Colts at Vikings

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CharVike
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Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

This is an important game. The Colts really don't have much over us. Their OL is better and they do have a good ground game but we are allowing only 83 yards a game. Of course with the big leads we have had it might be a little deceiving and teams have passed on us very well also. The Colts don't have much of a pass rush and their secondary isn't very good. The passing game should be there for us. Getting TJ back will also help. We have run the ball fine with Jones. Flacco gives the Colts a much better chance but I don't see us losing this unless we play sloppy football. It's time to right the ship or we could fall off the playoff map. I see it 23-14 us.
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VikingLord
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by VikingLord »

The funny thing is, the Colts have managed to get to 4-4 despite having the lowest-rated starting QB in the league over those 8 games. Joe Flacco might not be a world beater at QB, but you put merely competent QB play behind a strong OL with a good running game and that is a recipe for success against the Brian Flores defense we've seen the last few weeks. It is possible that Flores could right the ship (he seemed to imply that the issues over the last few weeks have been untimely penalties and a lack of positional discipline by players on certain plays), both of which can explain the lack of defensive consistency. But still, if recent trends hold I can easily see the Colts repeating the success of the Rams, Lions and Packers in the second half of that game when they are on offense.

Defensively I think the Colts don't match up great, but again, it really depends on what has been gumming up the works with the Vikings offense the last few weeks. If the Vikings continue to commit pre-snap penalties at the rate they've been committing them, the Colts should be able to take advantage of that. If the Vikings continue to fail to execute in the passing game with dropped passes, missing open receivers, and refs that apparently need their vision checked, it's going to be another long game.

I'm really disillusioned with this team and the league right now. Ideally the Colts at home coming off a long week would be just what the doctor ordered for the Vikings to get back on track, but I'm just not feeling it with this group. I think it's almost impossible for the Vikings to keep playing as sloppy as they have and they're getting TJ back on offense, but I also think the Colts are a much better team than their stats and record indicate, and I think Flacco is going to be able to replicate a lot of what Goff and Stafford were able to do against a very porous secondary.

I see the Vikings losing this one pretty convincingly, actually. I'm going to go:

Vikings - 17
Colts - 35
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

The Colts will be without starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann who will miss Sunday's game with a concussion. That will give rookie Matt Goncalves his first start, who the Colts took in the 3rd round out of Pitt back in April. Based on his scouting report he struggles with movement. Greenard should be able to do something. Risner is back and he could be needed. DeForest Buckner DT is a very good inside player. Usually we have problems with top inside players. I've seen enough of Bradberry to know he don't have the base to handle a guy like this. Our G's better be on top of their game or trouble could come up the middle.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by VikingsVictorious »

it was roughing the passer/facemask. How professional refs can screw that up is beyond me.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

VikingsVictorious wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2024 9:03 pm it was roughing the passer/facemask. How professional refs can screw that up is beyond me.
So much for trying to avoid injuries. Our O is bad. Sammy will get knocked out. Our IOL is crap. But Sammy didn't help with the pick. Will the thrill can't hit a FG.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

Getting a win is all that matters. Sammy had some rough parts but he did enough. When they showed JJ Mac on the sideline I thought at first it was some younger fan. I'm old but he looks about 16 yo. Jefferson had his usual game. The deep strike was excellent. He smoked the CB. Harrison Smith still has nice movement. He was into the game. Nice hit for the break up. Turner has some speed and made at least one good rush and seemed to be around in coverage. I could be wrong but it looked like Greenard didn't line up against that rookie LT until later in the game. Then he got in. It looks like Will did something to his plant leg. The short miss I think he slipped. I know Sammy holds the ball too long at times but they need to sure up the middle against the rush. It looked like they put a blocker behind them at times during the 2nd half. You can't survive being weak in the middle. It's how many seasons of this? Looks like a jail break coming in. Bradberry shoved on his back on the fumble return. Weak player and he can't be in there. Addison had a nice game. Even threw a short one to him. Whoever sacked Sammy by the head will get fined but that does us no good. Sammy took a beating but he seemed to be in control. Only seen one time when it took forever to get the play in and a TO was called before the delay. The last TD I thought we would get a delay.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by Cliff »

The first half was a rough for the offense. An INT in the endzone is always demotivating. The fumble return for a TD was definitely a penalty, they shouldn't have picked up that flag. It was good to see them come out in the second half and really let loose. It was nice to see how Hockenson freed up Addison a bit. Addison looked good. Jefferson was (still) great but I'll try not to take him for granted. 137 yards is a great game. If this game is any indication the Cam Robinson pickup was a very good decision. He came in with 4 days to get ready and played very well. Bradbury getting knocked backwards onto his #### was just embarrassing. It's not as if it happens constantly to him but still, you don't want to see that.

