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Vikings Discussion & Random Thoughts
Wow, what an absolute crapfest by the Vikings offense. At least we have an awesome kicker. I haven’t even watched the game yet as of this writing, I may watch it yet tonight, or maybe just wait until tomorrow. Looking at the stats, it is not going to be a pleasant game to watch. Blech. I’ll wait to review the game until after I actually watch it.
The weather was beautfiul yesterday, so we went out on my buddy’s boat instead of watching the game live (I have it recorded, unfortunately). Nice days are rare this time of year in North Dakota, and there is a snow storm coming in a couple days, so we fished the open water while we’re able. I’m guessing tonight will be the last day of open water fishing, then it’ll be the long wait for the ice to get thick enough to walk on. Sigh. Anyhoo, we had an awesome day on the water, a much better day than the Vikings offense had on the field.
Vikings and NFL News
Stats from yesterday’s Vikings @ Packers matchup from ESPN.
Vikings.com has observations from yesterday’s game.
All your NFL week 12 scores and highlights, courtesy of CBS Sports.
NFL.com has takeaways from all the NFL week 12 action.
Media Selection
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SF beat Carolina on MNF in case anyone cares.
Waiting for the snow to start falling, up to 8 inches by morning.
Prime rib from the smoker. Yum.
Hmmm… not good.
“You couldn’t hit da broadside of a barn iffen you were standin in it!!!!”
I used to like to listen to John McKay when he was the Bucs head coach back in the day. He would say things like “well, we didn’t block very well today, but we made up for it with our lack of tackling”.
Obviously his most famous line was when a reporter asked about his O-line’s execution. “Right now, I’m all for it” he said.
LOL McKay was a hoot. I may be the only one on earth who liked the old Bucks creamsicle Buccaneer Buc uniforms. Got down to Florida in 1998. That Tampa Bay
defense under Tony Dungy was as good as the Steel Curtain or Vikings units in the 70’s as far as I’m concerned.
I was stationed at MacDill when Dungy was there. I used to be part of the American flag waving crew on the field for the National anthem, and then we had the Bucs flags we waved when when they got in the red zone, or scored. Sat in seats right up behind the first section. Got a free hot dog and coke too.
I remember one Monday Night football game against the Steelers right before Christmas in 2002 (Gruden Super Bowl year). We were down on the field before the game going through our practice. The teams were out there doing drills, punting the ball, kicking field goals etc. We finished up and as we were walking off the field, I saw Bill Cowher. I walked up to him and stuck my hand out and he shook it. As he did, I said “Good luck tonight Bill, you’re gonna need it”. They beat us like a drum that night even though the end score was only like 17-7 or something. All the way home my wife was like “you had to do it. You had to antagonize the head coach of the Steelers. What is wrong with you!”
Hmmmm… this is maybe the singular thing I do not see with McCarthy.
Yep.
I was going to skip this weekends game, since Sam Darnold will probably throw for 600 yards.
However, if Brosmer is starting, the game will be worth watching.
If McFragile somehow starts, I will watch the first couple of failed series, then play Video games (My go-to distraction when football is too depressing to watch).
I started playing Batman: Arkham Knight. I skipped it before because I heard the Batmobile sections suck, and they kind of do until you get somewhat used to its control. Other than that, I’ve been having a good time with it.
I am enjoying World of Warcraft Classic Hardcore.
If you die once, you are done. My son and I are re living our glory days of playing that game 15 years ago.
Level 45 currently. If I do make it to max level(60) I will find a new game to play.
Oh great, a 2:00 (Mountain time) game. Sure to be a ratings bonanza.
Saints might could have wanted to do this a week ago…
Musing…
when I watched Hock take the direct snap, I noticed JJ was essentially standing there disinterested, well maybe he could have scooped up a fumble. Seems like it might have helped if he did a tush push, I thought…then I saw the view from behind the LOS and realized JJ would be blown over by a stiff breeze, what is he 98 pounds?
