Post by Purple Pain on Oct 2, 2023 10:25:57 GMT -6
Arif Hasan: Minnesota Vikings Stumble Into Embarrassing Win
That about sums it up! ^^^
In a day where the defense only gave up six points and the offense showcased its explosive potential, the Vikings still found ways to raise eyebrows and invite questions into their process.
Nevertheless, their win over the winless Panthers should — if things go right — be the beginning of a turnaround that should allow them to challenge for the division.
The Vikings are fundamentally not a bad team. By some measures, they may even be an above-average team. But the issue is not that they failed to meet expectations as a potential playoff contender. That certainly is a problem, but the real issue is that they have to keep convincing us that they can be competent.
A one-score game against a struggling Panthers team that had been criticized for failing to support their rookie quarterback with receivers and an offensive line isn’t a resume-builder. Ideally, the Vikings would put a team like the Panthers away and demonstrate that they are who they thought they were.
And man, it feels weird complaining about a win in a league where wins are hard to come by and in a season where the Vikings couldn’t buy one on clearance. It’s nice to be able to take a bad win instead of a good loss. But that doesn’t mean the issues go away.
Nevertheless, their win over the winless Panthers should — if things go right — be the beginning of a turnaround that should allow them to challenge for the division.
The Vikings are fundamentally not a bad team. By some measures, they may even be an above-average team. But the issue is not that they failed to meet expectations as a potential playoff contender. That certainly is a problem, but the real issue is that they have to keep convincing us that they can be competent.
A one-score game against a struggling Panthers team that had been criticized for failing to support their rookie quarterback with receivers and an offensive line isn’t a resume-builder. Ideally, the Vikings would put a team like the Panthers away and demonstrate that they are who they thought they were.
And man, it feels weird complaining about a win in a league where wins are hard to come by and in a season where the Vikings couldn’t buy one on clearance. It’s nice to be able to take a bad win instead of a good loss. But that doesn’t mean the issues go away.
That about sums it up! ^^^
Excluding the final drive meant to kill the clock, the Vikings managed 1.75 points per drive. Against a defense as bad as the Panthers, that’s alarming.
The Offensive Line Question Hangs in the Air
That leaves the Vikings in a bit of a bind. Entering this week, there was some understanding that they would have a bevy of reinforcements bolster their ranks — Davenport and Akers were two parts of that three-part plan, but guard Dalton Risner was curiously absent.
The Vikings haven’t told anyone that Risner is expected to start any time soon, but that has been the understanding since they hosted him during training camp, an understanding that has become a hope after seeing Ed Ingram continue to struggle in pass protection.
It was his man that ended up impacting Cousins’ throw for his second interception and it’s not as if that was the only mistake he made all game. One even wonders if the reason they had Oliver lined up on a defensive tackle in nine-man protection is because they didn’t trust their normal pass protection capabilities.
On the other hand, the Vikings feel great about their improvements in the running game, and it could be the case that Ingram — whose performance as a run blocker has been excellent over the past two games — might be preferable to Risner because of that.
Given the relative importance of the passing game over the running game and Cousins’ penchant for holding on to the ball, it’s hard to believe that this informs the entirety of the Vikings’ decision to keep Risner on the bench.
Nevertheless, it’s relevant that Vikings reporters in the press box gave fans updates on which offensive linemen were lining up before the game and before each quarter. It speaks to the perceived precarity of Ingram’s position.
And it’s hard to shake the feeling that if the season goes completely belly-up, that it will be because of the Vikings’ decision to hold on to Ingram.
For now, the Vikings will take it. As Cousins said, “[It’s] huge to get a win, any way we can get it.” The ugly ones count, too.
The Offensive Line Question Hangs in the Air
That leaves the Vikings in a bit of a bind. Entering this week, there was some understanding that they would have a bevy of reinforcements bolster their ranks — Davenport and Akers were two parts of that three-part plan, but guard Dalton Risner was curiously absent.
The Vikings haven’t told anyone that Risner is expected to start any time soon, but that has been the understanding since they hosted him during training camp, an understanding that has become a hope after seeing Ed Ingram continue to struggle in pass protection.
It was his man that ended up impacting Cousins’ throw for his second interception and it’s not as if that was the only mistake he made all game. One even wonders if the reason they had Oliver lined up on a defensive tackle in nine-man protection is because they didn’t trust their normal pass protection capabilities.
On the other hand, the Vikings feel great about their improvements in the running game, and it could be the case that Ingram — whose performance as a run blocker has been excellent over the past two games — might be preferable to Risner because of that.
Given the relative importance of the passing game over the running game and Cousins’ penchant for holding on to the ball, it’s hard to believe that this informs the entirety of the Vikings’ decision to keep Risner on the bench.
Nevertheless, it’s relevant that Vikings reporters in the press box gave fans updates on which offensive linemen were lining up before the game and before each quarter. It speaks to the perceived precarity of Ingram’s position.
And it’s hard to shake the feeling that if the season goes completely belly-up, that it will be because of the Vikings’ decision to hold on to Ingram.
For now, the Vikings will take it. As Cousins said, “[It’s] huge to get a win, any way we can get it.” The ugly ones count, too.
... and neither is this Chris guy.