Bears @ Vikings postgame

[J. Kapp 11]

I still don’t get how this is deemed “lucky”? We won the game. On a great final drive and big stop on defense. Isn’t that what a team is suppose to do in a close game? Finish with a great offensive drive and defense come up with a big stop?

Yeah, I'm not really seeing this one as "lucky" either. I think this was the most consistent football that the Vikings played this year. If the special teams plays like they did in the first four weeks, this game isn't close. And even with the ST stinker, two big plays (The Kirk INT and the Fields TD run) made this game closer than it should have been.

I see improvement in the offense, but not so much in the defense.

The offense is really making strides. All four TD drives were things of beauty. If you think about it, the Vikings only had eight possessions in the game. One punt, one INT, two missed FGs and four TDs.

First TD drive was 12 plays, 86 yards, 6:45.
Second TD drive was 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
Third TD drive was 5 plays, 50 yards, 0:45.
Last TD drive was 20 plays, 75 yards, 7:00.
The two missed field goals, 10 plays and 8 plays.

So for six potential scoring drives, the Vikings averaged 11.3 plays per drive. They converted 80% on third down, went 4-for-4 in the red zone, and had 36:44 time of possession. That's incredible offense. Make those field goals, and the Vikes end up with 35 points. Any of us would take that.

But that defense ...

The offense didn't look as good in the second half because the Bears had the ball so much. Chicago absolutely dominated TOP in the third quarter, mainly because our defense struggled yet again. Very frustrating that our defense couldn't stop that pathetic offense of the Bears and their absolutely horrid O-line. The defense was the polar opposite of what it had been. Instead of giving up fewer points compared to the yards they were allowing, this game they only gave up 271 total yards but too many points and gave up an 18-point lead. Like the rest of you, I'm really uncomfortable with this defense.

Thing is, if they could somehow get to league average on D, the offense is getting to be plenty good enough to carry this team a long way.

[Pondering Her Percy]

Yeah, I'm not really seeing this one as "lucky" either. I think this was the most consistent football that the Vikings played this year. If the special teams plays like they did in the first four weeks, this game isn't close. And even with the ST stinker, two big plays (The Kirk INT and the Fields TD run) made this game closer than it should have been.

I see improvement in the offense, but not so much in the defense.

The offense is really making strides. All four TD drives were things of beauty. If you think about it, the Vikings only had eight possessions in the game. One punt, one INT, two missed FGs and four TDs.

First TD drive was 12 plays, 86 yards, 6:45.
Second TD drive was 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
Third TD drive was 5 plays, 50 yards, 0:45.
Last TD drive was 20 plays, 75 yards, 7:00.
The two missed field goals, 10 plays and 8 plays.

So for six potential scoring drives, the Vikings averaged 11.3 plays per drive. They converted 80% on third down, went 4-for-4 in the red zone, and had 36:44 time of possession. That's incredible offense. Make those field goals, and the Vikes end up with 35 points. Any of us would take that.

But that defense ...

The offense didn't look as good in the second half because the Bears had the ball so much. Chicago absolutely dominated TOP in the third quarter, mainly because our defense struggled yet again. Very frustrating that our defense couldn't stop that pathetic offense of the Bears and their absolutely horrid O-line. The defense was the polar opposite of what it had been. Instead of giving up fewer points compared to the yards they were allowing, this game they only gave up 271 total yards but too many points and gave up an 18-point lead. Like the rest of you, I'm really uncomfortable with this defense.

Thing is, if they could somehow get to league average on D, the offense is getting to be plenty good enough to carry this team a long way.

Agreed kapp. Ending the half with Chicago scoring and then them getting the ball back come 2nd half made it feel like the offense didn’t have the ball forever.

What’s driving me nuts with this defense is the soft coverage. I feel like we threw some more blitzing in there later in the 2nd half but are still having our corners a mile off. If you’re an nfl QB and recognize a blitz is coming pre-snap, you just throw quick hitters because our corners are 10 yards off. Look at the play dantzler stripped ISM. Cam and PP were literally like 10 yards off.

If we’re going to blitz, get up and jam these WRs, bump them off their routes and allow your blitz to get there. I feel like that’s football 101 when blitzing. I don’t think it’s the players as much as it is the scheme. Allow these corners to jam and let your blitz or even your front 4 get home. It drives me nuts how far off the corners play.

