https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2024/12/9/24316670/sam-darnold-vikings-nfl-saquon-barkley-eagles
Kirk Cousins (2020): 349-for-516 (67.6%), 4,265 yds (8.3 ypa), 35 TD, 13 INT — 107.4 rating
Sam Darnold (2024 — projected): 345-for-505 (68.4%), 4,314 yds (8.5 YPA), 37 TD, 13 INT — 108.1 rating
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily. This is an organization that has captured lightning in a bottle, and if they decide to let that go into the ether, they better be damn sure McCarthy can be every bit as productive out of the gate, or it will go down as one of the worst quarterback decisions in recent memory.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/j-j-mccarthy/32004d43-4318-9531-b3f5-120a14383239
He’s fairly poised in the pocket but is average as a pocket passer. His ball placement and timing need to improve to help mitigate an average operation time due to a windup release. McCarthy doesn’t seek to play out of structure but is fairly consistent at making positive plays when it happens and ramps up his focus late in games and on third downs. He is confident and seems to have the ability to take slights and digest it as competitive fuel. McCarthy should continue to improve as a passer, but he fails to stand out in many of the areas that tend to be predictive of top-level success in the NFL.
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-scouting-report-jj-mccarthy-michigan
Weaknesses
The biggest area of concern for McCarthy is his accuracy when throwing outside of the numbers. On such pass attempts, he recorded a 27.1% uncatchable throw rate, ranking 48th out of 105 eligible FBS quarterbacks.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
the further problem with the analogy is Kirk was successful to degree at multiple places and over multiple years. Remains to be seen what the Darnold market will be but it seems he’s likely playing himself out of playing at a place that’s going to want to try their hand with their rookie qb or another retread if he’s not ready for another year, not dump a long term deal on him and essentially relegate JJ to not playing on his rookie deal
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
the further problem with the analogy is Kirk was successful to degree at multiple places and over multiple years. Remains to be seen what the Darnold market will be but it seems he’s likely playing himself out of playing at a place that’s going to want to try their hand with their rookie qb or another retread if he’s not ready for another year, not dump a long term deal on him and essentially relegate JJ to not playing on his rookie deal
If figures that the Vikings finally draft what could be a franchise guy, he gets injured for the entire season, and his replacement (a less than competent highly drafter starter) is now lighting the league on fire.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They could have kept Cousins, in fact they were working on it and Atlanta outbid them and the Vikes finally said No. Darnold won't be as expensive as what Kirk got with ATL or as expensive as what the Vikes were working on getting done.
As far as the Stats, that was Cousins best season not some sort of average here in MN. Darnold is 27.
Remember that ATL apparently tampered with Curt. And for that to happen, Curt was willing to break the rules to talk to ATL before he was allowed to. Curt wanted out of MN, so I'm not sure the Vikings could have kept Cousins. Also remember Curt was coming off a torn Achilles, so the risk was extremely high and not worth the money ATL was willing to foot.They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They could have kept Cousins, in fact they were working on it and Atlanta outbid them and the Vikes finally said No. Darnold won't be as expensive as what Kirk got with ATL or as expensive as what the Vikes were working on getting done.
As far as the Stats, that was Cousins best season not some sort of average here in MN. Darnold is 27.
Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
@bertogliat Agree. Just stating that the Vikes were absolutely entertaining bringing him back.
Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
The Vikings just got a "free" year with Darnold on their team getting to see what they could have first hand. If he signed a 3 year deal, he would begin his 4th year with the Vikes at age 30, that is how old Cousins was when he began his first with the Vikes. So right out of the gate not a lot of "Similarities." The Vikes took a shot on Cousins and a lot of money a year after a championship game.
QB prime years are considered to be 27-30 and then the really good ones are going to extend that well into their 30s. The Vikes would get Darnold for all of that, 27-30.
There will be such a drop off in play next year with JJ. Even in a best case scenario he would be 3-4 years way from this level of play.
No, the best case scenario is that McCarthy is already better than Darnold with even more room to improve. I don’t know how realistic that is, but nobody thought it was realistic to expect Darnold to have better numbers than Cousins did.Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
The Vikings just got a "free" year with Darnold on their team getting to see what they could have first hand. If he signed a 3 year deal, he would begin his 4th year with the Vikes at age 30, that is how old Cousins was when he began his first with the Vikes. So right out of the gate not a lot of "Similarities." The Vikes took a shot on Cousins and a lot of money a year after a championship game.
