Wild Card Weekend - Giants @ Vikes Support Group
Jan 9, 2023 11:20:14 GMT -6
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Funkytown, FSUVike, and 1 more like this
Post by lostdonkey on Jan 9, 2023 11:20:14 GMT -6
No one expected the Giants to get into the playoffs with 1st yr Head Coach Brian Daboll - who seems to be one of the favorites for NFL Coach of the Year - so they are essentially playing with "house money" and will just play hard and loose and put it all out on the table. There is no playing it safe and punting on 4th down and short if they get inside Minnesota territory - you have to expect they'll go for it any chance they get.
This game will tell us a whole bunch about O'Connell's ability to get this Viking team prepared for "playoff football". We've seen the refs hold their flags in their pockets already (they did so in the Tennessee/Jacksonville game on Saturday night) and they will almost certainly be doing the same thing in the Playoffs so I wouldn't expect any help from zebras. The Vikings need to come out of the gates prepared to take it to NY because the Giants have absolutely nothing to lose.
The part of KOC's gameplanning that worries me is that he just can't bring himself to do the obvious thing. Watching the lions comeback, it was mostly pitches and outside runs that got them a win. What was KOC's running gameplan for GB? Slam Cook into the middle of the line behind a third string C. Giants blitz constantly? Long developing pass plays. 4th and 1? 15 yard pass. First and goal? Trick play RB pass. I like that he's willing to mix it up a bit, but it's starting to look like he's just a flat out contrarian. I would love to see us throw 5 yard quick slants to beat the blitz, rinse and repeat until the giants are demoralized somewhat and forced to change defensive plans. But I fully expect to see Kirk taking seven step drops out of the gate and getting creamed by the blitz. I hope I'm wrong.
... and neither is this Chris guy.