Will this Vikings team break our hearts like so many other before them?

[StumpHunter]

I think being critical of the biggest piece added to a 13-3 team, that was supposed be a SB contender, but instead was 9-6-1 and bounced from the playoffs in round one is fair.

I'm starting to think the change in OC was the biggest piece that affected this team. It's not last year anymore. There are different players on both sides of the ball, some of their play has dipped, some has gotten better, there is a different OC with a completely different philosophy, we played a tougher schedule this year, lost our best defensive player mid-season for going psycho off the field, our offensive line got worse, etc. There are way more factors than just Kirk Cousins. Cousins is just as much part of this team as the OC was. And in the end, looks like Flip was holding this team back more than Kirk Cousins or anyone else for that matter.

I think Flip was a problem, and is a worse OC than Shurmur. Not a horrible OC, but a stubborn one who refused to acknowledge it was better to run the ball more than pass it. He like Shurmur played to his QB's strengths though. I also think the Oline has not played good football for much of the season and has been a problem. The QB leads a league with 4 rookie starters, Blake Bortles and Jameis Winston, in turnovers, and has also been a part of the problem.

[The negotiator]

I'm starting to think the change in OC was the biggest piece that affected this team. It's not last year anymore. There are different players on both sides of the ball, some of their play has dipped, some has gotten better, there is a different OC with a completely different philosophy, we played a tougher schedule this year, lost our best defensive player mid-season for going psycho off the field, our offensive line got worse, etc. There are way more factors than just Kirk Cousins. Cousins is just as much part of this team as the OC was. And in the end, looks like Flip was holding this team back more than Kirk Cousins or anyone else for that matter.

The OC issue has been my take all season, this is followed by the mess at guard. It was there if you paid attention in the early games, but it really was blatant in the game plan vs. Buffalo. JDF not only wasn't doing a good job, he really didn't get the issues he had on the OL and how to take them into account in his Game Plan. The performance against LAR earned him some slack since it was obvious that the defense had it's own problems. However, it became crystal clear when we played the tough stretch in November where the issues were.

I'm not convinced the change came soon enough. There have been other issues and sloppiness that hasn't really been resolved. For this reason I think they are most likely a first round playoff loser. However, it isn't they are not THAT far from being a deep playoff threat. So I'm not counting them out yet.

Good post

[Pondering Her Percy]

Agreed. You've been a Vikings fan about as long as I have. Me personally, I would love to see them in a SB win or lose. Old timers wont agree here but I have never seen it before. Of course I want us to WIN one but if we can GET there as a 6 seed, I'm content. I know most will disagree but thats just me. Its so hard to tell how this team will do to be honest. We lost to the 3 best teams in the NFC by a total of 22 points. That's actually very low. No doubt in my mind we can beat any one of those teams. It's more so, I dont think we can beat ALL of them in one shot.

My heartbreak.....would easily be another NFC championship loss. I was born in '89. Been a fan since I was in first grade. I've seen them in 4 NFC championships. 2 blowouts and 2 heart breakers. I'm so sick of seeing them not win that game. This is part of the reason I would be content losing in the SB. As long as we can get past that curse of a game.

PHP, I watched all four Super Bowls. Here's my take.

At the time they made them, I was extremely proud of my team and proud to be a fan.

When they lost, it hurt like nothing else.

Now that it's been 4 decades, I remain proud. Our franchise has a tremendous history, and I have no problem bragging about it ... Lombardi trophy or no Lombardi trophy. I realize that probably puts me in the minority, but when I think about all the dominance we had for so long, I'm glad I'm a Vikings fan.

Of course, I want to see a championship before I leave this earth. I want it more than anything in sports. But I'm not going to go around hanging my head because my team hasn't won one. I love the Vikings. Period.