QB prime years are considered to be 27-30 and then the really good ones are going to extend that well into their 30s. The Vikes would get Darnold for all of that, 27-30.
There will be such a drop off in play next year with JJ. Even in a best case scenario he would be 3-4 years way from this level of play.
It also doesn't matter if you have Darnold through his "prime" if even at his prime, he isn't good enough to win with.
Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
The Vikings just got a "free" year with Darnold on their team getting to see what they could have first hand. If he signed a 3 year deal, he would begin his 4th year with the Vikes at age 30, that is how old Cousins was when he began his first with the Vikes. So right out of the gate not a lot of "Similarities." The Vikes took a shot on Cousins and a lot of money a year after a championship game.
QB prime years are considered to be 27-30 and then the really good ones are going to extend that well into their 30s. The Vikes would get Darnold for all of that, 27-30.
There will be such a drop off in play next year with JJ. Even in a best case scenario he would be 3-4 years way from this level of play.
Isn't it just a likely that Sam takes a step back next year? He has done this, so far, only this season. He has never looked like this previously. I think the odds are just as likely that he takes a step back closer to his career averages. He has never had a team around him as talented as this, so I don't know that the drop off is as severe... He was also motivated to prove he has a career in the NFL. Is he as motivated when he isn't as hungry?
Maybe I am jaded by watching what has happened with nearly all the long term deals in the NHL, especially those on my favorite NHL team... Not a fan of a long term deal based on ONE season results.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They could have kept Cousins, in fact they were working on it and Atlanta outbid them and the Vikes finally said No. Darnold won't be as expensive as what Kirk got with ATL or as expensive as what the Vikes were working on getting done.
As far as the Stats, that was Cousins best season not some sort of average here in MN. Darnold is 27.
That's not the bargaining chip you think it as we compare career stats:
PLAYER CMP% AVG/A TD INT TD/INT RTG Darnold 61.3 7 91 66 1.38 83.6 Cousins 66.9 7.6 287 125 2.30 97.4
As far as cautionary tales we don't have to go that far back to look at Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz and Deshawn Watson just to name a few.
Again I was perfectly on board with them moving on from Cousins and recognize that Darnold has been killing it this year, but it's nothing close to a slam-dunk decision either way what they'll do with Darnold.
No, the best case scenario is that McCarthy is already better than Darnold with even more room to improve. I don’t know how realistic that is, but nobody thought it was realistic to expect Darnold to have better numbers than Cousins did.Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
The Vikings just got a "free" year with Darnold on their team getting to see what they could have first hand. If he signed a 3 year deal, he would begin his 4th year with the Vikes at age 30, that is how old Cousins was when he began his first with the Vikes. So right out of the gate not a lot of "Similarities." The Vikes took a shot on Cousins and a lot of money a year after a championship game.
QB prime years are considered to be 27-30 and then the really good ones are going to extend that well into their 30s. The Vikes would get Darnold for all of that, 27-30.
There will be such a drop off in play next year with JJ. Even in a best case scenario he would be 3-4 years way from this level of play.
It also doesn't matter if you have Darnold through his "prime" if even at his prime, he isn't good enough to win with.
Well your best case scenario is almost impossible, if that meant McCarthy already being better than Darnold next season? I mean the kid was an average pocket passer, that needs to work on arm strength and passing outside the numbers. The data says QBs hit their peak needing 5 years of experience. So sure the Vikes can get that clock started but in an absolute best case scenario he is a few years away from this level of production. Worst case he doesn't pan out and its about a coin flip.
According to the research, first-round quarterbacks hit at a rate of 46 percent, with 26 being hits and 30 being misses.
Right now the top 10 rated passers in the NFL are 26 or older.
26 - 2
27 - 3
28 - 1
29 - 1
30 - 1
31 -
32 -
33 - 1
Darnold is proving he is very good with the Vikings and is good enough to win, we are seeing it first hand. So as a 27 year old it very much matters that he is entering prime years. The questions becomes do they think he can sustain this.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They could have kept Cousins, in fact they were working on it and Atlanta outbid them and the Vikes finally said No. Darnold won't be as expensive as what Kirk got with ATL or as expensive as what the Vikes were working on getting done.