The defense annoyed me a few times giving up some plays but that happens, it's not like they can completely stop any team from moving the ball at all. In the end, they didn't allow any TDs and you can't really ask for more than that. Had a couple of Dallas Turner sightings, that was good to see. Harrison coming up big breaking up passes in important situations. It was nice to see the defense still being aggressive at the end of the game instead of just dropping into zone immediately with 3 rushing.

Reichard's injury is concerning. He's been great and if that quad keeps him out for a while it could be ugly picking over the kickers not currently on any teams.

It was good to see the team get back on track and get another win. It's possible this is the beginning of a significant win streak. The last game of the season between the Lions and Vikings could very well end up being a fight for the #1 seed in the NFC.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by VikingLord »

Generally speaking it is very hard to win in the NFL when you lose the turnover battle and one of those turnovers goes for a defensive score, but otherwise the Vikings dominated the game statistically and probably should have won by a lot more than they did. Why Sam Darnold continues to attempt some of the throws he attempts is truly beyond me. Both of his interceptions were just terrible and continue a trend of him throwing balls right to defenders clearly in his line of sight. Its like Darnold gets locked on to his guy and doesn't even see any defenders in between. If it happened once or even twice I could chalk it up to him just trying to make a play, but it has happened several times this year and I suspect Darnold has had this issue since he joined the league, which is one major reason he hasn't stuck anywhere. There is no way that will fly if the team makes the playoffs.

I thought the offensive line got bully-balled in the first half by the Colts defensive line, especially on the interior. The Vikings stiffened up a bit in the 2nd half and by the end of the game seemed to have the upper hand, but man that was some rough sledding to start the game, especially on the sack of Darnold where he fumbled. Bradbury just got run over on that one. And speaking of that play, I guess the NFL only cares about QB safety of any QB not named Sam Darnold. Another vicious hit to the head not called. If that were Patrick Mahomes on that play the Colts would have been flagged for 30 yards and an ejection on that. The amazing thing is, they actually threw a flag on the play and then pulled it back. Maybe the league thought it was funny to watch the Vikings scramble at QB last year and they'd like to watch that clown car show again this year. If so, just keep letting Darnold get whacked until someone finally pulls his head clean off. They'd probably pick up the flag on that play too...

On the brighter side, I loved that Darnold finally took a deep shot. That aspect of the offense has been missing since the early weeks and they need to do more of it. They have guys who can get deep and they need to take those chances even if they don't always work.

I also love what Cam Akers did. Hard running and a perfect 1-2 punch when paired with Aaron Jones. Both guys can catch and run hard. Speaking of Jones, he made a fantastic catch and run on that low pass from Darnold. Very tough grab and he not only reeled it in, he didn't break stride and turned it into a nice gain.

My top praise of the night goes to the Vikings receivers, starting with Josh Oliver. While it is great to have TJ back and he made some nice plays, Oliver was huge all night. And then you add in the play of Addison (what a GRAB for that TD!!!) and, of course, JJ, who continues to make plays all over the field, it just illustrates that the Vikings have the receiving talent to make a deep run IF the OL protects Darnold and Darnold executes in the passing game.

Vikings beat a team they needed to beat and now have 3 away games against teams they need to beat. I was pretty down on this team, but they picked it up in the 2nd half and got some pep back in their step. If they can keep that going and get to 9-2, they'll be in great position heading into the home stretch.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by VikingLord »

Cliff wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 10:18 am If this game is any indication the Cam Robinson pickup was a very good decision. He came in with 4 days to get ready and played very well.
Shame on me. I forget to mention Robinson. He played great. I questioned the pick up but after watching him battle the way he did I'm super glad the Vikings got him.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by cmoss84 »

