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 ...
That's why I want to play Holmgren. Payback.
Why's that?
The bad news is that the road to Detroit goes through Indy, not Foxboro. The question of whether Peyton Manning is anything more than a playoff choke artist still remains, however.
Although I like the Colts team, its good to see them realing from two losses in a row, (not Dungy's son thing). I thought they would lose in Seattle no matter what and now they could be on a 3 game losing streak going into the playoffs. I could see a healthy Pittsburgh team beating them( after they beat Cinci in round 1).
If he doesn't get it done this year then he may never get it done.
Wow! ..and just look at what these guys have done since then! Bruschi should be in the HOF right now. I would guess that in the last three games the Pats have played Bruschi was somehow responsible for at least half of the inteceptions, sacks, fumbles, tackles, tip balls, ect...The guy is one of the BEST football players ever to play the game.
They may not be facing Cincy in round one. If Cincy loses to KC next week and the Pats win out then the Steelers will be coming to Foxboro in round one.
The Patriots better hope they are facing the Jags instead of the Steelers or all bets are off for the Pats making it all the way.
I remember in his rookie year against the Steelers in the playoffs (the fog game) Belichick had him just follow Kordell Stewart (he was still slash that year) all over the field. Everytime Stewart touched the ball Bruschi blasted him.
Damn Desmond Howard.
Well if the 'Boys do make it they'll probably play at Tampa not NY.
The Steelers are hot right now but so are the Pats. The two best teams in the league last year seem to be returning to form just in time for the post season.
The punt return for a TD, right. That was excellent!
I lost my voice for two days after that SB.
Actually it was a kickoff return after the Pats had just scored to cut the Packer lead to 27-21. The Pats just gave up too many big plays in that game.
That Super Bowl victory was the sweetest win I've seen in my lifetime as a Packer fan.
Well I should think so. So I take it you weren't around to enjoy the Lombardi era?
They've cinched the bye week and seeded #1 they will play all their post season games at home. Colts had their winning streak stopped at 13 games, so, bottomline, there's no incentive to win until the playoffs. Remember, the Colts lost all their pre-season games this year ... by wide margins. When it counts the Colts will ramp it up ... guaranteed.
Nope. I wasn't born yet during the Lombardi era. But I've read a lot and saw many sports programs about those formidable years.
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