We cannot know the future, but we can endlessly talk about it. On a losing streak, the pressure builds with each game. Seattle isn't the team the Vikings want to face after a 0-2 start. However, the team looked better last Sunday. anything can happen.
We need a few of those breaks to go our way to even out the karma. Someone needs to miss a last second field goal, and someone else needs to fumble in overtime. 15 more games. The Cardinals game proves one thing. With this team, every game is winnable, no matter how tough the opponent or stadium. Just need to make that kick and its an entirely different story.
My bigger issue that is that kickers sometimes miss kicks, and coaches need to call games recognizing that reality. Yes, Cousins could have fumbled, been sacked or thrown a pick. Yes, Cook could have fumbled. But, does one want to go down with the stars who are being paid (or a home run 1st round pick) and around whom the team is built, or the guy who was out of the league the last two years and was 50/50 to be on the damn team in week 1? If there had been 5 seconds left, by all means kick. With 41 seconds and a TO, give yourself 2-3 chances to score a TD (or make the kick easier) and then try the kick if you need it. Zimmer took two or three extra chances to win the game and lit them on fire.
Being 0-2 is not good. However, there is nothing magical or predictive about a two game losing streak to start the year. Any two game losing streak makes the playoffs unlikely: https://twitter.com/StatsbyLopez/status/1439984622100754433
I’ve heard countless times that Cousin’s contract has been the biggest impediment to the team’s success and it was hard to argue. This year, however, we found $50M+ to spend on revamping the defense. While the D-line and LBs are better, the overall defense is terrible because the secondary can’t stop anyone. If money’s not the problem, and our head coach is a defensive guru (CB whisperer), how come it’s still a train wreck?
I think the connection to his contract is that $50M was spread over a bunch of players that nobody else in the league would pay for. They had to hope long(ish) shots all worked out. In total free agent spending, that also isn't that much. Not that I disagree on the matter of beefing up the defense and living up to those expectations. It's just that they couldn't afford a Trey Hendrickson, for example, and end up with hoping Wonnum/Weatherly/Griffen scrapes together a handful of sacks. I think it's both impacted by the lack of cap and your criticism is fair
The Wilf`s need to get representatives from every major and most minor religions and have a week long exorcism of the various curses that have come to define and destroy this team. Maybe starting with the kicker`s curse.... But it is one thing to be a garbage franchise (Detroit) where no hope is richly deserved.... But to play at least decently and then have the footballs gods dump all over you every time? Divine intervention is called for (and I am pretty agnostic)..
"The plus side to facing Seattle and Cleveland in the next two weeks is that we get to find out if there’s more there than what we thought." Well stated, Matthew. I believe there is more... BTW, your podcast with Brian Murphy was excellent! I enjoy his well thought out analysis. With that said, I'm still waiting for the analysis by our howling war daddy slayer Sirles. Or did he take a radio with him hunting for the Bengals fiasco and had a Life Flight ride out?
We cannot know the future, but we can endlessly talk about it. On a losing streak, the pressure builds with each game. Seattle isn't the team the Vikings want to face after a 0-2 start. However, the team looked better last Sunday. anything can happen.
We need a few of those breaks to go our way to even out the karma. Someone needs to miss a last second field goal, and someone else needs to fumble in overtime. 15 more games. The Cardinals game proves one thing. With this team, every game is winnable, no matter how tough the opponent or stadium. Just need to make that kick and its an entirely different story.
My bigger issue that is that kickers sometimes miss kicks, and coaches need to call games recognizing that reality. Yes, Cousins could have fumbled, been sacked or thrown a pick. Yes, Cook could have fumbled. But, does one want to go down with the stars who are being paid (or a home run 1st round pick) and around whom the team is built, or the guy who was out of the league the last two years and was 50/50 to be on the damn team in week 1? If there had been 5 seconds left, by all means kick. With 41 seconds and a TO, give yourself 2-3 chances to score a TD (or make the kick easier) and then try the kick if you need it. Zimmer took two or three extra chances to win the game and lit them on fire.
Being 0-2 is not good. However, there is nothing magical or predictive about a two game losing streak to start the year. Any two game losing streak makes the playoffs unlikely: https://twitter.com/StatsbyLopez/status/1439984622100754433
I’ve heard countless times that Cousin’s contract has been the biggest impediment to the team’s success and it was hard to argue. This year, however, we found $50M+ to spend on revamping the defense. While the D-line and LBs are better, the overall defense is terrible because the secondary can’t stop anyone. If money’s not the problem, and our head coach is a defensive guru (CB whisperer), how come it’s still a train wreck?
I think the connection to his contract is that $50M was spread over a bunch of players that nobody else in the league would pay for. They had to hope long(ish) shots all worked out. In total free agent spending, that also isn't that much. Not that I disagree on the matter of beefing up the defense and living up to those expectations. It's just that they couldn't afford a Trey Hendrickson, for example, and end up with hoping Wonnum/Weatherly/Griffen scrapes together a handful of sacks. I think it's both impacted by the lack of cap and your criticism is fair
The Wilf`s need to get representatives from every major and most minor religions and have a week long exorcism of the various curses that have come to define and destroy this team. Maybe starting with the kicker`s curse.... But it is one thing to be a garbage franchise (Detroit) where no hope is richly deserved.... But to play at least decently and then have the footballs gods dump all over you every time? Divine intervention is called for (and I am pretty agnostic)..
"The plus side to facing Seattle and Cleveland in the next two weeks is that we get to find out if there’s more there than what we thought." Well stated, Matthew. I believe there is more... BTW, your podcast with Brian Murphy was excellent! I enjoy his well thought out analysis. With that said, I'm still waiting for the analysis by our howling war daddy slayer Sirles. Or did he take a radio with him hunting for the Bengals fiasco and had a Life Flight ride out?
Thanks so much… Recording with Sirles today. He’ll be back each week. Glad you’re enjoying Brian’s contributions!