CharVike wrote: Sun Nov 03, 2024 11:47 pm Getting a win is all that matters. Sammy had some rough parts but he did enough. When they showed JJ Mac on the sideline I thought at first it was some younger fan. I'm old but he looks about 16 yo. Jefferson had his usual game. The deep strike was excellent. He smoked the CB. Harrison Smith still has nice movement. He was into the game. Nice hit for the break up. Turner has some speed and made at least one good rush and seemed to be around in coverage. I could be wrong but it looked like Greenard didn't line up against that rookie LT until later in the game. Then he got in. It looks like Will did something to his plant leg. The short miss I think he slipped. I know Sammy holds the ball too long at times but they need to sure up the middle against the rush. It looked like they put a blocker behind them at times during the 2nd half. You can't survive being weak in the middle. It's how many seasons of this? Looks like a jail break coming in. Bradberry shoved on his back on the fumble return. Weak player and he can't be in there. Addison had a nice game. Even threw a short one to him. Whoever sacked Sammy by the head will get fined but that does us no good. Sammy took a beating but he seemed to be in control. Only seen one time when it took forever to get the play in and a TO was called before the delay. The last TD I thought we would get a delay.
Love the plays where players get fined but no penalty is called. They are so obvious it makes you wonder where the shadiness is coming from. Especially in a league that has transitioned to almost babying QBs. Someone had some money on the Rams and the Colts against us! :hitfan: Poor Sam!

Turner has some wheels! Holy moly! I think we start seeing a lot more of him going after the QB. Sam missed a WIDE open Addison when throwing to JJ that would have been an easy long TD. These are the types of plays he needs to make if we are going to make a playoff push this year. Also, hopefully our kicking game didn't just fall off a cliff.

I see us winning the next 5 games to be sitting at 11-2! :beerock:
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by ERIK the PURPLE »

My 28 yr old son and I flew in from Indy on Saturday (Both lifelong Viking fans) and had a great experience. Did the Mall of America, saw the Killebrew chair up on the wall, checked out the Viking store and did Manny’s for dinner. A little surprised at the limited number and size of the bars near the Stadium. Seemed small and not several TV’s.
It was our first trip to US Bank and for me completed the hat trick of going to Viking Stadiums.
Game experience was awesome. Great seats in Section 107 (somewhat tricky finding the entry into that section) Need better labeling on the main concourse.
Now for the game. I was worried about Flacco because he is a competent veteran. We never really pressured him until late in the game. That low catch by Aaron Jones was clutch! Glad to see Addison worked into the scheme after being somewhat ignored previously. And his TD catch was awesome! As usual, the Vikes have to keep things close and in suspense, but that 4qtr TD drive late allowed me to breathe again. I’m regaining the hearing in my left ear from all the screaming my son did during the game. I love enthusiasm, but my lord!
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

Darnold said in his post game that he didn't get the ball over the LBers on the 1st int. He saw it but made a bad throw. He also said he's still learning. I'm ok with Sam. He came back from the bad plays. That's hard to do. Seeing Flacco on the bench it looked like he wasn't even playing a game. Sam was sweating, limping ect.. when on the sideline. Our D gets zero pressure unless we send half the defense. I think Mundt dropped a TD.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by VikingLord »

CharVike wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 3:36 pm Darnold said in his post game that he didn't get the ball over the LBers on the 1st int. He saw it but made a bad throw. He also said he's still learning. I'm ok with Sam. He came back from the bad plays. That's hard to do. Seeing Flacco on the bench it looked like he wasn't even playing a game. Sam was sweating, limping ect.. when on the sideline. Our D gets zero pressure unless we send half the defense. I think Mundt dropped a TD.
Sam was on the run on the first INT so it wasn't an easy throw, but getting it over that LB and to TJ was a tall order under even ideal conditions. Darnold is by far the best option the Vikings have at QB right now and he does make some great reads and throws, but he badly misses some reads at other times and makes equally horrible throws and decisions. So it's a few steps forward and a few back with Darnold and you just hope the good outweighs the bad in the end, which, at least in the wins so far, it has. To be honest, the one thing Darnold can do well that no other QB on the roster does as well is throw the deep ball, and he hasn't been doing that as much lately as I think he needs to. There was one pass that went downfield yesterday to JJ and it was a beauty, but the Vikings need to try that 4-5 times per game with the receiving talent they have. The big chunk plays keep defenses honest and either put points on the board or lead to points and when you have a QB capable of firing that ball 60 yards in the air the offense should take advantage of that. No need to force things but where has that been? Even against the Colts I felt they should have taken at least one more of those.

If the Vikings are going anywhere this year they need a competent and effective QB for 4 quarters. Darnold can be that QB, but I don't think he's there yet. And of course, the refs have to protect him, which they haven't been doing. If the refs are going to allow facemasks and shots to the head against Darnold then I hope they all the Vikings defense to do the same things. Not saying the Vikings should start intentionally doing that but either QBs should be protected or they're fair game.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

VikingLord wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 4:02 pm
CharVike wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 3:36 pm Darnold said in his post game that he didn't get the ball over the LBers on the 1st int. He saw it but made a bad throw. He also said he's still learning. I'm ok with Sam. He came back from the bad plays. That's hard to do. Seeing Flacco on the bench it looked like he wasn't even playing a game. Sam was sweating, limping ect.. when on the sideline. Our D gets zero pressure unless we send half the defense. I think Mundt dropped a TD.
Sam was on the run on the first INT so it wasn't an easy throw, but getting it over that LB and to TJ was a tall order under even ideal conditions. Darnold is by far the best option the Vikings have at QB right now and he does make some great reads and throws, but he badly misses some reads at other times and makes equally horrible throws and decisions. So it's a few steps forward and a few back with Darnold and you just hope the good outweighs the bad in the end, which, at least in the wins so far, it has. To be honest, the one thing Darnold can do well that no other QB on the roster does as well is throw the deep ball, and he hasn't been doing that as much lately as I think he needs to. There was one pass that went downfield yesterday to JJ and it was a beauty, but the Vikings need to try that 4-5 times per game with the receiving talent they have. The big chunk plays keep defenses honest and either put points on the board or lead to points and when you have a QB capable of firing that ball 60 yards in the air the offense should take advantage of that. No need to force things but where has that been? Even against the Colts I felt they should have taken at least one more of those.

If the Vikings are going anywhere this year they need a competent and effective QB for 4 quarters. Darnold can be that QB, but I don't think he's there yet. And of course, the refs have to protect him, which they haven't been doing. If the refs are going to allow facemasks and shots to the head against Darnold then I hope they all the Vikings defense to do the same things. Not saying the Vikings should start intentionally doing that but either QBs should be protected or they're fair game.
Darnold isn't a 4 quarter QB yet. This stuff to the head is getting old. I was just thinking Flores should start going for the head on sacks. Tell the guys knock the head off. Darnold is considered a bum so no call. That blows and pisses me off. Picking the flag up is the worst part.
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Re: Colts at Vikings

Post by CharVike »

Cliff wrote: Mon Nov 04, 2024 10:18 am The first half was a rough for the offense. An INT in the endzone is always demotivating. The fumble return for a TD was definitely a penalty, they shouldn't have picked up that flag. It was good to see them come out in the second half and really let loose. It was nice to see how Hockenson freed up Addison a bit. Addison looked good. Jefferson was (still) great but I'll try not to take him for granted. 137 yards is a great game. If this game is any indication the Cam Robinson pickup was a very good decision. He came in with 4 days to get ready and played very well. Bradbury getting knocked backwards onto his #### was just embarrassing. It's not as if it happens constantly to him but still, you don't want to see that.

The defense annoyed me a few times giving up some plays but that happens, it's not like they can completely stop any team from moving the ball at all. In the end, they didn't allow any TDs and you can't really ask for more than that. Had a couple of Dallas Turner sightings, that was good to see. Harrison coming up big breaking up passes in important situations. It was nice to see the defense still being aggressive at the end of the game instead of just dropping into zone immediately with 3 rushing.

Reichard's injury is concerning. He's been great and if that quad keeps him out for a while it could be ugly picking over the kickers not currently on any teams.

It was good to see the team get back on track and get another win. It's possible this is the beginning of a significant win streak. The last game of the season between the Lions and Vikings could very well end up being a fight for the #1 seed in the NFC.
Robinson seems like a leader. He's not at Darrisaw level but not many are. Reminds me a little of Risner. Leader, team guy and plays hard. I hope Risner gets in. Looked like Ingram was blocking air. We played sloppy and won. Don't see that much and I didn't think we could do it. Hope Will is ok. He's a machine.