01-22-2018, 06:57 AM
First, let me say, I know this loss hurts. It seems that no matter what the Vikings do, for 41 years and counting, they just can't win the big game when needed. While we will always have the Minneapolis Miracle, we will also always have 41-Donut and 38-7. White-washings on the big stage that are very embarrassing and disheartening for fans.
However, as fans bail and say "I won't ever invest in this team again, I'm done", or "we are cursed, simple as that", here are some things you may want to know:
* Philadelphia was also 14-3 and playing at home. As we said on Twitter to frustrated fans, being pissed about the Vikings losing to another 14-3 team on the road, is akin to your child getting straight A's all year, but getting a 50 on one test. You don't put them up for adoption, you help them see the mistakes and try harder. Don't quit on them, it is not life, it is sports. It is not a personal embarrassment that your sports team lost.
As far as the game on the field:
* It is hard to believe that the team that opened the game with a textbook 75 yard TD drive could go so stale so quickly afterward.
* Case Keenum was not your problem. Yes, he got strip sacked and threw a pick where he was hit for a Pick 6. Hard to blame him for those. The late interception was him just trying to make a play when the game was already decided.
* The run game was strong early, and then it was abandoned in the 2nd quarter.
* Jerick McKinnon and Stefon Diggs appeared the only two players who really wanted to win.
* The injuries to the Offensive line were adding up. Berger over to Center, Sirles in, Remmers playing out of position, Rashod Hill filling in. Continuity mattered, and it was lost tonight.
* The offensive game plan after the first series was abysmal. It felt like the Brad Childress offense all over again. Check down, Check down and more check downs. We never tried one deep throw.
* Adam Thielen was not healthy. he bravely gave it a go, but he was about 60% with the bad back
* On defense, I don't know what that was. The pass rush has been largely gone for the last 5- 6 weeks. Nick Foles is not incapable, and the lack of pressure, couple with throws that were simply miraculous, doomed us.
* The team mainly had to defend Clements and TE Zach Ertz, but they appeared to no be interested in covering either of the top 2 Eagle receiving options. And, the Flea Flicker was simply a trick play, and those will work sometimes.
* Eric Kendricks, the Vikings leading tackler, looked out of place and step slow.
* The Vikings were snakebite all night. They drove the ball well, but could not finish, and the defense was toasted.
* The fans of Philadelphia were as advertised. Awful. Rude, disrespectful and offering to fight anybody not in green. They are an odd lot, and them offering to kick the asses of opposing team fans is a major black mark on their city. Embarrassing. It was not the late game SKOL chant mocking, they earned that right by pummeling the Vikings, it is just a brash, caveman mentality
THE KEY MESSAGE:
* For those not old enough to remember the Super Bowls, trust me, this game unfolded just like Super Bowl VIII vs Miami, and certainly Super Bowl XI vs Oakland. They got punched in the mouth and never responded.
The aftermath:
* Zygi Wilf looked physically ill. Drained and clearly disappointed that his team came so close.
* We went to Mike Zimmer's press conference, He spoke in hushed tones. He said he was proud of his team and loved them as a unit. You could tell he meant it. He refused to rate his team's performance, and said the media was welcome to do that. He said he could have called a better game, and his team fought. He also answered 3 Chris Tomasson questions with quick yes's or no's. You can tell he does not appreciate the poorly formed questions from Tomasson.
However, as fans bail and say "I won't ever invest in this team again, I'm done", or "we are cursed, simple as that", here are some things you may want to know:
* Philadelphia was also 14-3 and playing at home. As we said on Twitter to frustrated fans, being pissed about the Vikings losing to another 14-3 team on the road, is akin to your child getting straight A's all year, but getting a 50 on one test. You don't put them up for adoption, you help them see the mistakes and try harder. Don't quit on them, it is not life, it is sports. It is not a personal embarrassment that your sports team lost.
As far as the game on the field:
* It is hard to believe that the team that opened the game with a textbook 75 yard TD drive could go so stale so quickly afterward.
* Case Keenum was not your problem. Yes, he got strip sacked and threw a pick where he was hit for a Pick 6. Hard to blame him for those. The late interception was him just trying to make a play when the game was already decided.
* The run game was strong early, and then it was abandoned in the 2nd quarter.
* Jerick McKinnon and Stefon Diggs appeared the only two players who really wanted to win.
* The injuries to the Offensive line were adding up. Berger over to Center, Sirles in, Remmers playing out of position, Rashod Hill filling in. Continuity mattered, and it was lost tonight.
* The offensive game plan after the first series was abysmal. It felt like the Brad Childress offense all over again. Check down, Check down and more check downs. We never tried one deep throw.
* Adam Thielen was not healthy. he bravely gave it a go, but he was about 60% with the bad back
* On defense, I don't know what that was. The pass rush has been largely gone for the last 5- 6 weeks. Nick Foles is not incapable, and the lack of pressure, couple with throws that were simply miraculous, doomed us.
* The team mainly had to defend Clements and TE Zach Ertz, but they appeared to no be interested in covering either of the top 2 Eagle receiving options. And, the Flea Flicker was simply a trick play, and those will work sometimes.
* Eric Kendricks, the Vikings leading tackler, looked out of place and step slow.
* The Vikings were snakebite all night. They drove the ball well, but could not finish, and the defense was toasted.
* The fans of Philadelphia were as advertised. Awful. Rude, disrespectful and offering to fight anybody not in green. They are an odd lot, and them offering to kick the asses of opposing team fans is a major black mark on their city. Embarrassing. It was not the late game SKOL chant mocking, they earned that right by pummeling the Vikings, it is just a brash, caveman mentality
THE KEY MESSAGE:
* For those not old enough to remember the Super Bowls, trust me, this game unfolded just like Super Bowl VIII vs Miami, and certainly Super Bowl XI vs Oakland. They got punched in the mouth and never responded.
The aftermath:
* Zygi Wilf looked physically ill. Drained and clearly disappointed that his team came so close.
* We went to Mike Zimmer's press conference, He spoke in hushed tones. He said he was proud of his team and loved them as a unit. You could tell he meant it. He refused to rate his team's performance, and said the media was welcome to do that. He said he could have called a better game, and his team fought. He also answered 3 Chris Tomasson questions with quick yes's or no's. You can tell he does not appreciate the poorly formed questions from Tomasson.
