Vikings Win First; Packers LOSE

I, along with all other Viking fans, had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders when the Vikes finally got their first win. Yes, it was against the Lions who haven't won a road game since around '98. The Lions have actually looked a lot better this year though. If the NFL rule didn't suck, they would have beat the Bears. Imagine how different the NFC North would look if the Bears weren't 3-0.

Anyways, the Lions came into the Dome against a desperate Vikes and looking like a pretty decent team. Shaun Hill is actually a pretty solid backup QB, Calvin Johnson is unreal, and they have some playmakers on D. And of course they drafter Jahvid Best who has looked like a stud in the first 2 games. Best, however, did get hurt in this one (turf toe).

The game didn't start pretty. Favre threw his 5th pick of the year on a screen play and the Lions jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The offense again fails on the following drive and punts it away. Thankfully, the Lions remember they are the Lions, and muff the punt. Vikes recover and Favre follows with a TD pass to Percy who made an amazing diving catch. As I was watching I admit I started getting excited and thought we might be back on track.

The Lions miss a field goal on their next drive and the Vikes put together a really nice drive, capped off with a punishing 6 yard TD run by AP. The Lions would add a field goal at the end of the half and send the game to the break at 14-10 Vikes.

The third quarter was an exciting one. Peterson finally had one of his patented long TD runs to make the score 21-10. The run was for 80 yards, the longest TD run in Peterson's career. More fireworks went off when a mini-brawl broke out between the Lions O and the Vikings D. Right in the middle for the Vikes was Ray Edwards and Jared Allen. I think this was sparked by Gosder Cherilus' low block on Allen's knee last year. Shaun Hill surprised a lot on this play by going after Jared Allen. I thought this was a pretty bad idea. Jared Allen spears elks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oibNvAbtpc). Come on man.

So the Vikes win 24-10. This was the first game of the Lion's season where they weren't really in the game. Vikes fans do have a lot to be happy about after this game but still some worries. The main worry for me is still the O-line. Loadholt looked bad again. McKinnie is a lazy player and John Sullivan left with an injury. Ryan Cook filled in for Sullivan at center nicely, but he isn't a long term option. Hopefully Sullivan is ok.

Another worry is still Favre and the offense. The refs called back two Favre turnovers, one int and one fumble, because of Lion's penalties. The penalties were questionable but I think thats one advantage you get with Favre on your team. Especially after the non-calls in last year's NFC championship game.

The WR corps was better but there are still plenty of questions. Favre spread it around nicely to 9 different receivers. Percy and Favre look like they are finding their chemistry again, but Percy was shaken up again during the game. Shiancoe also suffered a leg injury, but Chili says he will be fine.

Now the NFC North is wide open again. Vikes are one game behind the Packers and two behind the Bears. And remember, the Bears should be 2-1 as well with a should-have-been loss to the Lions. So that doesn't make me confident that the Bears are truly a legit title contender. The Vikes have a bye next week and they need it badly if you look ahead to week 5 and beyond. The schedule is brutal (wk. 5 @ Jets, wk. 6 vs. Dallas, wk. 7 @ GB, and wk. 8 @ NE). OUCH. So hopefully we will get some things figured out over the bye week and go into New York with high confidence!