Hello fellow Skoloholics! The Minnesota Vikings’ season finale is in the books. Here are the Vikings @ Bears game stats, courtesy of ESPN.Here’s a brief review of the game, and as always, join us in the comments where the real action is!
First Half
The Vikings offense looked very good in the first half, for the most part. Kirk was sharp, although he made a mistake at the end of the half with a check-down pass that cost the Vikings 3 points. Kirk finished the first half 17/20 for 225 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Cook was rolling, but did have the one fumble. KJ made some big plays and continues to make a case for the WR2 spot, IMO.
The defense looked solid today, they’re getting pressure on Peterman and doing a good job in coverage. They did allow one long run which accounted for the only Bears points of the first half, but other than that, the defense has been mostly good. Greg Joseph missed the PAT on the first touchdown, but hit another PAT and another field goal, and also hit a field goal that didn’t count to end the half. @Moral victory.@
Heading into the half, the Vikings were up 16-6.
Second Half
Most of the starters were pulled after the first half. The Vikings continued to play well on both sides of the ball. The offense leaned on the run, as we saw a lot of Alexander Mattison on the touchdown drive that was capped by a Mattison TD. Nailor made more big plays, and it seems like he and Mullens really have a chemistry together. The defense held the Bears offense at bay, and they looked good at defending both the run and the pass. Guys who stood out to me were Nailor, Irv Smith, and Duke Shelley. Mullens did a pretty good job, minus the one poor choice that became an interception. Joseph managed to not miss anything in the second half, so yay.
Summary
Cousins looked excellent in the first half, and Cook looked sharp minus the fumble.
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field and improve their record to 13-4 on the season. Yes, it’s the Bears. Also yes, it’s never easy to get a win at Soldier Field, and the Vikings got one today. Enjoy the victory, enjoy a wildly successful 2022-23 regular season for the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings.
feels like Nailor could do something at some point.
12 men on the field took points off the board for Minnesota right before the half today? Gosh, I hate the Vikings’ insistence on breaking that rule.
I found out that a movie theater nearby shows Vikings games for free on one of their screens – pretty cool. I’ll buy their popcorn and beer for a free ticket to watching the game on a theater sized screen!
Schedule is out (Eastern time):
Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
Wild Card Weekend:
Saturday:
Seahawks-49ers: 4:30 ET, FOX
Chargers-Jaguars: 8:15 ET, NBC
Sunday:
Dolphins-Bills: 1:00 ET, CBS
Giants-Vikings: 4:30 ET, FOX
Ravens-Bengals: 8:15 ET, NBC
Monday:
Cowboys-Bucs: 8:15 ET, ABC/ESPN
I *might* skip Ravens/Bengals
The rest I’m interested in. I’m rooting for the Seahawks and the Bucs in addition to the Vikings this week. In the AFC I was the Chargers to advance. I have a soft spot for the Bills, but man, it’s hard to root against Teddy’s team. And I’d rather Cincinnati win than Baltimore. F that team, IMO.
Hard to not love the Bills right now. I’ve been very impressed with their fan base for several years now. Folks here cheer for Lamar, but he hasn’t played for over a month. Lots of Bengals fans here too. Joe Burrow is fun to watch as well. Hope Teddy’s finger is healed enough for him to play.
I liked the Bills when I was a kid and saw them lose 4 SBs in a row. Now a buddy of mine (the brother in law of a woman whom my wife gave a surrogate baby to) is a big Bills fan and we hung out in Baltimore last summer (at the Guinness brewery) and talked about our dreams for the Bills/Vikings SB and our love for Diggs.
Quite the thing.
I still hate Ray Lewis and won’t forgive the Ravens for that. Doesn’t help that Birk went there in ’09 (thanks, Childress) and Favre suffered under whatever fool played center that year instead.
Plus, I can never root against Teddy unless he’s trying to hurt my Vikings.
Very cool story. I still like Diggs too, although I know many here don’t. Obviously Teddy will always be my first love.
active NFL player with the most interceptions?
Patrick Peterson (34)
oh, wait, there’s one more.
OTHER active NFL player with the most interceptions?
Harrison Smith (also 34)
****awesome****
Very cool. Vikings needed every single one of them, haha!
ppb prediction:
CJ Ham will have his greatest playoff play of his career this year
Good football day although I missed most of it (games are recorded). Did get to watch the 2nd half of the Packers loss. That was glorious. Appreciate the Vikings game summary.
Total chaos here today. Son in law did finish the floor, but daughter was also here going through some of their stuff still stored here, and grands were supposed to cut their toys here by half. That didn’t go so well.
hi kathy – glad you got to see the 2nd half of the packers’ elimination.
I watched a handful of plays from the Vikings game (was busy with my son’s 14th birthday party) and missed all of Lions/Packers, but watched the highlights with glee.
Hi PPB! Son’s BD is obviously a priority. Real life stuff, just like remodeling. At least I can watch recorded games later. I LOVE football though.
football is a ton of fun right now. I’m going to try to clear my schedule for next weekend. I’m excited about both of Saturday’s games, not to mention Sunday’s
I’m going to really try to watch them too, although not totally in my control.
same, same, same.
kids are 17, 14, 12. I’m busy.
also, wifey leaves for Florida on the Monday after, so it’ll be a busy weekend.
very beginning of the 4th quarter (3rd and 6 play) Rodgers tries to run and after he’s slowed, but before the whistle, #93 on the Lions gives him the business.
outstanding.
Just wait till you see what #90 reed does to #32 swift late in the game
(sucks air through teeth)
wowza
wow, Lions/Packers seems like it was a great game to watch. I was busy, but I’m watching the highlights. Fun to see Goff work.
