Week 2 Vs. Falcons

[Cliff]

I think this will be a good one. I'd really like to see JJM actually start the game well this time

Injuries mounting up.

[VikingLord]

This is a hard game to predict. The Vikings are being favored by most analysts but I'm not sure what justifies that. Based on Week 1 performances, the Falcons looked pretty good against the Bucs while the Vikings really struggled for most of their game against the Bears. Ironically, the Falcons dominated statistically in their game and lost by three, while the Vikings were dominated statistically and won by three. I'm guessing most analysts probably feel like the Vikings we saw in the 4th quarter are more representative of the Vikings we'll see going forward, plus the Vikings are opening at home. But just looking at the matchup overall, I'd say the two teams come into the game very even.

I'm not sure how McCarthy will look against the Falcons. One thing he said about the game against the Bears was that the Bears defense threw a lot of looks at him that he hadn't seen and wasn't necessarily prepared for. That was an interesting comment. I wonder if the Falcons will try to duplicate some of what worked for the Bears, or if they will also come up with some novel things that will throw McCarthy off track early. It will be interesting to see how McCarthy performs early and how he adjusts as the game goes on. A fast start would be great, but even if he doesn't come out quickly I expect we'll see something similar to what we saw from him against the Bears where he adjusts and starts to make plays.

The Vikings secondary also has to tighten things up. They were not good against the Bears. There were lots of examples where the coverage was too loose, where two guys were tracking the same receiver or area in zone and where Bears receivers got into open space uncontested. Had Caleb Williams not stunk as bad as he did I think the Bears would have run away with that game early. Flores defense clearly relies on pressure up front to generate mistakes and one could argue that is what they did against Williams, but from what I saw Williams was pretty comfortable early and just missed reads and throws. Penix is more likely to make the Vikings pay for similar mistakes.

I expect the Vikings to come out with a lot of energy and the crowd to be rocking and rolling. Hopefully the team can ride that early energy wave and get off to a good start.

[CharVike]

I don't think the Falcons are that good and I have no idea about Penix. Robinson is one of the best backs and can take it all the way as he proved last week with a 50 yard TD after a dump off pass. Containing him is key for our D. I expect us to get some sacks and make it a rough day for Penix. He can't move like Caleb so there will be no tuck and go. Greenard had 7 pressures and just missed Caleb a few times. I don't think Gink6 will play so Turner will get his chance to shine. On offense I hope Darrisaw can go because Skule was a train wreck week 1. Allowing 2 sacks 4 pressures and a holding call that helped kill an early drive. If he needs to go again I expect the same stuff which won't help. I thought Jefferson would have a big day week 1 against a backup CB and he did score a late TD but also had 2 drops and not much else. See what Sunday night brings. Mason and Jones looks like a nice combination. Our ST played solid last week and Price was effective. The Falcons have to be a little down after dominating the Bucs but still losing and for us the opposite. I think we win 30-13.

[VikingLord]

I don't think the Falcons are that good and I have no idea about Penix. Robinson is one of the best backs and can take it all the way as he proved last week with a 50 yard TD after a dump off pass. Containing him is key for our D. I expect us to get some sacks and make it a rough day for Penix. He can't move like Caleb so there will be no tuck and go. Greenard had 7 pressures and just missed Caleb a few times. I don't think Gink6 will play so Turner will get his chance to shine. On offense I hope Darrisaw can go because Skule was a train wreck week 1. Allowing 2 sacks 4 pressures and a holding call that helped kill an early drive. If he needs to go again I expect the same stuff which won't help. I thought Jefferson would have a big day week 1 against a backup CB and he did score a late TD but also had 2 drops and not much else. See what Sunday night brings. Mason and Jones looks like a nice combination. Our ST played solid last week and Price was effective. The Falcons have to be a little down after dominating the Bucs but still losing and for us the opposite. I think we win 30-13.

Penix is more of a pocket passer than Williams. If he's pressured he generally tries to move to keep his passing options alive, although he can take off if necessary. He's not as quick or shifty as Williams, but I think he's a better QB in terms of his awareness and processing ability. He certainly has a better overall group of skill position players to work with. His offensive line might not be as good as Chicago's.

I think the Falcons could give McCarthy some problems. Not because they are necessarily a great defense, but they are pretty stout against the run and will be aggressive in obvious passing situations. The key will be executing well on 1st and 2nd downs to avoid those situations.

I think the game will be pretty close. I hope the Vikings avoid falling behind early like they did against the Bears because the Falcons are just a better overall offense with a better QB than the Bears. If the Vikings offense can't sustain drives and/or hands the Falcons direct points, I think the Falcons are more likely to run up the score and possibly put the Vikings offense in a hole too deep to claw their way out of. If the Vikings can hold their own early I think they'll win, possibly even easily.

[CharVike]

I don't think the Falcons are that good and I have no idea about Penix. Robinson is one of the best backs and can take it all the way as he proved last week with a 50 yard TD after a dump off pass. Containing him is key for our D. I expect us to get some sacks and make it a rough day for Penix. He can't move like Caleb so there will be no tuck and go. Greenard had 7 pressures and just missed Caleb a few times. I don't think Gink6 will play so Turner will get his chance to shine. On offense I hope Darrisaw can go because Skule was a train wreck week 1. Allowing 2 sacks 4 pressures and a holding call that helped kill an early drive. If he needs to go again I expect the same stuff which won't help. I thought Jefferson would have a big day week 1 against a backup CB and he did score a late TD but also had 2 drops and not much else. See what Sunday night brings. Mason and Jones looks like a nice combination. Our ST played solid last week and Price was effective. The Falcons have to be a little down after dominating the Bucs but still losing and for us the opposite. I think we win 30-13.

