Snap Reactions after Vikings-Cowboys

  |  
Nov 1, 2021
Overhyped Cowboys Next Test for 8-1 Vikings
Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports.

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.

  1. Danielle Hunter was injured versus the Cowboys, which was later revealed as a season-ender. That will be the fatal blow to the 2021 Vikings.
  2. The hot seat chatter for head coach Mike Zimmer has hit the loudest point of his eight seasons.
  3. The loss to the Cowboys was a mirror image of the defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns. Both games started with offensive pizazz — followed by offensive ineptitude. The contests involved brutal defensive breakdowns in crucial spots, while the defense, on the whole, was quite good. And, both defeats happened at U.S. Bank Stadium — a place that used to be a fortress for the Vikings beating teams. Not anymore.
  4. The trade of Stephen Weatherly, in retrospect, now seems foolish, although there was no way to know it at the time.
  5. At least Greg Joseph is making kicks.
  6. Kirk Cousins did nothing to erase the primetime narrative framed against him. His offensive line did not help him — there were too many pressures — but he was also not very effective.
  7. Some coach in some basement in some capacity, somewhere — has to realize the Vikings thrive at taking shots downfield. Perhaps somebody will eventually recognize it.
  8. Minnesota’s doldrums against backup quarterback continues, maybe even climaxing with Cooper Rush in town.
  9. If the Vikings opt for a complete rebuild, you can consider Justin Jefferson a short-term Viking. The next year or two would involve crawling before learning to walk amid a full rebuild, and by the time Jefferson’s rookie deal is up, why the hell would we want to stay in a culture of losing? These are the casualties of rebuilds; you’ve been warned.
  10. The trade deadline is Tuesday. If it comes and goes with no Vikings moves, the team leadership still believes they can reach the playoffs this season.
  11. The sheer amount — and also the noise — from Cowboys fans at U.S. Bank Stadium rivaled the presence of Green Bay fans at a Vikings-Packers game in Minneapolis.
  12. Suggesting it’s time to have a look at Kellen Mond is beyond bizarre. The Vikings are on the hook for $45 million in Kirk Cousins’ pocket in 2022. Inserting Mond does nothing to change that. Plus, Mond did not look ready to assume QB1 duties in the preseason.

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).

Also Read: Unlikely Ally Defends Kirk Cousins

Share: