Restoring the Purple Pride - A Minnesota Vikings dynasty (M13)

[Knicks7073]

Matchup Preview *|* September 9, 2012
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Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0, 0-0 Away)		Minnesota Vikings (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Offensive Starters Chad Henne Quarterback Christian Ponder Maurice Jones-Drew Running Back Adrian Peterson Greg Jones Fullback Jerome Felton Cecil Shorts III Wide Receiver 1 Percy Harvin Laurent Robinson Wide Receiver 2 Devin Aromashodou Marcedes Lewis Tight End Kyle Rudolph Eugene Monroe Left Tackle Matt Kalil Uche Nwaneri Left Guard Charlie Johnson Brad Meester Center John Sullivan Eben Britton Right Guard Geoff Schwartz Marc Colombo Right Tackle Phil Loadholt Defensive Starters Jason Babin Left Defensive End Brian Robison Trevor Scott Right Defensive End Jared Allen Terrance Knighton Defensive Tackle 1 Letroy Guion C.J. Mosley Defensive Tackle 2 Christian Ballard Daryl Smith Left Outside Linebacker Chad Greenway Paul Posluszny Middle Linebacker Jay Dwyer Brian Rollie Right Outside Linebacker Marvin Mitchell Rashean Mathis Cornerback 1 Antoine Winfield Derek Cox Cornerback 2 Chris Cook Dwight Lowery Free Safety Harrison Smith Dawan Landry Strong Safety Jamarca Sanford Injury Report Justin Blackmon/Upper Arm Fracture 4 Weeks Erin Henderson/Dislocated Ankle 2 Weeks Kevin Williams/Dislocated Hip 4 Weeks Game Notes Where: Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota Date: September 9 Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT Game weather: None (domed stadium) Referee: Robert Dalton TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots The Minnesota Vikings will open the regular season at Mall of America Field this Sunday, September 9, as they face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is set for noon. The Vikings will host a season opener for the 1st time since 2007 when they take on Jacksonville. The Vikings and Jaguars have played 4 times overall. The Vikings hold the advantage 3-1-0. The Vikings won the last meeting 30-12 at Everbank Field in 2008. Adrian Peterson rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries and 1 TD. Jacksonville’s only victory in Minnesota came in 2001, 33-3. Vikings vs. Jaguars Series Notes * The Vikings and Jaguars have played 4 times overall. The Vikings hold the advantage 3-1-0. * The Vikings won the last meeting 30-12 at Everbank Field in 2008. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries and 1 TD. * The Vikings won the first meeting 50-10 in 1998 at Mall of America Field. * Three of the four games between the teams have been played at Mall of America Field. A 30-12 Vikings win in 2008 was the only matchup between the teams in Jacksonville. * The Vikings are 2-1 at home vs. the Jaguars, and 1-0 as visitors in the series. Jacksonville’s only victory in Minnesota came in 2001, 33-3. * This will be Mike Zimmer’s first ever game as a head coach and Mike Mularkey’s first game against Minnesota as a head coach. * The teams have never played an overtime game against each other or met in the postseason. * The winner of the all four games in the series has scored at least 27 points. Prediction: Jaguars 13, Vikings 20

[Knicks7073]

VIKINGS EDGE OUT JAGS IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER

24-22 Victory Sees Mike Zimmer Win 1st Game As Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Minnesota Vikings gave Mike Zimmer a Head Coaching debut to remember as the Vikings beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-22 Sunday. A great showing by All-Pro Running Back Adrian Peterson saw the Vikings over the line in a physical battle at Mall of America Field.

Peterson who holds the record for most rushing yards in a game, set in 2007, carried the ball 18 times for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He was the staple of a cool and calculated offense, controlled by second year quarterback Christian Ponder, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 189 yards, a touchdown to Kyle Rudolph and an interception.

The Vikings didn't have it all their own way however, as the Jaguars' quarterback Chad Henne played very well in Minneapolis. His 22 completions of 29 for 273 yards and two touchdowns was not enough as Jacksonville slip to 0-1.

In what was a physical and brutal battle, both teams lost players through injury. The Jaguars lost Wide Receiver Jordan Shipley to a broken toe early on and then they lost star running back Maurice Jones-Drew with what looked to be a nasty upper body injury. However, it was confirmed after the game that MJD had infact only bruised his sternum.

