Week 7: Vikings vs. Jets

[Vanimal46]

We're certainly in the soft part of the schedule now. My only concerns today:

 

1. Whoever the Jets decide to line up against Alexander will have a big day.

 

2. If Linval is out, Crowell could have a good day too.

 

I don't think Darnold is good, so I'm hoping for a couple of INTs today. The Jets are also missing 3 starters in their secondary, so Cousins/Diggs/Thielen should shred their backups.

[TheLeviathan]

On the road and outdoors is always a struggle for the Vikings.  Need to win, go into a big game at home against NO next week.

 

Jets are pretty banged up  too, especially in their secondary.

[Vanimal46]

Linval is ruled out of this game

[Vanimal46]

I don't understand why the coaching staff thinks Hill is adequate at LT. Why not try O'Niell over there?

[Mr. Brooks]

12 punts in the first half.

This is a hideous football game.

[Mr. Brooks]

Combined 0-12 on third down.

[Mr. Brooks]

Why not go for it here?

This is a long fg attempt into that wind.

[Mr. Brooks]

Awful decision by Zimmer.

[TheLeviathan]

The wind is really making this an ugly game.  Vikes need to try less trickery and get to some shorter throws the rest of the way.  

[snepp]

Nice assist by Rhodes to Smith!

[Mr. Brooks]

Atta boy Harrison.

Way to step up and make a play.

[TheLeviathan]

Another thorough win, this time on the road.  

 

The defense is starting to look like what we thought it should.

[Mike Sixel]

What happened to Barr?

[Mike Sixel]

Another thorough win, this time on the road.

 

The defense is starting to look like what we thought it should.

Really? Seventeen points to a rookie QB, so far.....

[Badsmerf]

Not flashy, cousins not looking great, but never threatened. Another decisive win (likely). When is cook coming back? Next week against NOLA will be a good barometer for where this team is. If the defense can continue to play like they have, I like Vikings chances.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Really? Seventeen points to a rookie QB, so far.....

 

If you've been watching the game, they've shut them down for the vast majority of the game.  Two drives have scored points and one was with protecting a 17 point lead.  Darnold is 11 for 28 for 133 yards...it's not like he's been allowed to play well.

 

The defense has had a good game.

[Mike Sixel]

If you've been watching the game, they've shut them down for the vast majority of the game. Two drives have scored points and one was with protecting a 17 point lead. Darnold is 11 for 28 for 133 yards...it's not like he's been allowed to play well.

 

The defense has had a good game.

All that matters is points.

 

Still lots of time left....

[TheLeviathan]

 

All that matters is points.

Still lots of time left....

 

I would not agree that points are the only thing that matters in assessing the way they are playing.  

[Badsmerf]

All that matters is points.

 

Still lots of time left....

Like RBI? The Jets had 21 yards total in the second half before the last drive.

 

Rhodes just got hurt. That might not be good.

[Mike Sixel]

Like RBI? The Jets had 21 yards total in the second half before the last drive.

 

Rhodes just got hurt. That might not be good.

Not like RBI at all..... Not even close.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Not like RBI at all..... Not even close.

 

It is in the sense that it's too simplistic.

 

Three turnovers and pretty much total dominance in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Great second half performance after sleepwalking through the first half.

Hopefully that second half carries over to the NO game.

[Vanimal46]

[TheLeviathan]

Hopefully Rhodes is healthy, NO would be a tough team to face with Alexander as a starting CB.

 

 

[Badsmerf]

Looked like he rolled his ankle. Him not being 100% could create a weak spot in the d.

[nicksaviking]

I didn't see him turn his ankle much on that play, which had me worried that he'd popped his Achilles which could happen without any recognizable torque on the ankle. But then they showed him standing on the sideline soon after, and if he had torn the tendon he wouldn't be able to stand unassisted, so that was a good sign.

 

Then my buddy suggested that Xavier perhaps did a bit of acting to try to sell the idea that the feet got tangled to try to avoid the PI penalty.

 

 

[Vanimal46]

I love Rhodes but he seems to get banged up every game. Hopefully he was taken out for precautionary reasons because the game was already sealed up.

[Mike Sixel]

 

It is in the sense that it's too simplistic.

 

Three turnovers and pretty much total dominance in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. 

 

of course it is simplistic.....but I hate it when people talk about the top defenses in terms of yards allowed, or number of three and outs. The thing that really matters is points given up by the defense. They gave up 17 points to a rookie QB in windy conditions. If the WR doesn't tip the ball on that interception when the game was close, who knows what happens.

 

They aren't dominant, not even a little bit, this year. And the offense isn't good enough, for some reason, to cover for that. Not at a SB level. They don't look like the Pats or Rams at all. Not even close. This was supposed to be the year. The D is stacked with 1st and 2nd round picks (either they made or others). The O has a very good/great QB and two of the best WRs in the game. 

 

If this is how they look, it's hard to see them winning anything much past round 1 of the playoffs. There is still time, of course, but my post was about how they have played so far this year, not how they might play.

[Mr. Brooks]

I didn't see him turn his ankle much on that play, which had me worried that he'd popped his Achilles which could happen without any recognizable torque on the ankle. But then they showed him standing on the sideline soon after, and if he had torn the tendon he wouldn't be able to stand unassisted, so that was a good sign.

 

Then my buddy suggested that Xavier perhaps did a bit of acting to try to sell the idea that the feet got tangled to try to avoid the PI penalty.

Missing the rest of the game is quite the hard sell.

[TheLeviathan]

 

of course it is simplistic.....but I hate it when people talk about the top defenses in terms of yards allowed, or number of three and outs. The thing that really matters is points given up by the defense. They gave up 17 points to a rookie QB in windy conditions. If the WR doesn't tip the ball on that interception when the game was close, who knows what happens.

 

They aren't dominant, not even a little bit, this year. And the offense isn't good enough, for some reason, to cover for that. Not at a SB level. They don't look like the Pats or Rams at all. Not even close. This was supposed to be the year. The D is stacked with 1st and 2nd round picks (either they made or others). The O has a very good/great QB and two of the best WRs in the game. 

 

If this is how they look, it's hard to see them winning anything much past round 1 of the playoffs. There is still time, of course, but my post was about how they have played so far this year, not how they might play.

 

I agree, points against matters a lot.  It was a strength last year.  They were really bad most of the first 4 games.  The last three have shown a step in the right direction IMO.  

 

They played well against Philly, they shut AZ down (not saying much, I grant), and for most of the game had the Jets reeling.  I see more of the kind of play that made them great last year the last few weeks.  I'd like to see more pass rush without blitzing and there are still too many wheel routes (or out and ups) going for big plays, but it's been a big step forward.

 

Next week though.....that'll be the real test.