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Eric's avatar

Bad teams can make games a helluva ride. They gotta learn to lean HARD into the Kirk when he is dealing like that.

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Curt Murphy's avatar

I will give Kirk credit for his play in the final drive. To me, this is still the preseason for 2021 and I would prefer to see a different quarterback. 10 interceptions 2 fumbles lost, more ups and downs than barometric pressure... I appreciate what he did but the only place Cousins is consistent is inconsistency. The calls on both sides blinded me... I could no longer see that I was watching the NFL. Looking forward to having Hunter, Pierce, the growth in CBs, the growth in Justin Jefferson when he's already a phenom, and hopefully a bit more passing than currently is occurring. I'm interested in what is going to happen between Barr and Eric Wilson, the development of Wonnum and Cleveland, and who is chosen as a new Special Teams coach and punt returner. SKOL

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Griddy Griddy Bang Bang's avatar

Woohoo, we beat a 4-7 Panthers team! Was I the only one hoping the Panthers would win, Teddy would make Kirk look bad and the result would be Rick and Kirk being run out of town and a better chance at drafting a franchise QB next spring?

I am not typically a Debbie Downer, but I am sick of watching the Vikings compete to either miss the playoffs entirely or be an early out wild card team every year. I don't think there's a single, rational Vikings fan who believes this team can be a contender. This Cousins, Spielman, Zimmer era feels a lot like the Mike Tice era from a competitive standpoint, but at least the Tice teams were fun to watch.

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Matt Cornwell's avatar

There was some really questionable coaching today on both sides. How about the Vikings not going for it on 4th and 1 down 11...Like wtf was that. The challenge was terrible too. Even if you win it they have inches to go...

I was happy to see Kirk execute late. I’m a huge Kirk critic, but he stepped up today.

BTW Matthew - I got my copy of the book today. Excited to dig in!

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Matthew Coller's avatar

Totally agree on the 4th and 1... just QB sneak it.

Thanks for the support, really appreciate that! Hope you enjoy it

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OldDrummer55's avatar

Lucky... darn lucky... “... the QB will probably need a few more of these games in which he overcomes every attempt by the roster to lose.” Amen Matthew, amen.

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Rocket Rog's avatar

My suggested subhead: “Vikings give up back-to-back scoop-and-scores and still beat Carolina.”

Dare we say...Comeback Kirk? Let’s hope that becomes cliche, but it likely won’t. Nevertheless, the Vikings stole a game they should have lost. Redemptions are happy stories, but you can’t fumble that punt Chad Bebe. Glad it worked out for you.

Things we didn’t notice in this game include:

1) A decent game by the defense, holding Carolina to 13 points despite looking like they were getting blown off the ball at times.

2) Solid game by Justin Jefferson as the team’s No. 1 receiver.

3) Other than the muffed punt, a pretty good game by the Special Teams.

4) Good clock management by Zimmer—it wasn’t perfect, but it was good.

5) The pass protection wasn’t perfect (see scoop-and-score No. 1), but it was better than what we’ve seen out of the offensive line.

6) Delvan Cook has become hesitant running into the line. He’s often waiting to be hit instead of slashing into it. After the beating he took against Chicago and Dallas, one cannot blame him, but his appetite for running is waning.

7) There were few drops by receivers today. Maybe there weren’t any.

Happy the Vikings found a way to win today. We still have a reason to root. Let’s get back to .500 by beating Jacksonville next week.

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Johnny No89's avatar

Might want to correct that subtitle, Matthew ;-) - can't blame you though...

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Matthew Coller's avatar

Yeaaaaaah forgot to fix that in my haste to put it out. Dang

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Johnny No89's avatar

I still don't get over the Panther's decision to throw it there on 3rd down in their next to last drive. Just run it, kick the FG and the Vikings have about a minute left without a timeout to score a touchdown.

Now one might argue that they did exactly that, but it's a huge difference whether you have 1:45 left or 1:00 when you start the drive.

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Matthew Coller's avatar

Either that or go for it on 4th down at the goal line and make them go 95 yards

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Rocket Rog's avatar

Johnny: Carolina’s coaching staff has a lot of explaining to do. After the way they ran the ball in the first half, choosing not to late in the game cost them the game. Better them than us.

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