QB Peyton Manning took the "Colts" to Super Bowl victory in 2007

More attention was focused on Andy Murry being the better tennis player than his brother, but his older brother Jamie teamed up with Jelena Jankovic in the mixed doubles in 2007 to win a major, and Wimbledon title before his brother.

Eli Manning 26, joined the "Giants" in 2004 while his brother Peyton Manning 31 joined the "Colts" in 1998

So Peyton, and Jamie have one over their respective brothers so far.

Not forgetting "Giants" kicker Lawrence Tynes fron Greenock, Scotland. UK for managing to seal the victory in overtime. On the way he did miss 2 field goal attempts, but he did nail one from 47yards, and it was a bit cold.

Super Bowl XLII Arazona University of Phoenix Stadium (Their countdown clock is wrong...but hey. At 11.52am UK time it read 4hrs 37min. to go, but the live coverage on the BBC 2 starts at 10.50pm - 3.05am)

Game Center on the NFL Website nfl.com/superbowl

The New York "Giants" have a big hill to climb, but they have the grit.

In my opinion the most consistant team will always win the Super Bowl so the New England "Patriots" are by far the favorites.

After watching the game one stat which came up was "The season leading passing team has never won the Super Bowl."

The game was a graet tactical game with the defence on both sides holding the power for much of the game.

The first points started with a field goal by the "Giants" (9.59) kicked by L.Tynes from Scotland, UK, and L.Maroney rushed for a 1 yard touchdown for the "Patriots" at the start of the second quarter. The rest on the 2nd and the 3rd quarter belonged to the defence of both sides with the "Giants" defence clocking up 5 Sacks and the "Patriots" 3 Sacks and one interception during the game.

With 11:10 left on the clock in the 4th quarter Eli Manning passed short to D.Tyree for 5 yards for a TD with L.Tynes kicking the extra point

2:45 left Tom Brady pass 6 yards to Randy Moss for a TD S.Gostkowski kicking the extra

I recorded the game and watched it from 5am. so at this point my wife (a "Dolphins" fan said is that it then and I replied "Alot can happen in 1 minute.

With 39 seconds left in the game E.Manning pass 13 yards to P.Burress for a touchdown with L.Tynes kicking the extra point

( Key play to keep the drive alive was at 3-5 NYG 44 1:15 left in the game Eli Manning roled out of the grasp of the "Patriots" defence in a colapsing pocket, and pass deep middle to D.Tyree who caught the ball with the help of his helmet to NE 24 for 32 yards.)

MVP QB Eli Manning 19/34 255YDS 2TD 1INT.

Super Bowl Records

5:06 left in the first quarter 9-L.Tynes kicked a 32 yard field goal. This drive of 9min. & 59sec. is the longest drive in Super Bowl history.

Only 2 drives in 1st quarter.

& I think most sacks "5" "Giants" defence

Without a potent running game both sides struggled, but Grit "New York" sank the what seemed unsinkable "Patriots".

Can Andy Murry get a Wimbledon Title of his own this year?

www.singapore-vikings.com - (Soccer)

Post Season, and Drafts

The Minnesota Vikings have promoted Leslie Frazier to assistant head coach / defensive co-ordinator 20/03/08

The Minnesota Vikings have signed two free agents, safety Michael Boulware and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen 20/03/08

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Peter Sefton LBIPP LMPA is a professional photographer working in the Midlands, and can cover any american football game in the UK:-

East Midlands:- Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, & Rutland

Derbyshire:- Derby, Belper, Ashbourne, Swadlincote, Melbourne, Alfreton, Long Eaton, Heanor, Matlock, Bakewell, Chesterfield, Buxton

Leicestershire:- Leicester, Castle Donington, Coalville, Hinckley, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray

Lincolnshire:- Lincoln, Boston, Spalding

Northamptonshire:- Northampton, Daventry, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Raunds, Rushden

Nottinghamshire:- Nottingham, Mansfield, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent

Rutland:- Oakham, Rutland, Uppingham

West Midlands:- Aldridge, Aston, Balsall Common, Berkswell, Bilston, Birmingham, Blackheath, Brierley Hill, Burtwood, Cotteridge, Coventry, Dudley, Earlswood, Edgbaston, Halesowen, Heath Town, Kingswinford, Lye, Oldbury, Sandwell, Smethwick, Solihull, Stourbridge, Sutton Coldfield, Tile Hill, Walsall, Warley, Wednesbury, Wednesfield, West Bromwich, Willenhall, Wolverhampton

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire

Home Counties / London :- Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire, Surrey, North London, West London, Central London, East London, South London

East Anglia :- Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire

and accross the UK.

To see more of Peter's images please go to www.artisticphotography.co.uk by clicking on the links below

www.artisticphotography.co.uk www.weddings-london.com www.weddingphotographerswarwickshire.co.uk

Minnesota Vikings 2007 Season-

"View from across the pond."