Week 13 vs Cardinals

[Aggies7]

Big *ick Darnold 

[Vanimal46]

JJ saves the day on 4th down. That's at least 5 times the Cardinals can rush at Darnold UNBLOCKED. Awful game by the OL

[Aggies7]

I might run it here on first down just to get some yards 

[Aggies7]

Falcons lose to the chargers.

[Vanimal46]

Just now, Aggies7 said:

I might run it here on first down just to get some yards 

And burn off some clock... Don't want to leave too much time for Murray

[Vanimal46]

Just now, Aggies7 said:

Falcons lose to the chargers.

4 INTs from Kirko. The chants for Penix are getting louder... 

[Aggies7]

Lots of time left lol

[Vanimal46]

Redemption for Jones! 

[Aggies7]

Alright defense buck up for one more stop 

[Aggies7]

Can we get one of those game ending picks we always get? 

[Aggies7]

Sooooo close 

[Aggies7]

Ballgameeeeeeee

[Vanimal46]

4 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Can we get one of those game ending picks we always get? 

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!!! WINNER!!

[Aggies7]

Defense nutted up man  

[Vanimal46]

We have really mastered the art of the ugly win

[TheLeviathan]

Not a great win, but a gutty one.

[Aggies7]

That’s a brutal loss for Arizona. Shouldn’t have kicked the FG 

[mrtwinsfan]

Never a dull game with these guys,   it is awesome to win these

[Aggies7]

Some franchises just find a way. I’m talking about Arizona 

[Aggies7]

The jets are so bad. Imagine the turn of events if you’re a cards fan 

[Aggies7]

Think it’s time for A Aron to hang it up 

[gunnarthor]

Nice win

[TheLeviathan]

That game is one of those that you can't call a great win, but it's nice to see the fight the team can muster.

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

That game is one of those that you can't call a great win, but it's nice to see the fight the team can muster.

They sure don't quit, like some teams 

[Aggies7]

Arizona’s coaching really cost them. That 3rd and 6 run for 1 yard from the 23 was quietly a really crucial play call. Played conservative and lost.

[Mike Sixel]

2 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Arizona’s coaching really cost them. That 3rd and 6 run for 1 yard from the 23 was quietly a really crucial play call. Played conservative and lost.

Yup. Gotta play to win. The field goal at the end makes it easier for Minnesota, because they have to go for it on fourth down, rather than kick a field goal, had that been an option. All around play not to lose mentality.

[Aggies7]

11 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Yup. Gotta play to win. The field goal at the end makes it easier for Minnesota, because they have to go for it on fourth down, rather than kick a field goal, had that been an option. All around play not to lose mentality.

Yeah and at the time I felt like they could have scored the TD. Our defense was gassed.

[Original_JB]

I don't know which is more nerve wracking, jumping out to a big lead and barely hanging on for the win, or this not doing jack but hanging around just enough to pull it out at the end. I guess you get entertainment for the whole 60 minutes either way, but jinkies.

[nicksaviking]

So I've been critical of the interior OL, and I still am, but I think they need a coaching change. I don't know anything about (checking....) Chris Kuper but I think a lot of the issues is on him because these guys do not look prepared for situational blocking.

Obviously the QB and OL are never going to pick up every blitz pre-snap, but why is it that every delayed blitz up the middle gets through? Why don't the guards or center ever shift off the guy they are blocking to slow down the guy running freely with momentum? You could see it yesterday, they were looking at the blitzer but chose to stick with the lineman they were already engaged with, even though that defender didn't have momentum building towards the QB.

Additionally, our screen passes to the backs seem to never work, and at least yesterday I saw why. The Vikings had four OL out in space to block three defenders. However, none of them engaged until Aaron Jones was already wrapped up. They BEAT the defenders out there. Maybe they were all taught to be mindful of PI and not engage early, but they were not in position nor ready for the catch. Not a single one of the lineman were positioned between Jones and the defenders, and it didn't look like they had a plan for whom each of them should block.

[Cap'n Piranha]

At the end of the day, the Vikes stack another win, the offense shows up when it needs to, and the defense does just enough to hold on.  Playoffs are pretty much a lock at this point.

That said—the things I’ve been talking about for over a month are now far too obvious to ignore.  With all the offensive weapons we have, KOC still can’t produce a consistent offense, just brief flashes of competence.  I don’t know if there needs to be some self-scouting done, if we need a massive injection of OL help, or if this is just what a KOC offense is.  Either way, something is going to have to change for this team to be a serious Super Bowl contender.