The Grinch that May Have Stolen Christmas

It has gone from a Purple Christmas atmosphere to "How the Grinch May Have Stolen Christmas." When the burgundy and gold "Grinch Machine" entered the Metrodome, it was in hope of crushing all the little Vikings spirits in Viking-ville about making the playoffs. Well the "Grinch Machine" may have done just that. The Washington Redskins crushed the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of the game and led 22-0 at by halftime.


In the second half the Vikings came to life and made a serious run at a comeback until a recovered fumble was overturned because of too many men on the field. The ball was given back to the Redskins and they scored on the same drive to take a 32-14 lead and eventually won the game 32-21

The Minnesota Vikings helped an average quarterback in Todd Collins look like a pro bowler. Collins was 22 of 29 for 254 yards. He threw two touchdowns, no interceptions and was sacked twice. Collins led his team in strong fashion, and looked as if he should have been starting for the last 10 years rather than riding the bench. He picked apart the Minnesota weak secondary the entire first half as he continually marched the Redskins down field. Collins threw touchdowns to Chris Cooley and Santana Moss, while Clinton Portis threw a touchdown to Antwaan Randle El.

In the second half the Vikings made a serious run at another come back until a fumble recovery for the Vikings was overturned because of too many men on the field. The Redskins got the ball back and scored a touchdown seven plays later, taking a 32-14 lead. The Vikings did score one more time to close the gap 32-21, but that would be all. On the ensuing kick off, an onside kick failed and Washington recovered the ball. With one minute left in the game the Vikings had one final chance to score and could not.

Washington spread the wealth amongst all their player last night. In the air Collins completed 22 of 29 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He did this by hitting Santana Moss four times for 71 yards and one touchdown, Antwaan Randle El five times for 66 yards and one touchdown from Clinton Portis, and connected with Clinton Portis five times for 48 yards. Collins also connected with Reche Caldwell four times for 33 yards and Chris Cooley one time for 33 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground Washington ran the ball 32 times for 106 yards. Clinton Portis ran the ball 20 times for 76 yards and one touchdown, while Ladell Betts ran five times for 21 yards, Todd Collins three times for six yards and Michael Sellers ran one time for three yards. The Redskins ground game made most of their yardage in the forth quarter, by just plain wearing down the Vikings line.

For Minnesota they had a very poor first half, and entered the locker room down 22-0. Then T-Jack and his Vikings came to life. Jackson ended the night completing 25 of 41 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown. Jackson even completed 7 of 10 passes and threw one touchdown. Jackson also threw two interceptions on the evening. Jackson's top receivers were Robert Ferguson who caught four passes for 51 yards, Chester Taylor caught five passes for 42 yards, Troy Williamson caught five passes for 39 yards, Bobby Wade three passes for 34 yards, and Adrian Peterson had two passes for 21 yards. Minnesota's touchdown pass was to Jim Kleinsasser, who caught one pass for two yards and a touchdown.

Minnesota's running game was stuffed last night as Adrian Peterson carried the ball nine times for 27 yards, and Chester Taylor ran six times for 14 yards. Both Peterson and Taylor were out gained by Tarvaris Jackson who ran the ball eight times for 44 yards and two touchdowns.

Minnesota looked depleted the entire first half, and it was as if nothing would go their way. Throwing one interception and fumbling the ball three times and losing it once surely killed any momentum Minnesota tried to gather up. A fumble on a good run back that Minnesota recovered, then a lost fumble by Visanthe Shiancoe on a pass reception, and one Jackson interception, all on different drives, continually plagued Minnesota the entire first half. Minnesota turned the ball over three times, twice in the first half.

The Vikings now travel to Denver to finish off the regular season. The Vikings must win in Denver to even have a chance of making the post season. If the Vikings can win on Sunday and Washington loses to Dallas at home, Minnesota is in. If the Vikings and Redskins both lose on Sunday and New Orleans wins, the saints make the playoffs. If both Minnesota and Washington win Sunday, then it's the Redskins who make the playoffs. In any scenario you want to throw out there, Minnesota must win and Washington must lose on Sunday for the surging Vikings to make the post season. So stay tuned Viking fans, this ride is not over yet.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!