Purple People Eaten: Jackson Plays Like the Bench Player He Was Born to Be

MINNESOTA - Winter greetings from Minneapolis! It's bright and sunny and...about two degrees (negative fourteen with the windchill). Cold as it may have been outside, however, nothing looked colder than the Vikings offensive unit inside the Metrodome during their showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles during Wildcard Weekend.

During this past week, NFL rushing leader, Adrian Peterson, vocally displayed his disdain of the media's focus on his fumbles as opposed to the positive aspects of his game. But instead of worrying about getting his feelings hurt, the butterfingered former Sooner should have been making a more conscious effort of picking up the slack for his Arena ball-caliber quarterback.

The Vikings looked strong in the early going, or at least their defense did. The number one run defense in the NFL led by three Pro Bowlers tore apart the Eagles offensive line, repeatedly roughing up Donovan McNabb. Of course, not even star defensive end Jared Allen and company are perfect. They gave big time yardage on a few key passes by Andy Reid's golden boy.

The majority of those plays led to one of four David Akers' field goals (44, 51, 31, and 45 yards). The big kicker for the Phil-birds, however, was Donny Mac's dump pass to the dangerous Brian Westbrook who took off a video game- esche touchdown campaign featuring an extensive blocking clinic. 

Peterson's counterpart, Chester Taylor didn't look half bad for Minnesota, unfortunately that can't be said for the other 10 on that side of the ball. Big baby Peterson got nowhere in the early going and after taking a big hit from star safety Brian Dawkins earned his millions by taking a seat on the sidelines. He made up for it on the team's next drive, however, having his only semi-decent play of the game on a 40 yard touchdown run.

Not too much later, Peterson was joined on the list of shame by Tarvaris Jackson who threw a pick off right into the arms of corner back Asante Samuel with a clear run all the way back to the end zone.

As the game progressed, Jackson mounted a miracle drive that did manage to keep the Vikings in the game. But you see, this drive could only be considered a miracle due to the way Tarvy played the rest of the game. It seemed as if the game clock dwindled at the same speed as any signs of talent that Jackson seemed to have.

It was all capped off on the Vikings' final offensive play when Minnesota center Birk's snap bounced off Jacksons' ankle, right into the hands of the Eagles defensive line. I guess you could say that Jackson came full circle this season, starting off terribly, making a comeback, then dropping off again. All in all, the dismay of the twin cities now falls upon his shoulders and his shoulders alone.

As for the boys from the City of Brotherly Love, they have a date with the defending Super Bowl champion G-Men next Sunday afternoon in the Meadowlands. And if McNabb can cut down in the turnover department, Philly may even hit Tampa in February.