What did we learn about Vikings from the NFC title game?
Vikings fans tend to have a fluid second-favorite team: whatever team is playing the Packers that week.
That allegiance was amplified Sunday when the horror of horrors was on the cusp of happening: the Packers were one game away from the Super Bowl, needing only a win over the team that dispatched the Vikings the previous week to make it there.
But Vikings fans’ rooting interest in the 49ers paid off handsomely Sunday when San Francisco trounced Green Bay 37-20. Aaron Rodgers has now lost the last three NFC title games in which he’s played since winning his first try after the 2010 season (2014, 2016 and 2019 seasons).
Beyond the schadenfreude that has come to define Vikings fandom, though, there was more to be gleaned from Sunday’s outcome. Namely: What did it teach us about the Vikings?
*On a basic level, it showed there’s a gap between best team in NFC North (Packers) and 49ers, and there’s a gap between second-best team in NFC North (Vikings) and Packers. It stands to reason that the Vikings are two levels removed from being a Super Bowl team.
Sure, there are advanced stats that tell us the Vikings were just as strong or better than the Packers this year and that Green Bay was either the worst or close to the worst 13-3 team of all-time.
But head-to-head means something. After 15 games, the Vikings and Packers were both 10-3 in games not against each other. But Green Bay swept the season series, including a decisive late victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. Give the edge to Green Bay, and at best acknowledge that both the Packers and Vikings were significantly behind the 49ers since both lost to San Francisco by three scores in lopsided playoff games.
*So what accounts for the gap between the Vikings and 49ers? Well, it’s not philosophy. The 49ers play pretty much how the Vikings would like to play — a strong running game setting up a passing game, all of it anchored by a very good defense. That has to be at least somewhat heartening for the Vikings.
But to me the most glaring difference is cornerback play. The 49ers had two of Pro Football Focus’ top six graded corners in the NFL this season, including No. 1 Richard Sherman. The first Vikings corner to show up on the list is Trae Waynes at No. 47, and you find former stalwart Xavier Rhodes all the way down at No. 108 (out of 114).
San Francisco’s suffocating coverage combined with its ability to rush the passer makes it very hard for teams to come back if they fall behind, as both the Vikings and Packers found out. Without even one shutdown corner, the Vikings were vulnerable this season.
*The 49ers don’t have a great offensive line, but it’s good — and becomes devastating in the run game when combined with wonderful tight end George Kittle and a scheme that keeps defenses guessing.
San Francisco has been able to run the ball in pretty much every game this season, including a combined 471 yards in two playoff wins over the Vikings and Packers. The Vikings were dedicated to the run this season, had improved run blocking and finished sixth in yards per game (133.3) during the regular season.
But in three glaring losses this season — at Chicago, vs. Green Bay and at San Francisco — the Vikings’ run game disappeared. If you can’t count on your strength when you need it most, you’re in trouble.
*Home field and a bye: San Francisco pulled out a handful of key wins this season, none bigger than a goal-line stop against Seattle in the regular-season finale, to secure the top seed at first-round bye.
There’s an element of fortune in the NFL owing to the magnitude of every game. The Vikings exploited that in 2017, getting a bye and the No. 2 seed.
The Vikings flat-out need to be sharper throughout the regular season to ease their path to the Super Bowl because, as Tennessee (and the Vikings to a lesser extent) showed this year, the magic usually runs out at some point if you have to play tough road games in the playoffs.
So step one is making sure they’re a step ahead of the Packers in 2020.
http://www.startribune.com/what-did-we-learn-about-vikings-from-the-nfc-title-game/567136742/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
D aside a moment...How do you take the strengths of the ZBS and build on it so you are less predictable and harder to defend on offense?
I think this is a key question in 2020 and a big challenge for new OC.
I disagree that the 49ers don't have good OL play. They do. Very good. The author either doesn't know anything about OL play... or they are basing it purely off of name-recognition. The 49ers may have better CBs than the Vikings, but the real difference between the 2 teams is the trenches. The 49ers are strong there- on both sides of the ball. The Vikings have a better RB... but he'll never see the wide open lanes that Mostert did, because he doesn't have the same OL... OR the same offensive scheme (49ers are much more creative than the Vikings).
