Snap Reactions after Vikings-Cowboys
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.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”891029″ player=”26279″ title=”Minnesota's%20Next%204%20Games%20Determine%20Season” duration=”66″ description=”Minnesota’s next four games, starting against Dallas, will prove if the Vikings are contenders or pretenders.” uploaddate=”2021-10-31″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19437/thumb/891029_t_1635660799.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/19437/sd/891029.mp4″]
- 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.
- The hot seat chatter for head coach Mike Zimmer has hit the loudest point of his eight seasons.
- 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.
- The trade of Stephen Weatherly, in retrospect, now seems foolish, although there was no way to know it at the time.
- At least Greg Joseph is making kicks.
- 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.
- 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.
- Minnesota’s doldrums against backup quarterback continues, maybe even climaxing with Cooper Rush in town.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
You must be logged in to post a comment.