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Its a win. Against a NFCN opponent. Vikings were obviously the better team. But what a ho-hum game. Played well enough for the win, but could have played better. Not knocking going to 9-4 at all, but the game left me a little flat. Just my initial feel that's held firm thru this morning.
Going to be an interesting final 3 games as the Rams are playing well and breathing down Minnesota's neck. Viking still have control of their destiny, can't ask for more right now.
Not the big confidence booster I was hoping for. Vikings offense was flat, couldn't take advantage of several opportunities, and scored half as many points as they should have. This despite doing several things they typically do to generate offense in a close game, no-huddle, play action, etc.
Defense played well, but if this were Stafford I'm not sure we win. In the 1st half, the announcers said something about how the Vikings were only up 7-0 but it felt like they were up by 20. That was my feeling the whole game. Offense will have to play much better to get a win in LA next week.
I didn't get to see the game live, but just finished watching the highlights. It didn't seem like the game was in any doubt and I think the Vikes were in cruise mode. Had they kept the heat on they could have won by 30+.
I was more impressed the D played well... a couple of picks and 5 sacks. And no 4 TD game by Marvin Jones! 
it looked yesterday that KC and the O was playing not to lose, they seemed more concerned with no turnovers than they did with moving the chains at times. KC even said something to the effect in his post game interviews, they didnt want to give the lions a short field and put their D in a bad position.
I will say that Linval looked ( early on at least) to be playing a bit more inspired which should really help the LB and DBs if he can keep the effort up.
A yawner, we left with 5 mins to go. Its about what I expected...They did what they had to do, we've seen these boring, divisional games a million times. I'll take the low-style win every week.
Vikings stay alive for a dance tix, Rams and Bears in rear-view mirror.
Bear down Chicago Bears this week!!
Cousins was efficient and didn't take too many shots downfield, except for the one to Diggs before half. That was an important swing in the game... the defense got a big sack to make it a longer FG, the Lions miss it, and then we score a TD with under a minute to go.
Other than that, the offense played OK. The biggest problem I saw wasn't the passing game, it was the running game. We didn't get any explosive runs. Cook and Mattison each had a long run of 9 yards... that was the biggest issue on a day where we clearly wanted the running game to put it away in the 2nd half.
I saw at least 5 times where Kirk went Play Action, had a clean pocket, scanned the field and took the checkdown.
Folks, not having Thielen really hurts this Offense. When Diggs couldn't shake Slay, or was doubled, there just wasn't anyone else open for chunk gains.
I love Irv and really like Bisi, but they're Rookies. Treadwell is sorta similar to Bisi in that he's not going to burn you deep. They even took a shot with Hollis.
You can't double both Thielen and Diggs AND handle 3 Pass Catching TEs plus Cook. And you certainly can't keep your LBs that tight to the LOS.
Detroit, like a lot of teams not named the Vikings, has 2 legit DTs and good enough LBs to really give the running game problems. The chunk plays just weren't there to get them to stop focusing on the run.
You can question why Stefanski called so many deep shots when they clearly weren't working. Me personally, I love it. Keeps Kirk aggressive. Keeps Diggs happy. Keeps DCs on their toes. Keeps the team in rhythm, P which should make for a seamless integration for Adam when he comes back.
But I also love it because Kirk doesn't force it when it's not there. Nothing wrong at all with looking deep then hitting Bisi or Rudy for 5 yards. Forcing the issue and getting intercepted too many times will only result in Zimmer putting the muzzle back on the Offense.
I watched Shanahan running a similar scheme yesterday with WRs that aren't in the same league as Diggs and Thielen but with Kittle and lots of good weapons just annihilate the Saints. 9ers clearly have a better Line. Once Minnesota has the same caliber of Pass Protection (and 2 healthy stud WRs) plus a great RB this Offense will be near elite.
Quote: @FSUVike said:
I saw at least 5 times where Kirk went Play Action, had a clean pocket, scanned the field and took the checkdown.
Folks, not having Thielen really hurts this Offense. When Diggs couldn't shake Slay, or was doubled, there just wasn't anyone else open for chunk gains.
I love Irv and really like Bisi, but they're Rookies. Treadwell is sorta similar to Bisi in that he's not going to burn you deep. They even took a shot with Hollis.
Absolutely...
And the fact that Cousins is having this type of season without AT? Isn't appreciated enough by the fanbase.
Rookies Bisi + Smith in no way can make up for AT...
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
@ FSUVike said:
I saw at least 5 times where Kirk went Play Action, had a clean pocket, scanned the field and took the checkdown.
Folks, not having Thielen really hurts this Offense. When Diggs couldn't shake Slay, or was doubled, there just wasn't anyone else open for chunk gains.
I love Irv and really like Bisi, but they're Rookies. Treadwell is sorta similar to Bisi in that he's not going to burn you deep. They even took a shot with Hollis.
Absolutely...
And the fact that Cousins is having this type of season without AT? Isn't appreciated enough by the fanbase.
Rookies Bisi + Smith in no way can make up for AT...
I hear you and FSUVike, but injuries are no excuse. Look at what San Fran did and they've got a boatload of injuries.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
@ purplefaithful said:
@ FSUVike said:
I saw at least 5 times where Kirk went Play Action, had a clean pocket, scanned the field and took the checkdown.
Folks, not having Thielen really hurts this Offense. When Diggs couldn't shake Slay, or was doubled, there just wasn't anyone else open for chunk gains.
I love Irv and really like Bisi, but they're Rookies. Treadwell is sorta similar to Bisi in that he's not going to burn you deep. They even took a shot with Hollis.
Absolutely...
And the fact that Cousins is having this type of season without AT? Isn't appreciated enough by the fanbase.
Rookies Bisi + Smith in no way can make up for AT...
I hear you and FSUVike, but injuries are no excuse. Look at what San Fran did and they've got a boatload of injuries.
Who's making excuses?
The rooks are doing pretty good overall, but I'll bet they've hit that college wall too. They were non-factors in the passing game last week. Seattle had the personnel to shut them down pretty much.
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