2018 regular season thread

[Jedzz]

How do you know what McKinnon was doing in practice?

Why would you assume I don't know?

[Worm Guts]

Why would you assume I don't know?

I’m not assuming anything. I’m asking because most people don’t get to watch practice.

[Jedzz]

I wasn't the runningbacks coach if that's what you are wondering. No special access.

McKinnon was highlighted in practice more than once with team video, doing exactly what Diggs pulled in the last game. Showing off their ability to dance and cause others to hesitate. It's a great little display of agility and timing. But it serves zero purpose besides inflating their own heads. Use one of those jukes and then move forward already! When Mckinnon brought it out into games a couple times he didn't make it past the scrimmage line.

[Jedzz]

hohum. Our two last posts are missing where you suggested I was more critical of the Vikings than I typically am the Timberwolves. Which was a fair assessment. But I feel I have solid reasons for being so.

[hermes]

next game with green bay probably isn't technically a must win but we really need it, especially with road trips to new england and seattle after

[Jedzz]

next game with green bay probably isn't technically a must win but we really need it, especially with road trips to new england and seattle after

I think they are all probably must wins from here on out if the team wants to be relevant in any further discussions this year.

I'm now in a state of not caring about the Vikings Packers game. Probably mostly because of the coaching. But also because both teams are playing like they are irrelevant in todays NFL. Can they correct their coaching and player mistakes and go on a serious run from here? Sure. Is it likely, I frankly don't think I care enough anymore. When a VIkings Packers game doesn't get you fired up, maybe it's gotten to you too. Maybe that means I'm no longer a fan of this team.

[Jedzz]

After watching that Rams/Chiefs game I have to say there is no reason the Vikings offense can't play that well. But I think I understand why it never will.

We saw what happened to the Rams defense in that game. To some extent the Vikings worked that defense over when they felt like it too. But that Monday game with the Chiefs shows what happens to good defenses when they are attacked endlessly by an opponent that will not stop. They give up yards and points. People start complaining about the defense. But who won the game in the end? They still did enough on defense to win.

I think if Zimmer would allow the Vikings offense to get after it like Holmes does with Chiefs Zimmers defense would suffer for it at times. I think we saw that at times last season and this. We wonder why the defense has to go down when the offense shows up. It forces your opponent to chase you by playing aggressive on offense as well. That puts pressure on defenses and they will have both lapses and big plays of their own for it. I don't think Zimmer wants that even though they could be Rams-like with enough defense to counter as long as the offense is going full tilt forward. Maybe that's never going to be the kind of offense they want. It's all about being known for your defense and a legacy he's probably going to protect. But when you don't have a lock down defense that can hold teams below 20 points, does it really matter? I suppose that's one way to keep the opponent scores low, don't force them to score much to beat you.

“Honestly, I didn’t watch it. I was prepping for Green Bay. I’m not a 54-51 type of guy,” Zimmer said. “That’s just not my cup of tea.” - Zimmer

We know coach. You might want to give retirement another thought since the Vikings were averaging 35-38 a game 20 years ago, the Patriots averaged 38 around ten years ago and probably 30s for much of the last decade. Zimmers teams would be lucky to average 21 points a game. There is a reason you aren't winning playoff games and your teams don't have a chance. Your defenses can't stop these kinds of opponents and you won't let your offense compete at their level. It's not your cup of tea and maybe this NFL isn't the best place for you. The real winners of this league have been doing this for the better part of my lifetime. It's time to get with the program or get out of it.

The only difference with scoring 38 a game and scoring 50 is in the past teams would change who they are after building a nice lead. The Chiefs just keep going and force you to do the same. I respect it. They aren't going to lose games because they let up and sat on small leads. They aren't going to play the field goal games and "keep the score close". They aren't going to lose sitting on a lead and watching refs help a team back into it in the end. They aren't going to let a team like the Packers sit close in score and then win late with ref help on a final drive. Won't happen with how they play. I respect that. Both teams will have to give it everything all game. If the defense give up 50 pts but still wins, then they did enough to win. No doubt they were busy and we got to enjoy a lot of great football. That's what I saw Monday night.

[Jedzz]

As I've said this season's offense is looking very Childress like.

Now they start the Packers game with a 12 men on the field penalty. Ring any bells?

[hermes]

nice to see cook in space on a screen, he's so dangerous - need him out there more

nice that they had the limbo music cued up, haha

[hermes]

green bay moving the ball too easily

[hermes]

diggs is catching and running tonight, no jumping around (even with room)

must have read jedzz post

[hermes]

and then diggs scores!!!!!!!! wooooooooo

now we need a stop on defense!

[hermes]

the hunter-coach patterson post-draft story was neat, hadn't heard that before

i feel like hunter's story is very impressive and should be lauded a little more. i suppose thielen's rise is overshadowing it

[hermes]

they are really knocking these stat graphics out of the park, i don't remember any of those last week

[hermes]

thielen with his weekly crazy catch

[hermes]

sigh....missed field goals......lets just move on

[hermes]

i guess i didn't think of it immediately when i saw bailey on the ground but yeah, why didn't they calling running into the kicker?

anyway, it seems wild that zimmer would admit (to the sideline reporter) that he's just going to go for it on 4th downs instead of putting it on the foot of the kicker

[Worm Guts]

We needed that one.

[Worm Guts]

The Patriots next week, but the Seahawks the week after might be another must win. There’s a bunch of teams right behind us.

[Sedale Threatt]

These all feel like must-wins to me. Our margin for error at this point is nil.

If Rhodes is out, might just could kiss it goodbye anyway.