Lions are 3 point favorites vs Minnesota next game

StickierBuns wrote:

Here's the bottom line with Murray: he's only highly successful when he plays off script and scrambles. That's his x-factor. It does put him in harm's way but this standing in the pocket, hopping around waiting to throw and then throwing either short or incomplete has to stop. He's not a pocket passer....but I think he thinks he is. Or desperately wants to show he is because whenever he asked about his big runs, he always seems disgruntled a bit to talk about them positively. Like once he referenced the 'old me' or 'me from yesteryear', something like that. Its like dude, lol....that has to be you now as well.

He has his issues but I think you're really describing a Kevin O'Connell problem here. A really good in game strategist which Kevin clearly isn't could be doing a lot with the talent that's there. Kev removes 4 spark plugs from a V-8 then can't figure out why the car is sputtering down the road.

comet52 wrote:

He has his issues but I think you're really describing a Kevin O'Connell problem here. A really good in game strategist which Kevin clearly isn't could be doing a lot with the talent that's there. Kev removes 4 spark plugs from a V-8 then can't figure out why the car is sputtering down the road.

These two guys drove KOC's car just fine:

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is averaging 7.25 targets per game when healthy

Among peers:

Puka Nacua -- 12.4
CeeDee Lamb -- 11.5
JSN -- 11.2
Ja'Marr Chase - 8.4 (minus inj vs Jax)

Vikings have Lions coming up. Will need to score -- and find Jefferson.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 26, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

These two guys drove KOC's car just fine:

That's mostly true except in certain situations where Kevs issues were/are apparent.

But they are physically different than Kyler. Kevin trying to make Kyler be those guys isn't working.

Eh, I don’t feel confident enough in the Vikings to bet money on them and expect to win the bet. I like the Vikings. We’re clearly a good team, but I don’t think we’re clearly a good enough team to expect us to beat other good teams. The problem with our style of football is that we’re kind of riding the edge of playing a whole mistake free game, but I don’t think we’ve seen an offense that is capable of making up for any mistakes. I think our defense is susceptible to giving up explosives in the run game. I think the way our defense plays reminds me of the ways defenses played AD, where you get everyone on the LOS and clog everything up, but I think there’s room for “if an explosive back makes it through that initial pile of bodies, there’s only like one guy back there to stop him.” Also, if our O gives up a TO in their end of the field and gives the other team a short easy TD.

I’ve think we’ve done a good job of handling lesser teams with lesser QBs and will continue to do so, and I think we’ve gotten wins against the small number of quality QBs in our schedule so far, but I think we’re due for regression in that area if we don’t start to sort our offense out.

Anyone watch the Pack/Lions yesterday? I expect a similar game on Sunday.

Like I posted last night, I would be fine with .500 against the next 4 on the docket.

Yuppers, 8/2 sounds pretty good heading into the final quarter of the season.

So does 7/3 if I'm being honest with myself.

comet52 wrote:

That's mostly true except in certain situations where Kevs issues were/are apparent.
But they are physically different than Kyler. Kevin trying to make Kyler be those guys isn't working.

Kyler didn't work in Arizona. Is he working in Minnesota? Maybe Kyler as a NFL QB just doesn't work? I don't know. But O'Connell is what now during the regular season, 49-25? He's had one losing season in 5 and that season was beyond devastating from an injury standpoint. When did we start making excuses for Murray and moving the goalposts by blaming O'Connell?

6-0 and looking for that dynamic offense with Murray...

Because Goff is predominately a pocket passes IMO it makes Flo job easier. I am more nervous with GB, Bills, 49ers.

StickierBuns wrote:

Kyler didn't work in Arizona. Is he working in Minnesota? Maybe Kyler as a NFL QB just doesn't work? I don't know. But O'Connell is what now during the regular season, 49-25? He's had one losing season in 5 and that season was beyond devastating from an injury standpoint. When did we start making excuses for Murray and moving the goalposts by blaming O'Connell?
6-0 and looking for that dynamic offense with Murray...

That's a broad brush to say he didn't work in Arizona. He put up 20k yards and 120 TD's and a career 90 passer rating on arguably the worst franchise in football.

