Bears @ Vikings postgame

[J. Kapp 11]

I don't get all the "regressed to the mean" talk or "prevent offense" talk. Overall, the Vikings scored on 3 of 5 possessions in the first half, and 1 of 3 in the second half (I'm not counting the kneel downs at the end). They missed field goals in each half. Just didn't have the ball that much after intermission.

The Vikings DEFENSE was the problem after intermission. Chicago held the ball for 10:07 on its two drives in the third quarter. The Vikings also had 2 possessions in the third quarter. One Vikings drive started after the Bears' failed onside kick, leading to one first down and the blocked field goal. The other drive ended with the Cousins interception, but even that came after the Vikings overcame a Johnny Mundt holding penalty and drove into Bears territory with three first downs.

All that being said, I'll definitely admit — the Vikings need to improve offensively is in the third quarter. We've scored 6 points in 5 games.

The fourth quarter was pretty much one drive for the Vikes — the 7-minute game winner.

In my opinion, scoring stalled for the Vikings in the second half because the defense gave up three long drives. Even with the stalled third quarter, this game shouldn't have been close. The defense gave up 22 points on just 50 total plays. That's GOT to get fixed.

[makila]

The regressed to the normal comments (regarding mine earlier in the thread), are because when kirk is 17/17, its going to regress from that to closer to your normal expectations. It's just nature of the beast when you start 17/17.

Agree about point on defense as well. Still don't know what it's strengths are. Well I guess avoiding giving up 30 so far.

[J. Kapp 11]

The regressed to the normal comments (regarding mine earlier in the thread), are because when kirk is 17/17, its going to regress from that to closer to your normal expectations. It's just nature of the beast when you start 17/17.

Agree about point on defense as well. Still don't know what it's strengths are. Well I guess avoiding giving up 30 so far.

Ah ... OK, that makes sense.

This was easily the best the offense has played all year. They've had their moments, but the Vikings had legitimate opportunity to score on 6 of 8 possessions (4 TDs, 2 missed FGs). Joseph won't go 0-for-2 that often, so I will take that every time.

[VikingsVictorious]

What player doesn't run hot and cold. Rodgers just did the same thing. I seen Cook have games where he did nothing. The Rams scored 10 points so I guess the greatest Stafford wasn't hot. They couldn't score week 1. They all go hot and cold. Hunter for us hasn't done a dam thing all year. That's frozen solid. JJ sucked for weeks. No player plays the same every week.

First half Kirk was on fire...The second half Kirk regressed back to his old self. And no points until that last game winning drive. Make all the excuses you want, but we have to be more consistent in every quarter.

No excuses needed. We won.

[makila]

The regressed to the normal comments (regarding mine earlier in the thread), are because when kirk is 17/17, its going to regress from that to closer to your normal expectations. It's just nature of the beast when you start 17/17.

Agree about point on defense as well. Still don't know what it's strengths are. Well I guess avoiding giving up 30 so far.

Ah ... OK, that makes sense.

This was easily the best the offense has played all year. They've had their moments, but the Vikings had legitimate opportunity to score on 6 of 8 possessions (4 TDs, 2 missed FGs). Joseph won't go 0-for-2 that often, so I will take that every time.

Yeah agreed.

When watching the first half, realistically that wasn't going to continue into the second half. So good it wasn't sustainable. I guess a key takeaway is that when the offense is clicking like that, better get points, which we did in the first half.

[J. Kapp 11]

Further proof the offense was fine against the Bears.

Offense EPA: 21.45
Defense EPA: -1.82
Special Teams EPA: -9.74

[Texas Vike]

I finally got a chance to watch a recording of the game after being disconnected in the woods this weekend.

Twas the tale of Dantzler vs. ISM. Two plays between these two unlikely protagonists determined the outcome. Dantzler sold that block in the back on what would have been a rushing TD for Fields. ISM kind of got him on the side, but Cam really acted well. The final play was a perfect illustration of perseverance. If any of you coach youth football, you should use that play to teach your players how to respond to adversity. ISM stiff armed his old teammate well on the Bears final drive and instead of getting disheartened, Cam goes and takes the ball. That was tenacious.

I thought Kirk played a very nice game. I suspect that our players were fatigued from the London trip, which is why they faltered a bit in the second half. So glad I watched this one knowing the outcome... it made for pleasant, calm viewing.

[JJBreaksRecords]

Cam is pretty good against the run too. He is slim but tough. If his confidence and pass coverage skills improve, he will become a great CB for. And Booth and Evans both have the tools to be good as well, if they can stay healthy. Wish Cam could play closer to the receiver but Donatell loves the DBs to play wayyy back.

[StanM]

I finally got a chance to watch a recording of the game after being disconnected in the woods this weekend.

Twas the tale of Dantzler vs. ISM. Two plays between these two unlikely protagonists determined the outcome. Dantzler sold that block in the back on what would have been a rushing TD for Fields. ISM kind of got him on the side, but Cam really acted well. The final play was a perfect illustration of perseverance. If any of you coach youth football, you should use that play to teach your players how to respond to adversity. ISM stiff armed his old teammate well on the Bears final drive and instead of getting disheartened, Cam goes and takes the ball. That was tenacious.

I thought Kirk played a very nice game. I suspect that our players were fatigued from the London trip, which is why they faltered a bit in the second half. So glad I watched this one knowing the outcome... it made for pleasant, calm viewing.

I don’t think fans are giving the Vikings enough credit for winning the week after traveling to London. Wish I could recall the exact wording but I believe the Vikes were the first London winner to win the following week. Jet lag is real and the trip shortened the preparation for the Bears. I can see where it would be hard to rebound after a trip like that. We still found a way to win it.

I’m still waiting for the defense to come together and have a solid game and don’t have a feel for what they’re capable of. Everyone shares that concern so no big secret. Gotta say, they’re entertaining and I haven’t shut a game off at the half to go out and bag leafs. There have been many years where my interest fizzled out when it became clear they weren’t competitive.

[Texas Vike]

I forgot to add: the play calling was terrific on Sunday. Jalen Reagor's TD was brilliant use of his talent. The guy is shifty and has some serious quick twitch power.

Kirk also seemed more involved than I ever remember in making audibles and controlling things at the LOS. He seems very in synch with KOC. Love seeing that.

Also, Kirk was mic'd up this week and it is worth watching (Vikes @ 8:50):
I love how wholesome this dude is. Notice how he compliments everyone, always taking the opportunity to lift his guys up. I was laughing so hard at his language when he threw a pick too: dog gonnit! Shoot! Golllly! Frick!

[J. Kapp 11]

I forgot to add: the play calling was terrific on Sunday. Jalen Reagor's TD was brilliant use of his talent. The guy is shifty and has some serious quick twitch power.

Kirk also seemed more involved than I ever remember in making audibles and controlling things at the LOS. He seems very in synch with KOC. Love seeing that.

Also, Kirk was mic'd up this week and it is worth watching (Vikes @ 8:50):
I love how wholesome this dude is. Notice how he compliments everyone, always taking the opportunity to lift his guys up. I was laughing so hard at his language when he threw a pick too: dog gonnit! Shoot! Golllly! Frick!

Kind of fun with Kirk being mic'd up. He really isn't very emotional, is he?

Speaking of play calling, here's a stat that shows how good O'Connell was against the Bears.

Kirk Cousins threw 41 passes.

According to Next Gen Stats, the number of throws he made into tight windows (defender within 1 yard) ... ZERO.

First time in the history of Next Gen that an NFL starting quarterback had zero throws into tight windows.

Are you kidding me? Talk about scheming guys open!