The View From Parts Unknown…
Once again, we are at an undisclosed location (parts unknown, you know, like the simple burg of your favorite masked wrestler) staring at a 52-inch Samsung HDTV. Yes, there are plenty of leaves to rake outside, but mindlessly watching Sunday football sometimes trumps yard work.
That is, unless the Vikings get hammered in the first half. Then it’s a total outside radio play the rest of the way.
What’ll this one be like? According to NFL.com, it’s a “winnable game” for both teams — as long as Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson show up. If not, it could be a long afternoon in the Pacific Northwest. Earlier this week, Jared Allen said “we don’t have an easy game from here on out.” That might be a bit of an understatement. At last glance, the Bears, Packers and Lions were all winning their games — and the next four contests for the Vikings are against their NFC foes.
Allen also says the Vikings have a one-game-at-a-time mindset, and in the next few hours… he says stopping Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch is the key. Sound like a bloody good game plan to us…
2:49 p.m.: This just in, Detroit hammers Jacksonville, 31-14…Lions now 4-4 on the year. Lions at Dome next weekend.
3:01: Already, a quality Tweet dedicated to those running for office in this fine nation:
Dear DFL & GOP, Calling during the Vikings game will be a good way to ensure that I vote for the other party….
— Dana Litman (@DanaLitman) November 4, 2012
3:04: Vikings get the ball first. Quick start needed in stadium where the home team is undefeated so far this year.
3:05: Kickoff, with PA saying “Boom! We’re underway from the Cappuccino Capitol!” That made us giggle not sure why. Perhaps it was that extra hour of sleep.
3:07: AP rips off a 74-yard run. Beastly.
3:08: VIKINGS 7, SEAHAWKS 0 — AP gets the TD. That’s a quick start.
3:14: From BMTN/KARE’s Eric Perkins:
Didn't AP say this week he wanted to rush for 300 yards in a game? #onpace
— Eric Perkins (@PerkatPlay) November 4, 2012
3:16: Vikes get ball back after Seattle stalls. 14-0 would be really quick start.
3:19: Another NFC North Final: Green Bay 31, Arizona 17…Pack takes a half-game lead over Purple.
3:20: And…Chicago destroys Tennessee…51-20.
3:20: Percy Harvin fumbles at the 17. Seahawks recover. Ouch.
3:22: VIKINGS 7, SEAHAWKS 7 — Russell Wilson to Golden Tate for a 6-yard TD, score tied.
3:35: Sidney Rice with a big first-down catch for Seattle at midfield.
3:38: SEAHAWKS 14, VIKINGS 7 — Seattle on top after Sidney Rice TD catch from 11-yards out.
3:50: Vikings driving as second quarter begins. Percy Harvin draws a pass interference at the Seahawks 20.
3:51: Alan Reisner…”from practice squad to red zone”…catches one at the 6.
3:52: Peterson goes over 100 yards…on just nine carries.
3:52: SEAHAWKS 14, VIKINGS 14 — Peterson scores again, this time on a four-yard run. Tremendous game for AP so far.
3:58: Charchian Tweets the truth:
Let's give credit to Ponder for engineering a solid drive. At this point, we're on a drive-by-drive congratulatory basis with him.
— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) November 4, 2012
4:03: Ponder gets another chance as Seahawks falter.
4:04: AP is in complete beast mode. After a 24-yard run, he now has 129 yards.
4:05: AP picks up another 15 yards. He now has 144 yards on 12 carries.
4:08: Ponder sacked, stalling drive — which got down to the Seattle 11-yard-line. Blair Walsh time.
4:06: VIKINGS 17, SEAHAWKS 14 — Walsh hits from 36-yards-out to give Vikes lead.
4:19: Seattle gets big first down on 4th and 1 with 1:38 left. Seahawks driving. Why didn’t Vikes challenge that spot?
4:22: SEAHAWKS 20, VIKINGS 17 — Golden Tate 11-yard touchdown scamper. Seahawks on top again in see-saw affair.Extra-point blocked.
4:30: First half ends with Ponder getting sacked at the 50. Twitterverse exploding with anti-Ponder, anti-Frazier zingers. Among the best…
Everyone in NFL seems to know Ponder freaks out at the first sign of pressure. Everyone except #Vikings coaches.
— Jason Feldman (@PBFeldy) November 4, 2012
With 42 passing yards in first half The White Tavaris is daring to dream of triple digits. #vikings https://t.co/UkRULjQM
— Ryan Spencer (@R_Spencer) November 4, 2012
And this one, from KARE’s Randy Shaver…
Have you ever see anyone chew gum harder than Pete Carroll?
— Randy Shaver (@rshaver11) November 4, 2012
4:46: Seahawks go three-and-out to start second half. Vikings ball.
4:54: To respond to Eric Perkins…until the end of time…
Seriously Fox….. how long must we endure the Football Robot graphics
— Eric Perkins (@PerkatPlay) November 4, 2012
4:55: Common sense Tweet from Jim Souhan:
Those begging Vikings to throw downfield are missing obvious: They have enough trouble throwing short
— Jim Souhan (@SouhanStrib) November 4, 2012
4:57: Ponder sacked a fourth time. Meager Minnesota drive ends at 16-yard line. Offensive line struggling today. Twitterverse getting surlier and surlier…
https://twitter.com/tami_sublette15/status/265226909355483137
5:03: Hamstring injury for Percy Harvin. His return is questionable, according to Vikings.
5:07: Marshawn Lynch goes for 23 yards. Seattle in business again at the Vikings 9-yard-line
5:09: SEAHAWKS 27 , VIKINGS 17 — Lynch runs it in to give Seattle 10-point lead.
5:15: Harvin, after taking a series off, limps off the field after a tough hit on his left ankle.
5:19: Big third and six. Ponder can’t the throw off.
5:20: SEAHAWKS 27, VIKINGS 20 — Blair Walsh hits a 55-yard field goal. Seven-point game.
5:24: Harvin shown running along the sideline as the third quarter ends. Looks like he’ll be back.
5:28: Vikes get big stop on third-and-11 at midfield. Great punt by Seattle, as Minnesota takes over on its own five-yard-line.
5:32: If Ponder can’t put a drive together here, Webb-heads will come out big time.
5:33: Adrian picks up another first down. He’s carrying team. And that was your understatement of 2012.
5:35: Incomplete pass on third and five. Vikings’ play-by-play man Paul Allen: “Passing game absolutely anemic right now.” Previous understatement trumped.
5:37: Wonders one Twitter-er:
At what point do you bench him? #Vikings #NFL
— Dan Bennett (@Dan__Bennett) November 4, 2012
5:40: Seattle in Vikings red zone again. Seahawks in business at 15-yard-line. This one getting closer and closer to being over. 8:00 minutes left and counting.
5:42: Allen and Robison sack Wilson at the 27. Drive temporarily stalled.
5:45: SEAHAWKS 30, VIKINGS 20 — Hauschka hits 40-yarder to make it a 10-point Seattle lead.
5:49: Ponder has a third and five with 6 minutes left. This is it.
5:50: Interception. Seattle’s ball at midfield. Game. Almost. Over.
5:57: Seattle gets a first down on fourth-and-1. Three minutes — and little hope for the Vikings — left in this one:
I remember when Musgrave was a genius. I remember when Ponder was efficient. I remember a stout run defense. I remember it like it was 2012
— RandBall (@RandBall) November 5, 2012
6:05: FINAL: SEAHAWKS 30, VIKINGS 20 — Vikes fall to 5-4.