The Vikings lost veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield to an abdominal tear early on they may cause concern for the Vikings' fans. However, head coach Zimmer was relaxed when asked about the injury following the game.

Quote:

Mike Zimmer: "Antoine (Winfield) only has a minor abdominal tear. He had a scan at the local medical facility of we initially feared he'd broke his ribs. But it's only an abdominal tear and he should be back on the field in 4 weeks."

Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings
Sep 9, 2012 1 2 3 4 F JAX (0-0) 0 6 3 13 22 MIN (0-0) 7 3 7 7 24 Top Performers MVP: Adrian Peterson (MIN) - 18 RUSH, 211 YDS, 2 TD VIKINGS' MVP: Christian Ponder - 14/21, 189 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT JAGUARS' MVP: Chad Henne - 22/29, 273 YDS, 2 TD	Team Stats Comparison JAC MIN First Downs 15 15 3rd Down Efficiency 6-14 (42%) 2-5 (40%) 4th Down Efficiency 1-1 (100%) 0-0 (0%) Total Yards 459 458 Passing Yards 273 181 Rushing Yards 92 212 Penalties-Penalty Yards 1-10 0-0 Turnovers 0 (+1) 1 (-1) Time of Possession 33:28 14:32
Jacksonville Jaguars PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Chad Henne 22/29 273 2 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Rashad Jennings 13 55 4.2 0 Maurice Jones-Drew 12 36 3.0 0 Montell Owens 3 1 0.3 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Marcedes Lewis 5 58 11.6 0 Laurent Robinson 4 33 8.2 0 Maurice Jones-Drew 3 29 9.6 0 Cecil Shorts III 3 35 11.6 2 Taylor Price 2 43 21.5 0 Rashad Jennings 2 53 26.5 0 Jordan Shipley 2 18 9.0 0 Greg Jones 1 4 4.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Paul Posluszny 6 1.0 0 0 Daryl Smith 6 0.0 0 0 Rashean Mathis 5 0.0 0 0 Dwight Lowery 4 0.0 0 0 William Middleton 3 0.0 0 0 Dawan Landry 3 0.0 0 0 Terrance Knighton 3 0.0 0 0 Antwon Blake 2 0.0 0 0 C.J. Mosley 1 0.0 0 0 D'Anthony Smith 1 0.0 0 0 Greg Jones 1 0.0 0 0 Jason Babin 1 0.0 0 0 Aaron Ross 1 0.0 0 0 Brian Rolle 1 0.0 0 0 Julian Stanford 0 0.0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LG Josh Scobee 3/3 1/1 10 41 PUNTING TOT YDS AVG -20 Bryan Anger 3 137 45.6 1 (0) KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Laurent Robinso 2 60 30.0 0 Dwight Lowery 1 28 28.0 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Jordan Shipley 1 6 6.0 0 Minnesota Vikings PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Christian Ponder 14/21 189 1 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Adrian Peterson 18 211 11.7 2 Christian Ponder 3 1 0.3 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Percy Harvin 4 47 11.7 0 Adrian Peterson 4 68 17.0 0 Stephen Burton 2 41 20.5 0 Kyle Rudolph 1 10 10.0 1 Devin Aromashodou 1 12 12.0 0 Jairus Wright 1 7 7.0 0 John Carlson 1 4 4.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Jay Dwyer 8 0.0 0 0 Marvin Mitchell 4 0.0 0 0 Antonie Winfield 4 0.0 0 0 Jamarca Sanford 4 0.0 0 0 Christian Ballard 4 0.0 0 0 Harrison Smith 4 0.0 0 0 Brian Robison 3 0.0 0 0 Jared Allen 3 0.0 0 0 Chris Cook 3 0.0 0 0 Brandon Burton 2 0.0 0 0 Mistral Raymond 2 0.0 0 0 Everson Griffen 1 0.0 0 0 Chad Greenway 1 0.0 0 0 Letroy Guion 1 0.0 0 0 A.J. Jefferson 1 0.0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LG Blair Walsh 1/1 3/3 6 43 PUNTING TOT YDS AVG -20 Chris Kluwe 3 122 40.6 1 (0) KICK RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Percy Harvin 2 53 26.5 0 A.J. Jefferson 2 43 21.5 0 PUNT RETURN RET YDS AVG TD Percy Harvin 3 9 3.0 0

Next week, the Vikings travel to Indianapolis to face another AFC South team - this time it's the Colts whilst Jacksonville host divisional rivals the Houston Texans at EverBank Field.

