Posted on January 18, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
Comfortably leading 27-3 with less than two minutes to play, the Vikings opted to go for it on fourth down from the Cowboys’ 11-yard line.
They could have kicked the field goal. The game was effectively over.
By keeping their offensive unit on the field, it seemed to imply they were content to run the ball, either to pick up the game’s final first down or turn the ball over to Dallas in poor field position.
Instead, Brett Favre executed a play-action pass to perfection, hooking up with a diving Visanthe Shiancoe in the end zone to extend the lead to 30 points. A jubilant Favre jumped for joy and the Minnesota faithful went crazy.
But Dallas Cowboys crybaby/linebacker Keith Brooking took umbrage, racing over to Favre and the Vikings sideline to share his opinion of what he thought of his perceived lack of sportsmanship (when it’s against his team … unlike the ‘Boys stomping the Eagles two weeks in a row. Whine a little more please).
“I thought it was totally classless and disrespectful,” Brooking said. “This is the NFL, that’s not what this is about. I don’t think there’s a place for that … I was looking for [Vikings coach Brad] Childress. I didn’t think it was right, but they’ve got to see us next year. They’ve got to see us. You better believe I’ll have that one circled on the calendar, but I say that, we get paid to stop them. I don’t care what’s called, but sometimes I don’t think there was much class in that decision to do what he did.”
Does Brooking have a point here? Should Minnesota kept it on the ground or does he need to be mad at his own unit for not making the play?
As we’ve said before here at BFMV.com — you’re professional athletes, you get paid to play a game. Stop crying and do your job. This isn’t youth or high school sports where coaches are told to be wary of running up the score.
P.S. The Cowboys blitzed on that play … so if they’re still coming full speed at our quarterback … why shouldn’t the Vikes go full speed back at them?
We’ll leave you with this from Shiancoe after hearing Brooking’s comments. “OK, we apologize. I’m sorry. Better?”
Posted on January 17, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
– Peter King of Sports Illustrated tweeted this morning that the average margin of victory in the six playoff games entering today has been 17.2 points. The only really entertaining game for a fan just tuning in to watch was Arizona’s 51-45 overtime victory over Green Bay last weekend. On Saturday, the Saints beat the Cardinals by 31 and the Colts beat the Ravens by 17. Hopefully, we see a far more competitive game today at the Metrodome. We sure don’t expect a one-sided contest.
– The plan remains for veteran corner Antoine Winfield to play both at the left corner and inside in the nickel today. It sounds like it’s going to come down to matchups for Winfield. Winfield made it clear Friday that if he feels any pain in his injured right foot he won’t hesitate to take himself out. No matter what happens, I expect to see a healthy dose of corner Benny Sapp. Sapp is a free agent after the season and his performance in place of Winfield in the second half of the season likely has helped him improve his stock.
– We expect Tyrell Johnson to start at strong safety for the Vikings, but rookie Jamarca Sanford will see playing time. If nothing else, this sets up as a real training-camp battle next season with Sanford pushing Johnson for the job.
Posted on January 17, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
The Vikings might make it to the NFC Championship Game — they will have to beat Dallas on Sunday to do so — but they won’t be playing host to the game.
That became certain today when the Saints beat Arizona, 45-14, in an NFC divisional playoff game at the Superdome. New Orleans is the top seed in the conference and thus will play host to the title game at 5:40 p.m. a week from Sunday.
Posted on January 15, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
Our Vikings haven’t even played a game yet since dismantling the New York Giants in week 17 and they already losing respect among the so-called “experts” on the ESPN NFL team during their divisional playoff picks.
I think each of the “experts” would be well served to read one of BFMV.com’s readers email about the match-up versus the Cowboys — and how the home/road match-up isn’t as close as everyone thinks.
America’s team. Whatever.
Posted on January 15, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
Deuce McAllister is back with the New Orleans Saints for the the team’s playoff run, according to coach Sean Payton.
The 31-year-old running back practiced at the team’s headquarters and could be activated for tomorrow’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
McAllister was waived by the Saints after last season, but has been working out and rehabbing a knee injury.
His 55 total touchdowns make him the franchise’s all-time leader … although we don’t see him having ANY impact in the game versus the Cardinals for obvious reasons. There are three dynamic backs that sit in front of him named Thomas, Bush and Bell …
Posted on January 15, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
We totally agree with Adam Warwas at Vikingsgab.com abotu THIS WEEK DRAGGING ON. — and he’s got some fun and valid points in his preview of the Viking/Cowboy match-up here, including the importance the run game, controlling the clock and the Adrian Peterson factor — which is huge — and how Benny Sapp will play into the defensive game plan.
