Newest from the NFL: Vikings marching towards playoffs

There is something to be said about the Vikings organization all being on the same page and buying into the methodology Mike Zimmer preaches. During a conference call on Monday, quarterback Eli Manning said that Coughlin hasn’t spoken to the team’s players about his future. Danielle Hunter sped past Marshall Newhouse on the ensuing 3rd and 10, sacking Manning to force another punt. He made clear their impacts when asked about his rediscovered freedom in the playbook.

Zimmer said Kalil has “had a much better year”.

The Vikings (10-5) flustered Manning early and often, with Zimmer rekindling the Vikings’ blitzkrieg ways with seven five-man rushes in the first half.

CHIEFS 17, BROWNS 13: In Kansas City, Missouri, Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes as Kansas City won a team record-tying ninth consecutive game. Minnesota tacked on a field goal before the half was over and went into the break with a 19-3 lead. They forced four turnovers and turned them into 17 points.

Bridgewater, meanwhile – well, only a fool would take him lightly at this point. He and eight other players had been tied with three. Griffen, Robison and Johnson each led with two QB hits apiece. “I had no intention of coming out here and throwing interceptions”. Vikings DT Linval Joseph was active after missing the previous four games with a foot injury…. With Beckham suspended by the National Football League for his actions against the Carolina Panthers last week, the Giants’ offense was completely inept without the threat of the second-year man on the outside. Manning thought he could outrun Robison on a naked bootleg, leading to Robison’s sack. And is continuity the best means to that end? Rookie Bobby Hart stepped in for Newhouse at right tackle and held his own. After a missed PAT it was 16-3 Vikings.

Giants running back Rashad Jennings accounted for 136 total yards, including 74 yards on 14 carries. Linebacker Eric Kendricks (50) was shoved down by guard John Jerry and Sendejo was also blocked out.

An onside kick was recovered by the Vikings and taken by Robert Blanton to the Giants 18.

– The Vikings will play for the NFC North championship next weekend at Lambeau Field, and the two teams are headed in different directions.

One of the players to capitalize on Manning’s miscues was safety Harrison Smith. And the same questions will continue on Wednesday, when the team reports back to work, and Thursday, and Friday, and Sunday after the season finale against the Eagles at MetLife Stadium.

The Steelers are going to need some help to get into the postseason after falling to host Baltimore 20-17 Sunday. Munnerlyn continued his standout play with a run stop on a backside blitz and also one of the three interceptions on an excellent zone drop. That game, like this one, was moved to the Sunday night slot. “They obviously had a lot of guys up there and things, we got a lot of 2-yard runs”. Reuben Randle scored on a 72 yard touchdown pass from Eli, but that would be their lone highlight of the night.

This may reflect the definition of an opinion, but there are certainly a number of elements that argue in favor of this assessment being more fact than just a frequently expressed judgment. He didn’t appear to be pushed in his first game back from groin and knee injuries.

“He’s running better routes”. Otherwise, Kendricks had a quiet day and largely struggled to avoid linemen in the run game.

Video (below): Smith creeps up to the line and jumps the backside of the play to tackle Andre Williams for no gain.