Snap Reactions after Vikings-Bears
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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- One can bemoan “meaningless game” and set sights on the 2022 NFL draft and whatnot, but this Vikings-Bears game was fun to watch.
- Clamoring for the Vikings single-season receiving record was bizarre. The thirst for Jefferson to top Moss was sudden by fans, probably because the game didn’t mean much otherwise. Wouldn’t a segment of fans want Moss to retain the record in its somewhat sacred 16-game format?
- Regardless, Zimmer saying after the game he cares about wins, not records — was an accurate description of his old-ball-coach mentality. Bill Parcells, anyone?
- The Vikings will pick 12th in the 1st Round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As it turned out, a loss by the Vikings really wouldn’t have affected that much — based on how the rest of Week 18 played out.
- Go look up Brett Favre’s 2009 statistics. Then, take a look at Kirk Cousins’ 2021 statistics. Spooky.
- This entire game was bittersweet. Mike Zimmer restored the franchise to respectability — emphatically and quickly. It is time for a change, but Zimmer will be missed by those who cherish the team.
- One has to believe the Patrick Peterson pick-six bodes well for a return to Minnesota in 2022. Most believe he is linked to Zimmer, but at least the man could cherish that individual moment in Week 18.
- How about Kenny Willekes? Two sacks and two tackles for loss. He’s a byproduct of the Stefon Diggs trade.
- Anthony Barr sounded like a man heading elsewhere after the game. He was uniquely connected to Zimmer, in line to depart “with” Zimmer while joining the team the same year as the coach in 2014.
- In the end, the Vikings needed was one or two more wins to reach the postseason — whether you consider that against Arizona, Cincinnati, or Detroit.
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).