As far as the Stats, that was Cousins best season not some sort of average here in MN. Darnold is 27.
That's not the bargaining chip you think it as we compare career stats:
PLAYER CMP% AVG/A TD INT TD/INT RTG Darnold 61.3 7 91 66 1.38 83.6 Cousins 66.9 7.6 287 125 2.30 97.4As far as cautionary tales we don't have to go that far back to look at Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz and Deshawn Watson just to name a few.
Again I was perfectly on board with them moving on from Cousins and recognize that Darnold has been killing it this year, but it's nothing close to a slam-dunk decision either way what they'll do with Darnold.
Totally agree nothing is a slam dunk. Just wild (how this season is shaping up) that this is happening and there almost seems like there is no level of play Darnold can put out at this point where its a no brainer to bring him back.
And even if everything goes to plan with JJ and he develops nicely, he's going to need to be paid in 3-4 years and we are right back in this spot!
According to the research, first-round quarterbacks hit at a rate of 46 percent, with 26 being hits and 30 being misses.
This is likely because often they are put in bad situations (a really bad team, not many offensive weapons to throw to, a bad offense line and/or a coach who was just hired who therefore is just starting the process of developing his system/culture with the team). This would not the case for McCarthy if he becomes the starter next year.
Darnold is proving he is very good with the Vikings and is good enough to win, we are seeing it first hand. So as a 27 year old it very much matters that he is entering prime years. The questions becomes do they think he can sustain this.
Totally agree this is the key question.
Totally agree nothing is a slam dunk. Just wild (how this season is shaping up) that this is happening and there almost seems like there is no level of play Darnold can put out at this point where its a no brainer to bring him back.
I think this is still developing. The past four games might have been a turning point. How he has responded to the 3 pick game has been YERY impressive 11 TDs no picks.
Time will tell and the next month-6 weeks will likely provide more key information that will play into the final decision.
Just like last off season was interesting to see how things would play out with Cousins this off season will be interesting to see how things play out with Darnold.
They couldn't keep Cousins at what he wanted to get paid, and Darnold has absolutely risen to the occasion so far, but he's ahead of Cousins by an average of 1.77% on the listed stats. A bit of hyperbole here:
Essentially what we’re seeing is Darnold beating Cousins’ best season in Minnesota, and doing so fairly easily.
Hopefully as the lights get brighter and brighter down the stretch and into the playoffs Darnold continues his amazing run.
They could have kept Cousins, in fact they were working on it and Atlanta outbid them and the Vikes finally said No. Darnold won't be as expensive as what Kirk got with ATL or as expensive as what the Vikes were working on getting done.
As far as the Stats, that was Cousins best season not some sort of average here in MN. Darnold is 27.
That's not the bargaining chip you think it as we compare career stats:
PLAYER CMP% AVG/A TD INT TD/INT RTG Darnold 61.3 7 91 66 1.38 83.6 Cousins 66.9 7.6 287 125 2.30 97.4As far as cautionary tales we don't have to go that far back to look at Daniel Jones, Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz and Deshawn Watson just to name a few.
Again I was perfectly on board with them moving on from Cousins and recognize that Darnold has been killing it this year, but it's nothing close to a slam-dunk decision either way what they'll do with Darnold.
Totally agree nothing is a slam dunk. Just wild (how this season is shaping up) that this is happening and there almost seems like there is no level of play Darnold can put out at this point where its a no brainer to bring him back.
And even if everything goes to plan with JJ and he develops nicely, he's going to need to be paid in 3-4 years and we are right back in this spot!
