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Week 17 Game Recap: Minnesota Vikings 19, Denver Broncos 22
What you need to know
| Minnesota Vikings |
The Vikings started off strong and looked like they were going to dominate the game early. They moved the ball well on their first two drives, but failed to get the ball into the end zone. Their offense then disappeared until the fourth quarter.
Tarvaris Jackson did not do much until the fourth quarter. The Vikings focused on their running game, so not much was asked of him, but he did not give any reason to expect anything of him either. That changed in the fourth quarter. With the Vikings down 19 to three, Jackson led the Vikings back to a tie on two straight touchdown drives with his arm.
Adrian Peterson was shut down again. Chester Taylor got the start, and played well, but Peterson did not find the same easy going. Peterson managed only 36 yards on 11 carries to Taylor's 83 yards on ten carries.
Bobby Wade was Jackson's main target catching five passes for 92 yards, and both of Jackson's touchdowns. Robert Ferguson also caught five passes, but most were shorter yardage as he totaled 39 yards.
| Denver Broncos |
Jay Cutler had an excellent game, making good quick throws, and made good decisions all game. He completed over 70% of his passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed his great arm strength and made throws all over the field.
The Broncos were able to consistently run the ball on the Vikings, running to the edges, and staying away from the Williams' up the middle. Selvin Young was the main runner, carrying the ball 22 times for 87 yards. In total, the Broncos were able to rush for 128 yards.
Brandon Marshall had a huge game, catching ten balls for 114 yards and a touchdown. He used his size advantage over the smaller Viking defensive backs time and time again. He was also able to use his running ability with the ball to get yards after the catch on several plays.
What you ought to know
| QB Tarvaris Jackson, Pass: 16 - 31 - 175 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 36 - 0 |
Jackson started off the game slow, completing less than 50% of his passes in the first half. His numbers would have looked much better had Troy Williamson not dropped a wide open bomb down the middle that would have been a sure touchdown. Jackson did pick it up in the fourth quarter, rallying the Vikings to back to back touchdown drives (scoring the two point conversion for each). Jackson also did a good job protecting the ball until his fumble on the first play in overtime, which set up the Broncos game winning field goal.
| RB Chester Taylor, Rush: 10 - 83 - 0, Rec: 3 - 9 - 0 (3 targets) |
Taylor started the game and dominated on the first drive. Unfortunately, the first drive ended with Taylor diving for the end zone pylon, but dropping the ball on the pylon which resulted in a touchback. After the first drive, Taylor played sparingly other than on third downs. He did look good when he carried ball, though he did have one more fumble.
| RB Adrian Peterson, Rush: 11 - 36 - 0 |
Peterson had a rough game, and did not find many holes to run through. The Broncos seemed to key on the run when Peterson was in the game. His longest run of the afternoon was just eight yards.
| WR Robert Ferguson, Rec: 5 - 39 - 0 (9 targets) |
Ferguson got plenty of looks from Tarvaris Jackson but was well covered by the excellent Broncos defensive backs. He did receive four deep passes, but the balls were either thrown out of reach or were broken up by defenders. He did catch five of his shorter routes for 39 yards.
| WR Bobby Wade, Rec: 5 - 92 - 2 (8 targets) |
Wade had a good game, hauling in five of his eight targets for 92 yards and two touchdowns. He made three of his catches, and both of his touch downs in the fourth quarter.
| PK Ryan Longwell 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points |
Longwell made his only kicking attempt of the game which was a 22 yard field goal.
| MIN Rush Defense |
The Vikings rush defense failed to play up to its reputation again. They allowed the Broncos to control the game and the clock by grinding out 128 yards on the ground, and 4.7 yards per carry.
| MIN Pass Defense |
The Vikings had no answers for Jay Cutler to Brandon Marshall. Cutler was comfortable in the pocket for the entire game. Marshall used his size and running ability to dominate the Vikings defensive backs.
| QB Jay Cutler, Pass: 26 - 37 - 246 - 2 TD / 0 INT |
Cutler played extremely well. He attacked the Viking corners. Cutler also used the short passing game to supplement the running game. Many of his passes were quick passes to his receivers at the line of scrimmage. Cutler also had a nice couple of lead blocks on Brandon Marshall's runs. Cutler played mistake free ball the whole game.
| RB Selvin Young, Rush: 22 - 87 - 0, Rec: 3 - 12 - 0 (3 targets) |
Young was able to gain chucks of yardage on the Vikings rush defense. He was able to find cutback lanes consistently and was able to keep the chains moving. He started slowly, but once the Broncos built up a lead, he was able to grind out the clock until the fourth quarter. He did not have any spectacular runs, but was able to get positive yards most of his carries.
| WR Brandon Marshall, Rush: 2 - 31 - 0, Rec: 10 - 114 - 1 (13 targets) |
Marshall played like a beast against the smaller Vikings defensive backs. He used his body to get position. He also took a few quick swing passes, made defenders miss, and got good yardage after the catch. On one reception, he leaped over his defender and pulled the ball away, making the catch. The Vikings simply had no answer for Marshall.
| WR Javon Walker, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (2 targets) |
Walker appeared to be an after thought in the Broncos offensive plans. Cutler looked primarily to Brandon Marshall or Tony Scheffler. Walker caught just two short passes for 18 yards.
| TE Tony Scheffler, Rec: 7 - 52 - 1 (6 targets) |
Scheffler had a good game working the sidelines, and the short middle of the field. He finished with 52 yards on his seven receptions and added a touchdown.
| PK Jason Elam 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Elam was perfect on all of his kicking attempts, including two extra points and field goals from 43 and 30 yards.
| DEN Rush Defense |
The Broncos rush defense started off slow, allowed Chester Taylor to drive the Vikings down into scoring position, but stiffened soon afterwards. They virtually shut down Adrian Peterson, and did not allow the Vikings to get back into the game with their league leading running game.
| DEN Pass Defense |
The pass defense harassed Tarvaris Jackson all game. Elvis Dumervil had a great game putting pressure on Jackson, and making it difficult for him to feel comfortable. They did allow Jackson to bring the Vikings back late in the fourth quarter, but atoned for that by causing a Jackson fumble on the first play of overtime.
