Vikings @ Broncos Gameday Discussion Thread -- Week 4

[dead_poet]

Wins come with growth, and today you could see growth and you have to love the teams heart, they were counted out over and over on this board and yet they were in position to win in the final minute. I'm more impressed by this game against a top team, on the road in a difficult stadium than a win against a beat up Chargers team that had even more O-line issues than than the Vikes.

We'll have to agree to disagree then. All that matters at the end of the season is the win-loss column and where you're sitting in February. Yes, I'm pleased the team wasn't embarrassed but this was yet another road loss that continues to happen. Blowout wins are, for me, just as satisfying as narrow victories against tougher opponents.

[Jordysghost]

You can, sure... I'm not sure how old you are or how many years you have been a Vikings fan, but I am 36 and have bled purple and gold for all 36 o them. These games wear on you. So close... yet can't get it done. I am sick of it. I have had enough. I don't need to be as good as GB or Aaron Rodgers, but I would like to win an important road game that we are not supposed to win. I don't know the last time that happened, probably Lambeau in 2009.

I wouldnt say that in 09, you 'werent supposed' to beat GB.

[Pondering Her Percy]

I think most of us are tired of growth and potential and want to see wins as marks of progress.

You can't ever be tired of growth. But I hear what you're saying. Although I don't care what anyone says, we showed a lot today. Going into a 3-0 teams place and taking them to the wire. We had the chance to win this, just couldn't hold up up up front. I love what I see out of this defense though

[halfgiz]

Our defense has improved a lot. With young players. I know injuries is a way of life in the NFL.
But if we had our regular offensive line. We could be undefeated ....well that first game we just plain sucked.
Who do we play next week?

[akvikingsfan]

Our defense has improved a lot. With young players. I know injuries is a way of life in the NFL.
But if we had our regular offensive line. We could be undefeated ....well that first game we just plain sucked.
Who do we play next week?

Ourselves. Bye week next week.

[fiestavike]

Ourselves. Bye week next week.

followed by 5 winnable games in a row.

[soflavike]

Oh yeah, and where the heck was Kyle Rudolph today??

Where has Kyle Rudolph been the past three years? Half the time, he's injured and the rest of it he doesn't contribute all that much. Hopefully Mycole Pruitt can develop enough this season that we can offload Rudolph and his fat contract.

[VikingLord]

Model of inconsistency for the youngest roster in the NFL? I mean, c'mon...You don't see this defense getting better? You don't see any growth?

Growth for me means a team that is a legit threat to unseat the Packers as champs of the division. That is the measuring stick for me. I don't base my opinion relative to how young the team is, how I think it compares to last year's team, etc. I base it on how much I think the gap has closed between the Vikings and the best team in the division (and, to a lesser extent, the best teams in the NFC and NFL).

[SP1966]

We'll have to agree to disagree then. All that matters at the end of the season is the win-loss column and where you're sitting in February. Yes, I'm pleased the team wasn't embarrassed but this was yet another road loss that continues to happen. Blowout wins are, for me, just as satisfying as narrow victories against tougher opponents.

When I was younger and impatient I had the same attitude. I guess #### I got older I realized my expectations have no bearing on anything but my own mental health, which can be questionable to begin with as a Vikings fan. Before the season began the reasonable expectation was for the team to be in the running for a Wild Card spot and I don't see anything that says they cannot still do that, even with a replacement level O-Line. If your expectation was a division championship or a deep playoff run then I think your expectations are out of line with what this team was likely to achieve.

We watched the top defense in the league do what you would expect to a very talented team that has a lousy offensive line. We can talk all day about the missed FG, or the long TD given up, but the game was lost on the Vikes offensive line of scrimmage, hardly unexpected.

[halfgiz]

Stats: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201510041 ... e=boxscore
Did Greenaway play much in the game today?
Barr was the top tackler. Today.

[S197]

Where has Kyle Rudolph been the past three years? Half the time, he's injured and the rest of it he doesn't contribute all that much. Hopefully Mycole Pruitt can develop enough this season that we can offload Rudolph and his fat contract.

Pruitt's hands are suspect so far. Dropped an easy one today and dropped one last week too (wasn't the easiest catch but definitely catchable).

[Bigwehrm]

I'm still upset about the 2 PI calls on Rhodes. They were both super weak and both led to points for Denver. Such BS. The loss is also on Walsh for missing a 38 harder and messing up our momentum and field position.

Teddy is definitely a franchise QB though. Couldn't be more impressed with how he played against that pass rush with an offensive line that resembles a struggling D3 college program's offensive line.

Really what Teddy are you watching?? How many receivers did he miss bad today? How many sacks did he just step into. He is no,franchise qb. I hope i eat my words someday but as of now fire up the tape of the college qbs and get some scouts out there.

[Mothman]

You can't ever be tired of growth. But I hear what you're saying. Although I don't care what anyone says, we showed a lot today. Going into a 3-0 teams place and taking them to the wire. We had the chance to win this, just couldn't hold up up up front. I love what I see out of this defense though

I don't and such differences in perspective seem to be the crux of the disagreement here. I understand and appreciate the positive take on this game that you, Lenny and others are providing and hey, I'm a lot happier they had a chance to beat a 3-0 team on the road then I was after the 49ers manhandled them on MNF. However, whether this game is evidence of growth, whether it's seen as an indication that the team is moving towards better days and postseason wins or still mired in mediocrity and unable to get over the hump is largely a matter of perspective. Is the glass half full or half empty? The defense gave up the big running play they couldn't afford to allow. They gave up the late scoring drive they couldn't afford to allow. Sure, they hit hard. They made some great plays, intercepted Manning, etc. and all of that stuff is encouraging but how many times in recent years have we seen the Vikes give up that drive they couldn't afford to give up? Too many... and they're still doing it. Different team, same story. What I would really love is to see them shut down teams when those teams most need to score, close out games when it's time to close them out. That would make me love what I was seeing out of the defense. It's hard to love 144 yards rushing for a team that was one of the league's worst rushing teams going into this game, especially when improved run defense was a point of emphasis this summer.

[PacificNorseWest]

Growth for me means a team that is a legit threat to unseat the Packers as champs of the division. That is the measuring stick for me. I don't base my opinion relative to how young the team is, how I think it compares to last year's team, etc. I base it on how much I think the gap has closed between the Vikings and the best team in the division (and, to a lesser extent, the best teams in the NFC and NFL).

That's fair.

I'm not trying to come off like other opinions don't matter, because a lot have great validity. Then it comes down to certain ideologies you have from one aspect to the next, which is why I think your viewpoint makes lots of sense. Having said that, there's nothing wrong with looking inwards and getting better as a team even though it seems like GB is doing the same. You can't really skip steps in development and somehow close that gap. They really can't control the Packers and Aaron Rodgers and they play and are coached.I don't think the sting and manner of which they lost today really changes that. They are a better team than they were last year and better than they were week 1.

[halfgiz]

Really what Teddy are you watching?? How many receivers did he miss bad today? How many sacks did he just step into. He is no,franchise qb. I hope i eat my words someday but as of now fire up the tape of the college qbs and get some scouts out there.

Teddy's QB rating today 92 .4 - Peyton's rating was 68. What are you looking for?