Posted on 12/26/2005 4:44:14 AM PST by mainepatsfan
Boller, Ravens knock Vikings out of NFC playoff race
BALTIMORE (AP) -- All season long, the Minnesota Vikings relied on their defense to win.
The unit collapsed Sunday night, and so did Minnesota's flickering playoff hopes.
Kyle Boller went 24-for-34 for 289 yards and three touchdowns, and the Baltimore Ravens eliminated the Vikings from the postseason hunt with a 30-23 victory.
Needing a win to stay alive, the Vikings (8-7) came up with their worst defensive performance in two months. Minnesota, which hadn't given up more than 23 points since Oct. 30, allowed the Ravens to go 10-for-15 on third down.
"We didn't play well at all. Our offense gave us enough points to come out with a win," cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "What hurt was third down. They kept drives going. We can't do that."
The loss gave the New York Giants (10-5) a playoff berth.
"The two biggest things in the game are not staying on the field on third down, and not getting off the field on third down," Minnesota coach Mike Tice said. "Defensively, the coaches tried a lot of different things."
None of them worked.
"We're sick to our stomachs for not getting this win," tight end Jim Kleinsasser said.
Baltimore (6-9) was long ago eliminated from playoff contention, but the Ravens came up with a solid performance anyway.
"We tried to frame it as a playoff-caliber game because it was for them, and therefore it was for us," Ravens coach Brian Billick said. "The whole team -- and Kyle -- stepped up to the challenge."
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
I have to see the Broncos win one playoff game without John Elway before I'll start to believe they can get back to the SB.
So, are you on board my "Fire 'Em All" bandwagon? :-)
I'm not sure anyone in the NFC wants to play them right now.
Speaking of the Packers ... saw way to much of this team on football viewing prime time this season. Way overated ...
With the possible exception of the Saints (I would have said the Niners, but they're playing the odds-on favorite in the Reggie Bush Sweepstakes).
Don't worry; they won't see prime-time (or even a 3 pm game) for the next 20 years.
NY, Den, and Seattle are killers at home, thats the main reason I give them the edge. They may have to play the Patriots though in the second round and thats a very tough team right now that can handle the snow.
Yes, that's my pick. Seattle vs. New England, and again Venatari will be the Kicker with the most SB wins in history at 4!
New York will only get one home playoff game and that'll be in the first round. That is if they can take care of business against Oakland on New Year's Eve.
It's remarkable that the two top seeds in both conferences haven't met in the Super Bowl since Dallas and Buffalo did it a dozen years ago.
This would also be his fifth SB appearance.
He was with them when they lost to the Packers?
That was his rookie season. He along with Brown, McGinest, and Bruschi are the only current Patriots who played in that game.
That's what made it all the more embarassing.
The Packers usually draw high rating in prime time , but I'm sure when the NFL was making up the schedule they didn't know the Packers would have such a horrible season.
St. Louis was able to escape playing outdoors when they won it all. I hated that.
Memories. All I have left are memories.
NY better hope Dallas doesn't get that last spot in the NFC or they may be 1 and done.
Sure, why not :)
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