Not a fun game to watch, but the Viking defense is a pleasant surprise. Pace, Metellus, Evans and Phillips played lights out. As usual we knew Hunter and Hitman would be great. The others were pretty good too.
Obviously, priority 1 is that there needs to be a qb next year.
But, assuming Flo won’t be poached because of his lawsuit, the defence is really exciting, especially how young players are actually improving. That plus a full season of JJ and QB1 are grounds for, dare a Vikings fan say it, optimism.
This line sums up what I heard on the radio in NY: “We were sitting in the most climate controlled atmosphere in the world, yet the game felt like it was being played in a blizzard”
The Vikings last 2 games scoring offense is averaging 6.5 per game and defense giving up 6.0 per game and being 1-1 is a numbing glass half-full.
I felt terrible for Dobbs when he got benched today, you could see the defeat on his face. Unfortunately benching Dobbs was what was needed to win the game. He is just behind on his processing and with teams taking his scrambling away, the out of this world plays just aren't there.
Mullens coming in was close to disaster too, as the Hockenson tipped pass was almost intercepted, if that gets picked we are looking at things differently. Mullens did have better timing with the routes and wasn't as hesitant to make his throws. In the end he had just enough spark to get us to field goal position but who knows if that will transfer to a better team next week in the Bengals.
KOC really gets away from the running game when it is working and it's costing the team big time. His playcalling is starting to become suspect, not because he is a bad designer of an offense, but because he almost seems like he wants to be seen as a genius play caller. He is constantly outsmarting himself, when going with the blunt/straightforward solution is the best call.
We will see whats left of the team next week after Dr. Dobbs threw those hospital balls out to all his patient receivers. Hopefully Mullens will be still be able to throw to one of the best wide receivers in football next week, but with Dr. Dobbs sending him to the E.R. it is doubtful.
The Bengals look to be tougher than we thought with out Burrow and we will be facing the resurgent Packers and the Lions twice, this pitiful win could have been the last of the season.
While we may think they should have tanked and be 1-12 at this point - that record alone would have everyone calling for KOCs head. While it may not help your draft position, it’s ok to win games grind things out with non starters. At some point you’re down QB1-3, RB1, WR1, LG1, RG1, RT1 throughout this game and season - and you’re still in the hunt? That seems a good thing.
An ugly win is still a win. Vikings are 7-6 and still in the playoff hunt. The team can hang their heads until they get on the plane. After takeoff, they should start focusing on Cincinnati.
The not so good, the pretty bad and the extremely ugly.
Though I guess an ugly loss is better than a pretty win.
Pace was studly. Very studly
Sure glad I wasn't one of them that paid for a 1000 dollar plane ticket.
Not a fun game to watch, but the Viking defense is a pleasant surprise. Pace, Metellus, Evans and Phillips played lights out. As usual we knew Hunter and Hitman would be great. The others were pretty good too.
Obviously, priority 1 is that there needs to be a qb next year.
But, assuming Flo won’t be poached because of his lawsuit, the defence is really exciting, especially how young players are actually improving. That plus a full season of JJ and QB1 are grounds for, dare a Vikings fan say it, optimism.
This line sums up what I heard on the radio in NY: “We were sitting in the most climate controlled atmosphere in the world, yet the game felt like it was being played in a blizzard”
The Vikings last 2 games scoring offense is averaging 6.5 per game and defense giving up 6.0 per game and being 1-1 is a numbing glass half-full.
I felt terrible for Dobbs when he got benched today, you could see the defeat on his face. Unfortunately benching Dobbs was what was needed to win the game. He is just behind on his processing and with teams taking his scrambling away, the out of this world plays just aren't there.
Mullens coming in was close to disaster too, as the Hockenson tipped pass was almost intercepted, if that gets picked we are looking at things differently. Mullens did have better timing with the routes and wasn't as hesitant to make his throws. In the end he had just enough spark to get us to field goal position but who knows if that will transfer to a better team next week in the Bengals.
KOC really gets away from the running game when it is working and it's costing the team big time. His playcalling is starting to become suspect, not because he is a bad designer of an offense, but because he almost seems like he wants to be seen as a genius play caller. He is constantly outsmarting himself, when going with the blunt/straightforward solution is the best call.
We will see whats left of the team next week after Dr. Dobbs threw those hospital balls out to all his patient receivers. Hopefully Mullens will be still be able to throw to one of the best wide receivers in football next week, but with Dr. Dobbs sending him to the E.R. it is doubtful.
The Bengals look to be tougher than we thought with out Burrow and we will be facing the resurgent Packers and the Lions twice, this pitiful win could have been the last of the season.
While we may think they should have tanked and be 1-12 at this point - that record alone would have everyone calling for KOCs head. While it may not help your draft position, it’s ok to win games grind things out with non starters. At some point you’re down QB1-3, RB1, WR1, LG1, RG1, RT1 throughout this game and season - and you’re still in the hunt? That seems a good thing.
An ugly win is still a win. Vikings are 7-6 and still in the playoff hunt. The team can hang their heads until they get on the plane. After takeoff, they should start focusing on Cincinnati.