Thanks VikingsGab guys!
Posted on January 15, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team today as a replacement for injured Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker.
The honor comes after the often-verbose pass-catching and Twitter enthusiast was shut down by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis two straight weeks.
Ochocinco hauled in 72 catches for 1,047 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
Immediately after being named to the team, Ochocinco challenged Titans running back Chris Johnson to a footrace. 
“Bruh im going to the pro bowl with you, you want to race for game checks, loser gives the money to those n HAITI n need,” Ochocinco said.
Johnson, as of now, has yet to agree to this idea. He is, however, pointing out he’s a lot faster than his challenger.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the Twitter train from Ochocinco’s mobile device. He told ESPN analyst Adam Schefter that the race was on, for what that’s worth.
Posted on January 15, 2010 by Purple_Pride
This from an email from a reader. Really puts a whole new spin on the Vikes game, rather than all of America (i.e. ESPN) basically giving the Cowboys a free pass to the NFC Championship. Don’t they actually have to play this game before a winner can be declared? Don’t the Cowboys actually have to come to Minnesota to play – where the Vikes are 8-0 this year?!?! Enjoy this email, I don’t think it can be laid out much clearer:
…..I’m tired of hearing about the Vikings second half collapse, and about the Cowboys being the hottest team in the NFL right now.
OK…let’s assume the Vikings were better in the first half than they were in the second half.
We all know the Vikings played totally different at home compared to on the road during that second half…..but does anyone really have a feel for how much different?
Taking ONLY the 2nd half games that were played at home…here are some numbers to let you know just how dominant the Vikings have been on their home turf over this stretch.
The Vikings played 5 games at home during the last 8 games of the season: They won all 5 games (indeed they are undefeated in all 8 home games this year….but since the official story line is about the Vikings falling apart the 2nd half I am concentrating only on those games)
In those 5 home games the Vikings scored an average of 34.4 points per game.
The fewest points they scored in any of those 5 games is 27. (T. Jackson and the 2nd stringers got playing time in the 2nd half of all 5 games….so I think it’s safe to assume more points could have been had.)
In those same 5 home games the Vikings gave up an average of 9.2 points per game. The most points they gave up to anyone in any of those 5 games is 10. (Again….many of those points, including the 7 scored by the Giants were against our scrubs)
That means during the second half of the season at home…the Vikings outscored their opponents by an average of 25.2 points per game.
The SMALLEST margin of victory in any of those games was 17 points. (27-10 against the Lions – and that is while giving their 2nd and 3rd stringers significant playing time in all 5 games)
Now let’s look at the other side of this….because not only are the Vikings playing at home…but the Cowboys are playing on the road.
During the last 8 games of the season, the Cowboys had 4 road games. Their win/loss record in those 4 games is 2-2 (50%)
In those 4 games they scored an average of 18 points per game. The most points they scored in any one of those games is 24 points (3 full points less than the fewest points the Vikings scored in any of those home games during the same stretch)
In those same 4 road games they gave up an average of 16.25 points per game. Meaning they have an average margin of Victory of 1.75 points per game while playing on the road over the second half of the season.
So…let’s put these stats side by side and see which team given the current situation (Vikings @ home….Cowboys on the road) looks better.
Average Points scored:
Vikings: 34.4 points/game
Cowboys: 18 points/game
Advantage Vikings by 16.4 points/game.
(Don’t forget…the MOST POINTS scored by the Cowboys in any of those games is 3 full points less than the LEAST POINTS scored by the Vikings in any of those games.)
Average Points given up:
Vikings: 9.2 points/game
Cowboys: 16.25 points/game
Advantage Vikings by 7.05 points/game.
Average Margin of Victory (aka Net points)
Vikings: 25.2 points/game
Cowboys: 1.75 points/game
Advantage Vikings by 23.45 points/game
Again…I can’t stress enough…that during this stretch the Vikings 2nd and 3rd stringers got significant playing time…so one could infer that their dominance could have been even more pronounced…..while Dallas never rested their 1st stringers in any of those games.
Home field advantage is very real folks. Until those last two home games against their hated division rivals NOBODY considered the Cowboys to be a play-off contender….now their suddenly the hottest team in the NFL???!!!!
If we were playing in Dallas, I could understand some of the angst…but this is in OUR house. Given the way the Cowboys have played on the road to end the season, compared to how the Vikings have played at home to end the season I honestly don’t understand how anyone could pick the Cowboys to win this game!!!
