Minnesota finished last in the NFC North division last season with a 3-13 record. The Vikings’ biggest offensive struggle came from under center. I

n his rookie season, Christian Ponder played in 11 games, throwing for 1,853 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In his 11 starts, Ponder only led the Vikings to two victories over Carolina and Washington. Ponders’ favorite target was wideout, Percy Harvin. Harvin caught 87 passes for 967 yards and 6 touchdowns. Overall, the Vikings were ranked 28th in passing yards. Vikings are hoping Ponder has shaken off his rookie jitters and will improve this upcoming season.

On the contrary, Minnesota’s run game was one of the best in the NFL. The Vikings were ranked 4th in the NFL with 2,318 rushing yards. A large part of this success is from star running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson played in 12 games, rushing for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns. His season was cut short after suffering a gruesome knee injury last December. Peterson is recovering extremely well and should be ready to go week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

If Peterson does not play, Toby Gerhart will get the start. Gerhart played in all 16 of the Vikings’ games last season rushing for 531 yards and 1 touchdown.

As for Minnesota’s defense, they were also towards the bottom of the NFL, ranked 21st in total yards given up and 21st for yards per game. Linebacker, Chad Greenway had a team leading 154 tackles, 3rd in the NFL. As for the “sack-star,” Jared Allen, he had another impressive season finishing atop the NFL with 22.0 sacks.

The Vikings start off the season with two favorable match-ups against Jacksonville and Indianapolis, which could help kick them off to a 2-0 start. However, their division may be the toughest in the NFL this upcoming season and they have little hope of making any noise.

Image Courtesy of  Minnesota Vikings

The article NFC North Team Preview: Minnesota Vikings appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The Chicago Bears routed the Minnesota Vikings 39-10 to move to 3-3 on the season and gain some much needed ground in the NFC North division. The Bears served the Vikings a steady dose of Matt Forte, hard nose defense, and Devin Hester. From the first Chicago offensive series the tone was set as Jay Cutler threw a 48 touchdown pass to a streaking Hester.

Not to be outdone, the defense forced a safety on Viking QB Donovan McNabb, giving the Bears there first safety since early 2009. From there Cutler went to work through the air as his whittled offensive line provided him with protection not evident in any of the previous game this season — a task not thought possible, since Minnesota has the second best pass rushing defense in the NFL.

Shockingly the Bears offensive line only allowed Cutler to be sacked once all night and afforded him time to sit in the pocket. This was an almost night and day difference from last week against the Detroit Lions where Cutler was under duress the entire night. With the offense humming on all levels, almost scoring at will, and a stingy defense only allowing 3 points, the Bears jumped out to big 26-3 lead at halftime.

However the Vikings would not go quietly into the night. Early in the 3^rd, Jared Allen sacked Cutler and in the process created at fumbled ball which Allen recovered. With a short field the Vikings behind their star running back Adrian Peterson managed a touchdown drive. Peterson carried the ball in from 4 yards out and the momentum seemed to be shifting in the Vikings favor, until they made a crucial mistake.

It has been said around the NFL that you don’t kick the ball to Devin Hester. The Vikings must have missed that memo as Hester returned the kickoff for a 98 touchdown, and shut off any steam the Vikings were gathering. Hester’s kickoff return put the game firmly out of reach, prompting the Vikings to replace McNabb with their 2011 first round draft pick Christian Ponder.

In his first action as a QB in the NFL, Ponder did some things well such as reading the defensive pressure, hitting open receivers, and extending plays with his feet. Ponder still showed that he was a rookie by overthrowing a few receivers, but he played well enough to stir up some quarterback controversy, especially with Minnesota’s 1-5 record.

The only question left to ponder is the Vikings QB position. Will they stick with the old or bring in the future?

Image Courtesy of   http://www.facebook.com/minnesotavikings

The article Bears Maul Vikings; Vikings Ponder Their Next Move appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.