Minnesota Vikings: 10 Observations From Monday Night

This Monday night was a pivotal game for the Minnesota Vikings that could make or break their season. Their opponent was the high powered New York Jets and it was sure to be a defensive battle. Neither team disappointed and the game was exciting from start to finish, even with some heavy rain in the first half. Here are 10 key observations from Monday night.

10. Randy Moss Needs More Time

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the first quarter against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Let's start with the most obvious one, Randy Moss needs a few more weeks to truly show us what he's capable of on this offense. Granted he had a huge touchdown catch that was Brett Favre 500th career TD pass. However, it was fairly obvious throughout the game that he didn't really know the plays well. This was expected and he still did a great job of being a decoy and making plays on the ball when thrown to him. His biggest contribution was opening up the field for Percy Harvin who had a great night outside of a few drops.

9. The Return Of Cedric Griffin Was Huge

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Cedric Griffin #23 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the field with his head down against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sai

....until he got hurt again. It's yet to be seen how long the injury will keep him out, but if it's significant time, the secondary could be in trouble. Prior to his injury, the secondary was playing very well and looked to be going back to how solid they were last year with Griffin and Antoine Winfield. However, when he got hurt again, the secondary went back down to mediocrity. Hopefully he comes back next week, but if not, the Vikings could be in trouble with the lack of quality players at cornerback besides Winfield.

8. The Vikings Need A Blocking Third Down Back

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 12: Chester Taylor #29 of the Chicago Bears runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the NFL season opening game at Soldier Field on September 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 19-14. (Photo by J

I put Chester Taylor's picture up here because he filled this role for us last season. The Vikings have yet to find a back who can take over Taylor's spot. Peterson can catch the ball out of the backfield, but his blocking is suspect. With teams teeing off on the aging Favre on 3rd-and-long, it's paramount that they find someone to pick up blitzes. Hopefully Toby Gerhart can eventually fulfill this role, but he has yet to show that he's ready to do the job.

7. The Defense Is Still Elite

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions is pursued by Kevin Williams #93 of the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings def

The Jets should have won this game going away. They had amazing field position throughout the entire first half but couldn't put the ball in the end zone. The Vikings were able to do what they do best and toughened up in the red zone keeping the Jets out of the end zone, for the most part. The only reason the Vikings stayed in this game is because of how great their defense is.

6. Penalities Are Becoming a Season Killer

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Phil Loadholt #71 of the Minnesota Vikings checks on teammate Brett Favre #4 after he was injured on a play against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Or

The first half of this game was atrocious for the Vikes on the offensive side of the ball. There were many reasons for this, but the most annoying was the stupid penalties. The offensive line was called for a number of false starts, which is inexcusable. Percy Harvin had the bonehead play of the game when he was called for an illegal formation that was plain dumb and shouldn't be made by a second year pro. If the penalties don't come down, the Vikings will be in big trouble.

5. Antonio Cromartie Is a Moss Killer

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets intercepts a pass from Tom Brady of the New England Patriots intended for Randy Moss at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pho

If you're looking for someone to guard Randy Moss look no further than the physical 6'2" Cromartie. His ability to get physical with Moss was key in the game as he was able to shut him down for the most part. Aside from Moss's one big touchdown, he was basically held in check. Fortunately for the Vikings, there aren't too many players with Cromartie's physical skills.

4. Greenway Is a Top 5 OLB

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Linebackers Chad Greenway #52 and Ben Leber #51 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 201

Greenway was in on almost every play tonight. It seemed like he was always around the ball, making tackles all over the field. Last year he posted Pro Bowl numbers but was snubbed of that honor. This year he's doing the exact same thing and has become one of the best in the league at his position.

3. Adrian Peterson Needs The Ball More

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against Jim Leonhard #36 of the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

In the first half Peterson hardly got the ball and the Vikings suffered. Coming out in the third quarter, they went to AD early and he delivered with big runs. His production was the catalyst to the near comeback. If they would've given him the ball earlier in the game, they may have not been in the position they were. When you have the best running back in the and your passing game hasn't been playing well you have to get him more than 18 carries. If the Vikes want to win more games they need to go to their workhorse and let him win the game.

2. Brett Favre Might Sitll Have Some Magic

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Brett Favre #4 and Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate after Moss caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Favre in the third quarter against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in

The Vikings may have lost the game and Favre did have three turnovers including the interception that sealed their fate. But he did seem to finally be having fun out on the field, and with more work with Moss, he might be able to turn the season around. He did have three touchdowns in the game so there was quite a bit to be happy about. If he can continue to develop chemistry with his receivers, he might be able to replicate the magic he had last year.

1. The Vikings Will Make The Playoffs

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: Randy Moss #84 and Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings react after Harvin caught a 34-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Ruthe

...if they can make it out of this current stretch at 3-1. That would put them at 4-4 and they might be able to lose two games and be at 3-5. Considering that the Packers are being hit by a big injury bug and the Bears were dominated by a team with a similar pass rushing team in the Giants, the Vikings will have a shot to win the NFC North. You must keep in mind that, even in their three losses, they have kept games very close. If they can turn it around some in the passing game, they have a very good shot to become what they were supposed to be before the season started.