I think the author mistakes the PFF ratings for fact. The SF corners are "better" because their D line gets after it. Sherman is still good, but he is years aged from being great. The other one got benched IIRC.
Getting Dee Ford and the LB ALexander back made a huge difference for them against us. This team was a few weeks removed from getting torched by Atlanta and barely beat the Seahawks with a fat Lynch as their RB.
I am glad they won, but lets not crown their ass yet. Will be interesting to see how that D holds up against Reid and Mahomes and all their playmakers.
@"pumpf" said: I disagree that the 49ers don't have good OL play. They do. Very good. The author either doesn't know anything about OL play... or they are basing it purely off of name-recognition. The 49ers may have better CBs than the Vikings, but the real difference between the 2 teams is the trenches. The 49ers are strong there- on both sides of the ball. The Vikings have a better RB... but he'll never see the wide open lanes that Mostert did, because he doesn't have the same OL... OR the same offensive scheme (49ers are much more creative than the Vikings).I wouldn't call it a great offensive line though. Their center Garland is a backup. Mike Person is a league average player. Tomlinson was a bust until this season. McGlinchey is young and solid and while Staley isn't what he used to be, he's solid too. It ain't Mostert either. He's on his, what, 6th team? Mike Boone could've done what he did yesterday.
I think the reason they run the ball so well is Kyle Shanahan and his creativity. Stefanski seemed to have two ideas: outside zone or screen. 49ers wide 9 took both away and he didn't have a response. But he was a 1st year OC operating a new offense. Keep in mind that this 49er offense is in its 3rd season with Shanahan and its run game coordinator, Mike McDaniel. They've clearly hit their stride, but in their 1st season, they were a bottom third rushing offense. In their 2nd season, top half.
Vikings need to keep drafting zone linemen, upgrade Elflein, find an OC who can keep us moving in the same direction and we'll see what happens.
Kirk Cousins was sacked 28 times this season.
Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked 36 times this season.
Kirk had 444 attempts.
Jimmy had 476 attempts.
thats what, a difference of 8 sacks on 32 attempts?
Against SF, we had 2 sacks - they had 6. Kirk attempted 29 passes - Jimmy 19.
Cousins threw 6 INTs this season.
Garoppolo threw 13 INTs.
Against SF, each QB threw 1.
Against SF, Kirk pushed 21 completions for 172 yards.
Against MN, Jimmy pushed 11 completions for 131 yards.
The 49ers picked up 9 first downs passing.
Kirk completed 72% of his passes...
@"BlackMagic7" said: Kirk Cousins was sacked 28 times this season. Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked 36 times this season.Kirk had 444 attempts.
Jimmy had 476 attempts.thats what, a difference of 8 sacks on 32 attempts?
Against SF, we had 2 sacks - they had 6. Kirk attempted 29 passes - Jimmy 19.
Cousins threw 6 INTs this season.
Garoppolo threw 13 INTs.Against SF, each QB threw 1.
Against SF, Kirk pushed 21 completions for 172 yards.
Against MN, Jimmy pushed 11 completions for 131 yards.The 49ers picked up 9 first downs passing.
Kirk completed 72% of his passes...
Here is what's deceiving with Kirks stats. A lot of his passes was under 5 yards...the check down Variety which kind of pads the stats.
When I saw SF game in week10?, their game was very similar to the Vikes.
Run the ball to set up the pass, play great defense, move the LOS and solid Special Teams.
1. SF has better, stronger, faster OL and DL
2. SF has better scheming and play-calling.
Like others I think, it all starts in trenches. Vikes aren't there yet.
@"Mattyman" said: When I saw SF game in week10?, their game was very similar to the Vikes.Run the ball to set up the pass, play great defense, move the LOS and solid Special Teams.
