Dolphins post game thread

[Mothman]

Don't forget, the last game of the year the Skins play the Eagles. All the Vikings have to do is have the same number of wins and they take it. That tie counts for half a win. In other words if the Skins, Eagles and Vikings all have 8 wins, the Vikings take it. Hopefully that won't be an issue.

Since the Vikings control their own fate, I hope they earn their spot by winning their way into it. Getting into the playoffs with 8 wins would feel like an undeserved reward.

[TSonn]

Don't forget, the last game of the year the Skins play the Eagles. All the Vikings have to do is have the same number of wins and they take it. That tie counts for half a win. In other words if the Skins, Eagles and Vikings all have 8 wins, the Vikings take it. Hopefully that won't be an issue.

Since the Vikings control their own fate, I hope they earn their spot by winning their way into it. Getting into the playoffs with 8 wins would feel like an undeserved reward.

Getting in with 8 wins would normally feel undeserved, but this year it would feel like 2-1 to me since we looked like a new team with KS as our OC.

Edit: Nonetheless, I want us to go into the playoffs on a 3 game winning streak.

[Mothman]

Since the Vikings control their own fate, I hope they earn their spot by winning their way into it. Getting into the playoffs with 8 wins would feel like an undeserved reward.

Getting in with 8 wins would normally feel undeserved, but this year it would feel like 2-1 to me since we looked like a new team with KS as our OC.

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about that because as others have pointed out, they may have looked like a new team in part because they played at home against Miami's defense. It will be interesting to see how things go in other situations, like if an opponent effectively stuffs the run early, if the Vikes have to play from behind, etc. They'll be on the road next week and that alone tends to make things more difficult. So far, so good with Stefanski calling the plays but he'll face tougher challenges ahead. Hopefully, they're getting their act together as a team just in time.

Edit: Nonetheless, I want us to go into the playoffs on a 3 game winning streak.

Don't we all? It sounds like things went very well yesterday. Did you see that Zimmer gave the OL a game ball?

[PurpleKoolaid]

At 7-6-1 the Vikings only have a 1/2 game lead on the Eagles and Redskins (who both sit at 7-7) so the Vikings must need more than a win. The Panthers are 6-7 and play tonight so they're still in the picture too. Dallas (8-6) hasn't clinched the East yet either.

If I'm not mistaken, all of these games next week can influence the NFC wildcard picture:

WAS @ TEN
TEX @ PHI
ATL @ CAR
TB @ DAL
KC @ SEA

... and, of course, MIN @ DET.

So it seems if we win and then TEN and TEX wins we are in? This is assuming the Saints beat the Panthers tonight... maybe playoff picture should be a new thread?

Good idea. Its kinda hard to keep track, and it can change drastically from week to week, esp. if the Vikes lose. You would think they could play the Lions handily but you never know.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I dont think the wins will mean anything to the Bears, and the Bears will most likely rest their starters. Doesnt matter to the Lions except to play spoilers..

[StpViking]

Great game. A little hard to read anything into this victory since the Dolphins are a terrible road team.

Some of the cuts Dalvin Cook made during the game shows you while he was a 5 star recruit coming out of Miami. Not sure the running game will hold up as well against the Lions and Bears front 7.

If the Vikings do make the playoffs. Captain Kirk will need to use his legs more. It still really bothers me how much Cousins is forcing himself to stay in the pocket. I still see many opportunity where he can easily pick up first down with his legs. Defense do not respect Cousins running ability at all.

[TSonn]

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about that because as others have pointed out, they may have looked like a new team in part because they played at home against Miami's defense. It will be interesting to see how things go in other situations, like if an opponent effectively stuffs the run early, if the Vikes have to play from behind, etc. They'll be on the road next week and that alone tends to make things more difficult. So far, so good with Stefanski calling the plays but he'll face tougher challenges ahead. Hopefully, they're getting their act together as a team just in time.

Yeah, I agree. Did you listen to the Thomahawk Show Podcast where Joe Thomas and Andrew Hawkins talked about the weaknesses in DeFilippo's strategy as OC of the Browns when they played for him? It was very revealing that Flip was likely using basic protection schemes and run blocking due to his inexperience and desire to pass. As the year went on, defenses were able to figure us out and lock us down - we saw that during the 4 game stretch after the bye. Miami is probably not the best team to determine improvement, but it seemed like both of those issues were hugely improved yesterday.

