Vikings Return Three of Four INTs for Scores, Tarvaris Jackson ‘Manages’ Win Over Giants
November 25, 2007 by David Kindervater
Filed under Minnesota Vikings
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The Minnesota Vikings made N.Y. Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s day miserable, intercepting him four times and returning three of them for TDs. But, it was the play of the opposing QB that made the difference in this game. Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson was an efficient 10 of 12 for 129 yards and a touchdown (he also ran the ball five times for 38 yards) as Minnesota beat the Giants 41-17. But it was what he didn’t do that helped the Vikings the most en route to their fifth win. Tarvaris took care of the football.
I’ve been waiting for TJack to grow up and start making good decisions with the football. He has all the necessary physical skills, he just needed to “manage” the game better. Look at his stats to this point — three TDs and six INTs, and a 62.8 rating. Certainly not where you want your starting QB to be, but today’s effort went a long way in improving his chances of returning as the team’s starter next season. The Vikings have the NFL’s best run defense and they’re a notoriously opportunistic bunch despite being dead last against the pass. They just need more consistent play at the quarterback position and Tarvaris gave that to them today.
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] I’ve been preaching for Tarvaris to “manage the game” better. I’ve said he needs to be smarter with the football. The Minnesota Vikings simply can’t afford turnovers at the quarterback position (what team can?) if they plan to get into and advance through the NFC playoffs. Tarvaris needs to be making 15-20 throws a game max, not 29 like he did last night. That being said, when defenses put eight players “in the box” and commit to stopping the Vikings’ lethal running game, Tarvaris needs to be able to make the throws that are being presented to him. If the Vikes are forced into throwing more, TJack needs to make better decisions. And here’s a thought. Tarvaris could run the football more. There are all kinds of opportunities for him to get out of the pocket and pick up yards with his legs. Last night he had seven carries for 25 yards but he just as easily could’ve had 14 for 50. I realize you don’t want him wandering around out in the open field, but picking up even a few yards and then sliding down is better than heaving throws into double coverage. [...]