From a suggestion by a reader, we author a “snap reactions” weekly piece detailing thoughts and analysis after a Minnesota Vikings game.
This will be off-the-cuff, a wee bit “random,” and hopefully insightful.
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- Time is up. Barring a lengthy win streak, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will be terminated inside or directly after the 2021 season.
- Vikings games this season are slightly tweaked mirror images — good offensive start, decent defense in the middle of the game, vanilla playcalling after the first drive, and a defensive collapse down the stretch. You can set your wristwatch to these items.
- Minnesota squandered mighty plays from Camryn Bynum, Kene Nwangwu, and Anthony Barr. What a shame. Those plays were fantastic and the kind needed to beat winning teams on the road. No cigar.
- Kirk Cousins delivered on the final 4th Quarter drive — again — but folks win remain convinced he isn’t very good. It’s rather bizarre.
- The Vikings hung tough against Lamar Jackson’s team without Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson, and Michael Pierce. If the team currently had a winning record, this would be a commendable, warm-fuzzy caveat.
- The horse-collar penalty on the Ravens first drive was unforgivable. VikingsTerritory rarely bellyaches about officiating, but that was horrendous.
- Hopefully, Kene Nwangwu’s playmaking taught the offensive coaching staff a lesson. Use the man, especially during a season that appears to be lost and playoffs-less.
- Minnesota hasn’t lost all AFC road games in a single season since 2014. Maybe that means they’re destined to topple the Los Angeles Chargers next week.
- It’s painstaking to stomach a possible rebuild that could involve the exoduses of Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Danielle Hunter, and Harrison Smith, etc. What a waste of phenomenal draft scouting.
- The Vikings now trail the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers for the NFC’s seventh playoff seed. If they want the seventh seed, it’s still attainable. Very doable, in fact.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).