The Vikings Just Aren’t Good Enough
Ameer Eldomiatti
|
The most frustrating aspect of this Vikings season is that the team is truly talented and has had opportunities to prove themselves capable.
However, their level of talent hasn’t been able to meld at the requisite times when it is needed the most. This was no more evident than in their most recent loss to the Rams. The defense seemed to give the Vikings life on a day where there was little energy found anywhere in the bowels of US Bank Stadium.
The defense forced numerous turnovers and actually gave their offense chances to win the game. Yet, the three separate times that the defense caused Rams turnovers in Los Angeles territory, the Vikings offense only had 10 points to show for it. It was also frustrating to see the number of unlucky breaks that deprived the Vikings of chances to take hold in the first quarter.
Now with chances at the postseason almost gone, it is clear that although this team has shown in every game to the capacity as a good team, massive alternations are needed in the offseason to break the Vikings out of the monotony and mediocrity.
The main issue that the Vikings have in every game this season is the inability for all three phases of offense, defense ad special teams to sync at the same time.
The Vikings started sluggishly on offense, yet their defense kept them in the mix. The bad breaks of a dropped interception by Cameron Danzler on the first possession resulting in a Rams touchdown and a KJ Osborn dropped paydirt resulting in an interception for Cousins were the main differences in the score early. Still, the Vikings were pretty solid defensively — although Sony Michel was getting chunks of yards on the ground. Too, Matthew Stafford had a rough game thanks in part to the pressure caused by the Vikings and thanks to the exotic looks that he experienced.
Stafford was also throwing passes that had no chance. It resulted in two dropped interceptions in the first half and eventually led to an incredible Anthony Barr pick towards the end of the second quarter. Of course, the offense, which was usually quite good inside the red zone with a 65% efficiency rating in the redzone entering Sunday, struggled to score any points inside the 10-yardline and earned just three points off of the Barr interception. And because their defense was mostly playing well, they were still within distance at halftime.
In the past 15 years, only one other team has recorded three takeaways, committed less than three penalties and lost. On the three woeful Stafford throws that the Vikings took away, they could only muster ten points. And two of those times, they intercepted Stafford inside the 10-yard line.
The Vikings’ maligned defense put up their end of the bargain for the majority of the game, but over that stretch, the offensive unit wasn’t able to take advantage.
This has been the microcosm of the entire Vikings’season.
They are good enough to get into a position to strike a mortal blow but cannot due to lack of execution. Then, when the Vikings offense finally began rolling and appeared to potentially take the lead, they promptly punted, and a massive lapse by the coverage team led to a punt return for a touchdown. It likely wouldn’t be a big deal if this was a one-game blip, but it just isn’t.
Through 16 weeks, this is who the Vikings are — a talented roster, capable of so much more, unable to take advantage of all opportunities from opponents.
In the likely event the Vikings miss out on an NFC wildcard spot, massive and swift changes are necessary. There was no energy in the stadium versus the Rams, and the players themselves noticed it.
The Vikings, although stacked with talent and potential, have become stagnant and stale and over the past couple of years and underachieved to the point that they’ve been unable to reach above .500 during any week of the season. A majority of the players are well capable of making the Vikings a formidable team, but something is missing in the locker room, partly due to the coaching staff and partially due to the leadership or lack of leadership from specific players.
So, where should the Vikings go from here?
It’s too late in the season to address the shortcomings caused by their three phases not jelling simultaneously. A new voice is needed for this team. However, no matter who is in charge or at quarterback next season, it is imperative that details are stressed upon the players on next season’s roster.
Many of these close losses are due to minor miscues on one side of the ball — that add up to massive blunders. The Danzler drop not only didn’t lead to a turnover in Rams territory but extended a drive that ended in a score. Twice, the Vikings defense couldn’t achieve stops on fourth down, and both drives ended in scores for Los Angeles.
Osborn’s drop cost the Vikings seven points. A lack of awareness for where the first down marker was hurtful on multiple plays throughout the game. The most worrisome part? Heading into the season, the running game was supposed to be the Vikings strength both on offense in running the ball and stopping the run. Neither has truly happened effectively all year except for in spurts, and that has not only cost them in the Rams game but in several prior losses as well. This Vikings team has both failed to seize opportunities given to them nor to learn from their errors.
Zimmer said on numerous occasions, especially early in the season, that the Vikings “are a good team.” That isn’t wrong. They could theoretically still end the season with a winning record. However, they aren’t good enough, especially in areas and situations that have come to matter the utmost.
Moving forward this offseason, an emphasis is needed on improving the small impediments that will have cost this talented roster a shot at the playoffs. It hasn’t been more evident than against the Rams that something needs to change if the Vikings want to move from good to good enough — or eventually be great.
You must be logged in to post a comment.