Vikings vs Panthers Review

The Good:

-The Vikings Defense- who was just huge in the second half. If not for penalties in the first half they would have held Carolina without a touchdown. Carolina although lack firepower, needed to be shut down and they were. The Vikings also forced a big turnover in overtime, I count it as a turnover despite the technacality of the tuck rule. Napoleon Harris was the star of the Vikings effort including an incredible rush and sack at the 1 in the Third Quarter to keep the Vikings in the game.

-The Fake Field Goal- The Vikings just weren't going to score vs the Carolina D, the way things were going. This was a brillant, logical call executed to perfection. They used Carolina's aggresive kick coverage to their demise.

-Chester Taylor- He seems to constanly make the first guy miss. He also runs hard with good vision, once the O-Line gets in more synche I could see a 150 yard game in his future.

The Bad

-The return to the 50 by Deangelo Williams once the game was tied, the kick coverage there was almost a total buzz-kill. The Vikings have had mulitple breakdowns defending the return so far, which can not keep up.

The Ugly-

*The Vikings O-Line- They got mauled all day, granted vs a terrific Defensive front. But the investment they made deserves better returns. Bryant McKinnie and Marcus Johnson really need to step it up.

*Chris Gamble- What I just saw was quite possibly the most insanely idiotic play in the history of the NFL. If Gamble runs out of bounds at the 42, the Panthers go three and out,Then Jason Baker gets off a good punt, wish the Vikings luck driving the length of the field vs that D.

Ahead-

I view the Vikings as underdogs vs the Bears. But if the Line can pressure Rex Grossman, and the O-Line plays much better than this week. We could be looking at 3-0, and a really excited Vikings fan base.