Winnable game today

@"Bullazin" said: We couldnt get a few conversions plays we needed on their half of the field.  Cleveland is a very good team. 

Kook had a ton of pressure and got a little shook IMO. He is a solid QB but cannot rise above in less than favorable conditions. Extra tough on him simce we could not establish the run. 

we are still in OK position, since 2 losses are out of conference. I feel like we are looking at a 9 win team, hopefully that is enough to keep us in it with a chance in December to peak at the right time. 

Yah, this team feels like about .500 with that schedule. Their luck may get better, lets hope so. 

I predicted 9 wins, I don't feel very good about that prediction at all.

Given so many chances and didnt do anything about it. Kirk is a very good QB but when he’s paired with Zimmers crap clock management you always have a bad feeling. It took them 40 seconds to gain 20 yards at the end of the game. Was Thielen tackled and was that PI? Yes, but you have to get closer than the 25 for your last play

We had so many chances to win this game, when you throw away a game like we did at home with the mental errors, poor play, brutal play calling and a QB who refuses to move in the pocket, you just are not a really good team.  

@"JR44" said: We had so many chances to win this game, when you throw away a game like we did at home with the mental errors, poor play, brutal play calling and a QB who refuses to move in the pocket, you just are not a really good team.  

Also doesnt help when your running backs go 19 carries for 54 yards. Kirk wasnt great but lets not act like he was the only poor performer on offense today.

question is, can you pay a guy Kirk’s money and get a better performance in overcoming a tough D?  

There seems to be a decent amount of guys who can overcome it, for that money. 

This team is the reason they are 1-3 over a stretch featuring two super bowl contenders, the AFC north leader in their place, and a MVP QB who you never beat. 

The only promise is that if they can pull it together they can be as dangerous as anyone. 

now that the pressure is off and feels like it can only get better, i bet they play well the next 3 games and get to 4-3

@"Skodin" said: question is, can you pay a guy Kirk’s money and get a better performance in overcoming a tough D?  

There seems to be a decent amount of guys who can overcome it, for that money. 

This team is the reason they are 1-3 over a stretch featuring two super bowl contenders, the AFC north leader in their place, and a MVP QB who you never beat. 

The only promise is that if they can pull it together they can be as dangerous as anyone. 

now that the pressure is off and feels like it can only get better, i bet they play well the next 3 games and get to 4-3

Is the pressure off though? Some are playing for jobs. How does losing alleviate pressure unless you believe that they don't have a chance to get to the playoffs. 

I always get back to whats the better alternative to Cousins?

Case Keenum?
Andy Dalton?
???

It's going to be a player of that ilk with all their warts, weaknesses and in-ability to lift a team around them

When Cousins gets protection he about as good a thrower as there is. 

The biggest problem is the Vikings haven't been able to draft a franchise QB since Culpepper. And of course the OL challenges over the years. 

I have a question for football minds:

Why the hell dont they roll Cousins out - EVER?  He's an easy target right behind center and that IOL that I thought was starting to look functional - but got its butt kicked today. 

@"purplefaithful" said: I have a question for football minds:

Why the hell dont they roll Cousins out - EVER?  He's an easy target right behind center and that IOL that I thought was starting to look functional - but got its butt kicked today. 

When your QB can't move (or refuses to) you have to create plays to get him out of the pocket and also quick hitting passes.  Not one rollout all day and I don't remember seeing any short drops or quick slants.  Everything was a deep drop.  The OL is taking the heat, but they are being put in a situation where they have to be perfect every play, which is not realistic.  The QB and the play calling has to help out the OL.  

@"JR44" said:

@"purplefaithful" said: I have a question for football minds:

Why the hell dont they roll Cousins out - EVER?  He's an easy target right behind center and that IOL that I thought was starting to look functional - but got its butt kicked today. 

When your QB can't move (or refuses to) you have to create plays to get him out of the pocket and also quick hitting passes.  Not one rollout all day and I don't remember seeing any short drops or quick slants.  Everything was a deep drop.  The OL is taking the heat, but they are being put in a situation where they have to be perfect every play, which is not realistic.  The QB and the play calling has to help out the OL.  

@"purplefaithful" said: I always get back to whats the better alternative to Cousins?

Case Keenum?
Andy Dalton?
???

It's going to be a player of that ilk with all their warts, weaknesses and in-ability to lift a team around them

When Cousins gets protection he about as good a thrower as there is. 

The biggest problem is the Vikings haven't been able to draft a franchise QB since Culpepper. And of course the OL challenges over the years. 

I have a question for football minds:

Why the hell dont they roll Cousins out - EVER?  He's an easy target right behind center and that IOL that I thought was starting to look functional - but got its butt kicked today. 

There was a film clip showing what happened when Fields tried to roll out versus Clowney and gang.  Fields is slightly more athletic than Kirk and it wasn't pretty.

Penalties, both called against and not called for, absolutely killed them today too.  

Some teams consistently find ways to win and some find ways to lose.  Guess which team we are?  

The excuses are endless for pretty much every NFL team from week to week but I am completely done with looking for excuses for my team be it the Cousin's vs OL debate, Zimmer's run focus or defense focus, different OC every year, Covid, Kirk can't move or Kirk, etc....

It's time for a cool change at the end of this season!!!  

We 100% need to move on from Zimmer after 8 years or will this be his 9th - not looking up.

Wilf's need to make a decision about Spelly and his ability to find a new Offensive minded HC who has a history of grooming QB's.  We have the next 13+ weeks looking for that guy!  But do the Wilf's want to give Spelly that choice or are they starting new at the GM level?  Just like replacing Cousins or Zimmer, who is a good prospect to others for a GM role?
We just let Paton walk to Denver and then Stefanski as HC.  Is there anyone in our current organization that I don't know about?
Of course we will focus on the highly successful organizations for a possible GM and HC.  

Just watching the game last night both OC's were excellent in calling the game - IMO.  I am not a McDaniel fan but come on he had a rookie QB going up against the GOAT with zero run game.  What a Byron Leftwhich I have not heard his name thrown around at all, but then again, I haven't really been prospecting as much as a will be moving forward.