11-18-2019, 03:41 PM
MINNESOTA’S ROLL CONTINUESThe headline in the Vikings’ 27–23 win over the Broncos on Sunday is that Minnesota became the first team in the last 100 league-wide tries to come back from a 20-point halftime deficit, and the first team to climb out of that big of a hole while scoring on every second-half possession in 40 years, which is crazy.
But as Kirk Cousins reflected on the win, he saw it more as another step for the team’s much-scrutinized passing offense under first-year coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
In the first half, Broncos coach Vic Fangio got the Vikings a little off-balance with replace rushing (switching coverage players and rushers), pressures and coverage disguise, while his team ran up a 20–0 lead. In doing so, he took Minnesota out of its comfort zone by taking away stud tailback Dalvin Cook early, then making it harder to lean on him later as the Vikings’ deficit grew. Which meant it’d be on Cousins and the passing attack to win the game.
So the Vikings went no-huddle to start the second half, Stefanski got more aggressive with his play calling, and before you knew it, it was a game again.
“There wasn’t an epiphany,” Cousins said. “We just put ourselves in a big hole and we’re going to have to make some adjustments. We still weren’t sure when we were talking in the locker room if we were going to have to go into a hurry-up offense mode or if we could, at least initially, run our offense from the first half. But right before we went out to start the first drive [of the second half], we decided a two-minute, hurry-up type mode was going to be needed.
“And that’s what we did, one play at a time. It helps when your defense only gives up three points in the second half. That makes a big difference, too. They give us a chance to get back in it.”
Here’s what followed in the second half …
• Nine plays, 75 yards, 3:31, touchdown.
• 18 plays, 70 yards, 5:58, touchdown.
• 3 plays, 62 yards, 0:35, touchdown.
• 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:14, touchdown.
Three of those were touchdown passes from Cousins—10 yards to Irv Smith, 54 yards to Stefon Diggs and 32 yards to Kyle Rudolph. Cook had a three-yard touchdown of his own, but for the most part he (26 rushing yards) and the Vikings’ run game (37 yards) were held in check. Meanwhile, Cousins went 17 of 23 for 261 yards in the second half.
That the Vikings showed that they could win without Cook gashing a defense, which is what’s happened all year, was significant, to Cousins at least.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “One game, we run for 200 yards and we have 10 pass attempts and another game we have almost 40 pass attempts and run for 37 yards. You have to kind of play the game that’s called and react to what’s going on. I think when you're 8–3 and you’re doing a lot of good things offensively—we’re running the football and converting third downs, and working in screens and explosives to Stefon Diggs—there’s a lot of things to be excited about and feel good about..
“But they don’t get any easier from here. We’ve got three divisional games against good football teams, and we have to go to Seattle and L.A. We’re going to get tested, I’ll put it that way.”
As Cousins watched the end of this one, though, he saw a defense with Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr and a host of other vets close it out. Seeing how that experienced unit played together served as a reminder of what sort of opportunity is in front of this team.
“We understand we have a lot of pieces in place,” said Cousins. “Why not us?is kind of a thought that goes through your mind. Let’s get it done.There's a lot of good football teams. A lot of people feel really good about what they’re doing. Bottom line is, we’re 8–3, good and bad, we put ourselves in a position to be in the conversation here as we head into December.”
The Vikings, winners of seven of eight, actually don’t play again until December, with their bye followed by that trip to Seattle for a Monday nighter. We’ll find out more about the Vikings then. But Sunday seemed to be an indicator that we already know plenty.
But as Kirk Cousins reflected on the win, he saw it more as another step for the team’s much-scrutinized passing offense under first-year coordinator Kevin Stefanski.
In the first half, Broncos coach Vic Fangio got the Vikings a little off-balance with replace rushing (switching coverage players and rushers), pressures and coverage disguise, while his team ran up a 20–0 lead. In doing so, he took Minnesota out of its comfort zone by taking away stud tailback Dalvin Cook early, then making it harder to lean on him later as the Vikings’ deficit grew. Which meant it’d be on Cousins and the passing attack to win the game.
So the Vikings went no-huddle to start the second half, Stefanski got more aggressive with his play calling, and before you knew it, it was a game again.
“There wasn’t an epiphany,” Cousins said. “We just put ourselves in a big hole and we’re going to have to make some adjustments. We still weren’t sure when we were talking in the locker room if we were going to have to go into a hurry-up offense mode or if we could, at least initially, run our offense from the first half. But right before we went out to start the first drive [of the second half], we decided a two-minute, hurry-up type mode was going to be needed.
Here’s what followed in the second half …
• Nine plays, 75 yards, 3:31, touchdown.
• 18 plays, 70 yards, 5:58, touchdown.
• 3 plays, 62 yards, 0:35, touchdown.
• 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:14, touchdown.
Three of those were touchdown passes from Cousins—10 yards to Irv Smith, 54 yards to Stefon Diggs and 32 yards to Kyle Rudolph. Cook had a three-yard touchdown of his own, but for the most part he (26 rushing yards) and the Vikings’ run game (37 yards) were held in check. Meanwhile, Cousins went 17 of 23 for 261 yards in the second half.
That the Vikings showed that they could win without Cook gashing a defense, which is what’s happened all year, was significant, to Cousins at least.
“It’s a work in progress,” he said. “One game, we run for 200 yards and we have 10 pass attempts and another game we have almost 40 pass attempts and run for 37 yards. You have to kind of play the game that’s called and react to what’s going on. I think when you're 8–3 and you’re doing a lot of good things offensively—we’re running the football and converting third downs, and working in screens and explosives to Stefon Diggs—there’s a lot of things to be excited about and feel good about..
As Cousins watched the end of this one, though, he saw a defense with Harrison Smith, Eric Kendricks, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr and a host of other vets close it out. Seeing how that experienced unit played together served as a reminder of what sort of opportunity is in front of this team.
“We understand we have a lot of pieces in place,” said Cousins. “Why not us?is kind of a thought that goes through your mind. Let’s get it done.There's a lot of good football teams. A lot of people feel really good about what they’re doing. Bottom line is, we’re 8–3, good and bad, we put ourselves in a position to be in the conversation here as we head into December.”
The Vikings, winners of seven of eight, actually don’t play again until December, with their bye followed by that trip to Seattle for a Monday nighter. We’ll find out more about the Vikings then. But Sunday seemed to be an indicator that we already know plenty.