(Letter courtesy of PA showpage on KFAN.com)
I LIKE IT!!!!!! GO VIKES!!!!
A nice message to to Cowboys...
Posted on January 11, 2010 by Purple_Pride
- At least my head doesn’t look like Barry Bonds…
Former “slugger” Mark McGwire has come out with the shocking news that in fact, he used steroids. Wow. In other news, the sky is blue. Tell us something we don’t know, Mark.
These after the fact admissions really annoy the hell out of me. This information wasn’t important enough to be honest about when you were testifying in front of congress? Oh, wait a minute – “We aren’t here to talk about the past“….remind me to use that one next time I get accused/caught doing something I’m not supposed to be doing.
My girlfriend: “Did you forget that it was our anniversary/my birthday/Christmas/Valentines Day?”
Me: “Babe, I’m not here to talk about the past….” I don’t see any way how that wouldn’t work.
“I wish I had never touched steroids,” McGwire said in a statement. “It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.” Oh, and by the way – McGwire also used HGH, but didn’t apologize for that.
According to reports, McGwire’s decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. “I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come,” McGwire said. “It’s time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected.”
I’m confused…So now we are talking about the past? (Don’t tell my girlfriend) But just when I want a new job? Or because I woke up this morning and decided to be a stand-up guy?
Baseball is a joke and becomes more and more of a joke as it lets players:
1) Get away with using PEDs by taking a almost laizze faire attitude towards drug testing in history of baseball.
2) Lie about it – See McGwire, Bonds, A-Rod, Canseco, Sosa, Palmeiro, Giambi, Tejada, etc…..
3) Doesn’t punish these players – ok, so you can’t suspend someone who isn’t in the league. But you can ban them from anything associated with MLB i.e. Pete Rose. McGwire cheated for over a decade – and you are going to not only let him be associated with MLB, but let him coach!?!?!?! Are you serious?!?!?
FYI – Don’t be surprised to hear from any of these players with a tearful “I shouldn’t have done this, it was so hard to tell my family, I didn’t honor the game……by the way my book is available at all Barnes & Noble booksellers and I’ll be at the Mall of America this Saturday for a book signing….” type B.S. statement.
And just for reference, here is something that will give you an idea of what would happen to any of you, if you were caught possessing steroids. Not me, though….I am setting records with my blogging. So I’ll get away with it because I need the HGH for all the carpal tunnel symptoms I get from typing up gems like this…
Posted on January 9, 2010 by Purple_Pride
I miss you and your rants, Jim Mora.
Well, the 2009 NFL regular season has come and gone. It went by a little too quick. But that means that the playoffs are here. And you know what makes the NFL playoffs a lot more interesting? The Vikings are in them! A #2 seed and playoff bye secured, the purple have been resting their weary bodies as the guru behing the Kick Ass Offense has been busy (ahem)game planning for the 3 possible Vikes opponents
So, being that we were basically perfect in our regular season predictions (I hope somebody went to Vegas and used our insight – though as much as it may seem, we are not a gambling website!), here are our head-to-head predictions for the NFL playoffs from your sports blogging idols.
Wild Card Round:
AFC:
NY Jets @ Cincinatti (-2.5) J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets….are going to L-O-S-E, lose, lose, lose. It in Cincinatti, Jets have a mediocre rookie QB at the helm. Expect a low scoring game, both defenses are better than the opposing offenses. Chad Ochocinco’s injury doesn’t sound too serious. Bengals 17-13.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Jets: Contrary to the overriding feeling that the Jets are “just happy to be here” after squeaking into the playoffs with a Week 17 victory and some help, the Jet do have two important things going in their favor: 1) Offensively they have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. No matter the game, the Jets rushing attack is consistent. Consistently good. As a Fantasy Football Thomas Jones owner, I know first hand the punishment he and his counterparts dish out each week. A heavy dose of running will take the pressure off of their rookie QB and keep the ball out of Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco’s hands. 2) They have a shut down cornerback. And I mean SHUT DOWN. Darrelle Revis has my vote for AFC Defensive Player of the year. He’s been on fire all year. Last week versus the Bengals he held Ochocinco without a catch in the first half until he had to leave with a knee injury. We’re looking forward to this rematch always vocal Ochocinco and Sit Down and Shut Up Revis. If the Jets can hit on both of those fronts – minimizing the need to ride Sanchez and remove the Bengals playmaker from the offense – they will win the game.
