The Vikings could lose in the first round of the playoffs this year, but with that said, this year doesn’t feel at all like 2022 (to me). For one thing, the Defense SUCKED in 2022 & Aaron Jones in 2024 is better than Dalvin Cook in 2022. Nobody expected the Vikings to start 9-2 this year, but they’re (clearly) not necessarily a SB contending team either. Agree winning the next 3 games at home is certainly do-able if Vikings can play more consistently.@handyman The point is all of the teams that they are about the play, each one is better than what they just played the last 4 games, except the Bears as we play the Bears one more time.
Yes, they absolutely can win most of these games when you look at in game by game. But in the aggregate if they keep playing like this there isn't going to be any 5-1 or 4-2, they need to step it up.
In 2022 we lost to a 9-7-1 in the first round at home. This season is starting to feel similar to that one.
These next 3 games are at home and would be big if they could start playing better and keep winning. Detroit has Chi, GB, Buf coming up.
I am not saying they are playing well or that they can afford to take anything for granted. I'm just saying they aren't playing murderers row here if they play even decent football they should get 3 wins.
Not even a Vikes fan (I do want them to succeed, b/c most my friends are Vikes' fans) and after their fast start (IIRC is was after week 5), a few weeks ago, I made a bet with a friend that they would have 12 wins this year. I think I'm good.
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.
IDK. Feels like the Vikings are not good in short yardage obvious running situations. The middle of the line doesn’t seems to get the push they need to be consistently good in those goal line type rushes and they seems to avoid running up the middle.Yeah that is what I meant...its not really going for it that is the issue it is the bad play call. Shotgun there makes zero sense you take away your advantage. Under center you have every tool in your arsenal and the D has to play for the QB or RB dive or the (stupidly allowed) tush push. In the shotgun there is almost zero chance you are running meaning they can spread the D out a bit and even blitz. Why make them ignore half the playbook when you need very little yardage?
Again I like aggressive play calls and going for the dagger but its about more than being aggressive. You have to put yourself in the best position to succeed and they did not. Darnold is at his best in play action and the threat to run is real as both RBs were getting good chunks of yardage. If you want to pass just call a play action pass under center and throw a high percentage throw. Make the defense react and put them on their heels.
But honestly we abandon the run way too fast when the clock is on our side so much I wonder why we even put the RBs in the game. So odd...
They need a more powerful center.
I wasn't suggesting they have to run though...they just need to make the defense think they might. That isn't happening in the shotgun.
I am not saying they are playing well or that they can afford to take anything for granted. I'm just saying they aren't playing murderers row here if they play even decent football they should get 3 wins.
3-3 for sure, agree 100%. They could play mediocre and figure a way to get that done, not disputing that.
My initial post on the topic was in response to a 5-1 or 4-2 run to close out the year. And to do that I believe they will need to step up their game. The play of the last 4 weeks won't get it done.
@bertogliat Running out of shotgun with any empty backfield made no sense, not even a little.
Regardless of how well it is perceived the Vikings are running in that situation (and they were running well that day), it is an 82% conversion rate in that situation, running on 4 & 1. It was dumb to essentially take the prospect of that off the table running out of shotgun with an empty backfield.
@bearpaw28 Cook rushed for 1173 in 22', Jones on pace for 1233. Jones will finish with about 10 more catches so he is producing a bit more there but otherwise very similar.
Yes, the stats might not be identical but the point is this years Vikings team is shaping up if they continue this play to be a team with a good record but could easily get bounced in the first round of the playoffs by a 9-8 type team.
Good news is that the last 5 weeks of mediocre play isn't the season and the playoffs don't start this week. If they can up their game down the stretch they can have the good record and be a tough team to beat.
@bertogliat Running out of shotgun with any empty backfield made no sense, not even a little.
Regardless of how well it is perceived the Vikings are running in that situation (and they were running well that day), it is an 82% conversion rate in that situation, running on 4 & 1. It was dumb to essentially take the prospect of that off the table running out of shotgun with an empty backfield.
Is that 82% conversion stat specific to the Vikings for rushing on 4th and 1? I think Aaron Jones goal line rush attempts have been a disaster this year.
@bertogliat League wide. But either way its a huge advantage even if the Vikes were a tick or two lower. Also, this wasn't goal line so the D can't sell out the same way.
Either way the point is, get Darnold under center where the Bears have to respect run and plan for that #1. The Vikes could have play actioned, rolled Darnold out, a lot of options that were off the table in the shotgun with no RB.
Daniel Jones to the Vikings, per sources.
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.
We got him! (on the practice squad)
Not a bad thing. I doubt he sees the field this season, but KOC has shown a remarkable ability to get the most out of "marginal" QBs. Let him run the scout team for the rest of the season while learning the playbook, and he should be a serviceable backup for JJ next year (and most likely better than Nick Mullens). Pretty much guarantees Darnold won't be back next year, but I think we all knew that anyway.Daniel Jones to the Vikings, per sources.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Aloha!