1. SF has better, stronger, faster OL and DL
2. SF has better scheming and play-calling.
Like others I think, it all starts in trenches. Vikes aren't there yet.
On the offensive side, I think much of it is the play calls and scheme. Shanahan has much more experience than Stef.
On defensive line side, they have speed. I really didn't get the Shamar signing, other than as a role player. He is not suited to be a 3T in my book. I don't think we held up great against the run, and he certainly didn't make many plays collapsing the pocket.
This Packers team you're talking about got beat twice by the Lions this year.
I think what I learned is resigning Anthony Barr was a mistake as I have hardly any confidence in him in pass protection. We should have used that money to get another guard (I know we tried). Wilson will get better...I hope, but boy do we need another LB who can cover. This FA is going to be a big one when it comes to the defense.
@"Norse" said:That's actually a fallacy about Cousins...@"BlackMagic7" said: Kirk Cousins was sacked 28 times this season. Jimmy Garoppolo was sacked 36 times this season.Kirk had 444 attempts.
Jimmy had 476 attempts.thats what, a difference of 8 sacks on 32 attempts?
Against SF, we had 2 sacks - they had 6. Kirk attempted 29 passes - Jimmy 19.
Cousins threw 6 INTs this season.
Garoppolo threw 13 INTs.Against SF, each QB threw 1.
Against SF, Kirk pushed 21 completions for 172 yards.
Against MN, Jimmy pushed 11 completions for 131 yards.The 49ers picked up 9 first downs passing.
Kirk completed 72% of his passes...
Here is what's deceiving with Kirks stats. A lot of his passes was under 5 yards...the check down Variety which kind of pads the stats.His yards gained per pass attempt in 2019 was #7 in the NFL. Ahead of Wilson, Watson, Jackson, Rogers, Goff, Wentz, Brady and other big names.
Some of that is YAC, but some of it is taking shots down field and putting the ball where the receiver can make plays and yac too.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/passing.htm
@"Hawkvike25" said: I think what I learned is resigning Anthony Barr was a mistake as I have hardly any confidence in him in pass protection. We should have used that money to get another guard (I know we tried). Wilson will get better...I hope, but boy do we need another LB who can cover. This FA is going to be a big one when it comes to the defense.Barr helped in coverage on both Thomas and Kamara in the Saints game. The misdirection was problematic against San Francisco but really who on Defense wasn't struggling with it?
AB does so many things that don't end up on the stat sheet that allows Kendricks to be all over the field. You put Wilson in his place full time and I guarantee that limits Kendricks.
@"FSUVike" said:@"Hawkvike25" said: I think what I learned is resigning Anthony Barr was a mistake as I have hardly any confidence in him in pass protection. We should have used that money to get another guard (I know we tried). Wilson will get better...I hope, but boy do we need another LB who can cover. This FA is going to be a big one when it comes to the defense. Barr helped in coverage on both Thomas and Kamara in the Saints game. The misdirection was problematic against San Francisco but really who on Defense wasn't struggling with it?AB does so many things that don't end up on the stat sheet that allows Kendricks to be all over the field. You put Wilson in his place full time and I guarantee that limits Kendricks.
You may be correct but Barr was statistically our worst starting LB by a long shot. Heck, he was graded lower than Gideon and Brothers. For the money I dont think we saw that much in return which is frustrating given his talent. Personally, I find myself saying "Come on Barr, make a play" instead of "Nice play there, AB".
He's analogous to Jaylon Smith. Doesn't rack up stats but does the little things that allow others to shine. Wilson hasn't been asked to do that. If he was you would see a big drop off.
@"FSUVike" said: He's analogous to Jaylon Smith. Doesn't rack up stats but does the little things that allow others to shine. Wilson hasn't been asked to do that. If he was you would see a big drop off.Wilson was one of our biggest problems against San Fran. Gedeon doesn't have his range, but he has better gap discipline. Conventional wisdom says that Wilson will be the starter there next season, but I'm not so sure. You know how Zim feels about gap discipline.
What we learned is San Fran is the best team in the NFC.
