Snap Reactions after Vikings-Bears

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Jan 9, 2022
Brad Rempel-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. One can bemoan “meaningless game” and set sights on the 2022 NFL draft and whatnot, but this Vikings-Bears game was fun to watch.
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. 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.
  5. Go look up Brett Favre’s 2009 statistics. Then, take a look at Kirk Cousins’ 2021 statistics. Spooky.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. How about Kenny Willekes? Two sacks and two tackles for loss. He’s a byproduct of the Stefon Diggs trade.
  9. 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.
  10. 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).

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