He’s supposedly 6’3″ and 219 lbs.
When he’s carrying a 20# sack of flour……
Laughing
Is Brosmer the 2nd coming of Brock Purdy?? We may soon see….
Brock Purdy’s first start he hung a 89 rating and a 59 QBR -Brock can do it!
Can’t be worse than JJ so far.
Heard that before.
True, but who out there is worse than what we’ve seen the last 2 games? (Seriously)
Remember Joe Webb in that playoff game? Yikes
More like the 2nd coming of Mond. Ceiling is Slotergoat.
At least it is something different to watch. Even he sucks, at least we know!
My question, who is the backup?
They signed John Wolford after Wentz was sent to IR.
lol
Wolford
Thank you. Yup, this should be fun. At least Brosmer can go out there and have fun, no pressure on the guy as this team ain’t making the playoffs, although it would be so Vikings to finish just outside the playoffs to screw up our chances of getting a top 10 draft spot.
I don’t think we’re going to have a strong finish…
Tommy Kramer’s first real game action (other than mop up) came on December 4, 1977.
He led a thrilling come from behind victory and finished with a 151 QB rating.
We need Brosmer to do something like that.
Of course Kramer starting the next game and posted a 36.0 QB rating….3 picks will do that.
3 picks and still feeling last night’s tequila I’m sure.
I’m sure someone mentioned this, but McFragile is in concussion protocol.
Ok, so a lot of people mentioned it. Oops.
“Concussion protocol”. You forgot the air quotes.
My bad.
Heh this is going to be right up there with the Walker trade, Ryan Leaf, Brock Osweiler in terms of NFL lore.
I think not.
A wasted/Missed draft pick is common for Kwesi and most GMs.
And look at all the round 1 QBs that are either out of the league or relegated to backup status.
JJ could be the backup for Sam Darnold in two years, and then become less sucky.
It just stings because we have seen what the offense should be able to do with the RB/WR group. I still think Hock is way overrated as a TE.
Although I have begrudgingly come to accept that it was the right move to let Jones and Darnold walk, I don’t see how KAM sweet talks his way into keeping his job…unless the Wilfs just want him to finish his contract while the devoted fans keep filling the stands for sub .500 football.
PS I just accidentally typed Wilks brothers instead of Wilfs but caught my mistake. I guess having a four letter name starting with W that rhymes with milk or m*** is good karma for financial independence.
Well…
Like I said earlier.
Start Brosmer
See how he plays out this week “medically”. We already know how he plays out the week in terms of actual playing/execution.
I think executing the players might be the answer……
Ha! Read players…. Not playing.
bad eyes
KOC is “confident” in Brosmer……
KOC is confident in McCarthy too… or was.
Yeah, a coach has to pretend at least.
Fans can see the wheels coming off. This season is getting uglier quickly.
No amount of spin can cover how bad this is. Nobody expected 14 wins, but I actually was convinced 9-10 was reasonable.
Good thing I am not paid to be correct about football things. Since I was once again, completely wrong about this team and the QB.
He could still become a serviceable QB. But it is so bad right now that it is painful to watch.
Even Zach Wilson looked better his first year
BRING BACK SLOTERGOAT
Laughing… you’re not alone. While I never bought into Bow’s proclamations of greatness for McCarthy, I certainly expected that he and the offense would be far better than this.
I think I said 7 wins. I may be wrong.
Soft benching?
This is interesting. He finished the game, addressed the media, and I never saw him going into the tent. Very odd.
Gives them a reason to start someone else without ‘benching’ JJ (QB).
Maybe he had it going INTO the game……….week 2.
Really, it is bad for him either way. It is either a soft benching or more proof of being injury prone…
I guess KOC hasn’t said he won’t play Sunday, but if I was a betting man, I’d say JJ is not playing Sunday…
He’s dead
Confabulating an alter ego can be a sign of head trauma……
Naaaaa
Someone told me it was JJ for two years.
