Once bitten, twice shy?

[StickyBun]

I'm really not trying to be negative.....and I will fully acknowledge this may be a case of 'past performance is not an indicator of future results'.....but I have a bad feeling about the rest of the season. I think every game the rest of the way is going to be closer than it should and the Vikings might lose a few more than we think. 

Just sayin'. Its my current mood. Maybe some Midol is required?

[Guest]

Well, 50 plus years of the other shoe dropping could be clouding your judgement...

[Guest]

No, that dark cloud is hanging over all of us and we probably are having the exact same thoughts.

[Guest]

If they get AT for the post-season and DC back, I'm bullish about this team...

I see 12 wins, maybe 11.

They're not a top 2 team in the NFC, but they're close and showed a lot of resiliency vs seahawks. 

[Guest]

Based on our Viking history and the images of the defense getting totally manhandled the other night, I definitely have the same feelings.  However, if you think about it, we could not have played worse on defense and were playing in one of the toughest places to play on a Monday night and we had 58 yards and 3 minutes to win the game.  If Cousins takes his time and sees Mattison we may be talking about how this team could get a #1 seed.  

I think we beat Detroit and the Bears, because our defense shouldn't get steamrolled by them, however the Packers and the Chargers will be a push.  There is something special about this offense, it is not 98 special of course, but something seems to be clicking with them, there are a lot of weapons and as guys like Smith, Mattison and Bisi continue to develop it will only get better, not to mention an improved Treadwell.  It's like a lot of our teams from the past where we had really good offenses and couldn't stop anyone.  Should be exciting football down the stretch, but defense is not likely to step up like we need them to.  

[Guest]

@JR44 said:
Based on our Viking history and the images of the defense getting totally manhandled the other night, I definitely have the same feelings.  However, if you think about it, we could not have played worse on defense and were playing in one of the toughest places to play on a Monday night and we had 58 yards and 3 minutes to win the game.  If Cousins takes his time and sees Mattison we may be talking about how this team could get a #1 seed.  

I think we beat Detroit and the Bears, because our defense shouldn't get steamrolled by them, however the Packers and the Chargers will be a push.  There is something special about this offense, it is not 98 special of course, but something seems to be clicking with them, there are a lot of weapons and as guys like Smith, Mattison and Bisi continue to develop it will only get better, not to mention an improved Treadwell.  It's like a lot of our teams from the past where we had really good offenses and couldn't stop anyone.  Should be exciting football down the stretch, but defense is not likely to step up like we need them to.  

That's thing...  I feel really confident about our offense.  If Zimmer can get the defense playing well again, this team definitely has the pieces to make a run.  Hopefully we can start playing our best team football in December and carry it into the playoffs.

[Guest]

Oh great now I have that fucking Great White song in my head damn it.

[Guest]

@"BarrNone55" said:
Well, 50 plus years of the other shoe dropping could be clouding your judgement...

Shoe hell...
Try a piano and I've been Daffy Duck all along.

[Guest]

It's all about the Line play. Both Lines.

When the O-Line pass protects the scheme maximizes Cousins' strengths and they can put up 30 on anyone. When they don't Dalvin has to be effective regardless of whether he has room to run or not.

Screens, boots, waggles and draws have helped Minnesota manufacture offense when the Line is struggling against a good Defense. And the Line has struggled against crap Defenses with 1 or 2 really good DEs or DTs. The problem is that teams see enough of that misdirectionearly in a game they can start to scheme to take it away.

IF the O-Line has a good day in pass pro the Vikings can drop 30 on any team. Maybe more when Thielen gets back. The problem is whether that would be enough points to win.

The D-Line is just as crucial the remainder of the season as the O-Line. If they can't consistently generate a pass rush without blitzing most teams are going to hang 28+ points on the board if they have a decent QB.

IF the D-Line can get more natural pressure just a little more often some of those breaks turn into bends. FGs instead of TDs. Punts instead of FGs.

The margin for error is razor thin. Penalties killing or extending drives and TOs have to be minimized to have a realistic chance. But a clean game WITH good enough Pass Pro and Pass Rush will allow Minnesota to beat anyone, anywhere. 

I personally think they go 3-1 the rest of the way. Not sure if it's SD, GB or the Bears who beat them as it is impossible to predict how both Lines will play.  They've done well against good teams and looked bad against crappy teams and vice versa. Just don't see enough consistency to predict they will win out.

The Playoffs are a complete crapshoot this year.  I honestly believe a Wildcard Team from the NFC can make it to the Superbowl.  Whether that team is the Vikings remains to be seen.

[Guest]

I can help with that....

3 of our remaining 4 in the Bank. 3rd string UDFA up next. After that, Rivers, who has thrown 5 times as many picks as Kirk Cousins in the same amount of games, and has been sacked 26 times. If he's not benched (hope and pray that he's not) that will be a defense-gets-right game. Then the revenge game against the Packers at home--a team we dominated for three quarters. 11 straight 3 or 4 and outs. And, with any luck at all, we'll be fully healthy then. And LaFleur's offense will not be a surprise to anyone. Then the Bears and, if he's not benched again, Mitch Trubisky for the title and a bye. 

I figured we'd drop one more of these, but looking closer, I'm not so sure.