ESPN's Overreaction/Not Overreaction Monday
The Vikings will win the NFCMinnesota Vikings had the most breathtaking victory of the Sunday afternoon games, as it trailed 20-0 at halftime but came back to beat the Broncos 27-23. It was the kind of game you look back on if you end up having a magical season -- a game that tells you you're never out of it, that you're capable of winning no matter what.
The Vikings improved to 8-3, still a half-game behind the first-place Packers (who beat them in Week 2) in the NFC North. They've won six of their past seven, with the only loss during that stretch a three-point squeaker in Kansas City.
The verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION. Again, it's tough out here in these NFC streets, where the Niners, Saints, Seahawks and Packers all still have better records than Minnesota's. But this Vikings team deserves to be counted among the top NFC contenders.
The Vikings came back to beat Dallas last week without top wideout Adam Thielen and top defensive tackle Linval Joseph. They run the ball as well as anyone. They stop the run as well as anyone (just ask Ezekiel Elliott). The Vikings have a bye next week, and if they can get healthy during that time, they're poised to attack a December schedule that starts with a trip to Seattle and offers a Dec. 23 chance for revenge against the Packers at home, where they have yet to lose in five games this season.
Despite the Vikings issues with giving up big plays in the passing game and an inconsistent pass rush (which tend to go hand in hand)... they have the look of a Super Bowl contender.
Every year you can look at the NFL playoffs and the teams that typically go the furthest are balanced on both sides of the ball... top 10 offenses to go with top 10 defenses.
Despite us fans getting too deep into the weeds with our team's flaws, they Vikings are balanced on both sides of the ball. Add in the fact that the Vikings also are very sound on special teams (this last game not withstanding)... they are a legit contender.
@"Wetlander" said: Despite the Vikings issues with giving up big plays in the passing game and an inconsistent pass rush (which tend to go hand in hand)... they have the look of a Super Bowl contender.Every year you can look at the NFL playoffs and the teams that typically go the furthest are balanced on both sides of the ball... top 10 offenses to go with top 10 defenses.
Despite us fans getting too deep into the weeds with our team's flaws, they Vikings are balanced on both sides of the ball. Add in the fact that the Vikings also are very sound on special teams (this last game not withstanding)... they are a legit contender.
One more thing. The offense has demonstrated an ability to win running or throwing the ball. So if the defense takes away one or the other, they can still win. The Vikings offense hasn't had that capability for some time.
Just need the defense to pull their weight and they will be contenders, instead of pretenders.
Ive been ass raped by the Vikings so many times that the whistle could go off at 0:00 in the 4th of a super bowl with the Vikings leading and I still wouldnt be sure the won.
Championship teams are made in late November and December. While sitting at 8-3 is a nice place, not fading away late in the season is even better. It's been a pretty fun season so far; not perfect, but better than I expected. We'll soon find out if we're really contenders or not.
@"HappyViking" said:I'll give you that. I thought we were a 9-7 or 10-6 team. We'd have to screw the pooch pretty hard to end there.Championship teams are made in late November and December. While sitting at 8-3 is a nice place, not fading away late in the season is even better. It's been a pretty fun season so far; not perfect, but better than I expected. We'll soon find out if we're really contenders or not.
@"Wetlander" said: Despite the Vikings issues with giving up big plays in the passing game and an inconsistent pass rush (which tend to go hand in hand)... they have the look of a Super Bowl contender.Every year you can look at the NFL playoffs and the teams that typically go the furthest are balanced on both sides of the ball... top 10 offenses to go with top 10 defenses.
Despite us fans getting too deep into the weeds with our team's flaws, they Vikings are balanced on both sides of the ball. Add in the fact that the Vikings also are very sound on special teams (this last game not withstanding)... they are a legit contender.
I would say the punt return job scares me at this point. Wish we would have held onto sherels. Hughes isn't making good decisions back there.
@"AGRforever" said: Ive been ass raped by the Vikings so many times that the whistle could go off at 0:00 in the 4th of a super bowl with the Vikings leading and I still wouldnt be sure the won.I'd definitely be looking for a flag!!
The Vikings have never succeeded as front runners.
Sounds odd, but I like that this team is relevant but not favored. I've always believed if they were to win the Superbowl it would be as an underdog and not a #1 or #2 seed.
@"1VikesFan" said:Right, the damn flag could fly what 10-15 minutes later and not surprise anyone? AND AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, we've decided the Vikings didn't really win.@"AGRforever" said: Ive been ass raped by the Vikings so many times that the whistle could go off at 0:00 in the 4th of a super bowl with the Vikings leading and I still wouldnt be sure the won. I'd definitely be looking for a flag!!
@"Mattyman" said: The Vikings have never succeeded as front runners.Sounds odd, but I like that this team is relevant but not favored. I've always believed if they were to win the Superbowl it would be as an underdog and not a #1 or #2 seed.
Certainly the hard way to do it. I'm sick of traveling in championship games. Bring them to UBS and let our homefield score a few points for us. What I really don't want to end up doing is going to Lambblow where we all know the refs spot the Packers 10-20 points a game.
I just hope the "balance on both sides of the ball" isn't getting upset. Our defense is currently 27th against the pass and 14th against the run - do we need to find a defensive guru for this team?? Somehow we are 5th in scoring defense, so that trumps the other parts, but I fear it may keep sliding.
@"AGRforever" said:@"Mattyman" said: The Vikings have never succeeded as front runners.Sounds odd, but I like that this team is relevant but not favored. I've always believed if they were to win the Superbowl it would be as an underdog and not a #1 or #2 seed.
Certainly the hard way to do it. I'm sick of traveling in championship games. Bring them to UBS and let our homefield score a few points for us. What I really don't want to end up doing is going to Lambblow where we all know the refs spot the Packers 10-20 points a game.
The Packers would be spotted 21points, let's be honest. :)
@"Jor-El" said: I just hope the "balance on both sides of the ball" isn't getting upset. Our defense is currently 27th against the pass and 14th against the run - do we need to find a defensive guru for this team?? Somehow we are 5th in scoring defense, so that trumps the other parts, but I fear it may keep sliding.We need corners. And pressure up front.
LJ hurts. So does XR.
@"AGRforever" said:@"Mattyman" said: The Vikings have never succeeded as front runners.Sounds odd, but I like that this team is relevant but not favored. I've always believed if they were to win the Superbowl it would be as an underdog and not a #1 or #2 seed.
Certainly the hard way to do it. I'm sick of traveling in championship games. Bring them to UBS and let our homefield score a few points for us. What I really don't want to end up doing is going to Lambblow where we all know the refs spot the Packers 10-20 points a game.
I'm confident the Vikings can win at Lamblow despite the refs. I don't see them winning in New Orleans though.
I still have hope they win the North.
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