Vying for the titles of Ponder 2.0 and McFragile™ simultaneously. We are so blessed.
A coworker brought homemade frosted cinnamon rolls today.
I love that coworker.
Even if it is one I hate…I love them today.
Had a co-worker at the Prison who would bring in homemake oreos occasionally.
They were more like little cakes than cookies but no-one complained about that.
Heard on the radio that JJ would have had a higher passer rating if he would have dropped back and spiked the ball on every called pass play – this is what we are dealing with.
An approach that would yield less interceptions…..
I will do that for the player minimum.
Minnesota Vikings offensive team ranking by year (Yards)
2018 20th Cousins
2019 16th Cousins
2020 4th Cousins
2021 12th Cousins
2022 7th Cousins
2023 10th Cousins
2024 12th Darnold
2025 27th JJ/Wentz
Since KOC became coach our offense has always been top 12.
Now we are bottom 5.
The only thing that has changed is the QB.
KOC hasn’t become a worse play caller, the offensive line is actually statistically better, the skill players on offense are for the most part the same.
JJ is not at adequate NFL QB – I do not believe he will ever be an adequate NFL QB. I hope I am wrong – but I fear we will be wandering in the Ponder/T Jack wilderness once again.
Drake Maye did indeed get much better in his 2nd year starting…but just to be clear how much worst JJ is than Drake was in his first year……
Drake year 1: 88 passer rating, 55 QBR basically an “average” QB
JJ this year: :58 passer rating, 18 QBR basically a QB who shouldn’t be taking snaps.
Fox just reported that Bombers from Minot AFB are on their way to the Caribbean and expected to continue on toward Venezuela for a ‘show of force’.
Quite the trip for those pilots and their planes.
“Only the best come north”
Of course, no one else could stand up to the weather.
I sure couldn’t.
That is literally the Minot Air Force base motto.
I know, I have been there.
Got to catch a flight from Minot to Edwards AFB in SoCal.
I was even invited down into the ‘Pod’ to watch a refueling operation. Pretty epic.
Imagine the boom operator scraping the radar absorbing paint off a B2 during a critical operation, rendering it visible to routine surface to air radar detection. That’d ruin a career.
Seemed like the boom operator basicly deployed the boom and the B52 pilot moved the plane into position to link up with the boom.
Why send planes? ND has enough missiles to blow up the earth 3 times, time to start using some. That’d be a show of force.
This is true….
Ummm, I would guess it is because missiles are a ‘one way trip’ option.
Sarcasm font.
Yep, you missed my sarcasm.
Saw this:
“The Vikings tried to make things easier for J.J. McCarthy yesterday: Kevin O’Connell called the highest rate of designed runs in the first half in his 4-year tenure (58.6%). Only the 3rd time he has been over 50% since 2022.”
So the Vikings are trying to run the ball more, and help McCarthy out. Unfortunately, we’re not the Baltimore Ravens.
I hope this ends the whole “We have to run the ball more” false narrative….we ran the ball for 6 points in the first half. Our DNA is a passing team….we need to throw the ball. Personally I would be happy with an 80/20 split.
Yesterday I decided not to pay attention to the Vikings and just revel in the Bobcats victory over the Griz to win the Big Sky conference. I got some work done and had an overall great day. This may become a trend the rest of this season.
Attaboy.
Was gorgeous weather this weekend, so we did outside work as well. Started watching the game about 3, started really zipping through it after the punt muff.
I just saw an eye opening stat.
Cousins throwing to Jefferson had a 110 GBR, Darnold’s was 104 (or close to that). MCCarthy’s is 47.
That is your number one weapon and the best WR in football.
Jefferson is trying to be a team Captain, and strong teammate for McCarthy, but he is out of “pat” answers. He can’t say “look, in the games McCarthy is flat bad”. So he is doing his best to say the right things, back McCarthy, and keep the media at bay.
