11-14-2022, 02:37 PM
Hard to put that game into words.
- Jefferson: In another thread I called him the Diggs eraser -- at this point the Zilfs will just need to open the bank vault. If you haven't read Peter King's article this morning, it is worth the read. Next Gen stats had the probability of the catch at 28.8%. But here is what I found crazy: "It wasn’t just that catch that Next Gen found unlikely. Nine of Jefferson’s 10 receptions had less than a 50 percent chance of being caught by him. No player in the seven-year history of Next Gen analyzing every catch in the NFL has made nine catches in one game with less than a 50-50 chance of being caught."
- Darrisaw: I watched the game "taped" -- now an archaic term -- and I must have missed his injury. What happened? With a game like this, watching it with the ability to fast forward is both good and bad. When the Bills went up 17, I almost felt resigned and fast forwarded for that reason (very tempted at the time to just pull up the final score) and then, after Cooks blast and the momentum shifted, I just had to go as quickly as I could from play to play. Of course, I was watching in LA when Fox changed from the Vikings game to the local game at some point. Thank god I had the foresight to record both on the local channel and DirectTV.
- Cousins: Who would have guessed Josh Allen would have more turnovers than Kirk Cousins in the 4th quarter? I have been a Cousins doubter for so long but it seems like KOC has found a way to get the best of Kirk. Admittedly, I was a little skeptical when it was reported that KOC looked forward with working with Cousins again after Washington but the pairing works.
- Culture Change: Culture matters. The thing that has really impressed me recently is the different team videos -- the one's on the plane and the post-game speeches. This "chain" thing is one of those things that really breeds a certain camaraderie that strengthens the bonds of the team. The first time I watched one, I was shocked to see Za'Darius right there next to Kirk whooping it up. Seemed like such an unlikely pairing. It was a eureka moment for me that something different was happening. I also have to say, I have not watched one post-game locker room speech ever until the last two weeks -- now I look forward to it. There is such joy in this team.
- Next Man Up: All year the Vikings have been very healthy and you had to wonder what would happen if depth was tested. Test passed yesterday.
- Defense: You can feel the defense gelling -- it is no longer simple pitch and catch from the opposing offense.
- PP: It feels to me that PP's (great) influence over the young CBs has increased ten-fold under this new coaching staff. -- like he is free to take him under his wing and teach team without worry that it is not the Z---- way. He is an unsung hero to me for the growth of the DBs. And of course, he is playing at a high level. It is funny, as I recall he has had an interception returned for a TD in multiple seasons in a row. Each time he intercepts it I think he is going to take it to the house -- even the OT interception (when he did the smart thing and went down).
- Dallas Next: Frankly, I am very happy the Vikes are currently underdogs to Dallas. A certain amount of disrespect should make them shake off the euphoria of the Bills victory and focusing them on disproving the doubters.