When two teams as bad as the Vikings and the Packers get together, two things can happen. The game will be boring or exciting. Sunday’s game started badly, but had a dramatic ending.
Vikings kicker Paul Edinger kicked a game that earned a 56-yard field goal. It was the longest field goal in Vikings history and the second longest field goal to end a game in NFL history.
What an amazing finish for the Vikings and it was against their arch rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Packers took a 17-0 lead in the first half at halftime, but they seemed to fade in the second half.
The Vikings had 38 passing yards in the first half and, as was typical in 2005, they made mistake after mistake on both sides of the field. It looked like Favre would make some fantastic numbers and crush the Vikings.
Everything that was done at halftime worked for Minnesota. All season I have criticized Tice and the coaching staff for being off the coaches and being inept. Tice impressed me on Sunday. Obviously he said or did the right things at halftime and should be given credit.
While the Vikings were impressive scoring on their 5 possessions during the second half, Green Bay melted like Wisconsin cheese on a hot day.
The Vikings took a 20-17 lead near the end of the game, but Favre rallied to take the Packers down the field for a game-tying field goal.
Culpepper, who was great in the second half, led the Vikings to field goal position with just two seconds left.
Actually, it wasn’t really field goal possession. It was a 56-yard attempt by Edinger who had missed from half that distance earlier in the season.
No one gave Edinger a chance and I saw the attempt as a mere formality that Edinger would not make it. Looking back, all the ingredients for a miracle were in place for Edinger, who really needed this kick to give him confidence.
Edinger had more than enough distance and could probably have made a 60-yard field goal from the way he kicked the ball through the studs.
Favre looked completely shocked. What an amazing site to see. Throughout the week, Green Bay Packers fans were licking their chops in anticipation of the Vikings’ defeat.
Well, Packers fans, this is a 60 minute game. This showed me that there was a more pathetic team than the Vikings. The Green Bay Packers definitely looked like melted cheese on Sunday.