Commanders @ Vikings

Like the old fable "If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound?"

If the game is held in Minnesota is it really a game if the offense doesn't show up?

I agree, this week is their best shot at a win the rest of the year..So much will depend on #9 and whether he can elevate to even near avg play.

Id like to see a win for the players, see some hope at QB.

BUT --- there is also a piece of me that would like to leap ahead of the Commodes in draft rank.

IF there ever was a season to think about the draft order? That would be when you're sitting at 4/8.

You'd think with the heat KOC has taken for his outright refusal to run the football with struggling quarterbacks, and the Skins struggles against the run, you'd want to get 30+ carries out of the collective of running backs. Unfortunately that has NEVER been KOC's style. We'll see if the "dumbing down the offense" is real or just lip service.

I think we are in trouble if we are once again without Darrisaw/Jackson and Von Miller gets after McCarthy. Dan Quinn is absolutely going to try heating things up with different blitzes. As bad as I think Marriota is, he has shown he is capable of completing passes which one up's him on McCarthy.

This game is as important as a preseason game. No one cares.

smleh wrote:
This game is as important as a preseason game. No one cares.

I don't think that's true.  I think people care a lot.  Getting smoked by a bad team is going to make the offseason a living hell for this fanbase.  Getting a positive win in this game and hopefully another gives the fanbase hope that not all is lost.

smleh wrote:
This game is as important as a preseason game. No one cares.

Nonsense. Sure, nobody cares if we win or lose, but how certain players perform is actually very important.

I will always watch the games despite the record, but there is not a lot to be excited about for this week. With last weeks loss we have no shot of the playoffs and on top of that it is pretty uninspired football team with players who look like they have quit and an organization that appears to be in complete disarray. The most interesting aspect of the game will be JJ, hopefully we see some type of improvement from him in this game.

Probably unpopular opinion but I would prefer L's the rest of the way. Kewsi needs to go. KOC has to learn to run the ball.

Still Hurtn wrote:
Probably unpopular opinion but I would prefer L's the rest of the way. Kewsi needs to go. KOC has to learn to run the ball.

Same boat. If it takes losses for the Wilfs to fix their mistakes, then yeah I'm all in on losing out. Don't even care about draft position because it doesn't matter if it's still Kwesi/Grigson making those picks

smleh wrote:
This game is as important as a preseason game. No one cares.

A good game with an unfortunate end for draft position is good enough for me.

I want to end on a high note, where we have a manageable amount of problems, and hope going into next season.

I don't want to shit the bed, because everyone said it didn't matter, only to listen to them complain for the next 9 months about how bad we did (when it didn't matter).

I swear our fans would argue for putting in all the backups and then complaining that the backups sucked and the coaching staff needs to be fired.

medaille wrote:
I swear our fans would argue for putting in all the backups and then complaining that the backups sucked and the coaching staff needs to be fired.

We suck anyways, so yes, play the backups and any young player you want to get at look at and evaluate for next season. If they suck they suck, but at least we'd know and would have even further data to evaluate Kwesi and the front office. Continuing to play older veterans that don't figure into next year's plans just to win another game or two does nothing for this organization. Hell, at this point, how many of our coaches figure into next year's plans? That answer might be none.

I'd be cool with a higher draft pick IF Kwesi knew what he was doing.

Win the game.

Washington looks like a competent team right now. The Vikings look like an underachieving mess. I know the team can put everything together-- they did it just last month against Detroit-- but there's been zero consistency with the Offense all year long from scheme to QB play to OL injuries to focal points. We have no identity other than "bad".

I expect the Vikes to lose because what else am I supposed to think at this point, but I'll be watching intently and finding the joy where I can. Hopefully there's lots to be had.

Just funny that some here think this will be an easy win for us. Have they been following this season?

Vikings rookie left guard Donovan Jackson did not practice Wednesday as he continues working back from an ankle injury suffered against the Packers on Nov. 23.
Jackson was out all last week and was inactive against the Seahawks on Sunday.

Blake Brandel played in his place but is in concussion protocol this week. Though Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Brandel had no symptoms, he wore a red, no-contact jersey Wednesday and was listed as limited.

