Vikings Message Board.Com

The offense has to be a lot better if they want to make the playoffs and be successful in them. That was a horrific showing by the entire offensive team for most of the first half. They did pick it up after that.
The defense was lights out today. I don't know that I have ever seen Matthew Stafford held to just over 100 yards.

This comment is for the entire league, but the predictability of the league is so bad. Aaron Rodgers wins the game. Shocking. Philly comes back. Shocking. It's very tired. I get ut: ratings. But sometimes unpredictability is a good ting too.
And the officials. They are having their worst year in forever. This is like replacement level. I've never seen so many bull #### penalties and controversial calls. Perhaps the rules are too complicated. Maybe the players are too fast. But you cannot possibly tell me that the Lions did not hold for one play the entire game. It's impossible. There was a play where the Detroit lineman literally tripped Barr and no call. It's terrible. It's God-awful. And people wonder why ratings are down.

And I don't like that Zimmer gave them until Wednesday off again. They need all the preparation they can get

PurpleMustReign wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:12 pm And I don't like that Zimmer gave them until Wednesday off again. They need all the preparation they can get

Yikes, I don’t like this either. If the guys aren’t in a mental state to put in one more day when the playoffs are on the line, I don’t like it. At least have a film day and rest up the body.

Agreed, these officials were bad today. I saw a number of holds on Richardson specifically and none of them were called. It was not called the same way when the Lions were on offense.

I saw the game differently.

Our offense started slowly, to say the least. But that's what complementary football is all about. No team can dominate every phase all the time. Our defense and special teams played great today, and they kept us in the game until the offense got rolling.

And once the offense got rolling, this game was over. After four total yards in the first quarter, the Vikings finished with 353. Most of it came on the final two drives of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half. We stopped scoring because we didn't need to score anymore. Selfishly I was hoping we'd put another 40 on the board, but the Vikings went into prevent offense the last 8 minutes of the game.

Some will say that we got lucky on the hail Mary. Well, here's what I say. Our DEFENSE made that happen by getting us the ball back with time on the clock. Complementary football. Was there some luck? Sure. But you still have to execute. For once, one of those plays went our way.

I also thought Cousins had one of his better games. The entire offense started slowly, set up in large part by terrible field position. But once he got some field position, he was excellent. His passes were on the mark, he made good decisions, he pushed it downfield, and he took care of the football. Can't ask for much more.

Hoping some of the injuries aren't too serious. I really, really, really, really want to beat the Bears. Many of you know, I have an inexplicable unholy hatred for that team.

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:34 pm I saw the game differently.

Our offense started slowly, to say the least. But that's what complementary football is all about. No team can dominate every phase all the time. Our defense and special teams played great today, and they kept us in the game until the offense got rolling.

And once the offense got rolling, this game was over. After four total yards in the first quarter, the Vikings finished with 353. Most of it came on the final two drives of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half. We stopped scoring because we didn't need to score anymore. Selfishly I was hoping we'd put another 40 on the board, but the Vikings went into prevent offense the last 8 minutes of the game.

Some will say that we got lucky on the hail Mary. Well, here's what I say. Our DEFENSE made that happen by getting us the ball back with time on the clock. Complementary football. Was there some luck? Sure. But you still have to execute. For once, one of those plays went our way.

I also thought Cousins had one of his better games. The entire offense started slowly, set up in large part by terrible field position. But once he got some field position, he was excellent. His passes were on the mark, he made good decisions, he pushed it downfield, and he took care of the football. Can't ask for much more.

Hoping some of the injuries aren't too serious. I really, really, really, really want to beat the Bears. Many of you know, I have an inexplicable unholy hatred for that team.

Good post Kapp. Couldn’t agree more

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:34 pm I saw the game differently.

Our offense started slowly, to say the least. But that's what complementary football is all about. No team can dominate every phase all the time. Our defense and special teams played great today, and they kept us in the game until the offense got rolling.

And once the offense got rolling, this game was over. After four total yards in the first quarter, the Vikings finished with 353. Most of it came on the final two drives of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half. We stopped scoring because we didn't need to score anymore. Selfishly I was hoping we'd put another 40 on the board, but the Vikings went into prevent offense the last 8 minutes of the game.

Some will say that we got lucky on the hail Mary. Well, here's what I say. Our DEFENSE made that happen by getting us the ball back with time on the clock. Complementary football. Was there some luck? Sure. But you still have to execute. For once, one of those plays went our way.

I also thought Cousins had one of his better games. The entire offense started slowly, set up in large part by terrible field position. But once he got some field position, he was excellent. His passes were on the mark, he made good decisions, he pushed it downfield, and he took care of the football. Can't ask for much more.

Hoping some of the injuries aren't too serious. I really, really, really, really want to beat the Bears. Many of you know, I have an inexplicable unholy hatred for that team.

Comimentary football is a thing... When you win. Had they lost today, we wouldn't have called it that. I get what toure saying... But they didn't even get one first down in their first four drives.