[Knicks7073]

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
Cowboys beat Giants in 2012 Season Opener

Seen Him Before? - UNLV QB Donte Calloway is a Randall Cunningham clone

K. Burnett Given Player Of The Week - It shouldn't come as a surprise to hear that Kevin Burnett played well enough to earn the AFC Defensive player of the week award for week 1.

Top Of The Food Chain - DeMarcus Ware took no prisoners this week en route to NFC defensive player of the week honors.

Unstoppable - Peyton Manning showed a blatant disregard for the opposing defense this week, guess that's why he's the AFC offensive player of the week.

Wearing Down The Competition - Matthew Stafford was a fantasy superstar this week and earned NFC offensive player of the week honors.

Near-Perfect Victory - The Bills' defense struggled to slow Mark Sanchez who had an almost perfect passer rating of 146.1 in the win.

S. Breaston Returns 2 - 2 punt return TDs by Steve Breaston were good enough to secure a win for the Chiefs this week.

A. Peterson Runs It In - Adrian Peterson ran for multiple scores during the Vikings' 24-22 win over the Jaguars.

Touchdown Titan - Randy Moss has been a quarterback's best friend throughout his career, and he just keeps climbing the all-time ranks with his 2nd career touchdown reception this week.

Exemplary Career - Defenses know that each week Tom Brady is going to push them to their limits. He passed by John Elway on the all-time touchdown list this week.

A Close Road Loss - The Jaguars lost a close game this week versus the Vikings 24-22.

Establishing Himself - The decision to hire Dusty McDonald as the new Saints head coach looks like a good one after last week's win.

Riding High - Any critics of Greg Schiano have been silenced for at least a week now that he's got a win under his belt.

Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Is R.Starks REALLY worth this kind of money? If he's healthy, sure, but can he STAY healthy? Not so sure.

Chris Mortensen @mortreportEA: Star halfback Ray Rice re-signs with #Ravens, per sources.

Skip Bayless @SkipBaylessEA: Did the Jaguars seriously think Greg Jones was going to sign for less than top dollar? WAKE UP.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterEA: Big news in New England as the Patriots re-sign wide receiver Wes Welker.

Mike Hill @MikeHillEA: Where's the bidding war?! Where's the drama?! Can't believe Brian Urlacher was signed to a contract extension.

Ross Tucker @RossTuckerEA: The Bears know it will be a big lift getting Peppers back this week.

Matt Miller @MattMillerEA: Mike Zimmer has notched his first win as coach of the Vikings, and win two isn't far behind.

[Knicks7073]

