Jags game/NFL observations

[PurplePorsche]

The Vikings had like 410 yards of offense.....it wasn't KOC's play calling. Minnesota dominated time of possession, most TOP by any team in any game this year so far in the league. It was 3 redzone INTs, period. Not sure why you'd go to blaming KOC here? But I will agree that KOC has lost trust in Darnold, how could he not? At some point, you have to turtle up from a game plan perspective a bit in the 4th to avoid another ridiculous and demoralizing redzone INT and losing the game.

"The #Vikings had the ball for 42 minutes and 44 seconds today against the #Jaguars, which is the most by any team in a game this season. Yet zero touchdowns were scored."

I had a problem with KOC's playcalling.  A stupid double-reverse was the only real creativity I saw today, and that was a dumb call for that situation.  One jet sweep to test the edge of the defense all game.  I believe there was one screen.  I am still waiting for KOC to call a running play for the QB in a crucial situation that is not a sneak.  

Darnold was the big culprit, but I thought KOC was guilty of some of the same -- decent at moving the ball but no answers in the red zone.  And, the pre-snap penalties raised their ugly heads again...

[TheWinterSKOLdier]

I'm good with having KOC being the team's play caller, in fact I think he's one of the better coaches in the league at that. I do, however, have an issue with his situational play calling. There are times where he calls a specific play at an important moment in the game or drive, and I'm like WTF was that???

[pattersaur]

I had a problem with KOC's playcalling.  A stupid double-reverse was the only real creativity I saw today, and that was a dumb call for that situation.  One jet sweep to test the edge of the defense all game.  I believe there was one screen.  I am still waiting for KOC to call a running play for the QB in a crucial situation that is not a sneak.  

Darnold was the big culprit, but I thought KOC was guilty of some of the same -- decent at moving the ball but no answers in the red zone.  And, the pre-snap penalties raised their ugly heads again...

There is seemingly nothing KO hates more than the designed QB run. He didn't even call them when the friggin Passtronaut was under center.

It wasn't KO's best effort but frankly the Jaguars are maybe the worst team in the NFL, playing with a backup QB. With anything close to competent QB play yesterday we win big, easily.

Sidenote- Aaron Jones does not have the speed anymore but he's been overall huge for us. Great pickup and I'd be happy if they bring him back to pair with an explosive rookie next year. He could be the Chester Taylor to the rookie's AD.

[purplefaithful]

I agree, they should throttle back some with Jones at this time of the year. Let Akers/Chandler carry more often.

Jags fought the Eagles within 5 pts, so I am not shocked by what happened yesterday - to me Philly is the best team in the NFC right now (agree w/Sticky)

But man it was ugly win. The move for the LT sure has paid off early and often - BRAVO.

[MaroonBells]

I said it in a different thread, if JJ McCarthy was healthy...  we would have seen him go in for Darnold this game.

I don't think so. Those decisions usually happens when a QB is ineffective at moving the ball, and that was not really the case. The Vikings had over 400 yards of offense. Nor was the game getting out of hand because of the inability to move the ball. I do think, however, if JJM were healthy, there would be a conversation this week about the possibility of him starting next week.

[purplefaithful]

I don't think so. Those decisions usually happens when a QB is ineffective at moving the ball, and that was not really the case. The Vikings had over 400 yards of offense. Nor was the game getting out of hand because of the inability to move the ball. I do think, however, if JJM were healthy, there would be a conversation this week about the possibility of him starting next week.

Good points...

Conversations about JJ starting? Maybe

Would they turn over the reins right now @ 7/2 to a rook? I would bet not. 

But we'll never know...

Sticky, you better be right about the kid lol!

[MAD GAINZ]

It's not play calling guys. Darnold is bypassing easy completions looking to take shots downfield. He's not taking what the defense is giving him. There were multiple times the defense dropped coverage into coverage, no one was open downfield and he had an easy checkdowns to Aaron Jones 1v1 with a LB. He needs to hit the check down because that is a mismatch.

Darnold is the problem right now, not KOC. Shit, he had to call a jet sweep for Addison so he could finally touch the ball.

[StickierBuns]

It's not play calling guys.  Darnold is bypassing easy completions looking to take shots downfield.  He's not taking what the defense is giving him. There were multiple times the defense dropped coverage into coverage, no one was open downfield and he had an easy checkdowns to Aaron Jones 1v1 with a LB. He needs to hit the check down because that is a mismatch. 

Darnold is the problem right now, not KOC.  Shit, he had to call a jet sweep for Addison so he could finally touch the ball.

This. It isn't the play calling.

---

Good points...

Conversations about JJ starting? Maybe

Would they turn over the reins right now @ 7/2 to a rook? I would bet not. 

But we'll never know...

Sticky, you better be right about the kid lol!

I'm right about him, belief will only come in seeing it, I completely understand. But this narrative that Darnold is a new player and worthy of an extension by Minnesota was never going to happen....mostly because Darnold was never going to stay consistent, even under excellent circumstances which he has in Minnesota. And the Vikings have big plans for JJM.

[Bullazin]

Copied from the game thread-

Ugggggly win. Amazing work by the defense all game long. Very impressive. And the kicker! Great job, new guy. Absolutely huge.

As for the offense- pretty good game from what I could tell, from everyone except one guy. 10/11 players playing well should mean we roll, right? Not so much. Sad. Good lord, Darnold sucked eggs!

Defenses are taking away the explosive plays and giving Darnold the underneath stuff, expecting him to eventually make a mistake. Basic stuff but it’s shutting our offense down big time.

Hockenson played incredible today. Moved the sticks in so many clutch spots, and then got basically ignored in the red zone.



As I was writing that last night I thought, guarantee Sticky starts a new thread at 3am for some reason so I should just wait and write in that lol. Well here are my thoughts again!

Good stuff at the bold.  We are going to have to adjust for this tactic by opposing D’s. Hock will help big. 

 I actually like that Ham and Oliver are getting snaps, they add a physicality to the game and Nailer still doesn’t run the best routes. 

Now on to the elephant in the room Sammie D.  He is locking on to Jets too much and teams know it as well as they know that we are going to push it downfield.  Addison is getting open but he is not someone you can throw 50/50 balls too.  Sammie needs to trust him more and KOC needs to get the underneath going. 

Sammie is playing fine ball right now and is still a QB that 15 other teams would take right now, so I am perfectly content to watch him go 34/20 on our way to the playoffs. If KOC adjusts a little, Sammie may get hot again. 

Sammie’s errors look to be part physical and part judgement but he is sure forcing it to Jett’s.  It’s in KOC to make the needed adjustment to help his good but not great QB.

[MaroonBells]

Good points...

Conversations about JJ starting? Maybe

Would they turn over the reins right now @ 7/2 to a rook? I would bet not. 

But we'll never know...

Sticky, you better be right about the kid lol!

I agree it's unlikely they would make the move now. KOC doesn't seem the type to overreact. But I think they might have some closed-door conversations about it.