I wouldn't expect him to stay on the practice squad. But it make sense to start him there until he learns the offense. He said he wanted to sign with a play off contender. I doubt he signed with the Vikings to sit on the practice squad for the rest of the year.
Sam got dinged up last Sunday. That may have been enough to scare Kwesi to sign Jones.
I would imagine that Jones asked for the practice squad, that way he can sign somewhere else if a starter gets hurt.I wouldn't expect him to stay on the practice squad. But it make sense to start him there until he learns the offense. He said he wanted to sign with a play off contender. I doubt he signed with the Vikings to sit on the practice squad for the rest of the year.
Sam got dinged up last Sunday. That may have been enough to scare Kwesi to sign Jones.
Placing Jones on the practice squad (16 max) means he doesn't count against the max 53 active roster. As he learns the offense I suspect he will have a real chance to become the back up QB (over Mullins) at which point the Vikings would add Jones to the active roster and release or try to move Mullins to the practice squad (doing so would give any other team the chance to sign Mullins).
Maybe they got him to prep the defense for the playoffs. 🤣 @
This year's team is way more similar to the 2017 team then the team two years ago.
@collegehockeyaddict Agree, 2024 team is much more like the 2017 team than 2022. Both of those teams have/had a pretty good defense…the 2022 defense was leakier than the Somali navy! 🤣
KOC's offense is pure trash today. If it wasn't for the defense this game would be a blowout.
Keep calling long developing plays Kevin...Zona will blitz all day and kill us.
Arizona is blitzing constantly and the Vikings won’t try the screen play?
How about a slant or draw?
Better come up with something fast KOC...because Arizona's coaches are wiping the floor with you and the league is now seeing exactly how to beat your offense.
There ya go KOC! Some plays that were tempo and Zona had no answer! Amazing how changing things up can help.
19-13 Arizona.
Look what happens when he stops trying to show he’s the smartest guy in the room. 😉
Kyler Murray plays "500" and throws a dumb pick!
Jones is not having a good day.
Vikings defense cannot stop Zona now...not good.
If we lose this is all on the coaches. The gameplan was stupid from the jump and the adjustments came way too late.
Vikings drive (including a 4th down conversion) for a TD. Jones gets the catch this time!
23-22 but Zona has all the time in the world and 3 TOs.
SAM CLUTCH DARNOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too much time left.
Greenard with a sack (stripped the ball but Murray recovered) and then Murray is pressured on 3rd and is tackled in bounds.
4th and 10 with 40 seconds left and Zona down to 1 TO.
Murray throws another pick!
VIKINGS D gets the 4th down stop with a SHAQ GRIFFIN PICK!!!!!!!
GAME
SET
MATCH
SKOL VIKINGS LETS GO!!!!!!
10-2!!!!!!
The D should get a game ball...they bailed out the offense for 3/4 of the game.
And Darnold. That last drive was perfect!
Correction: This defense in the fourth quarter is shit.
I’ll take this one back now, too. They were great today.
If we lose this is all on the coaches. The gameplan was stupid from the jump and the adjustments came way too late.
Turns out it wasn’t too late Mr.Negativity
Jones is not having a good day.
He was just making the game interesting and setting it up for his game winning TD. 😉 😀
If we lose this is all on the coaches. The gameplan was stupid from the jump and the adjustments came way too late.
Turns out it wasn’t too late Mr.Negativity
Do you not understand what "If" means? If I was being "Mr. Negativity" I would have said "This loss". I held out hope they would come back but the playcalling sure wasn't great so not exactly sure what you are getting at. I never said they would lose just said if they do its on the coaches.
But go on with your bad self.
The Vikings last 3 possessions
6 plays, 70 yards, TD
9 plays, 55 yards, FG that would have been 68 yards, TD if Jones didn't drop a perfect pass in the end zone
8 plays, 70 yards, game winning TD
THAT IS THE DEFINTION OF BEING CLUTCH!!!!!!!
The Cardinals did a great job in the first half of going against their normal tendencies by blitzing a lot more than they usually do which helped them get key sacks and get off the field on third down.
The Vikings coaching staff made key adjustments at half time.
The Vikings had a nice drive to start the second half but unfortunately Parker Romo missed his first FG of the season (he is 11-12 for the season, 3 for 4 today) so they didn't get any points.
The offense line also played much better in the 2nd half.
10-2!
Three straight turnover free games by Darnold (not counting the fumble when Aaron Jones dropped a pitch that hit him in the hands against Tennessee). Either way no INTs and no times losing the ball even though he has been getting blind sided on sacks.
Kwesi, KOC, and Flores are cooking.