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE - SCOREBOARD & STANDINGS

NFL Weekly Scoreboard - Presented by ESPN

Wednesday's Games

Cowboys 32, Giants 28

Sunday's Games

Colts 13, Bears 16

Jaguars 22, Vikings 24

Bills 21, Jets 31

Dolphins 24, Texans 20

Patriots 40, Titans 38

Rams 18, Lions 51

Redskins 16, Saints 21

Eagles 37, Browns 19

Falcons 24, Chiefs 34

49ers 20, Packers 17

Seahawks 27, Cardinals 10

Panthers 31, Buccaneers 44

Steelers 27, Broncos 37

Monday's Games

Bengals 31, Ravens 38

Chargers 27, Raiders 24

BYE WEEKS: None

NFL Standings - Updated: Sep 13, 2012
NFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Dallas Cowboys	1	0	0	32	28
Philadelphia Eagles	1	0	0	37	19
Washington Redskins	0	1	0	16	21
New York Giants	0	1	0	28	32
NFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Detroit Lions	1	0	0	51	18
Minnesota Vikings	1	0	0	24	22
Chicago Bears	1	0	0	16	13
Green Bay Packers	0	1	0	17	20
NFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1	0	0	44	31
New Orleans Saints	1	0	0	21	16
Atlanta Falcons	0	1	0	24	34
Carolina Panthers	0	1	0	31	44
NFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
Seattle Seahawks	1	0	0	27	10
San Francisco 49ers	1	0	0	20	17
St. Louis Rams	0	1	0	18	51
Arizona Cardinals	0	1	0	10	27
NFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T	PF	PA
Philadelphia Eagles	1	0	0	37	19
Minnesota Vikings	1	0	0	24	22
Chicago Bears	1	0	0	16	13
AFC EAST	W	L	T	PF	PA
New England Patriots	1	0	0	40	38
New York Jets	1	0	0	31	21
Miami Dolphins	1	0	0	24	20
Buffalo Bills	0	1	0	21	31
AFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Baltimore Ravens	1	0	0	38	31
Pittsburgh Steelers	0	1	0	27	37
Cleveland Browns	0	1	0	19	37
Cincinnati Bengals	0	1	0	31	38
AFC SOUTH	W	L	T	PF	PA
Jacksonville Jaguars	0	1	0	22	24
Indianapolis Colts	0	1	0	13	16
Tennessee Titans	0	1	0	38	40
Houston Texans	0	1	0	20	24
AFC WEST	W	L	T	PF	PA
San Diego Chargers	1	0	0	27	24
Denver Broncos	1	0	0	37	27
Kansas City Chiefs	1	0	0	34	24
Oakland Raiders	0	1	0	24	27
AFC WILD CARD RACE	W	L	T	PF	PA
Kansas City Chiefs	1	0	0	34	24
Jacksonville Jaguars	0	1	0	22	24
Oakland Raiders	0	1	0	24	27

[Knicks7073]

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE - WEEKLY AWARDS & STATS

NFL Players of the Week - Presented by FedEx
Award	Player (Team)	Pos	Stats
NFC Offensive Player of the Week	Matthew Stafford (DET)	QB	23/35, 404 YDS, 5 TD
NFC Defensive Player of the Week	DeMarcus Ware (DAL)	OLB	9 TKL, 2 SACKS, 1FF, 1FR
AFC Offensive Player of the Week	Peyton Manning (DEN)	QB	20/35, 341 YDS, 4 TD
AFC Defensive Player of the Week	Kevin Burnett (MIA)	OLB	5 TKL, 2 INT

NFL League Leaders - Updated: Sep 13, 2012
Passing Yards		YDS	Passing Touchdowns		TD
	1. Matthew Stafford (DET)	404		1. Matthew Stafford (DET)	5
	2. Tom Brady (NE)	392		2. Tom Brady (NE)	4
	3. Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF)	382		3. Peyton Manning (DEN)	4
	4. Mark Sanchez (NYJ)	364		4. Mark Sanchez (NYJ)	3
	5. Peyton Manning (DEN)	341		5. Russell Wilson (SEA)	3
Rushing Yards		YDS	Rushing Touchdowns		TD
	1. Adrian Peterson (MIN)	211		1. Adrian Peterson (MIN)	2
	2. LeSean McCoy (PHI)	184		2. LeSean McCoy (PHI)	2
	3. Kevin Smith (DET)	132		3. Doug Martin (TB)	2
	4. Frank Gore (SF)	120		4. Brandon Jacobs (CAR)	2
	5. Ray Rice (BAL)	119		5. Chris Johnson (TEN)	2
Receiving Yards		YDS	Receiving Touchdowns		TD
	1. Julio Jones (ATL)	144		1. Anquan Boldin (BAL)	2
	2. Braylon Edwards (NYJ)	142		2. Stevan Ridley (NE)	2
	3. Marques Colston (NO)	141		3. Brandon Jacobs (CAR)	2
	4. Stevan Ridley (NE)	131		4. Cecil Shorts III (JAX)	2
	5. Brandon Jacobs (CAR)	120		5. Darius Reynaud (TEN)	2
Interceptions		INT	Sacks		SK
	1. Steve Gregory (NE)	1		1. Brian Orakpo (WAS)	2
	2. Richard Sherman (SEA)	1		2. Kendall Langford (STL)	2
	3. Jordan Babineaux (TEN)	1		3. Larry Foote (PIT)	2
	4. Chris Gamble (CAR)	1		4. Dave Ball (TEN)	2
	5. Brandon Browner (SEA)	1		5. Karl Klug (TEN)	2

