Unless they failed to score I'm pretty sure shutting out opponents in the playoffs would get them to the Super Bowl.dead_poet wrote:Easton, McDermott injured. Sirles was terrible (Isadora?).
Offense was not good. Case was bad. Shurmer had a poor game as well.
Defensive grade: B+
Offensive grade: D+
Game ball to Smith
We'll need to play a heck of a lot better than that to make it to the Super Bowl.
Seriously, I see your point and they'd probably be hard-pressed to beat some of the best teams in the NFC with that kind of offensive performance unless it was accompanied by a dominant performance from the defense.
It sure looked like the cold weather was impacting the timing in the passing game but maybe they were just having an off night. I agree that the overall offensive performance was underwhelming, although I'd give them a more generous grade than you did because they ran the ball well. It would have been nice to see them finish a couple more drives with TDs rather than FGs.
I'd give the defense an A because I think shutting out any NFL team requires an "A" performance.
My main takeaway is the Vikings took care of business, on the road, in harsh conditions, and put themselves one win away from a guaranteed bye in the first round of the playoffs and hosting the divisional round at home.
The play of the night for me was Keenum scrambling to avoid the Packers rush, looking as if he was going to run, and then fading back to hit David Morgan, who made a nice run after catch to pick up a first down. That was just fun football!