Tough duty for a team Captain.
I bet people are missing Cousins now… haha.
Yes, I am. I think people really took competent QB play for granted. I did not.
As we start planning for the long offseason, I am trying to put together the ideal candidate for a Minnesota Vikings GM after KAM is gone. Needs to be someone that reflects Minnesota demographics. I’m going to put my thoughts on paper, feel free to add in the comments:
Do you know if the labs for your employer are as backed up in Billings as every other part seems to be? Asking for a friend that has to have some tests done and is wondering how long to expect for a biopsy result.
I quote (to patients) that the majority of biopsy results will be back in about five business days, or “about a week from today”. If it is something that needs to be sent out for further pathology review, like a lymphoma, the final report might take a month or more but the preliminary will be released “about a week from today” stating it is suspicious for blah and is pending final report.
Pathology results are suppressed from the patient accessible portal for 72 hours from the sign off time…so while your friend may not see the results in the portal they may be “sitting on the provider’s desk”.
Gotcha. That’s kind of what I was expecting. I can’t believe how backed up they are. For my wife to get in and see her doctor they are like 6 months out. 2 months out just to get an ultrasound in town.
and thanks.
One of the beauties of small town, most ultrasounds are done same day out here in the sticks.
Got lucky with a cancellation or we might have had to come see ya.
Nose ring is preferable.
i heard that the vikings have the worst drop rate in the NFL….
i believe it!
this ENTIRE team minus our stud kicker, is absolutely brutal. COACHING INCLUDED.
I think part of it is that JJ throws bad balls. Wentz drop rate wasn’t that bad with the same dudes.
I think the implosion happens next week. Seahawks roll us. Darnold is pulled by the third quarter. Someone is going to blow their stack.
Hey freezey, I saw your post last week…I let GF know he could share my deets with you. Hopefully we can meet up IRL.
i texted you this morning!
I did not receive a known or unknown text message…does my number end in 08?
LOL, apparently gone fishin gave me Rob’s number haha not yours
I just went through my blocked contacts on my phone…I have two blocked contacts from a 651 area code, one ends in 72 and the other in 58…is either of those yours that I inadvertently blocked?
REBUILD AROUND REICHART!!!
Start Brosmer.
Yeah, unless McCarthy gets hurt, that isn’t in the cards DE. Vikings went “all in” with JJM. He’s the guy for the next two years, no matter what happens.
Yes JRo you were right – I thought we were a playoff team. So, I’m an idiot.
BUT. I very much don’t understand what the hell is going on here
We had our new and improved line all back, our elite receiving corps, good coaching, and we have ZERO offensive yards for a half of football.
This simply cannot be just QB play.
We don’t even look like we are running the same offense we have for the last few years under KOC.
So what do folks think is going on here?
The HC is suppose to be the ‘Orchestra Leader’ to make sure everyone is playing the same song and in tune. That doesn’t look like us anymore. JJ (QB) is an issue, but is he a symptom of what ails this team??
Whatever KOC thinks he is doing it is not working. Maybe things will ‘click’ and it will all make sense soon. Doesn’t look like we have any choice other than to ‘wait and see’.
Well our “Orchestra Leader” is supposed to be an offensive genius. If he could make the offense work with Nick Mullens (minus interceptions) why can’t he make it work now.
Yep, there are more issues on this team than just JJ (QB). He is the most visible symptom of it though. It all starts with KOC.
It is simply bad QB play.
I think it’s a lot more than that.
With all our talent ZERO offensive yards for a half of a football game.
I’ll put it this way…maybe NVF can weigh in if he has had time to look at all 22…GB seemed to have a very good idea of the play call…whether that is KOC’s predictability or a tell by how the QB lines up etc I don’t know…but even when they were not keyed in to the exact play call our QB could not execute the play.
