Vikings & Cowboys

[LMITOUT]

Yellow flags: Anderson gets Cowboys-Vikings game

Rick Gosselin/Columnist

The Cowboys haven't even boarded the plane yet for their NFC semifinal game with the Minnesota Vikings this weekend but already have caught a huge break. A league source said the NFL has assigned the officiating crew of Walt Anderson to work the game between the Cowboys and Vikings.

The Anderson crew was the only one of the league's 17 officiating crews to assess 200 penalties this season. It also led the league with its 1,794 penalty yards, 172 more than the No. 2 crew. That should alarm the Cowboys, one of the league's most penalized teams this season.

But it's even more alarming to the Vikings. Anderson's crew was harder on home teams than any officiating crew this season. It assessed 113 penalties for a staggering 1,029 yards on home teams.

As a means of comparison, the Cowboys drew the Ed Hochuli crew for its opening-round playoff game last weekend. Working the same number of games (15) during the regular season, the Hochuli crew called 22 fewer penalties for 317 fewer yards against home teams than Anderson.

Anderson's crew assessed 10 or more penalties against six teams this season. Five of them were home teams. He also assessed 100 or more yards in penalties against five teams. Four of them were home teams.

Anderson worked one game apiece involving the Cowboys and Vikings this the season. In the Minnesota-Detroit game at Minneapolis, Anderson assessed 13 penalties for 91 yards against the Vikings. His crew penalized Detroit only four times for 40 yards. In the Cowboys-Broncos game at Denver, Anderson penalized the Broncos 10 times for 81 yards. He penalized the Cowboys seven times for 70 yards.

In the Baltimore-Green Bay game in December, Anderson walked off an NFL season-high 310 yards in penalties. He was hard on the road Ravens, assessing 12 penalties for 135 yards. But he was even harder on the home Packers, assessing 11 penalties for 175 yards.

[LMITOUT]

I heard today on KQ that the crew assigned to official the game is flag happy.

Sounds like the Waaaaaambulance is warming up already.

[DTro]

Maybe, but it might not get here, last I heard it was stuck in a snowdrift somewhere in WI.

[Dark Cloud]

Sounds like the Waaaaaambulance is warming up already.

Thats exactly what I was thinking LMIT as I was reading down through the post. As we all know the Vikes would have had a perfect season if it wasn't for the refs... Keep the Waaaaaaabulance warmed up...

[fishersofmen]

Why warm up the waaaaambulance when they can just send the hearse over from Green Bay........

[Badger]

Why warm up the waaaaambulance when they can just send the hearse over from Green Bay........

WIN ONE! 0-5 would be great!!

[Hammer Handle]

Even if we make it to the SB and lose...and least we were there and were involved later in the season.

Heck, even if we lose Sunday...at least we were able to enjoy the season one more week.

How many Packer Backers does in take to change a lightbulb? Answer: 14. 1 to change the bulb and 13 to reminisce about the old one.

[fishersofmen]

They are like an angry and bitter wife, constantly nagging about the past. Why not bring up something from 10 years ago when you have no ground to stand on today........Boring.

[Big Tom]

Originally Posted By: dtro

I heard today on KQ that the crew assigned to official the game is flag happy.

Sounds like the Waaaaaambulance is warming up already.

Lmit,

Do you even like or watch football beyond the obscure statistical "luck factor" kind of stuff?

Is your sole reason for being here just to needle to the almighty purple faithful?

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

Me, I'm heading out for a couple days of fishing. You should try it sometime.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

How many Packer Backers does in take to change a lightbulb? Answer: 14. 1 to change the bulb and 13 to reminisce about the old one.

This could get to be a long thread - still a couple days left to go...

[Dave S]

LMIT,

Is your sole reason for being here just to needle to the almighty purple faithful?

Yes

[LMITOUT]

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

Speaking of floats....the Venom Floats I ordered on Wednesday night just showed up in the mailbox and I'm going to give these bad boys a try this weekend starting now.

Don't worry, I'll have my Blackberry with so the Vikings savagery can continue while on the ice.

[rcatcherman]

Limitout, The Vikes are screwed for sure. They sure like to draw penaltys on 3rd and 20. That is the defense true collapse. I like the way they tackle above the waist. This usually allows a few touchdowns.

[Scott K]

Well lets hope the fish have a slow period, so you can find a little time to stir the pot some.

Lmit, after giving it some thought, I no longer believe the Packers are your favorite team, I believe it is the Vikings! Because you have so much fun talking about them, if it werent for the Vikes, you wouldnt have much to say

[Jakesbuds]

Should be a good game but after I went to that game in 1998 against the Falcons, I have not had faith in the Vikes since. I would like them to win and watch every game, but I just cant see setting myself up for disappointment from them ever again lol.

[solbes]

Should be a good game but after I went to that game in 1998 against the Falcons, I have not had faith in the Vikes since. I would like them to win and watch every game, but I just cant see setting myself up for disappointment from them ever again lol.

Uh oh. Looks like we need a refresher from November. Jakesbuds has fallen ill to Vikingsletmedownitis. I believe Harvey Lee has been diagnosed as well. Are there others? Please send help.

"Ah, see LMITOUT has fallen victim to what is known as "VkiningsLetMeDownAgainItis". Symptoms started soon after the Vikings had losing SuperBowl games in '69, '73, '74, and '76. In 1988, during the NFC championship game against the Redskins, Darren Nelson dropped a pass from Wade Wilson on the goal line, thus dashing their SuperBowl tickets. In 1992, the Vikings started a string of 8 playoff appearances under Denny Green. None were as agonizing & depressing as the NFC title game in 1998 against the Falcons with the infamous "Take a knee" and "Oh, I can't believe he missed that!"; thus ending a 15-1 regular season. And who can forget the 41-0 loss to the Giants with Daunte Culpepper at the helm in the 2000 NFC championship game?"

It's time for a change. It's only three wins for a cure. And if not, well we've all been there before.

[james_walleye]

Originally Posted By: dtro

I heard today on KQ that the crew assigned to official the game is flag happy.

Sounds like the Waaaaaambulance is warming up already.

You didnt realize the cowboys are the most penalized team in the NFL? Doesnt sound like this is a bad thing for the vikings......

[Shack]

Anyone else still have their collection of cards from their youth? LIMT's avatar is cool!

What is all the buzz about? The Vikes are going to win. Hands down! Favray said so

[Lunker]

All I know is I got free tickets for the game. 50 yardline! YAHOO!

[LMITOUT]

[Hammer Handle]

Everyone is picking Dallas...notice that?

[Shack]

Everyone is picking Dallas...notice that?

Ya, just like they picked the Pack last weekend

Even though Howie is winning this year, their over picks have been horrible.

Dallas IMO has no chance!

[LMITOUT]

If the Vikings win this Sunday I will then say they have a shot.

After watching the Saints today I officially redact this statement.

[zepman]

Coward!!

[Hammer Handle]

Yea, but the Cards defense sucks....

Maybe the Cards QB will retire...and unretire to play here if Favre retires?