Purple Domination wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:16 pm

PurpleMustReign wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:12 pm And I don't like that Zimmer gave them until Wednesday off again. They need all the preparation they can get

Yikes, I don’t like this either. If the guys aren’t in a mental state to put in one more day when the playoffs are on the line, I don’t like it. At least have a film day and rest up the body.

Yes, make them practice on CHRISTMAS...

The poor offensive start to the game wasn't a good sign. We've seen too any of those slow starts this season. With everything on the line for them, the offense came out and looked awful for most of a half. Poor field position didn't help them and the defense kept them in the game but against a better team, they might not have been able to keep the score so close. As Kapp said, once the offense got going, the game was basically over but this was against the Lions. If they make the playoffs, the Vikings will likely need to win straight 3 road games to advance to the Super Bowl. It's hard to imagine them doing that against NFC playoff competition unless they play much better.

It was a big game for Rudolph and the defense and a much-needed win. The Vikes control their own fate. Let's see what they can do with the opportunity in front of them.

Rhodes Closed wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:07 pm

Purple Domination wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:16 pm

Yikes, I don’t like this either. If the guys aren’t in a mental state to put in one more day when the playoffs are on the line, I don’t like it. At least have a film day and rest up the body.

Yes, make them practice on CHRISTMAS...

Haha, good point

Mothman wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:27 pm The poor offensive start to the game wasn't a good sign. We've seen too any of those slow starts this season. With everything on the line for them, the offense came out and looked awful for most of a half. Poor field position didn't help them and the defense kept them in the game but against a better team, they might not have been able to keep the score so close. As Kapp said, once the offense got going, the game was basically over but this was against the Lions. If they make the playoffs, the Vikings will likely need to win straight 3 road games to advance to the Super Bowl. It's hard to imagine them doing that against NFC playoff competition unless they play much better.

It was a big game for Rudolph and the defense and a much-needed win. The Vikes control their own fate. Let's see what they can do with the opportunity in front of them.

Agree. Cousins and the offense can't afford to have even a slow quarter from here on out. Puts way too much pressure on the defense.

Playoffs really start next week.

My concern still lies with running the football. I don't think it's coincidence the running game started opening up after an already depleted Detroit defense lost two more guys mid-game plus Slay for a series or two. Even at the end of the game, they had 1st and goal thanks to the defense, went for zero, dump pass to Kyle for a yard or so, then a sweep for negative yards.

It's tough to throw inside the 10, the defense has a 13th man with the back of the end zone. You need to be able to push a pile on the ground even if it's for a couple of yards. That's why I think this line is the worst we've had in a while. This OL the past couple years could never pass block but was at least serviceable running. This year everything seems to be a struggle.

That said, I have seen improvement the last two games and Cook finally looks like he did pre-injury so if they can keep building momentum perhaps those red zone woes will improve. Cousins is one of the best coming out of play action so setting up the run is pivotal.

Defensively, another amazing 2nd half. Zim has made some great halftime adjustments the likes we were used to in prior years. Eric Wilson did a great job in relief and Anthony Harris looks poised to take over for Sendejo. Joseph has been quiet lately but I know he's been limited in practice and likely not 100%.

Wile had a very solid kicking performance and it was good to see Rudolph integrated into the offense. It's never easy to win on the road and this was a good win even with the ugly start. They'll certainly need to be better next week but at least destiny is in their hands.

Here's hoping the Chiefs get it done tonight!

I missed the game. How was the offense in the early game when it was 9-0.

Dmizzle0 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:58 pm I missed the game. How was the offense in the early game when it was 9-0.

4 drives, 4 yards, 4-3 and outs.

PurpleMustReign wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 6:02 pm

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:34 pm I saw the game differently.

Our offense started slowly, to say the least. But that's what complementary football is all about. No team can dominate every phase all the time. Our defense and special teams played great today, and they kept us in the game until the offense got rolling.

And once the offense got rolling, this game was over. After four total yards in the first quarter, the Vikings finished with 353. Most of it came on the final two drives of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half. We stopped scoring because we didn't need to score anymore. Selfishly I was hoping we'd put another 40 on the board, but the Vikings went into prevent offense the last 8 minutes of the game.

Some will say that we got lucky on the hail Mary. Well, here's what I say. Our DEFENSE made that happen by getting us the ball back with time on the clock. Complementary football. Was there some luck? Sure. But you still have to execute. For once, one of those plays went our way.

I also thought Cousins had one of his better games. The entire offense started slowly, set up in large part by terrible field position. But once he got some field position, he was excellent. His passes were on the mark, he made good decisions, he pushed it downfield, and he took care of the football. Can't ask for much more.

Hoping some of the injuries aren't too serious. I really, really, really, really want to beat the Bears. Many of you know, I have an inexplicable unholy hatred for that team.

Comimentary football is a thing... When you win. Had they lost today, we wouldn't have called it that. I get what toure saying... But they didn't even get one first down in their first four drives.

Had the Vikings lost today, it wouldn't have been complementary football. The defense or the special teams wouldn't have held up when the offense was struggling.

This board is exhausting.