"An Orange Crush New Year?"

The Minnesota Vikings and their fans are calling for "An Orange Crush New Year". If the Minnesota Vikings can defeat the Denver Broncos on Sunday and Dallas can pull off a win at Washington, Minnesota is in. On the flip side of that scenario, Denver can do what Washington did last week and play spoilers. The Denver Broncos could play host to Minnesota, defeat them and put an end to a comeback season, and end the Orange Crush New Year all in one afternoon.

Denver is a team to be reckoned with and Minnesota better not look past them. I have already seen articles stating Minnesota should have no problems with Denver and get the win. I feel this mentality is looking past Denver and counting them out. This is professional football and no one should be counted out. Remember, any one can fall at any time. I think New York can beat New England tonight and end their quest for a perfect season. Detroit could upset the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco could defeat Cleveland and put them out of the playoffs, while Tennessee could defeat Indianapolis and make the playoffs themselves, or Washington could defeat Dallas and make their playoff bid come true as well; and yes Denver over Minnesota is a possibility.

Denver is looking forward to ending Minnesota's great comeback and deny them a playoff birth. The Vikings were 3-6 just six weeks ago, and won five games in a row to become an 8-6 team and a serious playoff contender. With the near loss the Chicago and the crushing defeat we took from Washington, most analysts are not counting out Minnesota and have even favored them by 3 over Denver, while ABC Sports Network predicted a 24-16 Viking Viktory. However you like to see this game go, the only true outcome is how well Minnesota plays and what the final score is at the end of the game.

The Broncos are playing at home for the final time this season, and would love to end their lost season on a high note. Denver is also 4-3 at home this season and would love nothing more than to end this season with a winning home record. The overall series between these two teams goes to Minnesota with a 7-4 series lead, and our Vikings have also won three of the last four meetings between these two squads. Once again everything seems to favor our Vikings, but one thing: where are their heads at?

The Vikings will be looking heavily at the score board for the Washington-Dallas match up to see what's happening. The fear here is if Washington is doing well, then Minnesota will not play as good, but if Dallas is winning, then Minnesota's players will be fighting that much harder. This can either work for us or against us. I still feel that our players are professionals and will do their best no matter what happens between Washington and Dallas. I believe that most of our players will be looking at the scoreboard, but will do their job on the field as required. Only one main obstacle that stands in our way of the playoffs: the Denver Broncos.

Denver will be looking to play spoilers and that could come from the hands of second year quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler is definitely the team's leading quarterback by completing 271 of 430 passes, throwing 18 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and has been sacked 26 times and fumbled the ball 10 times, losing four. Cutler has started all 15 games this season, but has given way to back up quarterback Patrick Ramsey in games against Detroit on 11/04, and Kansas City on 11/11.

In the Detroit game Ramsey completed 29 of 46 passes for 262 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and three sacks, and two fumbles. In the Kansas City game, Ramsey played one or two series, was 0/2 in pass completions, and ran the ball once for two yards. Cutler seems ready to play and is listed as probable. Minnesota should pressure him often, and challenge Cutler to scramble and move. With an injured knee, it will be interesting to see how a youngster like Cutler responds to the constant pressure of a ruthless Viking defense.

Cutler's top two receivers are Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler. Marshall is the team leader is pass receptions (92) and yardage (1,211). Marshall has six touchdowns and averages 13.2 yards per reception. On the other side of the field will be Tony Scheffler. Scheffler is second on the team in receptions (42) and third on the team in yards (492). Scheffler has caught four touchdowns and averages 11.8 yards per reception. However, let's not forget about Brandon Stokley either. Stokley is third on the team in receptions (40), second on the team in yardage(635), second on the team in touchdowns (5), and averages 15.8 yards per reception. Looks like a tough day for our 32nd ranked pass defense. Fortunately for our Vikings, Brandon Stokley is injured and listed as questionable. With receivers like theses, it's hard to believe that Denver's passing unit is only ranked 13th in the NFL, and Denver's record is 6-9.

The rushing unit for Denver can be matched with that of the Redskins. Washington was only one of two teams to gain over 100 yards rushing on our Vikings. The Redskins had a very rough time running the ball in the first half, but ran the ball much better as the game wore on. Denver is ranked 9th in the league in rushing, and can easily challenge the number one ranked rushing defense in the league. Denver's top rushers are Travis Henry, Selvin Young, Jay Cutler and Andre Hall.

Henry is the leading rusher on the team but barley. Henry has 167 rushes for 691 yards, four touchdowns, and one lost fumble. Young is second on the team in carries with 118, he has 642 yards, one touchdown, and one lost fumble. Jay Cutler is third on the team in carries with 44, and has 205 yards to show for it. Cutler is a quarterback who apparently can scramble and likes to run. Cutler also has one touchdown and 10 fumbles, but has lost only four of those 10 fumbles. Finally, there is Andre Hall. Hall is the teams fourth leading rusher with 41 carries and 206 yards, has two touchdowns and no lost fumbles. It is apparent that the Denver Broncos rarely fumble.

The biggest challenge for the Broncos will be if they can contain Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. All season long if Peterson has a bad game then Taylor has been able to pick up the slack; and if Taylor is not running well then Peterson had a great game. Minnesota is number one on the ground, and has been there all season long. The toughest part for Denver has been containing the run. Denver is ranked 30th in the league in their rushing defense and has never seen the likes of Adrian Peterson. If the Broncos can contain Peterson and Taylor, and their number seventh ranked passing offense can do heir job, it will be a long day for Minnesota and their fans.

Our Minnesota Vikings have their work cut out for them this weekend. If they win and Washington loses, we are headed for post season play. However, if we win and the Redskins win, Washington is headed to the post season. The only worry that should be on our Vikings' minds is to win, and let the Dallas-Washington game play itself out. By blocking out the game they can not control, and keeping in mind what they can control, Minnesota will do much better and should come away with a win. Although you can not count anyone out, I feel our Vikings are a good enough team to defeat any one in the league, and that includes Denver this weekend.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

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SKOL "JULIE" For the great titles for these articles.