Quote: @purplefaithful said:
That last, 7+ minute drive was the most impressive of all of em...
Masterful play calling & player execution.
IT wont go down in history, but it was awful nice to see yesterday.
Yes....these are the things that win games...but tend to go unnoticed. Vikings could've done any number of things, from failing to execute, to scoring too quickly, to kicking a field goal instead of the TD plus the 2. But they did everything right, and left the Bears with very little time and either two or all three timeouts burned.
From an article: "The Vikings have trailed with less than 5 minutes remaining in three straight games and won each time."
Like everyone else I suspect, I want a blow out. But the Vikings are learning how to win close games, something they had so much trouble with last year.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
they go into a more run first mode when they get that early lead, I understand wanting to run the clock, but I think its more important to keep the ball than it is to chew clock. Cook wasnt overly successful mid game and thats when things stalled out and forced the longer FG attempts. Its just a tendency that I seem to think is a bit of a pattern.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
they go into a more run first mode when they get that early lead, I understand wanting to run the clock, but I think its more important to keep the ball than it is to chew clock. Cook wasnt overly successful mid game and thats when things stalled out and forced the longer FG attempts. Its just a tendency that I seem to think is a bit of a pattern.
This is not an accurate take for this game. Games past perhaps. First two possessions they ran 4 times and passes 7.
2nd half drives
Drive One: 3 runs/3passes (Score at the start of the drive 21-16)
Drive Two: 1 run/4 passes (Score at the start of the drive 21-19)
Drive Three: 9 runs one of which was a KC scramble and the other a QB sneak/8 passes.(Score at the start of the drive 21-22)
Quote: @bigbone62 said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
they go into a more run first mode when they get that early lead, I understand wanting to run the clock, but I think its more important to keep the ball than it is to chew clock. Cook wasnt overly successful mid game and thats when things stalled out and forced the longer FG attempts. Its just a tendency that I seem to think is a bit of a pattern.
This is not an accurate take for this game. Games past perhaps. First two possessions they ran 4 times and passes 7.
2nd half drives
Drive One: 3 runs/3passes (Score at the start of the drive 21-16)
Drive Two: 1 run/4 passes (Score at the start of the drive 21-19)
Drive Three: 9 runs one of which was a KC scramble and the other a QB sneak/8 passes.(Score at the start of the drive 21-22)
The Kirk scramble for the first was so big. Been begging for him to do that more for years so it was awesome to see him pull out the scamper at such a clutch moment.
I wonder if that was all Kirk or if KO/one of the other coaches got in Kirk’s ear about looking for that, either before the drive or before that snap even specifically. Regardless, great friggin play.
Quote: @Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
At that point in the game, I actually felt we weren't running enough. What made that last drive such a thing of beaut--that won the game, demoralized the Bears and used up so much of the clock? Balance. We passed 8 times and ran 9 times.
The missed FG, the shanked punt, and the blocked FG were big! Not sure if the ST unit got full of themselves, or if things just happened yesterday. I’m also not a big fan of ever returning a kick off out of the end zone. Seems like they never make it out past the 25. Might as well be a little more conservative and just take the yards.
Seemed the Vikings just didn’t hit on the plays offensively like they had early in the game.
I honestly thought they should have run the ball more at times. There were huge holes to run through early. Then that last drive, seemed like those holes were there again.
Obviously this team is a work in progress, but the defense gets gashed for big plays a lot. I’m not impressed at all with this new scheme. I see a lot of guys looking completely lost out there, and as bad as they look sometimes, the celebratory dances and poses look ridiculous. Just play defense and pose on the sideline after the punt.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
@ Wetlander said:
@ JimmyinSD said:
And then the O got zimmerish and things went to shit.
Huh? The offense was on fire to start... but did you think we were gonna score a TD every drive? The overall numbers were great... 12/15 on 3rd downs... Had 29 1st downs to the Bears 14 on offense. We ran 79 offensive plays to their 47 and outgained them 429 to 271. We dominated the time of possession. We missed two long FGs that really could have been difference makers in the final score and tone of the game, but the offense was moving the ball all day. We didn't have a single 3 and out all game.
The Vikings missed a long FG before half time, then had a drive stall out and we missed another long FG in the 3rd quarter, and Cousins threw a pick on the next series. Despite some mid game adversity they found a way to not only score to take the lead... They did it with a 17 play 75 yard drive that took a ton of time off the clock and scored a TD and 2 pt conversion to put them back up by a score with less than 2 minutes remaining. The offense isn't Bills dominant, but they are really good. We've scored 28, 28, and 29 points since the Eagles game. If we keep doing that, we're gonna win a lot more games.
they got the lead, and then went a lot more conservative on the play calling until they had lost the lead and then they dialed it back up again. thats what happened under Zimmer as well, he would get a 2 score lead and then would change the offensive script that would slow down the O. We have seen the same thing with KOC this season, we start trying to run more and get away from what was working and as such become more predictable (not nearly as bad as Zimmer, but I see the same tendency to take the foot off the gas)
Did we go more conservative or did we just not have the same results as the opening three drives? I felt like the Vikings stayed aggressive all game, we just didn't capitalize on two drives that ended in FG tries, had an interception on another, and punted one time all game (was a bad punt, his first bad one all year).
I feel like we're projecting here... the offense is a lot different than what we ran under Zimmer.
At that point in the game, I actually felt we weren't running enough. What made that last drive such a thing of beaut--that won the game, demoralized the Bears and used up so much of the clock? Balance. We passed 8 times and ran 9 times.
For sure, the past couple games I feel like there are points where we are having so much success throwing, we feel the need to keep doing it one drive too many... but luckily O'Connell is smart enough to recognize when we need to lean on Dalvin to get things back on track. And yes, that last drive was a thing of beauty. I kept thinking... we're going to keep bleeding time off and score a TD here. Just felt it. Glad we put an exclamation point on the end of that game.
BOOM
Special Teams was the reason this game was close. That 1/3rd of the team failed big time yesterday.
Joseph should be making 50 yard field goals, rarely do we have them blocked
That shanked punt put an NFL offense at midfield, regardless of the defense, you are going to give up points when you spot them 40 yards.
That's 9, potentially a 13 point difference.
Special teams play has been fantastic but yesterday it almost cost us the game.
Another game where the team is WINNING but not firing on all cylinders or for all 4 quarters. That is promising, because when they do, they will be a hard team for anyone to beat
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