@"Hawkvike25" said:@"FSUVike" said:@"Hawkvike25" said: I think what I learned is resigning Anthony Barr was a mistake as I have hardly any confidence in him in pass protection. We should have used that money to get another guard (I know we tried). Wilson will get better...I hope, but boy do we need another LB who can cover. This FA is going to be a big one when it comes to the defense. Barr helped in coverage on both Thomas and Kamara in the Saints game. The misdirection was problematic against San Francisco but really who on Defense wasn't struggling with it?AB does so many things that don't end up on the stat sheet that allows Kendricks to be all over the field. You put Wilson in his place full time and I guarantee that limits Kendricks.
You may be correct but Barr was statistically our worst starting LB by a long shot. Heck, he was graded lower than Gideon and Brothers. For the money I dont think we saw that much in return which is frustrating given his talent. Personally, I find myself saying "Come on Barr, make a play" instead of "Nice play there, AB".Personally, i feel what you're sayin'. He's hot and cold.
I find this to be one of his glaring issues as well - he is not physical enough, or willing enough, to engage and blow up blocks. He's always looking to shed:
I learned that the Vikings aren't up to the challenge of winning the big one and in that regard nothing has changed in the 16 years since Wilf took over, and really nothing has changed since I watched Super Bowl IV when I was a wee lad to begin my years of painful purple fandom.
So naturally, a 7th year of Mike Zimmer mostly losing the games that matter is what's called for.
What we learned is you need the right combination of personnel, scheme, and play calling to be an elite team in this league. Unless all of those are in sync, you are just another average team. Dallas comes to mind which is why Garrett finally got fired. Had all the talent in the world on offense, but failed to do anything with it. All three of those key elements are lacking for the Vikings and I don't think they will be fixed in one offseason with our cap limitations and the people we will need to get rid of. This offseason won't be addition by subtraction. We need to release the expensive veterans and start retooling with younger more affordable options. I don't see us taking the next step, we will unfortunately have to take 2 steps back. That brings up the question about Cousins and Cook. Do you really want to invest the money needed to extend them? I think Cousins makes more sense than Cook if you can lower your cap number and not fully guarantee his deal again. With Cook, or any Running Back, I'm starting to think that resigning an expensive star running back like Cook would be a waste of money. I like the idea of keeping RB's until their Rookie deals expire and then replace them with a younger option. When Zeke was holding out, the backup looked great just like SF's scheme and Oline made Mostert and Coleman look like Pro Bowlers. Building up the Oline for Cousins and whoever the RB is should be priority number 1. I think Jerry made a mistake with Zeke and now he will more than likely have to lose Cooper trying to create cap space to resign Dak.
@"Hawkvike25" said:@"FSUVike" said:@"Hawkvike25" said: I think what I learned is resigning Anthony Barr was a mistake as I have hardly any confidence in him in pass protection. We should have used that money to get another guard (I know we tried). Wilson will get better...I hope, but boy do we need another LB who can cover. This FA is going to be a big one when it comes to the defense. Barr helped in coverage on both Thomas and Kamara in the Saints game. The misdirection was problematic against San Francisco but really who on Defense wasn't struggling with it?AB does so many things that don't end up on the stat sheet that allows Kendricks to be all over the field. You put Wilson in his place full time and I guarantee that limits Kendricks.
You may be correct but Barr was statistically our worst starting LB by a long shot. Heck, he was graded lower than Gideon and Brothers. For the money I dont think we saw that much in return which is frustrating given his talent. Personally, I find myself saying "Come on Barr, make a play" instead of "Nice play there, AB".That would be the problem with stats. They can be twisted to say whatever you want.
Brothers was in for the Aaron Jones sweep against the packers. And as MB said, Wilson struggles with doing his job consistently. Gap discipline is what keeps a defense solid. Flashy plays are what get celebrated and sometime earn the bigger paychecks.Barr is an unselfish professional. That doesn't get many kudos in the Madden era, but it is what earned him a nice paycheck as a hellova starting LB duo.
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