He doesn't fit the limited bombs-away concepts that seem to be the only things ever on Kevin's mind. It's absolutely up to the HC, since he for whatever reason needs to call plays, to adapt to the strengths of his new QB.

comet52 wrote:

That's a broad brush to say he didn't work in Arizona. He put up 20k yards and 120 TD's and a career 90 passer rating on arguably the worst franchise in football.
He doesn't fit the limited bombs-away concepts that seem to be the only things ever on Kevin's mind. It's absolutely up to the HC, since he for whatever reason needs to call plays, to adapt to the strengths of his new QB.

Your bias is showing, dude. Hard to take you serious here knowing your anti-KOC takes....other QBs have worked spectacularly in this offense, Murray not so much. Can it change? I guess we have to hope so....and what are the strengths of our new QB1? Mobility and off script plays.....I don't think its KOC that doesn't want that, I think its Murray. The completion game is fine but need the redzone TDs....you know, with this 'support group' he's only dreamt about in Arizona.

MaroonBells wrote:

Whether it's good or bad, I expect the Vikings to play up (or down) to their opponents. Maybe what we really need right now is a good opponent. A team that forces us to open things up a little.

That is a good point. So far, we have played it close to the vest, running and playing D because that was enough to win.

I really didn't like that FG attempt that got blocked. It would have only put us up 6, and at that spot, a miss or a block set Indy up with very short field position to tie. Just had a notion that was a bad idea. Would have rather punted and trusted the D. As it was, it got blocked, Indy drove down for the tying FG. Of course they missed and the rest is history, but still.

So yeah, maybe open it up a bit. Kyler has to hit those open WRs and then our offense would be moving an look much better.

StickierBuns wrote:

Your bias is showing, dude. Hard to take you serious here knowing your anti-KOC takes....other QBs have worked spectacularly in this offense, Murray not so much. Can it change? I guess we have to hope so....and what are the strengths of our new QB1? Mobility and off script plays.....I don't think its KOC that doesn't want that, I think its Murray. The completion game is fine but need the redzone TDs....you know, with this 'support group' he's only dreamt about in Arizona.

My takes on KOC are that he's a motivator not a stategist who should assign that part to a good OC. There are only about a zillion in game examples of why.

Murray looks fine when he uses his legs, he did yesterday. And in New Orleans. But they aka Kevin aren't doing much by design to utilize that strength.

Anyway I don't really care since Kevin isn't likely to change we'll just have to keep winning ugly and enjoying it. 😎

comet52 wrote:

My takes on KOC are that he's a motivator not a stategist who should assign that part to a good OC. There are only about a zillion in game examples of why.
Murray looks fine when he uses his legs, he did yesterday. And in New Orleans. But they aka Kevin aren't doing much by design to utilize that strength.
Anyway I don't really care since Kevin isn't likely to change we'll just have to keep winning ugly and enjoying it. 😎

This is what I was told was the only thing we needed after 'historically' bad play from JJM.....still looking.....🤔

Too many bad passes from Kyler today. Minnesota doesn’t need heroic quarterbacking, just a guy who can get the ball to the play makers.

— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) October 25, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

These two guys drove KOC's car just fine:

...except that Sam looked like s**t against the Lions and Rams in his one purple season.

comet52 wrote:

My takes on KOC are that he's a motivator not a stategist who should assign that part to a good OC. There are only about a zillion in game examples of why.
Murray looks fine when he uses his legs, he did yesterday. And in New Orleans. But they aka Kevin aren't doing much by design to utilize that strength.
Anyway I don't really care since Kevin isn't likely to change we'll just have to keep winning ugly and enjoying it. 😎

KOC has completely changed his offense and strategy to fit this team and Kyler's strengths. We're throwing shorter routes, letting him get the ball out quick, and leaning hard on the run game. We are not running anything close to the same offense we used with Kirk and Sam. Do you watch the games?

StickierBuns wrote:

He's one of those 'game day' posters. 🙄

Dude, I’ve been around since purple thoughts.

Shredder

The Bouman vs Culpepper debates

MAD GAINZ wrote:

KOC has completely changed his offense and strategy to fit this team and Kyler's strengths. We're throwing shorter routes, letting him get the ball out quick, and leaning hard on the run game. We are not running anything close to the same offense we used with Kirk and Sam. Do you watch the games?

Lol.

Zanary wrote:

...except that Sam looked like s**t against the Lions and Rams in his one purple season.

The 1972 Dolphins team or what's left of them, have the champagne chillin'.

We’re going to Neuter the Kitties…!!!