Image courtesy of Vikings.com
If someone were to tell the Minnesota Vikings that they would hold Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie quarterback Carson Wentz to under 150 passing yards and cause him to throw two interceptions, they would probably think the result would be their sixth win of the 2016 season.
However, that is not exactly what happened on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Vikings looked rusty and flustered throughout the day as they lost to the Eagles 21-10.
With the loss, Minnesota is now 5-1 on the year and any dreams of an undefeated season have been dashed.
It seemed as though no matter what the Vikings tried to do on Sunday, nothing was going to work. They were just outplayed. There is really no other way to describe it.
It was a sloppy game played by both teams, as they combined to commit eight turnovers. Philadelphia just made more plays than Minnesota did Sunday and it ended in the Eagles coming out on top.
The Vikings only managed to score 10 points against Philadelphia and it likely had to do with the lack of blocking on the field by their pathetic display of an offensive line. Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford was pressured all day and the Eagles ended the day with six sacks.
Speaking of Bradford, the quarterback had his worst game in a Minnesota uniform by far on Sunday. Philadelphia’s constant pressure caused Bradford to only complete 24 of his 41 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, one interception.
Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson continued his career revival Sunday against the Eagles. The fourth-year receiver finished the day with seven catches for 67 yards and one touchdown.
Minnesota may need to send out a search party for wide receiver Stefon Diggs because he was nowhere to be found in Philadelphia. In his first game back from a groin injury, Diggs caught just two passes for 18 yards on five targets.
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings defense still played pretty well. They held the Eagles to just 239 total yards and just four 3rd-down conversions.
However, Minnesota’s defense was unable to register a sack for the second time in three games. Getting to the quarterback is a huge part of the Vikings’ defense and it certainly would have helped their chances on Sunday if they could have brought more pressure.
With their next game being on a Monday against the Chicago Bears, Minnesota has an extra day to prepare this week. Based on their performance in Philadelphia, the Vikings could use as much time as possible in order to prevent their second straight loss this season.
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Like that guy said in the movie "Platoon", I had a bad feeling about this one. Facing an Eagles team coming home after two back to back road losses was unfortunate. They played like they wanted it more and are always a tough out in Philadelphia. Having said that, our O-line didn't seem to benefit from an extra week of practice and newcomer Jake Long is a long way from being the answer. Were we better off with Clemmins on the left and Sirles on the right flank? In general, the bye seemed to leave us in a fog we never were able to shake. Line play kept us from capitalizing on turnovers and 'Army' recruiter Blair Walsh didnt help with that attempted tackle and still in it with 10:00 to play and unable in two chances to make one from their six was disappointing. Come playoff time, with a bye, are we gonna respond any better against a team fresh off a playoff win?
really bad o-line play, bradford had an off day, so our offense just stunk. special teams stunk, too. defense was good. didn't like the musical chairs with the o-line. philly just out-played us
I think the "musical chairs" on the OL was at the root of the offensive sh*tstorm that we all had to sit through. As I noted in more detail under Sam's post mortem, rotating players at one OL position can be done, but rotating one of them them through two positions - on the same series, if you can believe it! - is incredibly disruptive, especially when we're talking about a second-year guy still learning one of the jobs. Oh, and benching a guy who's been playing well for the sake of this three-man/two-position rotation, just adds the cherry on top. Who's idea was this, and has Zimmer taken responsibility for giving it the thumbs-up?
TEN THINGS
1. Glad Sam Bradford was not hurt.
2. On that 3-1 4th and 1 series. Since they had already made up their mind to go for it on 4th I do not know why they did not try to sneak Rudy out on 3rd down and go for the TD
3. Bad OL
4. Bad O calling
5. Don't worry they they will probably look better next week, but hopefully will not think the problem on the OL is solved because it is Chicago.
6. Glad Sam was not hurt.
7. If they lose next week. That would be really bad.
8. If the OL and O calling does not improve Sam will not make it through the season and then we are toast.
9. Sendajo had a TD if he had stayed to the outside, but no he had to run into people.
10. Glad Sam was not hurt.