Week 14: MNF at Seahawks

[Vanimal46]

Trae Waynes is out for the game. Holton Hill will be starting opposite of Rhodes.

 

Must win game tonight to control their own destiny for the playoffs.

[Vanimal46]

Seahawks favored by 3.5 points tonight. Over/under 46 points scored in the game.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd bet on Seattle, if I was a betting man. And the over. 

[Mr. Brooks]

Definitely bet the over.

Vegas has been slow to adjust to the new realities of the NFL.

If someone simply bet the over on every game this year so far, they'd be winners at a 70% clip.

[Vanimal46]

Wish I was more confident in the Vikes but they seem to struggle against mobile QBs like Wilson. CB depth is also a concern considering Rhodes gets banged up every game. We're one snap away from Sherels playing significant snaps.

[TheLeviathan]

I need a win tonight.  My best fantasy squad got upset and by a fraction of one point......so counting on the Vikings to reverse my spirits seems like a sound plan right?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Must win game tonight to control their own destiny for the playoffs.

FWIW, even with a loss tonight, we'd still hold the #6 seed and thus "control our own destiny". Our tie gives us the advantage over the three other 6-win teams.

 

Obviously it would be better to win tonight, move up to #5 ahead of the Seahawks, have a bit of a cushion, and keep the division title a possibility. (A loss tonight would mean the next Bears win would clinch the division for them.)

[Badsmerf]

I really hope they actually have an offensive gamelan tonight. Seattle has been playing well lately winning the 5th seed would allow the Vikings to go to whoever wins the nfc East at the least, and sneak the division at best. Not a must win, but close. That is what happens when you don't beat teams like the bills and miss 35% of your field goals in the year.

[Vanimal46]

I really hope they actually have an offensive gamelan tonight. Seattle has been playing well lately winning the 5th seed would allow the Vikings to go to whoever wins the nfc East at the least, and sneak the division at best. Not a must win, but close. That is what happens when you don't beat teams like the bills and miss 35% of your field goals in the year.

A good first step to the offensive game plan is not passing the ball 9 out of 10 plays.

[TheLeviathan]

 

A good first step to the offensive game plan is not passing the ball 9 out of 10 plays.

 

It's funny, for hte last five years all I remember hearing is that we run too much. 

[Vanimal46]

It's funny, for hte last five years all I remember hearing is that we run too much.

There's a balance yet to be found between running the ball 9 times out of 10 and passing 9 times out of 10.

[Mr. Brooks]

FWIW, even with a loss tonight, we'd still hold the #6 seed and thus "control our own destiny". Our tie gives us the advantage over the three other 6-win teams.

 

Obviously it would be better to win tonight, move up to #5 ahead of the Seahawks, have a bit of a cushion, and keep the division title a possibility. (A loss tonight would mean the next Bears win would clinch the division for them.)

Yeah it's going to be nearly impossible for the Vikings to miss the playoffs, the teams behind them are awful.

But, getting the top wildcard spot is the only chance they have of getting some traction in the playoffs. They can win in Dallas, I don't think they have much chance if they have to go to Chicago, or New Orleans. Going to LA doesn't scare me as much, but they did lose there once already.

 

The division is over. I don't understand why people continue to not take the Bears seriously. They are as good as anyone in the league. We aren't in their tier.

[Mr. Brooks]

There's a balance yet to be found between running the ball 9 times out of 10 and passing 9 times out of 10.

I think Flip wanted to stay with the run last week, but it's tough when your o line keeps holding and putting you in 1st and 20.

Not to defend Defilippo, because I'm really not a fan.

[TheLeviathan]

 

There's a balance yet to be found between running the ball 9 times out of 10 and passing 9 times out of 10.

 

I wouldn't disagree.  But I would suggest such a sweet spot balance to assuage fans is as possible to find as a unicorn.

[Mike Sixel]

35mm a year, and you can't get the snap off on time. sigh. This team is not well coached. At all.

[Mr. Brooks]

Inexcusable penalty, then running a route 4 yards short of the sticks on third down, which certainly seems to be Defilippo's calling card.

[Mike Sixel]

So bad. Just a terrible offense.

[Mr. Brooks]

That was an embarrassing play for a HS team, let alone a professional one. What even was that??

[Badsmerf]

Where was that throw going? If you're going to take shots deep... at least throw a catchable ball.

[Mr. Brooks]

Where was that throw going? If you're going to take shots deep... at least throw a catchable ball.

Yeah, it's amazing how quickly my opinion of Cousins has changed. I can definitely see what the skeptics saw when we signed him.

[Badsmerf]

The offense seems to play better with a higher tempo.

[Mr. Brooks]

Why are you holding the ball that long on 3rd and 4?

[Badsmerf]

Cousins immobility is a stark contrast to Russell Wilson. That dude changes games. Can beat you with legs, arm, and reads.

[Mr. Brooks]

The offense seems to play better with a higher tempo.

I agree. They've looked good the rare times they've gone no huddle.

Unfortunately, Zimmer doesn't approve. Can't risk a 15 second 3 and out, in the words of Zimmer.

[Badsmerf]

I agree. They've looked good the rare times they've gone no huddle.

Unfortunately, Zimmer doesn't approve. Can't risk a 15 second 3 and out, in the words of Zimmer.

If Zimmer is worried about a 15 second 3 and out.... Why even play? Rushing the defense seems to help keep them off balance.

[Mr. Brooks]

If Zimmer is worried about a 15 second 3 and out.... Why even play? Rushing the defense seems to help keep them off balance.

Zimmer is just way too risk adverse in general. Never goes for 2 unless it's a completely obvious situation. Way too often settles for long, low probability field goals on 4th and short. Have we ever done a fake kick under Zimmer?

[Badsmerf]

Sounds like he called out defillipo though. This defense is real good at bending but not breaking.

[Badsmerf]

Most overused penalty in football.

[Mr. Brooks]

How is that anything but a pick 6? We desperately need playmakers on our team.

[Badsmerf]

Wow. How does Kendricks fall over himself? Russell doesn't make those kind of mistakes, have to take advantage.