Seahawks post-mortem

[Dames]

I think the injuries were big in this game. A healthy Thielen likely gets us over the top. But Cook would have been huge to have in the 4th also. I'm sure losing Reiff wasn't exactly good for our line either. We are likely looking at a wild card now, but if we can get those guys healthy in time for the playoffs, we will be dangerous.

We played tough hard game last night and the bottom line is we just made too many mistakes that we couldn't recover from. But, we were in the game the whole way, and so it's at least encouraging. I'm still optimistic.

You guys possibly thinking the Bears are going to catch us are just being silly. We have issues, but we are far better than the Bears. We got beat in a game last night that honestly most of us expected to lose. Big deal. I'm not happy with the loss, but I'm happy with the effort for the most part.

We are 8-4. 4 games left. 3 are at home where we are undefeated. 3 of the 4 are vs teams with losing records. If we lose this week vs the Lions then we can be concerned.

Wining the division is still possible, although it's less likely. Getting a bye is still possible if we take care of business. The odds are not in our favor anymore, but things change quickly.

Nothing in the way we've played this year suggests we are going to suddenly start losing to bad teams. If it comes down to having to beat the Bears in the last game of the year, then it means we've played really bad vs the Lions and/or the Chargers. I will probably be pessimistic about our chances at that point. I really doubt that it's going to.

Chin up everyone, we're still in good shape.... and we are on track to be healthy in time for the playoffs.

And before anyone accuses me of being happy just getting a wildcard, that's stupid. The only goal is win the SB, but you have to get to the playoffs first 100% of the time to get there. Chip and a chair, baby. Give me a chance, and anything can happen.

[VikingLord]

You guys possibly thinking the Bears are going to catch us are just being silly. We have issues, but we are far better than the Bears.

Famous last words...

We'll see how ridiculous it is. The Bears aren't that bad. They're 6-6 and starting to click better on offense.

[Dames]

Interesting tweet on our 4th and 3 play:

https://twitter.com/SeifertESPN/status/ ... 03008?s=19

Looks like the two best reads on this play were Mattison and Smith. Mattison would've had to break a few LB tackles to get the first down. With Smith, they just needed to complete the pass. Diggs was doubled and the right side of the field (Rudy and Treadwell) was blocked because of the linemen.

If that's me, I probably go to Mattison and hope he breaks a tackle - but then again, QBs get heavily criticized for throwing short of the sticks, especially on 4th down.

Wish we had enough faith in our line to run a different play there with some crossing routes between Diggs and Rudolph. Those are typically gold for us when needing 3-5 yards.

That play call was disappointing. Seems like there were much better choices. Seattle played it perfectly, but I think a better play call gets us a better look. I think Kirk probably made the right read, but the play call left little margin for error. He had to throw it outside to keep away from the defender, but just quite wasn't accurate enough for Irv to get it. In hindsight, completing a pass to Mattison would have been nice to see. We'll never know.

[StpViking]

Stefon Diggs showed me he is not in Adam Thielen's or even Rudy's league. In the most crucial time, you can not have drops.

The Vikings defense does not have the killer instinct of the League of Boom. Seattle was out there punching at the ball, scratching and clawing at every moment. You can tell how much that game meant to them. Meanwhile the Vikings D was playing passive and getting run over by Seattle run game.

If this team makes the playoffs, I just don't know if it would matter. They still lack that one player that can put the team on his back and lift them out of the muck. And no it's Cook, he has the same lack of ball awareness AD had.

[VikingLord]

That play call was disappointing. Seems like there were much better choices. Seattle played it perfectly, but I think a better play call gets us a better look. I think Kirk probably made the right read, but the play call left little margin for error. He had to throw it outside to keep away from the defender, but just quite wasn't accurate enough for Irv to get it. In hindsight, completing a pass to Mattison would have been nice to see. We'll never know.

On the topic of playcalling, was anyone else disappointed with the lack of creativity shown by the Vikings? I mean, they barely tried to go downfield in the passing game, waiting until they got way behind before the ball started to fly, and for the most part Cousins had decent protection and time to let those routes develop.

There was no misdirection. No reverses. Nothing to really throw the Seahawks off that I can recall.

On the 4th down play in question, Smith wasn't open. That's why Cousins threw it so wide. Mattison might have been a better option, but Cousins wasn't looking his way.