I mean you guys are arguing 2 totally different pathways, which is the point and why teams are in love with rookie contracts for QBs. The expectation is that JJ would be a step down in "right now" QB play. But is the step down worth $25mil in cap space that it will likely take for Sam (his contract is 10 mil but they have it broken out into a multiyear payment to him for 5/yr) to stay? They seem to really like this roster right now but the cap hits for some guys really jump over the next 2 years (JJ: 8-->15-->39; Hock: 7-->16-->21; Darrisaw: 6-->10-->23; Philips: 5-->9; Greenard: 5-->22; Van Ginkel: 3-->12;) and you've got some guys due for paydays like Bynum and what you're doing with Murphy and Jones. You will lose some of them if you're signing this deal so it's opportunity cost and if you like what you think you will have with JJ, you give him the reins unless you can get a cheap QB on a 1 year deal again. That's how they've assembled the contracts (I just looked at all this and it's pretty clear that's how Kwesi viewed it)
and yes I acknowledge the total cap is different next year, but it’s a hefty increase over the 3 years for many guys
Look, we don't need to do a deep dive into stats we can just go by what we know. It is more likely JJ won't be ready to start 17 games next year than he will be and there is going to be a LOT of growing pains. I know rehab is going well but he wasn't slated to start this year and now you are adding a year of not playing on top of that. (he barely got training camp) If you roll with JJ you have to accept the fact that you likely are not going to be in contention in any way and probably won't be a playoff team either. I know some will argue that isn't the case, but we likely are predicted to win the same 6.5 games we were picked to win this year because he is young and very inexperienced.
I don't think Sam is as good as his numbers, I think this is a case where we have the right guy and the right system/players around him. Not a knock on him in any way he has earned all of the praise and the contract he is about to get. I think it is totally fair to look at his past and be worried he will regress, but it is also true he never had coaches or a team around him anywhere close to this and that is a factor as well. If Mullen was playing right now we would not be 11-2 or anywhere close to it so Sam is obviously better than a backup QB.
So the question is, would you rather keep Sam around for a couple years and see or would you take a chance with JJ? (or Daniel Jones) Me...at this point I say Sam if the contract isn't stupid and is only locked in for 3 years. (add in options if you like) Even if he regresses some, I think he will put us in a better position next year to be a contender than JJ does.
And the thing that is lost in all of this is...its not like if we sign Sam we have to cut JJ. He is on his rookie deal he is going nowhere and not getting overpaid anyways. Is that a lot of cash to have locked up in QB, of course but that is the nature of the game. If this year was a fluke then you have JJ ready to go in no worse a position than he will be game 1 next year. (and likely in a better position to be honest) If someone like LV or Cleveland (no idea their cap situation) wants to overpay let them, but if he takes a Mayfield type deal then the Vikes should take it. I think he and KOC work well together and I think as long as we have elite receivers and a halfway decent OLine we will put him in the right spot to succeed and he has the skills to make that work. We dont need Pat Mahomes, we just need a better Cousins.
(as always, things can change though)
It is an interesting topic to discuss, dealing with highest profile in sports. I mean a top 10 pick at QB is a lot of draft capital and then in the same exact season hitting a home run on a young FA, former #3 pick. And the team record is 11-2.
Just don’t make a Scott Mitchell like decision. To me he will always be the “throw bags of money at shiny things based on emotion” QB signing.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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We have three relatively young QBs that are top 10 picks. I wonder when this has ever happened in the NFL.
To steal Jim Harbaugh's saying "Who has it better than us?" 😀
Cousins is the poster boy for why you shouldn't pay above average quarterbacks $30M+ a year.
Darnold be very similar to Cousins isn't really much of a positive
The Vikings just got a "free" year with Darnold on their team getting to see what they could have first hand. If he signed a 3 year deal, he would begin his 4th year with the Vikes at age 30, that is how old Cousins was when he began his first with the Vikes. So right out of the gate not a lot of "Similarities." The Vikes took a shot on Cousins and a lot of money a year after a championship game.
QB prime years are considered to be 27-30 and then the really good ones are going to extend that well into their 30s. The Vikes would get Darnold for all of that, 27-30.
There will be such a drop off in play next year with JJ. Even in a best case scenario he would be 3-4 years way from this level of play.
Isn't it just a likely that Sam takes a step back next year? He has done this, so far, only this season. He has never looked like this previously. I think the odds are just as likely that he takes a step back closer to his career averages. He has never had a team around him as talented as this, so I don't know that the drop off is as severe... He was also motivated to prove he has a career in the NFL. Is he as motivated when he isn't as hungry?
Maybe I am jaded by watching what has happened with nearly all the long term deals in the NHL, especially those on my favorite NHL team... Not a fan of a long term deal based on ONE season results.