I haven’t looked at the all 22 yet. It doesn’t usually come out for a day or two after the game. I saw a lot of bad football yesterday though. He continues to look to me like he’s just winging it in general. He’s not settled and working progressions. Sort of rushing and definitely not comfortable.
He’s a long way from seeing it, knowing it, and throwing it.
Great call by the coaches to sit him during preseason.
KOC’s standard procedure. Trying to limit unnecessary exposure to injury. Bad plan here though, McCarthy needs reps.
I’ll let you know if I see anything specific in the all 22.
Yeah I assume the backlash would be epic if he played starters in preseason and had a bunch of injuries. ‘Why risk them for a game that didn’t mean anything’. No 100% right answer there.
Yep. My personal perspective is let the starters get some game reps in, so they don’t play “cold” in the first game.
‘Some game reps’ and which starters need reps are variables. JJ (WR) needed reps less than JJ (QB) needed them.
Well there is a “whole of the offense” effect to take into account. Need reps where all the starters run through plays together IMO.
I’m not saying you’re an idiot at all – I just think that anyone expecting high standards and performance from the Vikings is setting themselves up for heartbreak.
McCarthy thus far is very bad, as an NFL QB. His team carried him to a National Championship in college, and he didn’t really need to do much more than hand the ball off, or run it himself. I thought KOC would put together game plans that emphasized whatever throws he showed he was best at, and the skill position players and O-line would take care of the rest. I thought our offense would be good to very good. I’m seeing that I was mistaken in that assessment though. McCarthy is, in a word, in way over his head and a long way from average competency in the NFL. We’re hearing he’s getting better and having good days in practice, but he still can’t translate that to a solid game yet.
I can honestly say I don’t know if he can make it in the NFL. Maybe in a couple seasons he’ll start getting it. Bryce Young is much better than McCarthy across the board, as is Trevor Lawrence. Neither of them are living up to their draft day status yet.
I think it’s gonna be awhile.
He’s not just bad, he is historically bad.
Hey, at least the GB lurker fan that visited last week was on point about the game. Always a silver lining to every storm cloud.
I think at this point, they need to do an IQ test on KOC. If it shows that he’s mentally handicapped, they need to petition the NFL for some special accommodations like starting with a 10-point lead or something. Stupidity like direct snap to Hockenson (who has maybe never broken more than 5 tackles in his career) and other idiotic plays cannot be tolerated. I’ve said many times before, the Vikings will never win anything with KOC at the helm.
P.S. To all the people who thought the Vikings were a playoff team this year, perhaps even a win or a SB trip: Big yikes. It’s not wrong to have hope, but you have to be realistic. That’s how you get hurt.
This. Been done with KOC for a number of weeks now. Running the ball down their throat pretty well and he does crap like this.
He wants to win by throwing the ball instead of just win.
I cringe when people call him an offensive genius.
Show us proof that Hock has broken a tackle.
Haha well I’m just assuming it has happened a few times, even by accident.
LOL…. I honestly can’t remember it happening, but yeah, statistically…….
Fishing tackle?
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!
Yes, FTP!!
Shitty game, we have a lot to work on. More injuries on the O-Line? Ugh
Gonna go fishing tonight after I get done working. This will probably be the last day of open water fishing until next year. Dammit., now I gotta sit around and wait for the stupid water to freeze.
Aren’t you coming down to Florida? Plenty of open water fishing available here.
Yup, December 13. Kiddo and I are talking about going deep-sea fishing down there, not sure yet if we’ll have enough time. We’re only down there for five days.
Plenty of half day trips available.
I’m guessing that’s what we would do. I bet deep-sea fishing once off the coast of Oregon, my kid is excited to go.
For sure, good chance for the kid to bad a big fish.
I found an afternoon trip last winter when we were down there that was only like 35 bucks a person. Not going after Mahi or Marlin, but my kids had a blast. I don’t remember what all we caught, but they were pretty tasty.