I was surprised the Vikings had no tricks of their own in store for the Seahawks ala the fake punt the Seahawks converted. The Vikings took few real chances, which has been par for the course for the offense under Zimmer. The playoff teams have the cajones and the confidence to run those come December when division titles and home playoff games are at stake.

Would be nice to see something similar from the Vikings when the game is on the line.

[Raz]

This team appears soft to me they're not strong on the line. We need Adam back to have any real chance.

I didn't care for the play calling or tempo with a little over 3 minutes left there was no reason to panic or rush there was plenty of time.

The third down play I would have called a run to mattison. The 4th down play needed to be a more high percentage chance of success a rub play to Rudy or something.

Special teams is trash

Diggs I don't know what to think of him if it wasn't for a dozen big catches nobody would even know is name very ordinary.

I don't know what about Rhodes evedently Hill is not that good or ready

Only 1 penalty against the Hawks really they aren't exactly one of the least flagged teams in the league.

O well it was fun to watch.

[StumpHunter]

Stefon Diggs showed me he is not in Adam Thielen's or even Rudy's league. In the most crucial time, you can not have drops.

The Vikings defense does not have the killer instinct of the League of Boom. Seattle was out there punching at the ball, scratching and clawing at every moment. You can tell how much that game meant to them. Meanwhile the Vikings D was playing passive and getting run over by Seattle run game.

If this team makes the playoffs, I just don't know if it would matter. They still lack that one player that can put the team on his back and lift them out of the muck. And no it's Cook, he has the same lack of ball awareness AD had.

Diggs is the only reason we are in that game.

[Texas Vike]

That play call was disappointing. Seems like there were much better choices. Seattle played it perfectly, but I think a better play call gets us a better look. I think Kirk probably made the right read, but the play call left little margin for error. He had to throw it outside to keep away from the defender, but just quite wasn't accurate enough for Irv to get it. In hindsight, completing a pass to Mattison would have been nice to see. We'll never know.

On the topic of playcalling, was anyone else disappointed with the lack of creativity shown by the Vikings? I mean, they barely tried to go downfield in the passing game, waiting until they got way behind before the ball started to fly, and for the most part Cousins had decent protection and time to let those routes develop.

There was no misdirection. No reverses. Nothing to really throw the Seahawks off that I can recall.

On the 4th down play in question, Smith wasn't open. That's why Cousins threw it so wide. Mattison might have been a better option, but Cousins wasn't looking his way.

I was surprised the Vikings had no tricks of their own in store for the Seahawks ala the fake punt the Seahawks converted. The Vikings took few real chances, which has been par for the course for the offense under Zimmer. The playoff teams have the cajones and the confidence to run those come December when division titles and home playoff games are at stake.

Would be nice to see something similar from the Vikings when the game is on the line.

Diggs had a long carry on an end around. It was a great play, but it was unfortunately one of very few smart play calls. The screens were working well too.

ST killed us. The fake punt and the fumble by Ham. Our 3rd quarter performance was poor all around. I didn't expect us to win this game in SEA, but it sure would've been nice!

[Dames]

You guys possibly thinking the Bears are going to catch us are just being silly. We have issues, but we are far better than the Bears.

Famous last words...

We'll see how ridiculous it is. The Bears aren't that bad. They're 6-6 and starting to click better on offense.

Chicago currently has a 3% chance to make the playoffs. We have a 2 game lead with 4 to play. They're not horrible, but if they catch us, it's because we started playing poorly against bad teams. That hasn't happened this year. So, sure, it could happen, but it would be going against the pattern. I'm not being cocky about it, just basing it off results this year. Other than the Bears game(8 weeks ago), we've either dominated or had a chance to win every game. We've had some bad stretches during some games, but we've been really good for the majority of them. We have not been beaten by a bad team. We play 2 of them in the next 2 weeks. 3-8-1 and 4-8.

Anyway, this is the Vikings, so I'm not betting the house on them or anything. But, yes, I feel pretty optimistic about it.

The next 2 teams behind us are the Rams and the Bears. Both have very difficult schedules. Chicago has the 2nd hardest, and the Rams the 5th. If they catch us, it's because we sucked, and they played out of their minds with a brutal schedule. Anyone think the Bears will run the table against Dallas, KC, GB and the Vikings? I don't. They almost have to win out to get in.

The Rams schedule: Seahawks, Cowboys, SF, then Ari. They probably need to go 3-1 to have a shot.

I like our chances. If we lose one of the next 2 games, I'll be changing my tune very quickly though.