It's possible that Sam takes a step back next year? But its a guess there is no way to know. The fact that he has been so consistent this year 11/13 games over a 100 passer rating, would be back with the same coaches, players, team, ect. I don't think that it is a stretch to believe he could continue this ballpark of play. What he is doing in the pocket, his arm, his accuracy that is all talent he has. It would really come down to the decision making. His 2nd year in Carolina he had a 92.6 rating, 7 TDs and 3 pics on a shortened injury year. Same year he was there with Mayfield, who struggled a lot. Now both are enjoying some success in much better environments.
This isn't a Case Keenum scenario where he is out there just chucking the ball around and getting lucky and then the luck runs out. (9 out of 17 games passer rating was well below 100).
I believe you can make a more educated guess on Darnold and what you have. JJ is speculation until you start to see his NFL game, there is just no way to know and that is bad or great.
Regarding the Darnold contract situation, I’ll just reiterate that I’m happy I’m not the one making the decision this offseason.
Let’s make a Super Bowl run in the meantime.
Here's what Darnold thinks of you guys comparing him to Curt(there's a couple bad words. Sorry if that's not ok)-
Rich Eisen, who loves JJ, said we skittles sign Darnold and keep JJ on a Jarod Love like scenario. Didntbsee that coming.
Rich Eisen, who loves JJ, said we skittles sign Darnold and keep JJ on a Jarod Love like scenario. Didntbsee that coming.
I have no idea what any of this means, "skittles" (should?) being the least confusing component. 🤣
He's saying keep Darnold, let JJ sit on the bench and learn, like Packers did with Rodgers/Love.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Thank you for the translation.He's saying keep Darnold, let JJ sit on the bench and learn, like Packers did with Rodgers/Love.
I partly expected a gif from Airplane.
He's saying keep Darnold, let JJ sit on the bench and learn, like Packers did with Rodgers/Love.
My bad - I for some reason read that as referring to the other JJ and it threw me completely off.
Yeah posting from my phone does me no favors. Eisen is a huge Michigan guy (and a Jets fan so he is not exactly Darnold's biggest fan) who loves JJ because he brought them a title and so on believes but that because he is so young and under a rookie deal the Vikings really would be idiots not to offer Darnold a Mayfield style deal and keep him so JJ can spend a couple years really learning how to play in the NFL and get ready. Eisen of course works for NFL Network and has his own show.
Sorry for the word salad from my phone.
Thankfully they don’t have to make this decision until the entire season plays out. Franchise tagging him for 1 season at about $40 mil is also an option. We could also sign him to a backloaded 3 yr 90ish deal and then trade him after the first year. Jones in the mix also makes it interesting. If he likes it here and they like him they could offer him a deal similar to what Darnold took this year.
I also don’t see good options out there for Darnold. The Raiders are career killers and the Giants are a mess. The Browns could be an option if not for Watsons contract dragging them down. They’ll end up with Winston starting Week 1 next year.
Randy Mah's illness is reportedly liver cancer. 🙁
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
His son is refuting it, but who knows maybe that is just an effort to keep it private. Either way, it sounds like Larry Fitzgerald Sr. is a dickhead.
His son is refuting it, but who knows maybe that is just an effort to keep it private. Either way, it sounds like Larry Fitzgerald Sr. is a dickhead.
Yes he is. Gopher Football fans are not big on him...
Thankfully they don’t have to make this decision until the entire season plays out. Franchise tagging him for 1 season at about $40 mil is also an option. We could also sign him to a backloaded 3 yr 90ish deal and then trade him after the first year. Jones in the mix also makes it interesting. If he likes it here and they like him they could offer him a deal similar to what Darnold took this year.
I also don’t see good options out there for Darnold. The Raiders are career killers and the Giants are a mess. The Browns could be an option if not for Watsons contract dragging them down. They’ll end up with Winston starting Week 1 next year.
Even in a backloaded deal I believe there would still be repercussions & dead cap the Vikes would have to eat if he were traded. I could be wrong.
It seems like Franchise tagging him might be the best option if you bring him back. If he was onboard with that, even better. If he repeats this year and/or is even better, you have your guy to commit to long term. If there is a drop in play & team success you move on and JJ is your guy.
On a separate topic but related to cap. As much credit as Kwesi deserves right now, one thing he is going to have to do is draft better. The Vikings have hardly any draft picks on the field from the last three draft classes. Obviously Jordan Addison has been a huge success.
