Vikes and Dolphins

[TheLeviathan]

Well, that firing is looking like a good decision so far.

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, this game is a lot of fun.

[Badsmerf]

I've been listening for the most part... Sounds like Dolphins can't stop anything.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I've been listening for the most part... Sounds like Dolphins can't stop anything.

 

The offense has serious rhythm.  Big holes to run in, lots of time for Cousins, lots of play-action.

 

I mean, if this becomes a thing.....we'll be a dangerous team.  Also....when did MacKenzie Alexander decide to be good?

[Badsmerf]

I've thought he's shown some good skills at times.

 

That was a terrible decision by cousins. Man his ball security is horrible.

[Mr. Brooks]

Man, Cousins makes some awful decisions.

[gunnarthor]

This game isn't as fun anymore

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Great rally today after the Dolphins got close

[TheLeviathan]

 

This game isn't as fun anymore

 

Fun again?

 

Been a bit of a roller coaster, that's for sure.  This pass rush is totally different at home versus on the road.  That's going to be an issue come playoff time.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd like to see if they can score points against a better defense, but I have to admit liking that they put a rather convincing beat down on a playoff hopefull. I kind of hope Chicago is playing for something in 2 weeks.

[Badsmerf]

I'd like to see if they can score points against a better defense, but I have to admit liking that they put a rather convincing beat down on a playoff hopefull. I kind of hope Chicago is playing for something in 2 weeks.

I'd love to beat the bears down 2 weeks in a row. I still think they are overrated.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'd like to see if they can score points against a better defense, but I have to admit liking that they put a rather convincing beat down on a playoff hopefull. I kind of hope Chicago is playing for something in 2 weeks.

 

It's far from unusual for wildcard teams to make runs.  But I don't think this team can do that unless I see the running game continue this kind of pace.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

It's far from unusual for wildcard teams to make runs.  But I don't think this team can do that unless I see the running game continue this kind of pace.

 

If they have finally figured out the offense, they can do it. I'm not ready to trust that yet. I'd like to see what the offense can do against a legit D. I'm not sure we get that test against Detroit, which is why I'm hoping that the Bears have something to play for week 17. 

[gunnarthor]

This team isn't going to do much in the playoffs. I'm not convinced our defense can play outstanding on the road - they've given up a touchdown more on the road than at home - and our OL is bad. This team isn't going to rattle off three straight road wins in the playoffs. They have a puncher's chance in any/every game but they're probably one and done.

 

I still think they are close to getting back to the championship and/or super bowl but they need to fix the OL badly. Until then, they're not real contenders.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

This team isn't going to do much in the playoffs. I'm not convinced our defense can play outstanding on the road - they've given up a touchdown more on the road than at home - and our OL is bad. This team isn't going to rattle off three straight road wins in the playoffs. They have a puncher's chance in any/every game but they're probably one and done.

 

I still think they are close to getting back to the championship and/or super bowl but they need to fix the OL badly. Until then, they're not real contenders.

 

That's a pretty fair take, which is why I want to see what the O can do against a good D. We' have a lot more wins in our win column right now if the offense could do more than garbage time scores... and it's hard to fault the D when they are out there 40 minutes a game. 

 

You're right though... the OL is terrible. That's on Spielman for not getting us some help at Guard in particular (it's probably too much to ask for an OG in rounds 1 and 2, but we'll get a LB instead)… I think what I want to know is how much of the bad OL was Flip not being able to scheme around it. They looked good on Sunday. Was that Stefanski or just dumb luck?

[Vanimal46]

That's a pretty fair take, which is why I want to see what the O can do against a good D. We' have a lot more wins in our win column right now if the offense could do more than garbage time scores... and it's hard to fault the D when they are out there 40 minutes a game.

 

You're right though... the OL is terrible. That's on Spielman for not getting us some help at Guard in particular (it's probably too much to ask for an OG in rounds 1 and 2, but we'll get a LB instead)… I think what I want to know is how much of the bad OL was Flip not being able to scheme around it. They looked good on Sunday. Was that Stefanski or just dumb luck?

Dumb luck IMO. Miami is #30 against the run this year. I'd like to see results like that against the Bears before I believe things have changed for the better.

[TheLeviathan]

 

This team isn't going to do much in the playoffs. I'm not convinced our defense can play outstanding on the road - they've given up a touchdown more on the road than at home - and our OL is bad. This team isn't going to rattle off three straight road wins in the playoffs. They have a puncher's chance in any/every game but they're probably one and done.

 

I still think they are close to getting back to the championship and/or super bowl but they need to fix the OL badly. Until then, they're not real contenders.

 

I share your doubts.  I'm in wait and see mode.  I was just pointing out that historically, wildcards make deep runs in the NFL.  It isn't uncommon.

[Mr. Brooks]

I share your doubts. I'm in wait and see mode. I was just pointing out that historically, wildcards make deep runs in the NFL. It isn't uncommon.