[Dames]

On the topic of playcalling, was anyone else disappointed with the lack of creativity shown by the Vikings? I mean, they barely tried to go downfield in the passing game, waiting until they got way behind before the ball started to fly, and for the most part Cousins had decent protection and time to let those routes develop.

There was no misdirection. No reverses. Nothing to really throw the Seahawks off that I can recall.

On the 4th down play in question, Smith wasn't open. That's why Cousins threw it so wide. Mattison might have been a better option, but Cousins wasn't looking his way.

I was surprised the Vikings had no tricks of their own in store for the Seahawks ala the fake punt the Seahawks converted. The Vikings took few real chances, which has been par for the course for the offense under Zimmer. The playoff teams have the cajones and the confidence to run those come December when division titles and home playoff games are at stake.

Would be nice to see something similar from the Vikings when the game is on the line.

Yes, I felt the same. It felt pretty vanilla. I wanted them to take more shots for sure. Go no huddle. Something. This isn't the the LOB anymore, and we moved the ball fairly well, but it felt like we went really conservative at times. I agree, that feels like the Zimmer affect.. I understand wanting to keep Wilson off the field, but you can't play that way IMO. TOP was really lopsided in Seattle's favor for a while, so the vanilla plan wasn't working anyway. At one point, Seattle had the ball twice as long as the Vikings. That evened out a lot in 4th quarter.

I'd like to think they're saving it for the playoffs, but I really doubt it. I think Zimmer will just get more clamped down.

[halfgiz]

Xavier Rhodes gave up 4 receptions o4 targets for 99 yds & a TD vs SEA, adding to his season of 47 catches on 55 targets (85.4% comp) for 525 yds, 3 TDs, & ZERO interceptions on the season. So far, going Rhodes way in 2019 is like going to 7-Eleven. Someone is always open!

Rhodes should of got benched with his Tantrums last night.
Hill couldn't have done much worse.

[VikingLord]

Chicago currently has a 3% chance to make the playoffs. We have a 2 game lead with 4 to play. They're not horrible, but if they catch us, it's because we started playing poorly against bad teams. That hasn't happened this year. So, sure, it could happen, but it would be going against the pattern. I'm not being cocky about it, just basing it off results this year. Other than the Bears game(8 weeks ago), we've either dominated or had a chance to win every game. We've had some bad stretches during some games, but we've been really good for the majority of them. We have not been beaten by a bad team. We play 2 of them in the next 2 weeks. 3-8-1 and 4-8.

Anyway, this is the Vikings, so I'm not betting the house on them or anything. But, yes, I feel pretty optimistic about it.

The next 2 teams behind us are the Rams and the Bears. Both have very difficult schedules. Chicago has the 2nd hardest, and the Rams the 5th. If they catch us, it's because we sucked, and they played out of their minds with a brutal schedule. Anyone think the Bears will run the table against Dallas, KC, GB and the Vikings? I don't. They almost have to win out to get in.

The Rams schedule: Seahawks, Cowboys, SF, then Ari. They probably need to go 3-1 to have a shot.

I like our chances. If we lose one of the next 2 games, I'll be changing my tune very quickly though.

One of those 4 is a rematch and they own the tiebreaker, though, so all the Bears really have to do is win 1 more than the Vikings over the other 3 games, which is more than doable even if their schedule looks tougher.

The problem the Bears have had all year is their offense. Their defense is still playoff caliber. So the main issue for them is their offense. If their offense starts to score, they could win out.

Not saying that is going to happen, but just that it isn't as unlikely as it seemed 2 weeks ago.

Also, with the way the Vikings defense has been playing, all bets are off. I was not impressed at all by what I saw last night, and it continued a trend that emerged with the loss against KC. They managed to escape Dallas and the Broncos with wins, but didn't play particularly well in either game, both of which were a late throw away from being losses.

I think the Vikings will bounce back at home against the Lions, but I could see them lose at the Chargers and at home to the Packers based on the defensive issues. Veteran QBs like Rivers and Rodgers will have no qualms about going at Rhodes or exposing lapses in coverage.

[J. Kapp 11]

You guys possibly thinking the Bears are going to catch us are just being silly. We have issues, but we are far better than the Bears.

Famous last words...

We'll see how ridiculous it is. The Bears aren't that bad. They're 6-6 and starting to click better on offense.

It's also simple math.

