Preseason Week 3

It must have been because I was running late getting back from the gym. Adrian Peterson broke a 75 yard touchdown run from scrimmage on the opening drive of the game. I was in my car listening to the game on the radio. I missed the 3-and-out by the Texans. When I finally got to watch, I must say, this game became a struggle for the Vikings.

In looking at the overall stats, passing yards were edged to the Texans. Again one could say the run defense was the killer for the Texas (180 yards allowed). But really, when you take out the 75-yard run, as a team they ran for 105 yards with Peterson only gaining 42 yards on 10 subsequent attempts. The Texans only ran for 67 yards. The Texan defense really settled down and basically clamped down on the running game. Let's not forget 2 sacks on Mr. Favre.

That's not to say mistakes weren't made on the defensive side. Chester Taylor was sandwiched hard between 2 defenders but was able to keep his footing. Missed tackles and blown assignments can be a killer.

What kept this game for the Vikings was again a solid defense (although it could be argued the starting D-line was well matched by the Texans' starting O-line) that produced 2 turnovers and 1 sack (along with the intentional grounding penalty against Matt Shaub). Otherwise, this game was a wash as the difference maker was the opening drive run by Peterson.

That said, Favre obviously looked much better than he did week 2. He played 2 quarters + 1 series in the third quarter. I was actually rather shocked at how he was able to keep that long third quarter drive alive for so long, but to be fair he did have a lot of help (by both teams *sigh*). But let's not forget the cheap shot on Safety Eugene Wilson. He had to leave the game because of a knee injury resulting from the illegal block. Doesn't Favre supposedly have a cracked rib? Something tells me that little play is going to cost Favre a lot more than 15 yard penalty assessed against him, and I'm not talking about fines from the league.

Oh yeah, someone please explain to the officials that Roughing the Passer cannot happen while the quarterback still has the ball in his hand!

Even though we lost the game, I liked what I saw from both the first unit offense and first unit defense. Even my better half here would have to agree that they made the Vikings look very mortal tonight. The prospects for the Texans are looking good this season. Are they elite? Only the progress of the season will tell for sure, but look for some noise to be made in the AFC South this season.

As for the Vikings, the aforementioned mortality was made apparent tonight as with all the hype surrounding the team, they should have manhandled this little pitiful expansion team. The fact that they were not able to do so has to make one wonder how the Vikings are going to fare against a truly elite team, especially when NFC North rivals Chicago and Green Bay have without a doubt addressed their weaknesses over the offseason.

Congratulations, Mardi, you win this round, but it's still a long season, my dear.