Give the kid some motion sickness meds before you leave.
Took the nephews deep sea fishing off of Santa Barbara a few times, the first time with no med, learned my lesson.
A very wise suggestion.
Broken Clock Syndrome,
I should get one more right today.
Question for someone that might have had a better view. The one play ( yes I know) that really bothered me was one that looked to be a quick swing pass to the right. Ham as leading blocker and Jones set to get the pass. Should have been a quick 1 second pass. Instead JJM looks to be looking down field and gets sacked. His fault or did I miss something? Oh, he may be the nicest guy in the world, but can we never see Justin Skule on the field again?
I did not watch the game, but I feel safe in answering the question this way:
“JJ is just bad.”
I still think there is talent there. There was a beautiful pass to Jefferson down field. I just think there as so many voices telling him what to do he is overthinking instead of just playing. Hence the play I mentioned. You can almost here him thinking. Set my feet, get square, etc instead of just playing.
I reckon the rest of the season will give us more data to the question. Six more games is quite a few yet.
I guess. I live in Florida so don’t get to see most of the games, but it seems JJM is much better when he is in the two minute drill and doesn’t have a much time to “ponder” things. I feel bad for him, he’s a 22 year old kid whose confidence is shot and probably feels the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I used to think JJ should play out the season. Now I am not so sure. He is drowning in the real games now that teams have film on him and know how to specifically target his weaknesses.
I would be fine with benching JJ next game and letting Brosma play one. Next game will be the Darnold revenge game anyway. Seahawks will be running up the score.
I still think we need to stick with McFragile for the rest of the season and into next season. Got to see if KOC can work his QB magic and fix him.
In the great scheme of things, it does not matter to me if McCarthy plays it out. It is more data and certainly can’t hurt draft position!
If his downward trend continues through 2025, we can’t just sail into 2026 hoping for a miracle. Need to sign a vet starter and draft another QB. Can’t be in win now mode without a QB.
How in the hell did the coaches miss this? The second half yesterday ranks in my top ten shittiest viewing experiences of my life as a Vikings fan.
Weaknesses….you mean like football?
GM!
FTP!
I think JJ could very well be Ponder 2.0
Not looking good. However we still have the rest of this season and into next before seeing IF he can improve. Drake Maye did not look good last year. In fact, other than Daniels and Bo Nix, most of the first round QBs had a rough start.
Still, JJ looks worse than anyone else taken in the first round.
I made it through the first half, then played video games instead and had the score up on the PC. @ Nice offense that second half.@
Maybe next year, or the year after, or the year after.
I haven’t watched it yet. I might today, i’m not sure why.
I haven’t watched it yet either. Normally if I can’t see it and it is a loss, I just skip it, however, this on looked so bad I want to see the horror, so I may watch it.
FTP Auto Rec.
Obviously, we play out the string with Ponder 2.0. If his downward trend continues, I would imagine (and hear rumblings) the GM gets the boot. I would draft a QB early in 2026 draft. I would also hope we are selling in the off season. For example, it makes little sense to keep Justin Jefferson. With a contract worth up to $140, you expect a player that will make a big difference every single game. You can’t keep a piece like that while you develop a rookie QB, when you can fill other roster gaps with that money. Jets was basically a non factor yesterday and for all his upside he won’t just waste his career here.
I agree completely with that strategy. You have my vote for GM.
If JJ still sucks by the end of the next 6 games,
I would trade Justin Jefferson, and maybe Addison as well. No reason to keep them if JJ cannot throw.
Nailor seems to do ok. Trade players, get draft picks, try again.
It will be years before Jefferson starts getting 100 ypg again. He wants the HOF, and needs a competent QB to get him the ball.
Draft QB and WR and we obviously still need linemen on both sides of the ball.
Really, the entire team looked like shit at different points of the game.
The only constant, was JJ looked lost and overwhelmed the entire game.
Still, after 6 starts.
That is bad.