ROOKIE QUARTERBACK WATCH

Rookie Quarterback Watch - 2012
Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	YDS/G	LONG	TD	INT	RAT
Andrew Luck (IND)	17/30	158	5.3	158.0	20	0	1	57.3
Robert Griffin III (WAS)	21/31	174	5.6	174.0	24	1	0	92.6
Ryan Tannehill (MIA)	15/25	168	6.7	168.0	32	1	0	93.4
Brandon Weeden (CLE)	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0	--
Russell Wilson (SEA)	15/18	174	9.7	174.0	31	3	0	146.5

[Knicks7073]

NFL POWER RANKINGS

NFL Power Rankings
RK (LW)	Team	Record	Next Game
1 (N/A)	Detroit Lions	1-0	at San Francisco 49ers
2 (N/A)	Baltimore Ravens	1-0	at Philadelphia Eagles
3 (N/A)	Seattle Seahawks	1-0	vs. Dallas Cowboys
4 (N/A)	Philadelphia Eagles	1-0	vs. Baltimore Ravens
5 (N/A)	New York Jets	1-0	at Pittsburgh Steelers
6 (N/A)	Denver Broncos	1-0	at Atlanta Falcons
7 (N/A)	San Francisco 49ers	1-0	vs. Detroit Lions
8 (N/A)	Dallas Cowboys	1-0	at Seattle Seahawks
9 (N/A)	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-0	at New York Giants
10 (N/A)	Kansas City Chiefs	1-0	at Buffalo Bills
11 (N/A)	New England Patriots	1-0	vs. Arizona Cardinals
12 (N/A)	New Orleans Saints	1-0	at Carolina Panthers
13 (N/A)	San Diego Chargers	1-0	vs. Tennessee Titans
14 (N/A)	Miami Dolphins	1-0	vs. Oakland Raiders
15 (N/A)	Minnesota Vikings	1-0	at Indianapolis Colts
16 (N/A)	Chicago Bears	1-0	at Green Bay Packers
17 (N/A)	Tennessee Titans	0-1	at San Diego Chargers
18 (N/A)	Green Bay Packers	0-1	vs. Chicago Bears
19 (N/A)	New York Giants	0-1	vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20 (N/A)	Pittsburgh Steelers	0-1	vs. New York Jets
21 (N/A)	Atlanta Falcons	0-1	vs. Denver Broncos
22 (N/A)	Carolina Panthers	0-1	vs. New Orleans Saints
23 (N/A)	Cincinnati Bengals	0-1	vs. Cleveland Browns
24 (N/A)	Jacksonville Jaguars	0-1	vs. Houston Texans
25 (N/A)	Buffalo Bills	0-1	vs. Kansas City Chiefs
26 (N/A)	Houston Texans	0-1	at Jacksonville Jaguars
27 (N/A)	Oakland Raiders	0-1	at Miami Dolphins
28 (N/A)	Washington Redskins	0-1	at St. Louis Rams
29 (N/A)	Indianapolis Colts	0-1	vs. Minnesota Vikings
30 (N/A)	Arizona Cardinals	0-1	at New England Patriots
31 (N/A)	Cleveland Browns	0-1	at Cincinnati Bengals
32 (N/A)	St. Louis Rams	0-1	vs. Washington Redskins

Game to Watch: Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
Game to Avoid: Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Projected Blowout: New England Patriots over Arizona Cardinals
Nail Biter: Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks

[Knicks7073]

SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE

OT Phil Loadholt re-signs with Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Minnesota Vikings today re-signed offensive tackle Phil Loadholt to a 5-year contract worth $31.5M. The Vikings made it clear that they wanted Loadholt to re-sign and Loadholt was just as enthusiastic, as he didn't hesitate to sign on the dotted line.



Elsewhere, Ray Rice and the Baltimore Ravens agreed to an extension as did Brian Urlacher and the Chicago Bears, Randy Starks and the Miami Dolphins and Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens. However, Greg Jones and the Jacksonville Jaguars are at a stalemate as the two could not agree on an extension.

[Gronk4M13]

Following, you've got a good set up.