“Donovan is not quite there yet from a standpoint of participating in practice, but he’s rapidly recovering and doing everything in his power to be on the field,” O’Connell said. “He’s proven coming off the wrist surgery earlier this year he can go out there and play at a pretty high level if he can get to that place where he’s stable and has the power and change of direction and those things.”

Jackson missed the Vikings’ two international games following wrist surgery on an injury suffered against the Falcons on Sept. 14.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) was a full participant in practice, putting him on track to play Sunday against the Commanders after missing his sixth game of the season.

Defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (neck) was the only other non-participant besides Jackson.

Safety Josh Metellus, who made two trips to the sideline medical tent during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, was limited. He was listed with a shoulder injury.

Safety Theo Jackson (neck), running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder), center Ryan Kelly (hip flexor), defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (hip), defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (rest), defensive lineman Javon Hargrave (rest) and safety Harrison Smith (rest) were also limited.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle/knee), who also missed Sunday’s game, was a full participant and is expected to have his standard week of practice and be available against the Commanders.

The Vikings designated running back Ty Chandler to return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. He was limited on Wednesday.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that team medical staff still has not cleared quarterback Jayden Daniels (left elbow) for contact but that he was “optimistic he’s gonna get a lot of reps for practice.” The decision on whether he plays Sunday will be taken all the way to Friday.

Daniels was listed as limited Wednesday.

“There’s still like functional evaluations to go through, but game plan, practicing and that part is good,” Quinn told reporters. “You’ll see on the side, it’s a little more challenging to work at quarterback when you’re not doing quarterback when you’re not doing the same contact, so we’ll have to simulate as much as we can. But he’s off to a good start.”

Also limited was linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder). Tight end Zach Ertz (rest), defensive end Drake Jackson (knee/groin), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (back), outside linebacker Von Miller (rest), tackle Laremy Tunsil (rest) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (knee) did not practice.

STRIB

purplefaithful wrote:
Vikings rookie left guard Donovan Jackson did not practice Wednesday as he continues working back from an ankle injury suffered against the Packers on Nov. 23. Jackson was out all last week and was inactive against the Seahawks on Sunday.

Blake Brandel played in his place but is in concussion protocol this week. Though Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that Brandel had no symptoms, he wore a red, no-contact jersey Wednesday and was listed as limited.

“Donovan is not quite there yet from a standpoint of participating in practice, but he’s rapidly recovering and doing everything in his power to be on the field,” O’Connell said. “He’s proven coming off the wrist surgery earlier this year he can go out there and play at a pretty high level if he can get to that place where he’s stable and has the power and change of direction and those things.”

Jackson missed the Vikings’ two international games following wrist surgery on an injury suffered against the Falcons on Sept. 14.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) was a full participant in practice, putting him on track to play Sunday against the Commanders after missing his sixth game of the season.

Defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez (neck) was the only other non-participant besides Jackson.

Safety Josh Metellus, who made two trips to the sideline medical tent during Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, was limited. He was listed with a shoulder injury.

Safety Theo Jackson (neck), running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder), center Ryan Kelly (hip flexor), defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (hip), defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (rest), defensive lineman Javon Hargrave (rest) and safety Harrison Smith (rest) were also limited.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle/knee), who also missed Sunday’s game, was a full participant and is expected to have his standard week of practice and be available against the Commanders.

The Vikings designated running back Ty Chandler to return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. He was limited on Wednesday.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that team medical staff still has not cleared quarterback Jayden Daniels (left elbow) for contact but that he was “optimistic he’s gonna get a lot of reps for practice.” The decision on whether he plays Sunday will be taken all the way to Friday.

Daniels was listed as limited Wednesday.

“There’s still like functional evaluations to go through, but game plan, practicing and that part is good,” Quinn told reporters. “You’ll see on the side, it’s a little more challenging to work at quarterback when you’re not doing quarterback when you’re not doing the same contact, so we’ll have to simulate as much as we can. But he’s off to a good start.”

