What a game....what I liked/didn't like

[StickierBuns]

First off, 4-0 is almost surreal. Never ever considered it would be possible with Darnold preseason. Never. I'm elated. Let's start there.

What I liked:

• Darnold is playing so, so well. Most TDs thrown after 4 weeks? My god. To the Jets and Panthers, this Darnold is unrecognizable. But this is what people envisioned could be on Draft day. Kudos to Sam and KOC. And how about that athleticism? Throws on the run, evades pressures and scrambles for first downs. That's part of why he was the #3 overall pick.
  
• How awesome was that punch out forced fumble by Murphy? Seriously. Fuck yes. 
  
• Justin Jefferson is the best WRer in the NFL. Period. Double period. 
  
• Welcome back, Addison. I see you.
  
• This offensive line is pumping on all cylinders. It might not be the most talented individually, but its gelled and playing well as a unit mostly.
  
• Aaron Jones has been as advertised, excellent pickup.
  

What I didn't like:

• The 4th and goal call by KOC that should have ended the game. The field is slippery. I'm fine with going for it, don't take the run play wide on a Jet Sweep. Nailor slid. Sigh. Also, it was a bad placement by the refs as his knee didn't hit before he got the first.
  
• The D looked gassed and winded in the 2nd half. 
  
• The Nailor muffed punt. The absolute worst. Ugh. 
  
• Bad INT by Darnold when they should have scored. But QBs are going to throw picks....he hasn't done it often. Just not the place for a bad throw.
  

The first half was like this surreal dream....was it really happening? Then the same 'ol feeling came around in the 2nd half. But its a W and that's what's important.

[MaroonBells]

Addison man...I hate that he can be a bit of a fuckup off the field sometimes, but he is a WR1 on most teams. He's like another Diggs. The speed, head fakes, footwork, incredible hands.

Aaron Jones ran well, but I was a little frustrated how obvious it was the Vikings were giving Jones as many options as possible to score and show well in front of the cheese puffs. Hey Kevin, Ty Chandler can run the ball too, and is a threat to go the distance with every carry.

[Still Hurtn]

Love the bullet point format. 

Agreed about the 4th down play call. In the words of Rachel Zegler... weird weird

I watch the game at a sports bar no sound. Upon further review the interception was bobbled and not an int.

It looked like the Vikings checked out once they got a huge lead. 

Looking back I like how KOC put the ball in the hands of Darnold late in the 4th quarter. This mentality is what winnings teams do. I remember days of when the Vikings would run the ball 3 times and punt. 

4-0 with the easier part of the schedule coming up. Love it.

[MAD GAINZ]

Great points, Sticky. Really want to highlight a couple things... the punch out by Murphy was SWEET. I also noticed a number of guys going for that in the game on our defense. Looooove the emphasis on trying to force turnovers, it's one of those things that the great DCs teach their players. Don't just make the tackle, make the tackle and try to force a turnover.

My older son asked me during the game how good I thought Justin Jefferson was. I said he's the best player in the NFL. He said don't you mean best WR? I said no, he's the best player. Period. Double period.

Also, Kevin said it in his locker room speech... Aaron Jones has helped change the tune and culture in the locker room. He did it in Green Bay and he's doing it here. It's a totally overlooked aspect, but you need those leaders.

As far as the negatives, spot on. I thought KOC called a fantastic first half until the final drive. Clock management was poor, out PR Powell got dinged on 3rd down and then Nailor had to go in. Completely botched it. Punt return 101 is if you need to catch it by your helmet, you let it go. That was just an unfortunate little series that led to the Packers getting some life.

Then the offense couldn't get it going in the second half. Darnold seemed a little late on some throws like he wasn't trusting what he was seeing, whereas the first half the ball was coming out on time or he was extending the play and making the right run/throw.

Overall, great to win in Green Bay and get to 4-0. I coach youth football and I always tell the team it's great to win and still have room to improve. The Vikings are winning and still have some room to improve and will be getting another difference maker in Hockenson back in a few weeks.

BOOM

[Bullazin]

I had a gig so didn’t catch the 2nd half. Wasn’t it pretty much garbage time but got close because KOC tried to stay balanced/ aggressive in the pass game?

[StickierBuns]

I had a gig so didn’t catch the 2nd half.  Wasn’t it pretty much garbage time but got close because KOC tried to stay balanced/ aggressive in the pass game?

Somewhat, but Minnesota stopped them when they got the ball first in the 3rd....then Minnesota turned it over twice. I figured after Reichard hit the FG, the 9 point lead was going to probably do it, sans a successful onside kick. Minnesota also did a nice job of forcing GB to burn their 3 timeouts in the second half.

[MaroonBells]

Somewhat, but Minnesota stopped them when they got the ball first in the 3rd....then Minnesota turned it over twice. I figured after Reichard hit the FG, the 9 point lead was going to probably do it, sans a successful onside kick. Minnesota also did a nice job of forcing GB to burn their 3 timeouts in the second half.

That's interesting. Vikings did a good job with that against the 49ers too. I think all those close games in 22 and 23 have sharpened KOC's time management skills.

[StickierBuns]

Gabe Henderson
@GabeAHenderson
·
12h
The swagger & energy this #Vikings team is playing with is different than anything I’ve been around. Accountability + trust continues to show up week in & week out which is resulting in these wins.

Long season ahead but in the words of Kamu Grugier-Hill: “Vibes are high”
#SKOL

[pattersaur]

I had a gig so didn’t catch the 2nd half.  Wasn’t it pretty much garbage time but got close because KOC tried to stay balanced/ aggressive in the pass game?

We were continually faced with 3rd and short or 4th and short, typically near midfield, and with a lead we'd punt. It makes sense in a vacuum but our inability to line up and get a yard or two cost us last year and it's killing drives this year, though hasn't cost us any games yet. QB sneak is almost never called and the OL gets blown up in obvious running situations. It's frustrating for sure.

Otherwise, JJ made a huge play late to extend a drive, Jones had some nice chunk gains, and the defense forced enough turnovers while giving up huge yardage through the air to hang on.

Again, it all made sense on paper but overall just a very conservative approach in the second half that I don't think comes naturally to KO.

Josh Oliver I thought had a quietly nice game too, finishing by him calmly corralling the onside kick.

Byron Murphy- It was good to see him get some turnovers. Pretty sure he's dropped an INT in all three games prior to this one.

Dallas Turner- Did he play? I thought he was allegedly going to but I don't recall seeing him out there.

[mblack]

Somewhat, but Minnesota stopped them when they got the ball first in the 3rd....then Minnesota turned it over twice. I figured after Reichard hit the FG, the 9 point lead was going to probably do it, sans a successful onside kick. Minnesota also did a nice job of forcing GB to burn their 3 timeouts in the second half.

To me the fumble was what made it a nail biter. I thought we needed two scores in the second half to put the game beyond reach. It could have been field goals or touch downs. The fumble cost us a possession and the 4th and 1 call ... hmm. I get the reasoning (being aggressive and all) but the play selection what interesting.
All said, I am a very happy man today