I wonder if all the runs (offense) and blitzes (defense) had kind of a cumulative effect such that at first they were pretty useless but by the third quarter wore down the Packers. I mean Love was hit something like 15 times... Even if you are not sacked, getting hit hard 10 times might make things a lot harder.
100%. Parcells once said "it's impossible for a quarterback to accurately read a defense or complete passes with tears in his eyes." There is a real cumulative benefit to repeatedly hitting the opposing QB.
Did not know the Parcells quip but I certainly understand it. And credit to Love, he is a really good QB and really avoids getting sacked. But even when he was not sacked he definitely got hit over and over and over again. I remember one of our games vs Caleb his rookie year where he literally crawled up into a fetal position for a second or two on the bench.
What really is impressive now is most of the DLine is young and home grown.
ESPN had the Vikings at a 90.6% pass rush win rate. Highest since 2022. That accumulation of pressure definitely had an impact once the 4th quarter hit.
Wins are fun, wins vs the Packers are especially fun.
As for penalties, there were two missed facemasks, and on the early INT the defender behind Jennings grabbed him arms and pulled him down while Nixon made the pick. That should have been DPI--Jennings almost certainly doesn't make the catch in any scenario, but he has a chance to break it up. (Still a terrible throw, of course). Calls generally even out.
It was great to see Harry get 26 snaps. That should go up, and Metellus looks materially different/worse as a deep safety than as a big nickel. It was surprising that Big Citrus had 22 snaps, and two tackles--one game changing--but that's a great start for a rookie. Banks was pretty invisible in his 16 snaps, but his being out there >>> not dressing.
That out of sync team looked like three quarters of preseason play. Not wanting to get your stars hurt in preseason nearly cost a critical game, even if it was the first.
I wonder if all the runs (offense) and blitzes (defense) had kind of a cumulative effect such that at first they were pretty useless but by the third quarter wore down the Packers. I mean Love was hit something like 15 times... Even if you are not sacked, getting hit hard 10 times might make things a lot harder.
100%. Parcells once said "it's impossible for a quarterback to accurately read a defense or complete passes with tears in his eyes." There is a real cumulative benefit to repeatedly hitting the opposing QB.
Did not know the Parcells quip but I certainly understand it. And credit to Love, he is a really good QB and really avoids getting sacked. But even when he was not sacked he definitely got hit over and over and over again. I remember one of our games vs Caleb his rookie year where he literally crawled up into a fetal position for a second or two on the bench.
What really is impressive now is most of the DLine is young and home grown.
That was certainly a festival of emotions. Will be an interesting week getting ready for the Bears. Hope they can get the run game going right away.
Haven’t seen/heard many people giving a shout out to Myles for those two huge returns. Game changers
Big Citrus 1 - Pack O-Line 0
KOC finally learning he doesn’t have to be an “offensive genius” in order to win is a huge development
ESPN had the Vikings at a 90.6% pass rush win rate. Highest since 2022. That accumulation of pressure definitely had an impact once the 4th quarter hit.
Wins are fun, wins vs the Packers are especially fun.
As for penalties, there were two missed facemasks, and on the early INT the defender behind Jennings grabbed him arms and pulled him down while Nixon made the pick. That should have been DPI--Jennings almost certainly doesn't make the catch in any scenario, but he has a chance to break it up. (Still a terrible throw, of course). Calls generally even out.
It was great to see Harry get 26 snaps. That should go up, and Metellus looks materially different/worse as a deep safety than as a big nickel. It was surprising that Big Citrus had 22 snaps, and two tackles--one game changing--but that's a great start for a rookie. Banks was pretty invisible in his 16 snaps, but his being out there >>> not dressing.
What a fun game but lordy are there areas to improve all over the place
That out of sync team looked like three quarters of preseason play. Not wanting to get your stars hurt in preseason nearly cost a critical game, even if it was the first.