He was really inaccurate early, but after that deep shot that should have been called a TD he was a lot better and he was big dick Jared in the 4th quarter.
BS non-flag for Watson earlier, yikes. looked like offensive PI to me
Joseph, number 31 for the Lions, had a great tackle on the play that started with 12:40 left in the 3rd quarter. Good, tough play.
I hope KOC watches the end of the Lions/Packers game. I guarantee you KOC would have run the ball 3 times and to make the packers burn their timeouts then punted. Zimmerball. I HATE Zimmerball. I loved how the Lions roared to the finish instead of trying to hang on and run the clock out.
Jared Goff is the best QB in the NFCN
I really enjoyed the way the Lions played. Fun!
So, if we assume the Vikings will beat the Giants, they’ll either host the winner of Bucs/Cowboys or travel to 49ers. I suppose hosting the Bucs is the best scenario to hope for.
I wouldn’t assume anything, they needed a miracle 61 yard fg to beat nyg the first time. Most likely if the Vikings win they go get curb stomped again in SF like the only other time they made the playoffs the last 5 years.
I’m not saying I believe they’ll beat the Giants or anything, just saying that the opponent scenarios for the divisional round are interesting and I wanted to wonder about ’em (so, assume the Vikings beat the Giants, otherwise it’s all moot)
Assuming the Vikings win, best case scenario is Seattle winning and Tampa winning as it would leave Vikings with the weakest opponent possible.
Good job, Lions!
Anyone think that Seahawks at San Francisco could get interesting? It’s hard to beat a team three times in a single season (plus post season, obviously).
No the Seahawks are absolute trash. Playoffs would be a million times more entertaining if the lions were in it instead of that garbage Seattle team.
they’re divisional opponents though – I think it could be close
Nope, Seattle sucks
SF by at least 14
9ers favored by 6.5
They picked the worst games for Saturday lol
I’ll be watching Seahakws at 49ers
chargers jags will be decent, jags guaranteed win though
you think so?
Jaguars offense is not good – Chargers defense is decent
100%, look up the records of road teams traveling from pacific to east coast time zones.
that’s a solid point
they should leave tomorrow morning
Brady is going to make Cowboys fans cry
I think so, too.
Vikes 3:25PM
Needed to be the noon game
Not good for Kirk, he’s better at noon
Yeah he’s done
take the picks if a team is dumb enough to give them up
Vikes favored by a FG over the gnats
When does the weekend schedule come out?
Tomorrow, I believe.
Vikes play Saturday at 2:00
Dang really?
False
Bad intel by the sports book, they haven’t set them yet
That was quick.
I hope Rodgers retires
so much fun to watch him pout
Seattles so dead though.
Vikes got a tough road ahead but they can do it
seabirds will get smoked
Oh SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, that was so much fun to watch.
Losers!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes!!!!!!!
Love it. Puke lose
Fuck yes!!!!!!!!!! FTP!!!!!!!!
what a play call by the lions
both sides, played to win
Gotta be fun with nothing on the line but to take out a division opponent.
Lions big balls
Lol lions don’t care at all. All the trick plays
hammering the pack, love it
3 yards and it’s over.
Naturally, a flag for the puke
Puke feeling it slip away
Boohoo
stick a fork in the packers season
A couple more first downs.
That’s a catch
Lion magic
Ha Ha, Joseph ate the duck thrown up by Rodgers under duress
Lions have a shot to stick the fork in the pack (and own them)
Do it.
catch
I still think Dan Campbell sucks. He’s to on tilt when it’s early in season but then wakes up when they’re screwed and he needs to save his job.
Depsite that, lions have a great roster if they can find a decent QB. Goff is okay if they want to go one more year
Their DL and OL is awesome. They got a trench to be wrecken with
He has been on the road, the kid has ice in his veins, great pick by lynch
Niners won’t win Owl. Bet on it?
They may have an easy route to owl though
Defense travels and they have one of the best, Purdy is on the perfect team for his style of play. Happy for the kid
Picked off!!
Picked offffff lions
You got my money loser?
Yeah I do. Good pick. You were right. Did we have 25 or 40 on it?
He done
won the game, lost the top pick
Why do these losers still keep getting hired?
lovie is a hell of a coach. Texans don’t deserve him. Good for him, I did my job cost you the top pick fuck off!
Love it! Lions up after cheaters cheat.
ef it Vikes will beat Niners in SF. Let these losers die in trash GB
Purdy is for real skols, just saying
No. Put Purdy on the road in a throw or season over situstion. Niners are good but let’s see how he plays on road
Lions are more a threat than packers, they actually matchup better with sf, much better in trenches
I do respect their trenches. Posted that above
What a bitchass cheapshot by the packers reed throwing an elbow to the helmet of lions Swift. Seriously fuck the packers.
Yep, that was dirty.
FTP, too bad the vikes didn’t have the hair to eliminate them
Dirty and missed call classic refs.
then the clown pushed a trainer from helping an injured player
i won’t be made it lions win. Pack cheated, dirty, and refs helping. End this pricks time in GB
Lions up by 4.
Former puker (Williams) shreds some cheeese balls
Challenge it
That’s a TD refsssss challenge lions
He was over, fuck these refs
Agreed
bye bye packer you should be kicked out. Freaking pushed an athletic trainer trying to help a down player. This will go viral yes!
could have nailed the thug who bumped into the poor little trainer guy too
Bunch of thugs. Wow. LOL.
Wow, classless Packers.
cheap shot pukers, didn’t even call the forearm to the head
Jeez packers not only suck but T. Walker from pack pushed an athletic trainer from helping a lions downed player. What losers