Packers @ Vikings
I think the Vikings are the better team and, if they're able to play THEIR game—with the lead, using a balance of run and pass—they'll win. And maybe easily. Jefferson against a Packers secondary without Jaire Alexander just isn't fair.
But here's what scares me: The Packers pass rush. 10 sacks the last two weeks. In the first matchup in September, the Vikings offensive line, including Ingram and Darrisaw, played incredibly well. Brandel, Bradbury and Ingram had one of their best games as a unit. Vikings gave up two sacks, but both were on LB and CB blitzes and none were from Packers defensive line, which is healthy and playing much better now.
That's the key to this game IMO: protect, play with balance, the Vikings win. Don't do that, they probably lose.
What will happen? I think the Vikings will in fact struggle to protect, but through designed rollouts and Sam's escapability we'll be able to exploit the Jefferson matchup enough to win a close one, 41-34. Bet the over, take your beta blockers, and put your cardiologist on speed dial.
Not sure what that defensive series was, but they literally just let them do whatever they wanted down the field with no resistance
Dog shit defense down the stretch
Vikergirl wrote:
Darnold saved this game
This was actually some of the worst ive seen his accuracy this season. He had a couple dimes, but he left a lot of yards on the field with poorly thrown balls. The OL showed their weakness once again, they just cant anchor in PP often enough.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
JimmyinSD wrote:
This was actually some of the worst ive seen his accuracy this season. He had a couple dimes, but he left a lot of yards on the field with poorly thrown balls. The OL showed their weakness once again, they just cant anchor in PP often enough.
That is so funny how we can see things so differently. I've loved what Sam has done all year, he's been flawed but mostly very good. But this was the first game where I really thought SAM was the reason we won. He wasn't perfect, but I really felt it wasn't JJ, it wasn't anyone else, it was Sam fucking Darnold.
MaroonBells wrote:
That is so funny how we can see things so differently. I've loved what Sam has done all year, he's been flawed but mostly very good. But this was the first game where I really thought SAM was the reason we won. He wasn't perfect, but I really felt it wasn't JJ, it wasn't anyone else, it was Sam fucking Darnold.
I concur. He was high on a few throws under pressure, but he had some absolute dimes to JJ across the middle and the TD throw to Addison was a beauty. I like how he's checking down quicker when he recognizes the defense is dropping deep into coverage. This was the best Darnold has played from start to finish all season long.
I will say the defense played great until the final 8 minutes. Pretty crazy how they literally shut down the Packers run game and passing game for 3+ quarters.
I agree, I think as fans we think it has to be the perfect game by the QB. Sometimes the WR just gets the ball. Every QB has off throws, but the good ones have good WR’s who bail them out sometimes.
Thank you CJ Ham - way to stay inbounds to chew the clock.......Robert Smith, were you watching?
Sam overall played well and he’s a gamer but dear God he holds that ball a long time!
He does hold the ball....but he has better velocity and mobility than "Kurt"
He can extend plays with his legs, and can stand in and take a shot. He has some "narrow windows" he's putting that ball into.
#Vikings QB Sam Darnold against the #Packers this season:
— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) December 30, 2024
• 74% Completion
• 652 Passing Yards
• 6 Passing TD’s
• 119.75 Passer Rating pic.twitter.com/bIyvk8atPf
StickierBuns wrote:
I'll never understand how some fans view games and see things, lol. Never. Darnold was the reason we won, without a doubt. He was unreal. Oh, and the Packers? See below:
"Another opportunity to beat a team with 10+ wins for the Packers ended in a loss. The Packers fell to 0-5 against the Vikings, Lions and Eagles this season -- the three teams in the conference with 13+ wins and the three teams with a better record than them in the conference. "
Yes, he most likely delivered yet another win that Cousins would not have, i was one of the first to start suggesting that they resign SD for at least another year back when we had about 6 wins, so its not like I have an ax to grind with him. All I was saying was in reaponse to the post about his accuracy was that aside to the dimes to Addison and Nailor, and possibly 1 or 2 more beautiful throws, he had a bunch that were bad throws, a bad decision, or that just sailed on him. Despite the great outcome of the game or that the balls ended up getting caught, his accuracy wasnt as good yesterday as I was seeing earlier in the season. Look at the horrible throw that Akers had to shoe string at the end to seal the game, he was wide open and it still ended up being a cardiac event.