And for those that said dalvin lost a step, I really don’t see it. I think we were so use to him carrying the rock all game in our previous run heavy scheme that it made some think that way. We also didn’t use mattison last year like we have this year. KOC does a good job keeping cook fresh and mattison is capitalizing

[VikingsVictorious]

Would have liked to see more of a curbstomping but I'll take the win. Quick thoughts:

How did they put a lid on JJ in the second half?

O'Neil struggled but the rest of the line played well it seemed.

I'm not a fan of this defensive scheme. Way too soft.

Irv had some good moments.

Dalvin and Mattison made some great plays.

I'm expecting Tua to play next week. Waddle and Hill will be a huge test for this defense.

Why are you expecting Tua to play next week. The Phins are going to be under a lot of scrutiny and if Tua plays and anything goes wrong the NFL and NFLPA will drop the hammer on them. My best guess is Tua doesn't play.

[Maelstrom88]

Would have liked to see more of a curbstomping but I'll take the win. Quick thoughts:

How did they put a lid on JJ in the second half?

O'Neil struggled but the rest of the line played well it seemed.

I'm not a fan of this defensive scheme. Way too soft.

Irv had some good moments.

Dalvin and Mattison made some great plays.

I'm expecting Tua to play next week. Waddle and Hill will be a huge test for this defense.

Why are you expecting Tua to play next week. The Phins are going to be under a lot of scrutiny and if Tua plays and anything goes wrong the NFL and NFLPA will drop the hammer on them. My best guess is Tua doesn't play.

How long are players usually out with concussions? I may be in the minority but I think the first injury was back related and not a concussion. From what I've heard Tua has been doing well and progressing nicely. I don't think he will miss two games.

[VikingsVictorious]

Why are you expecting Tua to play next week. The Phins are going to be under a lot of scrutiny and if Tua plays and anything goes wrong the NFL and NFLPA will drop the hammer on them. My best guess is Tua doesn't play.

How long are players usually out with concussions? I may be in the minority but I think the first injury was back related and not a concussion. From what I've heard Tua has been doing well and progressing nicely. I don't think he will miss two games.

Depends on how bad the concussion was. It was absolutely a concussion IMO not expert opinion, but I've watched enough NFL football to know a concussion when I see one, but that was an extra bad concussion. I didn't see his next concussion, but I hear it was a real bad one also.

[Husker Vike]

Didn't get to see the game today, but looking at the final stats, It looks like we completely dominated the game today. 29 first downs to the Bears 14, Vikings were 12-15 on third downs to the Bears 4-10. Also led the statistical categories as well as time of possession by over 13 minutes, so how in the hell were the Bears even in this game?

[VikingsFan84]

Didn't get to see the game today, but looking at the final stats, It looks like we completely dominated the game today. 29 first downs to the Bears 14, Vikings were 12-15 on third downs to the Bears 4-10. Also led the statistical categories as well as time of possession by over 13 minutes, so how in the hell were the Bears even in this game?

Bears made adjustments in the 2nd half, that is why

[IIsweet]

Hey Hey Hey....
We are 4-1. If we play .500 ball the rest of the way we are 10-7 and more than likely in the playoffs.
I am liking what I see. They are figuring things out... on offense !
Defensively, I still think we do not have the right personnel for a 3-4 defense, but hopefully they develop.
Going to be a fun season to be a Viking fan as they develop throughout the season

[CharVike]

How long are players usually out with concussions? I may be in the minority but I think the first injury was back related and not a concussion. From what I've heard Tua has been doing well and progressing nicely. I don't think he will miss two games.

Depends on how bad the concussion was. It was absolutely a concussion IMO not expert opinion, but I've watched enough NFL football to know a concussion when I see one, but that was an extra bad concussion. I didn't see his next concussion, but I hear it was a real bad one also.

I don't think he will play because the risk and uncertainty is too high. They just went through a review and Tua is seeing outside specialists. I don't see how he plays. He didn't even travel with the team to NY and they say no IR for now. There was some talk it might be a back problem also. Too much grey and attention to play him. Teddy was just knocked out play one on Sunday so putting him behind this OL isn't smart. Then again we apply no pass rush so it's probably safe. I don't see him playing and if he does so what?
From SI The medical staff involved determined that the Gross Motor Instability (“GMI”) suffered by Mr. Tagovailoa was not neurologically caused. They concluded the player's back injury was the cause of his observed instability.2 days ago

[CharVike]

Kirk runs hot and cold. Another close game where we should have stomped the Bears.
Mistakes on both side of the ball, left the Bears hang around.
I’m not overly impressed with the coaching. But ugly wins is better than a lost.

