Vikings @ Lions - Game #12

[Crax]

Vikings are playing at Detroit for game #12 and SHOULD win this game. Quite a few out with injury, but I'd still expect a win here. Detroit hasn't won this year and even though they almost won the previous game, the Vikings really would have to have given up to lose this.

Quite a few on the Injury report, I'm not listing the ones limited, but the DNP's were
Dalvin Cook RB Shoulder
Anthony Barr LB Knee/Hamstring
Christian Darrisaw T Ankle
Ryan Connelly LB Quadriceps
Camryn Bynum S Ankle

Tomlinson and P. Peterson are on the reserve/covid list. I assume Peterson could still play this week.

[StumpHunter]

Tomlinson came off the Covid list today. That means the Dline interior will be at full strength for the first time in weeks. Too bad our edge rushers are backups.

[Maelstrom88]

The Lions will be very motivated to win this game. They played well against us in our house and easily could have won. They were only 3/11 on 3rd down against us and that was probably the difference. I think we will win but it could be another close one.

[J. Kapp 11]

The good news is that Peterson is vaccinated, so he can play with two negative tests, assuming he's not symptomatic and feels OK.

Having a hard time getting up for this game. Incredibly, CBS is carrying it in my area (the product of Green Bay's bye week, no doubt). I was afraid I was going to have to go back to the sports book, which I wasn't sure I was inclined to do. Now I can watch it in the living room.

Vikes are 7-point favorites. I think they cover, but I don't see them blowing out the hapless Lions. Maybe 28-17 or something mundane like that.

Some things I'm hoping for.
• Vikings surrender 0 points in the last 2 minutes of the first half.
• Kene Nwangwu gets at least 15 snaps, including special teams.
• Kirk doesn't do anything stupid. If he throws a pick, I hope he doesn't melt down again.
• The offense gets back to the jet-sweep motions and creativity we saw against the Chargers and Packers.
• The defense stops the run against a team that can't run.
• Oli Udoh gets through a game without a holding penalty.

Beyond that, this game doesn't register on the excitement meter.

[Crax]

• Oli Udoh gets through a game without a holding penalty.

That will be a Christmas miracle! Wonder what the odds on that would be.

[J. Kapp 11]

• Oli Udoh gets through a game without a holding penalty.

That will be a Christmas miracle! Wonder what the odds on that would be.

Great question. I should check Caesar's and see if they have a prop bet for that one!

If they do, I'm betting against Udoh.

[808vikingsfan]

I can't remember the last time where I really didn't care if the Vikings won or lost.

I sure hope personnel changes soon. I've been a fan since the first grade. I don't ever remembering feeling like this before. Steckel, Ponder, TJ, Childress, Frazier, replacement players... I still wanted them to win.

This team. Some of the players that are playing right now. I could care less.

TBH, I think it's mainly Cousins. I can't imagine another year with him on this team. I'm not sure what I'd do if they resign him.

[RandyMoss84]

I would not be surprised if Vikings lose, Vikings had to make a comeback to defeat the Lions last time which is embarrassing

[RandyMoss84]

I can't remember the last time where I really didn't care if the Vikings won or lost.

I sure hope personnel changes soon. I've been a fan since the first grade. I don't ever remembering feeling like this before. Steckel, Ponder, TJ, Childress, Frazier, replacement players... I still wanted them to win.

This team. Some of the players that are playing right now. I could care less.

TBH, I think it's mainly Cousins. I can't imagine another year with him on this team. I'm not sure what I'd do if they resign him.

You can quit watching games? Cousins will be here next year because Vikings is not going to take a 45 million cap hit and no one is going to want his contract so you have to accept it and Cousins is playing well this year, at least he is better than awful Ponder

[psjordan]

I can't remember the last time where I really didn't care if the Vikings won or lost.

I sure hope personnel changes soon. I've been a fan since the first grade. I don't ever remembering feeling like this before. Steckel, Ponder, TJ, Childress, Frazier, replacement players... I still wanted them to win.

This team. Some of the players that are playing right now. I could care less.

TBH, I think it's mainly Cousins. I can't imagine another year with him on this team. I'm not sure what I'd do if they resign him.