Im not shitting on the guy at all, just stating that it wasnt his best performance in terms of ball placement at times and yards were left on the field. Happy with the win, most likely an L with many other QBs, and will acknowledge that sometimes ugly is productive.
Ive actually gotten exactly what i wanted out of cousins replacement, i had argued for 5 years that if we sacrificed accuracy for better mobilty and a much lower cap # that we would be better off overall... I am feeling pretty vindicated in my position these days.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
MaroonBells wrote:
That is so funny how we can see things so differently. I've loved what Sam has done all year, he's been flawed but mostly very good. But this was the first game where I really thought SAM was the reason we won. He wasn't perfect, but I really felt it wasn't JJ, it wasn't anyone else, it was Sam fucking Darnold.
I'll never understand how some fans view games and see things, lol. Never. Darnold was the reason we won, without a doubt. He was unreal. Oh, and the Packers? See below:
"Another opportunity to beat a team with 10+ wins for the Packers ended in a loss. The Packers fell to 0-5 against the Vikings, Lions and Eagles this season -- the three teams in the conference with 13+ wins and the three teams with a better record than them in the conference. "
Vanguard83 wrote:
Thank you CJ Ham - way to stay inbounds to chew the clock.......Robert Smith, were you watching?
Absolutely here to give him his flowers.
I'll point the thumb-- I've been hard on Ham and Speedy this season. Both were humongous yesterday. Cam Akers with the fingertip grab at the end probably saved the game for us too. So much fun seeing guys step up.
Vanguard83 wrote:
Thank you CJ Ham - way to stay inbounds to chew the clock.......Robert Smith, were you watching?
MAD GAINZ wrote:
The Hammer knows football.
LOL!
I said the exact same thing at the game last night.
Great minds...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
JimmyinSD wrote:
Yes, he most likely delivered yet another win that Cousins would not have, i was one of the first to start suggesting that they resign SD for at least another year back when we had about 6 wins, so its not like I have an ax to grind with him. All I was saying was in reaponse to the post about his accuracy was that aside to the dimes to Addison and Nailor, and possibly 1 or 2 more beautiful throws, he had a bunch that were bad throws, a bad decision, or that just sailed on him. Despite the great outcome of the game or that the balls ended up getting caught, his accuracy wasnt as good yesterday as I was seeing earlier in the season. Look at the horrible throw that Akers had to shoe string at the end to seal the game, he was wide open and it still ended up being a cardiac event.Im not shitting on the guy at all, just stating that it wasnt his best performance in terms of ball placement at times and yards were left on the field. Happy with the win, most likely an L with many other QBs, and will acknowledge that sometimes ugly is productive.
Ive actually gotten exactly what i wanted out of cousins replacement, i had argued for 5 years that if we sacrificed accuracy for better mobilty and a much lower cap # that we would be better off overall... I am feeling pretty vindicated in my position these days.
Yes, Sam delivered again yesterday, but there always seems to be 2 or 3 passes that sail on him or look bad. I think Nailer or Addison had to leap and catch one high ball, the Akers catch (if he puts that on him, Akers could have possibly scored. Not that he should have, but could have.) and there was one other that should have been intercepted.
I am happy as can be with his game, his movement in the pocket enabled the Addison TD and many other throws. Just gives me a lump in my throat every time the ball sails on him.
JimmyinSD wrote:
Somebody get Parker Romos agent on the phone.
Yeah, that was a shakey at best outing for the rookie. What happened on that kickoff that "was short of the landing zone"? What a goofy rule, but honestly I didn't see, how did he shank that? Or is his quad still bothering him.
JimmyinSD wrote:
Somebody get Parker Romos agent on the phone.
Yeah, that was a shakey at best outing for the rookie. What happened on that kickoff that "was short of the landing zone"? What a goofy rule, but honestly I didn't see, how did he shank that? Or is his quad still bothering him.
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