Baltimore @ New England (-3.5) I have a feeling that the Patriot dynasty is beginning to crumble. Wes Welker, the 2nd most important player on the team (yes, even more important than Laurence Maroney) is out with a shredded knee. He tore both his ACL & MCL. Now unless, one of Tom Brady’s kids can suit up and fill in, I don’t see much offense out of them. Baltimore in an upset 20-16.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Patriots: It’s lost a little bit of a glitz and glamour, but the Pats still have fashion faux paux Belichick on their sidelines. They have a challenge gaming-planning now after playboy and new daddy Brady lost his top receiver last week. How will they get Randy Moss the ball? He’s sure to see double teams all day. How will they make sure Randy Moss shows up to play all four quarters? The offensive questions are minuscule compared to the defensive questions. How in the heck are they going to stop Ray Rice? That boy is like a bowling ball on wheels. And the only wheels the Pats defense has is their wheeled chairs waiting for them in the locker room. The case for the Patriots starts and stops with Coach Belichick’s ability to pull a rabbit out of his hat, out-scheme the Ravens and make another run to the Super Bowl – solidifying them as the team of the decade.
NFC:
Philly @ Dallas (-4) Dallas dominated Philly last week in a big game for both teams. The NFC East title on the line, a possible playoff bye for the Eagles. I have to go with the Eagles here, if only for what it makes possible to happen in the divisional round at the Dome….Philly wins 27-20.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Cowboys: I know, I know … Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game. And Andy Reid is UNDEFEATED in first round playoff games. And the Eagles scare me (as a Vikings fan, flashback to 2008 playoffs) more than the Cowboys do. But you’ve got to hand it to the ‘Boys – they’ve really turned it up and have been playing unbelievable of late. Their running game with Felix Jones back and healthy has really made Tony Romo and the offense dangerous. Speaking of Romo, he’s no longer always heaving the ball downfield. He’s taking the shorter, underneath routes which has limited his turnovers. A recipe for success. On the other side of the ball, I don’t know if there’s been a better defense the past three weeks of the season. As McNabb can attest, the D-line is possessed and stopping whatever is thrown at them. I actually like the Cowboys in this game after their beat down of the Eagles last week. And would welcome them to Mall of America field for a divisional round game.
Green Bay @ Arizona (-1) Seems like all of America is just slobbering over Green Bay…again. Gag me. I just want them to win so they can come to the Dome and get their asses kicked again. Green Bay wins 31-23.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Arizona: It’s been done before, folks. Last year in fact. Everyone’s whipping dog in 2009, the Cardinals proved everyone wrong by catching the fire ignited by Kurt Warner. Can this year be just like last year? It’ll have to be. The Cardinals are without Boldin this week which means Fitzgerald will have to bring a whopper of a game. Look for a more balanced offensive attack against the #1 run defense with Beanie Wells in an attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. That’s a tall order for Wells and company, especially after the blowout in Week 17. The real question for this game is which Arizona defense will show up? The one who completely dominated our Minnesota Vikings? Or the pansy, disinterested defense that’s shown up throughout the year. We’d love to see the Packers get ousted in the first round … just not as much as them getting ousted by our Vikings at Mall of America field.
Divisional Round:
AFC:
Baltimore @ Indianapolis Has there ever been a player more valuable to a team than Peyton Manning is to the Colts? My guess is they would struggle to be a .500 team w/o him. Baltimore comes off a win in N.E., but can’t muster up 2 upsets on the road in a row. Indianapolis 24-17.
Cincinnati @ San Diego Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means….a Chargers victory. Thank you, Ron Burgundy. Bar none, the hottest team in the NFL right now. See you in Miami. Chargers 38-14
NFC:
Philadelphia @ New Orleans 2 explosive offenses meet in the Big Easy for the right to play in the NFC Championship game. The “Who Dat Saints” (whatever the hell that means..anyone?) have looked more like the “Oh yeah, I remember…the Aints” lately and haven’t looked like a #1 seed since a beatdown of New England way back in week 11. If Philly is on with McNabb to Jackson/Maclin & Westbrook can come back and play, I expect a big upset – along with shredded defenses. Philly (gulp) wins 38-34.
Green Bay @ Minnesota Oh man, if this happens…it would be like total protonic reversal. Mass hysteria. Would John Madden come out of retirement for this one? I don’t think the Vikes would have as easy a time this go-round, the Packers have been playing some inspired ball. But I will do my part to distract Aaron Rodgers from section 105, row 28. You can thank me later. Vikes win 24-21.
Conference Championships:
San Diego @ Indianapolis Indy’s 14-0 start seems so long ago after a poor end to their season and a tough game against Baltimore. San Diego comes off a shellacking of the Bengals, still a very hot team. The Chargers go into Indy and out score the Colts. Enjoy your cross country flight to Miami. Chargers 31-27.