I feel the exact same way Kapp. Granted I didnt see the 4 SBs but I've been front and center for 4 conference championship losses and have been through the up and down years. Nothing is ever going to change my mind with this team. They might not ever win won, they might win 3, I dont know but I'm always going to be a die hard vikings fan until the day I die

[Pondering Her Percy]

I'm starting to think the change in OC was the biggest piece that affected this team. It's not last year anymore. There are different players on both sides of the ball, some of their play has dipped, some has gotten better, there is a different OC with a completely different philosophy, we played a tougher schedule this year, lost our best defensive player mid-season for going psycho off the field, our offensive line got worse, etc. There are way more factors than just Kirk Cousins. Cousins is just as much part of this team as the OC was. And in the end, looks like Flip was holding this team back more than Kirk Cousins or anyone else for that matter.

I think Flip was a problem, and is a worse OC than Shurmur. Not a horrible OC, but a stubborn one who refused to acknowledge it was better to run the ball more than pass it. He like Shurmur played to his QB's strengths though. I also think the Oline has not played good football for much of the season and has been a problem. The QB leads a league with 4 rookie starters, Blake Bortles and Jameis Winston, in turnovers, and has also been a part of the problem.

Again, it all starts with who is calling the plays. Shurmur was an excellent OC. Flip didnt play to Cousins strengths. Shurmur did with Keenum. Which is a huge reason why the comparison of the two QBs carries little weight. Cousins under a Shurmur offense compared to Keenum under a Shurmur offense, I say Cousins is a better QB 10 times out of 10. I've said this for a while now, Flip tried to make Kirk Cousins something he's not. And I'm not the first one to say that. That came out often from various analysts, media, fans, etc when Flip got fired. They did it in Washington to an extent. The guy has NEVER been in an offense with balance. Washington hasnt had a relevant RB in quite a while. Flip has the perfect opportunity to give Cousins what (I think) he needs to be a successful QB....balance. He had the RB(s) here. He had the WRs and TE. Didnt have the OL but again, a lot of that can be hidden with balance....exactly what Pat Shurmur did. Kirk Cousins isnt a "put the team on his back, throw for 500 and 5 TDs" type QB. Never has been. Not many QBs are anymore. Look at Rodgers. He couldnt dig his team out of a hole if his life depended on it right now. Bottom line is, Flip had everything he wanted or needed in his hands (outside of OL) to help make this offense successful. And he did a pi** poor job of managing it. Period

[Pondering Her Percy]

I'm starting to think the change in OC was the biggest piece that affected this team. It's not last year anymore. There are different players on both sides of the ball, some of their play has dipped, some has gotten better, there is a different OC with a completely different philosophy, we played a tougher schedule this year, lost our best defensive player mid-season for going psycho off the field, our offensive line got worse, etc. There are way more factors than just Kirk Cousins. Cousins is just as much part of this team as the OC was. And in the end, looks like Flip was holding this team back more than Kirk Cousins or anyone else for that matter.

The OC issue has been my take all season, this is followed by the mess at guard. It was there if you paid attention in the early games, but it really was blatant in the game plan vs. Buffalo. JDF not only wasn't doing a good job, he really didn't get the issues he had on the OL and how to take them into account in his Game Plan. The performance against LAR earned him some slack since it was obvious that the defense had it's own problems. However, it became crystal clear when we played the tough stretch in November where the issues were.

I'm not convinced the change came soon enough. There have been other issues and sloppiness that hasn't really been resolved. For this reason I think they are most likely a first round playoff loser. However, it isn't they are not THAT far from being a deep playoff threat. So I'm not counting them out yet.

I agree and I think the firing could've happened sooner but to fire a brand new OC that quick when your team is still in the playoff hunt is kind of unheard of I feel. I could be wrong though. As for Buffalo, I was at that game and yes guard was an issue. But there was not a worse player on the field that day that Riley Reiff. Gave up 12 pressures and at least a few sacks. I believe both that resulted in the fumbles. But yes OG was just as bad. Either way, good post.