In a weekend of upsets (see The Steelers and Bengals), the Vikings were able to maintain their level of intensity and blow the doors off the Seahawks.
The defense yielded only one touchdown, stopped a two-point conversion and held the Seahawks to a total of four yards rushing. As for the offense, Favre was 22 of 25 for 213 yards and 4 touchdowns. His efficiency through the air, particularly in the red zone, was the impetus for the offensive explosion (it was 28-0 at one point in the third quarter). Peterson provided the needed balance with 24 rushes for 82 yards.
Although this complete victory (add in a solid day from the special teams) came at the expense of the Seahawks, this should not be considered as criticism. This win is a testament to how far Brad Childress has come in his coaching career. In Week 4 of the 2006 season (Childress’ first year as coach), the Vikings lost an early season game 17-12 to a lifeless Buffalo Bills team. The Vikings had advantages all over the field but were noticeably flat and aloof in Buffalo. Even though the 2006 team was nowhere near as flush with talent as the Vikings are today, they had no business losing this game.
The 2009 team seems immune to allowing the lesser opponent dictate their level of play. Instead of playing down to the competition, the Vikings look to apply the knockout punch early and give no sense of life to the opponent for the remainder of the game.
Jared Allen is the lynchpin of the defense, as players feed off of his relentless attack of the quarterback or ball carrier. Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson are not only the two best at their position, but are truly passionate about the sport. This mutual love for the game has produced an offense that is dangerous in the run and in the pass (8th in total offense). The talent and passion of the offense and defense, coupled with a potent return game and solid coverage unit, are the reasons some tout the Vikings as a super bowl contender
Ultimately, the sign of a championship team is to play competitively in each game on the schedule. Against an inferior opponent, superior teams should be able to execute efficiently in all three phases of the game and come out with a win. On Sunday, the Vikings were both physically and emotionally dominant from the opening kickoff to the final blow of the whistle.
[Shahaab Tehrani can be reached at: shahaabt@yahoo.com]