His first draft, 2022 was a complete disaster. 2023 netted Addison which is a huge win otherwise nothing else to show. 2024 still out, hopefully Dallas Turner will figure it out and Reichard is solid if healthy.
But regardless 3 years of drafting you need way more of your picks out on the field playing.
The entire D is built on FA and that will be difficult to sustain.
There have certainly been some misses in the draft but there has also been some horrible luck. Lewis Cine MAJOR injury, McCarthy season ending injury, and CB Khyree Jackson death.
TJ Hockenson while not drafted by Kwesi is basically a Kwesi 2nd round draft pick since that is what he traded to get him along with a later round draft pick(s) swap.
Ivan Pace was signed out of college as an undrafted player so while not a draft selection it is the same or even better.
The issue with relying on signing quite a few free agents is you normally have to pay more (since they are free agents) for these players. Kwesi got these key free agents signed at very team friendly deals.
Getting way, WAY out over my skis... I was talking with a co-worker who was convinced as long as the Vikings beat the Lions, they would be the #1 seed... While I was saying that should be a throw away game for the Vikings if they were one game behind the Lions going into it.
Assuming they both win-out (except the Lions losing to the Vikings) They would both be 15-2. Both be 1-1 in head to head. Both be 5-1 in the Division, both be 9-2 in the conference. What are the tie breakers after that? I thought point differential... but maybe not? S.O.S.?
The Lions have such a gap on point differential that I assume we wouldn't be able to get past that. For strength of schedule, the only different teams are DET played TB (7-6) and DAL (5-8) while MIN played NYJ (3-10) and SF (6-7). A 12-14 vs a 9-17. A lot could change in the next few weeks, but I am guessing it is unlikely they will overcome that deficit either.
I don't know but maybe the corresponding AFC division record?
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
So as of right now, unless the vikings get help, they cannot get 1st place in the NFC or NFC North.
If they won out to the final week, and then the vikings beat the lions: Head to head would be tied. Division would be Tied. Common games, the Lions have the vikings.
In common games, the Vikings lost to the Rams while the Lions beat the Rams.
The Lions loss was to TB which was not a common opponent.
The Lions could lose to the Bills (not a common opponent), but I don't see them losing to the Bears or 49ers.
I guess we should all be big Bills fans this weekend.
So as of right now, unless the vikings get help, they cannot get 1st place in the NFC or NFC North.
If they won out to the final week, and then the vikings beat the lions: Head to head would be tied. Division would be Tied. Common games, the Lions have the vikings.
In common games, the Vikings lost to the Rams while the Lions beat the Rams.
The Lions loss was to TB which was not a common opponent.
The Lions could lose to the Bills (not a common opponent), but I don't see them losing to the Bears or 49ers.
I guess we should all be big Bills fans this weekend.
Yes, it will be hard to beat them if records are tied at season end. If the 49ers (at home) win tonight over the Rams they will very much still be in the mix for their division. Detroit will be a big favorite against them regardless in a couple of weeks but its a road game.
If the Vikes have no way of catching them on the final Sunday then you 100% treat it as a bye assuming no one can catch you from behind.
Looked up the games for Sunday, and MN is indeed getting the BUF-DET game on tv. I figured as much, but had to make sure.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
If Seattle loses or ties against Green Bay the Vikings clinch a playoff spot.
So tonight either the Vikings clinch a playoff spot or the Packers lose. Either way Vikings fans have something to enjoy. 😀
I hate Seattle fans...I lived in Seattle when they won THE SB. Only fans worse I have dealt with are Philly fans.
Well the season is officially all Teed up for the Vikes as they enter the last 4 games. If they win out they would receive the top seed and 1st round bye. Detroit has the same opportunity if they win their last 3.
If the playoffs started today the Vikes would go to LA to face the Rams in the first round. Then to Det, then to Phily. Would be their road if all the high seeds played out. All on the road, Rams, Det, Phily. That would be quite the challenge.
If you can secure the top seed. Two home games, Bye, Tampa, Det/Phily
That is quite a stark difference in going 15-2 or 14-3.
The tone is gradually shifting with each December win from "The Vikings have a plan set in place and can't steer from it" to "the Vikings haven't ruled out signing Darnold next year."
I believe the franchise tag is more and more likely to becoming the way.