For those who want to listen: https://www.uninterrupted.com/podcasts/ ... -hawk-show. Episode 61. The DeFilippo discussion begins around the 16 minute mark. It's a great listen.

[Svt40]

Great game despite having to watch it being streamed on the computer.

Best part of the day for me was seeing the defense NOT let up towards the end of the game and go into prevent. It was also nice to see the blitzes make a come back.

[VikingLord]

I dont think the wins will mean anything to the Bears, and the Bears will most likely rest their starters. Doesnt matter to the Lions except to play spoilers..

Speaking of, Vikings could easily be in a situation where they play the Bears the last week in a largely meaningless game for the Bears where the Bears rest most of their starters, and then have to travel to Chicago the following week and play in the first round against those same rested starters. I believe the Bears can't win a first round bye if the Rams win next week.

I think the Vikings can beat the Bears either way provided they defense Trubisky properly, but that isn't an ideal scenario for the Vikings if it comes to pass. The Bears have put themselves into a very good ending position for this season.

[VikingLord]

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about that because as others have pointed out, they may have looked like a new team in part because they played at home against Miami's defense.

True, but the Vikings struggled to run against pretty much anyone's defense this year, so seeing them dial it up effectively and consistently was still very encouraging.

What was most encouraging for me was the level of intensity they brought to the game. I'd been waiting to see that all year and they finally showed up for 4 quarters. They'll need that same level of intensity from here on out.

[Mothman]

So it seems if we win and then TEN and TEX wins we are in? This is assuming the Saints beat the Panthers tonight... maybe playoff picture should be a new thread?

Good idea. Its kinda hard to keep track, and it can change drastically from week to week, esp. if the Vikes lose. You would think they could play the Lions handily but you never know.

You guys realize you can start a thread without permission, right? If you'd like a playoff picture thread, just create one!

[Texas Vike]

Couple of notes regarding differences I noticed in Stefanski's first few drives:

1) uptempo; lots of no huddle and always a good tempo.

2) Little to no straight back drops for Cousins. Much more play action passes and a good number of roll outs.

3) On 2nd or 3rd and short, we QB sneaked, numerous times.

4) Running was primary and it was used to set up the pass, not vice versa. Lots of runs between the tackles, nothing fancy or tricky.

5) On Cooks first TD, he gave the ball to Elflein to spike. Cool. Zimmer gave the game ball to the OL too. The OL seemed to respond to the JDF firing with some spunk. Nice to see.

6) They ran a lot of run plays with a WR or TE motioning to the edge of the line to help block the edge. They didn't always run when they did this. They also used Ham as a lead blocker, especially with Murray.

7) Cousins had time to pass; he was only pressured once on the first three drives.

8. Zimmer used smelling salts to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

[Mothman]

I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about that because as others have pointed out, they may have looked like a new team in part because they played at home against Miami's defense.

True, but the Vikings struggled to run against pretty much anyone's defense this year, so seeing them dial it up effectively and consistently was still very encouraging.

What was most encouraging for me was the level of intensity they brought to the game. I'd been waiting to see that all year and they finally showed up for 4 quarters. They'll need that same level of intensity from here on out.

It will be interesting to see if they can show that same intensity on the road.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I dont think the wins will mean anything to the Bears, and the Bears will most likely rest their starters. Doesnt matter to the Lions except to play spoilers..

Speaking of, Vikings could easily be in a situation where they play the Bears the last week in a largely meaningless game for the Bears where the Bears rest most of their starters, and then have to travel to Chicago the following week and play in the first round against those same rested starters. I believe the Bears can't win a first round bye if the Rams win next week.

I think the Vikings can beat the Bears either way provided they defense Trubisky properly, but that isn't an ideal scenario for the Vikings if it comes to pass. The Bears have put themselves into a very good ending position for this season.

I am really hoping we can play the Cowboys in the playoffs, not sure if first or second round. A friend was saying its a good possibility we do play them. But hes a Bulls/Bears fan (and a bit of a Bears fan) so im not sure I 100% trust him.

[Mothman]

I am really hoping we can play the Cowboys in the playoffs, not sure if first or second round. A friend was saying its a good possibility we do play them. But hes a Bulls/Bears fan (and a bit of a Bears fan) so im not sure I 100% trust him.

I think for that to happen Dallas would have to win the east and the Vikes would have to be the 5th seed. Both are still possible. It's unlikely DAL will finish with a better record than CHI so that's probably the only scenario in which the Vikes would play the Cowboys unless both teams advance to the NFC Championship.