I'm pretty sure a wild card has only won the SB once though. It's a tough road, playing road games against good teams.

[Vanimal46]

I'm pretty sure a wild card has only won the SB once though. It's a tough road, playing road games against good teams.

4 times from 2000-2010, but none since the 2010 Packers... I was curious and looked up the last team to win a super bowl winning 9 games and it was the 2012 Giants against undefeated NE.

[gunnarthor]

 

4 times from 2000-2010, but none since the 2010 Packers... I was curious and looked up the last team to win a super bowl winning 9 games and it was the 2012 Giants against undefeated NE.

That was a good day.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'm pretty sure a wild card has only won the SB once though. It's a tough road, playing road games against good teams.

 

4 times in the last twenty years ain't bad.  And even that's just teams that win the SB.  Wild Card teams have made a lot of deep runs.

 

As I said upthread, though, I'm not sure that matters with how weak this pass rush is away from home.  And I won't buy into the changed offense for at least two weeks.

[Mr. Brooks]

4 times in the last twenty years ain't bad. And even that's just teams that win the SB. Wild Card teams have made a lot of deep runs.

 

As I said upthread, though, I'm not sure that matters with how weak this pass rush is away from home. And I won't buy into the changed offense for at least two weeks.

Yeah, I'm surprised it's 4. I heard one somewhere, perhaps that was the second wild card.

A deep run without a title does nothing for me, except add one more heartbreak. We had a deep run last year, it sucked, IMO.

I know you don't agree, we've been down this "title or bust" road before, but for me personally, I've been beat down so badly being a MN sports fan, that I can no longer feel anything from a regular season or playoff win. The miracle was cool for 15 seconds, then predictably ended miserably a week later.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Yeah, I'm surprised it's 4. I heard one somewhere, perhaps that was the second wild card.
A deep run without a title does nothing for me, except add one more heartbreak. We had a deep run last year, it sucked, IMO.
I know you don't agree, we've been down this "title or bust" road before, but for me personally, I've been beat down so badly being a MN sports fan, that I can no longer feel anything from a regular season or playoff win. The miracle was cool for 15 seconds, then predictably ended miserably a week later.

 

Actually...I think I do agree with you.  Adding Cousins was supposed to deliver a Super Bowl.  I'm not in the mood to lose again, no matter the circumstances.  

 

I try to be a realist about what is likely to happen though.  So I won't get out my pitchfork and torch, I know how hard it is to accomplish what I want them to.  At the same time, I'm not going to be happy with anything but that.

[Badsmerf]

I still want the playoffs. I'm interested in how the offense looks this weekend. Another dynamic and dominating performance will have me optimistic. I want to beat the bears too... but mostly want to beat them in Chicago in the playoffs... a demoralizing win would be beautiful. Like beating Wisconsin in Wisconsin was.

 

The offensive line still needs to be addressed. I also think linebackers need to be upgraded.

[Mr. Brooks]

Actually...I think I do agree with you. Adding Cousins was supposed to deliver a Super Bowl. I'm not in the mood to lose again, no matter the circumstances.

 

I try to be a realist about what is likely to happen though. So I won't get out my pitchfork and torch, I know how hard it is to accomplish what I want them to. At the same time, I'm not going to be happy with anything but that.

I'm not ashamed to get mine out and sharpened.

Yes, winning a title in one given season is very hard. But, there are 32 teams, and we're going on 58 seasons with zero titles. Winning one in 58 years should not be difficult at all. In fact, mathematically, it's more difficult not to have won one yet.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Dumb luck IMO. Miami is #30 against the run this year. I'd like to see results like that against the Bears before I believe things have changed for the better.

 

I think we're in agreement for wanting to see if they can perform against a better team. I'm not sure Flip would have gotten that performance though to be fair. The Patriots were pretty terrible against the run... and we didn't run, so I'm not quite ready to call it dumb luck... Problem is that Sunday won't present much of a test... and if it does, then it pretty much validates your answer. 

[Vanimal46]

I think we're in agreement for wanting to see if they can perform against a better team. I'm not sure Flip would have gotten that performance though to be fair. The Patriots were pretty terrible against the run... and we didn't run, so I'm not quite ready to call it dumb luck... Problem is that Sunday won't present much of a test... and if it does, then it pretty much validates your answer.

What I've heard from people who pay way more attention than me, Flip would abandon the game plan the moment running the ball didn't work. Stefanski stuck to the game plan and saw success.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'm not ashamed to get mine out and sharpened.
Yes, winning a title in one given season is very hard. But, there are 32 teams, and we're going on 58 seasons with zero titles. Winning one in 58 years should not be difficult at all. In fact, mathematically, it's more difficult not to have won one yet.

 

While true, those 58 years of failure are spread across many groups of ownership, players, coaches, etc.  I don't like to make judgments now based on that.