Right now, the Bears are two games back. If we stumble prior to Week 17 -- and remember, we still have a game with Green Bay -- and the Bears run the table up to week 17, then the last home game is for a playoff spot. Granted, the Bears have to face Dallas, Green Bay, KC and us, so the likelihood of them going undefeated until Week 17 is fairly small. But with that defense, they're always a threat.

And don't forget, the RAMS are sitting there at 7-5, only a game back. They've got Seatle, Dallas and SF over the next three weeks, so it will be tough for them. But stranger things have happened in this league than the Rams winning 4 straight.

The next two weeks will tell the tale for us. We've got Detroit at home. That's a must-win. We're a far better team, but we have historically had issues with them in our building. We simply CANNOT stumble against the Lions. Then it's off to the west coast, where we always struggle, to play the Chargers. Again, that's a team with serious issues, but a west-coast road game against a team that gives everybody all they can handle is anything but a certainty.

The magic number likely is 10 wins. It's sitting right in front of us, and 12-4 isn't out of the question. But for that to happen, the defense is going to have to step up. And we NEED Adam Thielen in the lineup. His absence affects more than just the passing game. Teams are committing 8 to the box to stop Dalvin, and they're getting away with it because Bisi Johnson can't beat single coverage. Right now the only way we're having success running the ball is if we go with 22 personnel, which hamstrings our passing game. 3-yard dumpoffs to Tyler Conklin ain't cutting it.

Our destiny is still in our own hands. This team has to decide whether it's going to get back to being competent on defense, or whether it's going to be the sieve it's been lately.

[Dames]

Stefon Diggs showed me he is not in Adam Thielen's or even Rudy's league. In the most crucial time, you can not have drops.

He's had some weird games lately, but to say he's not their league is a little odd. He's had 4 drops this year. He's had 2 that were picked, which makes them seem more glaring. Not great, but he's far from leading the league. Diggs is really good. Nobody is perfect. Theilen isn't either.

The Vikings defense does not have the killer instinct of the League of Boom. Seattle was out there punching at the ball, scratching and clawing at every moment. You can tell how much that game meant to them. Meanwhile the Vikings D was playing passive and getting run over by Seattle run game.

The D is definitely the weak point for this year's team. They had a tough assingment last night vs Seattle. I agree that they didn't exactly step up, but you're not going to shut down a great offense. I really wanted them to employ the Dallas plan, and go hard against the run. No idea why they let them continue to gash them in the running game. Zimmer said something after the game about how he was surprised that Seattle ran the ball so much. I hope that's a misquote, because he would be the only one who was surprised.

If this team makes the playoffs, I just don't know if it would matter. They still lack that one player that can put the team on his back and lift them out of the muck. And no it's Cook, he has the same lack of ball awareness AD had.

Come on now. He's lost 2 fumbles this year, and you're lumping him in with AD now? Yesterday he was playing hurt. He probably shouldn't have been, but he's extremely vital to this offense, and maybe he can't carry the entire team on his back.... but name me a player who can? This is team sport. It takes everyone. We have multiple people who can step up and help get a win. Last night, we just made a few too many mistakes.

[Dames]

Also, with the way the Vikings defense has been playing, all bets are off. I was not impressed at all by what I saw last night, and it continued a trend that emerged with the loss against KC. They managed to escape Dallas and the Broncos with wins, but didn't play particularly well in either game, both of which were a late throw away from being losses.

I think the Vikings will bounce back at home against the Lions, but I could see them lose at the Chargers and at home to the Packers based on the defensive issues. Veteran QBs like Rivers and Rodgers will have no qualms about going at Rhodes or exposing lapses in coverage.

Oh, I agree with that. If we falter, it will almost certainly be because of our defense. That said, KC, Dallas, and Seattle are very potent offenses (all top 5 I think), so you have to take that into account. The Vikings were asleep in the first half of the Denver game. Once they woke up, the D shut them down for the most part.

I think Rodgers will do plenty of damage, but hopefully we get the running game going enough to keep him off the field. We shut them out for 3 quarters last time. Their offense is playing better though lately. They'll score plenty I'm sure.

Rivers is throwing for a ton of yards, but he's thrown almost as many INTs as TDs. I mean, there's a reason they are 4-8, and it's not because they are just unlucky. They're in the bottom half of the league in scoring, they lack a strong running game, and they have a lot of turnovers. If they play well, they can beat us, but that's the same for any team in the NFL. But, we should beat them.

Nothing is easy in the this league, but if we can't beat the teams we should, then we aren't going to go very far in the playoffs anyway.