What player doesn't run hot and cold. Rodgers just did the same thing. I seen Cook have games where he did nothing. The Rams scored 10 points so I guess the greatest Stafford wasn't hot. They couldn't score week 1. They all go hot and cold. Hunter for us hasn't done a dam thing all year. That's frozen solid. JJ sucked for weeks. No player plays the same every week.

[StanM]

Two things caught my attention in yesterdays game. One, Kirk broke the Vikings record for consecutive completions at 17. Second point, the Vikings are the first team to win the week after a game in London.

That second stat and personal experience with jet lag would explain the second half let down. They were gassed from the previous week and still managed to pull it together and win another one.

Things were still out of sync as far as all three aspects of our game hitting on the same day. The defense still has some work to do but looking around at weekly scores that can be said of other contenders. How much of our struggles are due to players being slow grasping the new system as opposed to some of the older players losing a step?

NFL matchups are a lot like a sixty minute chess game. A position group might match up well one week and not so well the next. So far the Vikings under KOC seem to be doing a good job figuring out ways to win as the games progress. No team is going to dominate at every position, the winners find ways to compensate. What I would like to see is a dominating performance by the defense but I can’t always get what I want so I’ll take what they give us.

[VikingLord]

Some really good observations in this thread.

I thought the Vikings had a really solid gameplan coming in and executed it well. Bears adjusted well, though on both sides of the ball starting with that last drive to end the 1st half.

But the Vikings also adjusted, didn't panic or press, and found a way to win. While I'd love to see them dominate for an entire game, at least they're winning these kinds of games whereas last year or the year before they'd likely have pressed and forced it and lost.

Overall, I felt the offense played well and I still feel like they can play better. When the OL can open some nice holes for the RBs, the running game looks really good. They're struggling to do that consistently, but I see potential there as the season goes on. Kirk played a really solid game overall. Hated to see the INT but I think Kirk was just trying to be more aggressive, which is what KOC wants him to do. Cousins also had another beautiful throw into the bucket on the deep route to JJ for the second game in a row.

Defensively, I think we're going to have to live with what we're seeing from them in terms of run and pass defense. They play it a little loose in the secondary, and that costs them. Against the run they give up some ground, although they can stiffen too and make some key stops. So it's not a dominant defense, but it's not a crappy defense either. We'll have to see how it goes as the season wears on as the defense just needs to be competent compared to least year and the team should make the playoffs. I think we're seeing competent so far for the most part.

Last quick observation is I love how they're using Reagor. The guy has some talent and some speed. It would be a waste to just have him returning punts, so I like what they're asking him to do. He throws a nice little wrinkle in and I hope KOC keeps finding creative ways to get him involved.

They won, they dominated for stretches, and they're 4-1. I don't think we've seen their best ball yet either. Lots of room to continue to improve.

[chicagopurple]

So, I thought our OC was actually pretty creative and gutsy, at least in the first half. What an exciting change compared to the last decade!

Kirk looked the best I have seen him....in the first half. I wonder if the coaches called for a "prevent offense" in the second half or did the hapless Bears actually make adjustments that hampered Kirk/Jefferson.....

The D continues to look overly cautious and some of the secondary is really showing its advanced age and lack of speed. A certain fellow spent the whole game trying to catch up to receivers...that is going to cost us in the end this year. TIme to move on. Our next game features a real quarterback (not another Bear flop in the making) and better receivers.....

Special teams was the weak link over all this week but I dont think that is likely to be a persistent pattern unless this coaching staff relegates special teams to being an afterthought.

[makila]

Oh yeah, also meant to mention yesterday how well I thought the initial scripted plays were on offense.

[halfgiz]

Kirk runs hot and cold. Another close game where we should have stomped the Bears.
Mistakes on both side of the ball, left the Bears hang around.
I’m not overly impressed with the coaching. But ugly wins is better than a lost.

What player doesn't run hot and cold. Rodgers just did the same thing. I seen Cook have games where he did nothing. The Rams scored 10 points so I guess the greatest Stafford wasn't hot. They couldn't score week 1. They all go hot and cold. Hunter for us hasn't done a dam thing all year. That's frozen solid. JJ sucked for weeks. No player plays the same every week.

First half Kirk was on fire...The second half Kirk regressed back to his old self. And no points until that last game winning drive. Make all the excuses you want, but we have to be more consistent in every quarter.