Philadelphia @ Minnesota Redemption for last year? As long as there is no T-Jack on the field. At home against Philly, I don’t think the Vikes season ends at the hands of the Eagles again. The Purple take this one 34-24.
Super Bowl
San Diego vs Minnesota If only this game were played on turf in a dome, the Vikes would run away with it. But its outdoors, on grass. We’ve all seen how the Vikes have played on the road and on grass. Though this is the same Chargers team that AP ran for an NFL record 296 yards against not too long ago. Maybe AP explodes again? Some Percy fireworks for the Florida fans? Brett Favre shops for a retirement home? All the Vikes need to do to guarantee a win is………..score more points than the Charges. GO VIKES!!!!
Posted on January 6, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
Shocking. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers was arrested (again) Tuesday after passing out a Mexican restaurant from drinking too much. BFMV.com likes Margaritas as much as the next guy, but we’re also smart enough to stay awake to enjoy the Chimichanga’s and bottomless chips and salsa.
Employees at the restaurant were unable to rouse Rogers awake after he fell asleep in his seat at 3:15 p.m (Holy crap … talk about a two martini lunch!). He was rushed to the hospital as employees were concerned he may have suffered a heart attack. After learning he was just DRUNK, he was arrested on suspicion of failing to fulfill his probation in a Sobriety Court program.
Once again we have another athlete throwing away opportunities and financial security seen by only a minuscule part of the population. Nut job. Disgrace. And loser.
Posted on January 6, 2010 by Purple_Pride
Congrats to Percy Harvin, who was named the AP’s 2009 Offensive Rookie of the Year!!! Good to see all the “character” issues that plagued Harvin coming into the draft have not been an issue as Harvin ran away with the ROY honor with 41 out of 50 votes (2nd place Michael Oher had 6 votes – but he also has a book and a movie about him, what more do you want?!?)
Harvin becomes the sixth Vikings player to win the honor, joining Adrian Peterson (2007), Randy Moss (1998), Sammy White (1976), Chuck Foreman (1973) and Paul Flatley (1963) – Flatley, that sounds familiar…cousins? The Rookie of the Year honors comes a few days after Harvin was named to the Pro Bowl to cap off what has been a great rookie season so far.
The versatile Harvin finished the season with 60 receptions (2nd on the Vikings) for 790 yards and six touchdowns. Not only an important cog in the passing game, Harvin finished fourth in the NFL in kickoff returns, with a 27.5 yard average and two touchdowns. Harvin’s 60 catches tied the Colts’ Austin Collie for most receptions by a rookie in the NFL this season and were the second most by a Vikings rookie, falling short of Randy Moss’ 69 catches in 1998. Most surprising to me is the fact that Harvin set a Vikings single season record for all-purpose yards.
Now, if he can just get a handle on those migraines – maybe he needs some medicinal marij….aspirin.
Posted on January 4, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
The Vikings will play their divisional round game at noon on Jan. 17 at the Metrodome against either Dallas, Arizona or Green Bay. The NFL announced the time and date this afternoon. Fox will air the game.
This means the Vikings will get this week off and won’t have to play on the following Saturday.
Here’s how the divisional round looks from a schedule standpoint:
Saturday, Jan. 16: NFC game: Arizona, Green Bay or Philadelphia at New Orleans, 3:30 p.m. on Fox. AFC game: Cincinnati, the Jets or Baltimore at Indianapolis, 7:15 p.m. on CBS.
Sunday, Jan 17: NFC game: Dallas, Arizona or Green Bay at Minnesota, noon, on Fox. AFC game: New England, Cincinnati or the Jets at San Diego, 3:40 p.m. on CBS.
The Vikings will play the highest-remaining seed from the wild-card round. That will be Dallas if the Cowboys can beat the Eagles this Saturday night.
Posted on January 4, 2010 by Bretts_BFF
No, BFMV.com does not have a subscription to Vanity Fair — nor do our wives, girlfriends or mothers (at least that we know of). But they are plastering a shirtless Tiger Woods on the cover of its February issue.
The photos were taken by the incomparable Annie Leibovitz before the mistress scandal erupted and the cover story is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning Buzz Bissinger. Quite the crowd and dare we say perfect timing to launch news stand sales in the new year.
“Tiger is an intensely competitive athlete–and quite serious about his sport,” Leibovitz says of the candid photos. “I wanted to reveal that in these photos. And to show his incredible focus and dedication.”
We’ll trust the famous photographer that she captured his dedication … dedication to what and to whom is to be determined.
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