Also limited was linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder). Tight end Zach Ertz (rest), defensive end Drake Jackson (knee/groin), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (back), outside linebacker Von Miller (rest), tackle Laremy Tunsil (rest) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (knee) did not practice.

STRIB

Darrisaw really just said, "the heck with all this," last game huh

pattersaur wrote:
Washington looks like a competent team right now. The Vikings look like an underachieving mess. I know the team can put everything together-- they did it just last month against Detroit-- but there's been zero consistency with the Offense all year long from scheme to QB play to OL injuries to focal points. We have no identity other than "bad".

I expect the Vikes to lose because what else am I supposed to think at this point, but I'll be watching intently and finding the joy where I can. Hopefully there's lots to be had.

I don't know what to expect.  O'Connell pumped more unintelligible word salad this week about dumbing it down and what JJM needs to do or not do or to be or not to be or something really long and impossible to make sense of.  Something along the lines of well folks I finally decided to try to be smart about qb development here in week 13.  Was that soon enough, derp dorp?

So I can't really parse all that into a meaningful feel for what's going on, where the team's collective head is at, what JJM is going to look like this week, etc., I got nothing, zip, nada.   I know Flores D comes to play most weeks despite the inept tackling.   I think a win or loss mostly comes down to can O'Connell get out of his own way for once and call a strategically sound game instead of filling a rookie qb's plate with so much stuff that he looks utterly lost out there?  

Before last week's game I said I felt sorry for Max Brosmer, because he was being thrown to the wolves and the people above him were responsible for whatever shitshow got put on the field.  It wasn't Max's fault, he was in a no win situation.  I feel kinda the same way about JJM.  As bad as he's looked and it's historically freaking bad, it's not like the HC and the organization are doing him any favors with the way he (and Brosmer) have been asked as basically kids with no NFL experience to drink a complex passing game through a firehose and run it like 6-7 year vets out of the gate.   There are so many things KOC could have done strategically and schematically to help the kid and bring him along slowly, building confidence, but instead he just stands on the sideline calling his shit and then exuding crappy body language and frowning as these kids apparently "let the great genius down".  It's nauseating to witness.   Maybe this week will be different.

smleh wrote:
This game is as important as a preseason game. No one cares.

Speak only for yourself.

comet52 wrote:

I don't know what to expect.  O'Connell pumped more unintelligible word salad this week about dumbing it down and what JJM needs to do or not do or to be or not to be or something really long and impossible to make sense of.  Something along the lines of well folks I finally decided to try to be smart about qb development here in week 13.  Was that soon enough, derp dorp?

So I can't really parse all that into a meaningful feel for what's going on, where the team's collective head is at, what JJM is going to look like this week, etc., I got nothing, zip, nada.   I know Flores D comes to play most weeks despite the inept tackling.   I think a win or loss mostly comes down to can O'Connell get out of his own way for once and call a strategically sound game instead of filling a rookie qb's plate with so much stuff that he looks utterly lost out there?  

Before last week's game I said I felt sorry for Max Brosmer, because he was being thrown to the wolves and the people above him were responsible for whatever shitshow got put on the field.  It wasn't Max's fault, he was in a no win situation.  I feel kinda the same way about JJM.  As bad as he's looked and it's historically freaking bad, it's not like the HC and the organization are doing him any favors with the way he (and Brosmer) have been asked as basically kids with no NFL experience to drink a complex passing game through a firehose and run it like 6-7 year vets out of the gate.   There are so many things KOC could have done strategically and schematically to help the kid and bring him along slowly, building confidence, but instead he just stands on the sideline calling his shit and then exuding crappy body language and frowning as these kids apparently "let the great genius down".  It's nauseating to witness.   Maybe this week will be different.

I am a huge KO believer but yeah it's plain to see was trying to teach calculus to third graders. It's not gonna work and it's not the kids' fault. I'm shocked he made this massive error to be honest and it's disappointing considering I assume he has many resources around the league at this point to lean on for guidance on handling a young QB.

The most frustrating part about this season is how much it reeks of hubris from the front office and the coaching staff. I'm still in the camp of hope they learn from it rather than let them swing for it, but it hasn't been the funnest season.