Yeah I think most of us are getting numb to the whole "mediocrity" thing under Zimmer and Spielman.

One issue I see is that the "midwestern niceness" in the non-rabid local fan base puts up with the mediocrity without too much pi$$ing and moaning. I'm in NY but was born and raised in Boston, and it's not even close to the same. If you are mediocre in these parts, the most-invested fans will let ownership know how much that sucks. Constantly and creatively.

Ownership ends up eventually (consciously or subconsciously) making changes just to show they are making changes. Not always a formula for success, but it's change nonetheless.

Even though they are NYers, that ain't the Wilfs. They are making money as-is and probably don't have daily death threats from the fan base.

So it kind of boils down to how badly the Wilfs want a SB, not whether the fans care or not. And to date, the Wilfs do not seem too interested in winning a SB.

I'd imagine the most outrageous (in their minds) moves the Wilfs could make would be firing Zim and Rick. I simply cannot see the team also eating millions on top of that by cutting Cousins or trading and eating some of the $. So we'll have Cousins at least one more year. His $45M guaranteed for next year ensures at least one.

Besides, any new staff coming in 2022 probably would be fine with one year guaranteed with Cousins - they can either prove they can improve his play or simply say they were stuck with a Pinto and want to forge their own path with their own QB.

But we have one more year minimum of Cousins, I'm pretty sure of that. And I'm also pretty sure Rick would survive a coaching purge, even if only for an additional year.

[CharVike]

Not much excitement with this game but I expect a Viking win in a close game. We were lucky to win the 1st game as Joseph booted a 54 yard FG to win it on the last play. The Lions ownership are willing to give up this season because of a new GM/HC combo. There is a rebuild in progress. They can't score much and haven't been above 20 since week 1. Goff looks to be done and is only averaging 6.4 YPA . On our side Cousins has been horrible the 2nd half all season and who knows whats causing that. His 1st half rating is 123 with 16-0 TD/INT. In the 2nd half it's an 88 rating and 6/3. That's awful. That won't come into play this week unless a FG is needed for the victory. Matti will carry the load as he did the 1st meeting when he gained 113. I see something along the line of 17-13. Low scoring don't make any mistakes football.

[Crax]

#Vikings officially rule out RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle) and S Camryn Bynum. Questionable are LB Anthony Barr (hamstring), LB Eric Kendricks (biceps), safety Mackensie Alexander.

Looks like Darrisaw is out this game. Has anyone heard a specific timeframe on his injury?

[VikingLord]

But we have one more year minimum of Cousins, I'm pretty sure of that. And I'm also pretty sure Rick would survive a coaching purge, even if only for an additional year.

Nothing wrong with that necessarily as long as they don't extend him yet again to lower the cap hit. Unless Mond pans out starting next year by some miracle, even if the Vikings end up making another move in the draft or FA for a QB Cousins is probably going to end up being the starter as long as he's on the team. I don't see any way they end up with a clearly better option to start next season.

However, as far as the overall direction the team is headed, not extending Cousins would send a strong signal that they intend to move on from him. If that is coupled with a change in GM and head coach, then Cousins might be interested in altering the deal to try to go somewhere else where he might have more longevity.

[RandyMoss84]

But we have one more year minimum of Cousins, I'm pretty sure of that. And I'm also pretty sure Rick would survive a coaching purge, even if only for an additional year.

Nothing wrong with that necessarily as long as they don't extend him yet again to lower the cap hit. Unless Mond pans out starting next year by some miracle, even if the Vikings end up making another move in the draft or FA for a QB Cousins is probably going to end up being the starter as long as he's on the team. I don't see any way they end up with a clearly better option to start next season.

However, as far as the overall direction the team is headed, not extending Cousins would send a strong signal that they intend to move on from him. If that is coupled with a change in GM and head coach, then Cousins might be interested in altering the deal to try to go somewhere else where he might have more longevity.

There will be no change in general manager and head coach because Wilfs do not have any balls to fire them

[J. Kapp 11]

Injury update.

Pierce active.
Willikes active.
Kendricks out.
Darrisaw out.
Nwangwu questionable (illness).

Word is the Vikings will start Udoh at LT, Bradbury at C, and Cole at RG.

Could get interesting.