TheLeviathan

If you just looked at the Titans record you'd assume a roll-away blow out but they have a very good defense. Their two DTs are a menace to handle and their coach is an excellent schemer in his own right. If you expected the offense to roll, this wasn't the game. They moved the ball, their WR dropped an easy TD, and Darnold did a much better job not forcing the ball. The running attack wasn't good, but (again) those two big boys up front are a lot to handle. They won the game comfortably (had some ref help to be sure) and the defense continues to beat on inferior competition. This team was never a Super Bowl contender this year, the fact that they look in line to have a sure-fire playoff bid is impressive as hell. Right now we'd play whatever garbage teams wins the NFC South. If you had told me that in July I'd have scoffed at you. Kwesi and KOC aren't blameless or without room to be criticized, but 8-2 for this team is nothing short of stunning. They deserve their flowers for it.

Seriously, how was that catch not reversed under 2 minutes? They had plenty of time and it was obvious. KC really catches a lot of breaks.

Clearly, KOC is awful and should be fired. Or so I'm told.

In fairness, they dropped a TD that was a gimme. The little things are holding this team back s bit.

Their QB hands the ball to the other team to score.

That Nailor drop was awful. Almost as bad as Metellus flipping his hips on a fly route. People should know the Titans defense is a top 5/10. This game is well in hand.

I doubt we see the offense breakout - the Titans are a good defensive team. But I do think this should be an easy win.

This happened to Kingsbury in Arizona too. Team was like 7-0 or something and then his offense got figured out and they tanked every game after until he was fired.

I'm cool with exploring options to essentially blow this team up. Including trading Lopez for prospects. But this deal ain't it.

Last night I had KFAN on and there was a Vikings Xs and Os and KOC said (paraphrasing) "Sometimes you just need to make the simple, non flashy plays to keep chains moving and letting your defense and special teams win you the game" With the idea being they lean heavier on the run. Ok, that's fine. I even sorta like hearing him say that. But then why the BLEEP did you try to throw downfield on 3rd and 1 when you were already in field goal range? Of course, Paul Allen was asking the questions, so genuine push back didn't happen, but I was screaming it at my streaming app.

Wow, awesome article. Good stuff on offensive adjustments too. I love KOC, but my number one complaint is that he gets too fixated sometimes. Whether it be trying to get too creative in short yardage or pushing the ball downfield no matter what, I'd like to see him just be a little more flexible on his situational approach. It's good to have an identity as a team and a play caller, but sometimes the situation dictates you dink and dunk your way to an easy win. Or you just slam the big guys forward and get a yard rather than have.....*checks notes* Brandon Powell try to push the pile? I think some of their numbers will improve just by virtue of easier competition.

The Orioles had one of the worst bullpens in baseball. Say they came calling for Jax and have Coby Mayo or Enrique Bradfield on the table......the Twins should listen on those offers. As much as I like Jax, if you can trade a reliever for an every day player you think is going to be good....you do it.

Horrifically mismanage all things broadcast/public relations.

Lee is my thought too. Is he a viable SS? If so, then the equation is considerably different.

Agreed, but it's important to remember that the guys they are signing are not that old. Tillery is 28, Greenard 27, Gink 29, Murphy was 25, Griffin 29, Oliver 26, Darnold 27. These aren't 34 year olds, you can count on these guys for awhile. Obviously, I agree you can't always dump your picks and you can't blow them on bad players, but this is a team that was in a TERRIBLE spot when this FO took over and they've got them at 7-2 with real cornerstones for the forseeable future. And that's despite a really awful first draft. Having a good coach and good assistants who can scheme and elevate players can cover a lot of roster gaps.

Possibly! But his leg/foot problems already may be making an issue of that. Part of the problem also is....are any of the younger players majoe league shortstops?

I'm on board with shopping him. Not to dump salary necessarily (although his injury problems the last few years could make that contract something of an albatross soon), but to see if we can find a way to reshape our roster. The number one issue this team has is that we literally don't know who should be playing where except for maybe SS, CF, RF, and catcher. Everyone else it's a complete mess.

In all seriousness, does anyone know what these titles mean in terms of decision making? I've lost track of the role of the GM in this organization. Falvey is now acquiring talent and running things like media? I realize it's all part of the selling process, just trying to figure out what to actually expect that people are doing/not doing with all the title jargon. I am sure of one thing: DSP is gone 20 years too late. Can't be anything but excited about that.

For those that care and don't want to get dragged into one person's inability to have fair conversation: The Vikings have not "pushed all their chips in" with contracts. They have the 5th most cap room in the NFL for 2025 and the only notable FAs they have to sign are Murphy, Bynum, Aaron Jones, and Gilmore. They will have ample room to add to the roster by free agency next year. The Vikings have traded most of their 2-7th picks. Which are, statistically, far less likely to return starting players. If the team's strategy is to continue to make first round picks or trade for established players, the odds are in their favor on that strategy. (They do, however, have to hit on those picks they trade for which is TBD at this point 9 games in) I believe the team quite smartly determined that they could supplement their roster next year with the money freed up from moving on from Cousins and others and utilized their picks to make splashier selections in what they view as a better draft. That really depends on JJ and Turner panning out and netting a good offseason of FAs next year. So, TBD on that strategy - I like the thinking though. Right now the results are hard to argue with. No matter what struggles they are going through, the team is vastly overperforming expectations. One would think that if a team vastly overperforms that those in charge of leading it would get some credit and not constant derision......

Ugly win. Hideous QB play has to get fixed.

Line giving him all day, moving up and down the field with ease, and he keeps handing the ball to the Jags. This is awful QBing.

Sam Darnold has been reaaly bad again. The red zone turnovers are simply awful.

Yeah, this smells like a trap game. It should be an easy win and better be.

Purple Monkey Dishwasher!

John Parker Romo. Woof.