Penix is more of a pocket passer than Williams. If he's pressured he generally tries to move to keep his passing options alive, although he can take off if necessary. He's not as quick or shifty as Williams, but I think he's a better QB in terms of his awareness and processing ability. He certainly has a better overall group of skill position players to work with. His offensive line might not be as good as Chicago's.

I think the Falcons could give McCarthy some problems. Not because they are necessarily a great defense, but they are pretty stout against the run and will be aggressive in obvious passing situations. The key will be executing well on 1st and 2nd downs to avoid those situations.

I think the game will be pretty close. I hope the Vikings avoid falling behind early like they did against the Bears because the Falcons are just a better overall offense with a better QB than the Bears. If the Vikings offense can't sustain drives and/or hands the Falcons direct points, I think the Falcons are more likely to run up the score and possibly put the Vikings offense in a hole too deep to claw their way out of. If the Vikings can hold their own early I think they'll win, possibly even easily.

As you posted this is a hard game to predict. These early games teams can bring schemes that we haven't seen which requires an adjustment. The Bears coaching is new and JJM said they didn't prepare for what they were doing. The Falcons have a new DC which will require adjustments again. Us being at home is a big advantage. I also think the Falcons dropping a heart breaker at home has to leave some type of how do we lose that one feeling. Sometimes it's hard to shake those games off quickly. I really liked the way our OL played. We have solid veterans now and a rookie G who doesn't look anything like a rookie. That's a huge positive. But we still need to play solid football and certainly not give them a defensive TD. Usually that will end it for a team.

[Cliff]

Penix is more of a pocket passer than Williams. If he's pressured he generally tries to move to keep his passing options alive, although he can take off if necessary. He's not as quick or shifty as Williams, but I think he's a better QB in terms of his awareness and processing ability. He certainly has a better overall group of skill position players to work with. His offensive line might not be as good as Chicago's.

I think the Falcons could give McCarthy some problems. Not because they are necessarily a great defense, but they are pretty stout against the run and will be aggressive in obvious passing situations. The key will be executing well on 1st and 2nd downs to avoid those situations.

I think the game will be pretty close. I hope the Vikings avoid falling behind early like they did against the Bears because the Falcons are just a better overall offense with a better QB than the Bears. If the Vikings offense can't sustain drives and/or hands the Falcons direct points, I think the Falcons are more likely to run up the score and possibly put the Vikings offense in a hole too deep to claw their way out of. If the Vikings can hold their own early I think they'll win, possibly even easily.

As you posted this is a hard game to predict. These early games teams can bring schemes that we haven't seen which requires an adjustment. The Bears coaching is new and JJM said they didn't prepare for what they were doing. The Falcons have a new DC which will require adjustments again. Us being at home is a big advantage. I also think the Falcons dropping a heart breaker at home has to leave some type of how do we lose that one feeling. Sometimes it's hard to shake those games off quickly. I really liked the way our OL played. We have solid veterans now and a rookie G who doesn't look anything like a rookie. That's a huge positive. But we still need to play solid football and certainly not give them a defensive TD. Usually that will end it for a team.

They eventually got their act together but I thought the offensive line was the main reason the offense looked terrible for 3 quarters. They missed Darrisaw really, really badly just like last season. That dude is worth every penny. JJM kept getting pressured from the left side. Skule gave up two sacks I believe? I don't know what Ryan Kelly was doing. People keep talking about JJM not getting the ball off on time but I thought it seemed obvious it was mostly the center's problem. JJM kept yelling and clapping his hands to get him to hike it. On more than one occasion Will Fries had to tap him on the shoulder to wake him up. It seemed like the guy was spacing out. They couldn't run block to save their lives through the first 3 quarters. JJM definitely deserves credit for getting his act together in the 4th, he had his own problems to correct too, but it was just as much the offensive line actually run blocking and giving him time to throw the ball.

[CharVike]

As you posted this is a hard game to predict. These early games teams can bring schemes that we haven't seen which requires an adjustment. The Bears coaching is new and JJM said they didn't prepare for what they were doing. The Falcons have a new DC which will require adjustments again. Us being at home is a big advantage. I also think the Falcons dropping a heart breaker at home has to leave some type of how do we lose that one feeling. Sometimes it's hard to shake those games off quickly. I really liked the way our OL played. We have solid veterans now and a rookie G who doesn't look anything like a rookie. That's a huge positive. But we still need to play solid football and certainly not give them a defensive TD. Usually that will end it for a team.

They eventually got their act together but I thought the offensive line was the main reason the offense looked terrible for 3 quarters. They missed Darrisaw really, really badly just like last season. That dude is worth every penny. JJM kept getting pressured from the left side. Skule gave up two sacks I believe? I don't know what Ryan Kelly was doing. People keep talking about JJM not getting the ball off on time but I thought it seemed obvious it was mostly the center's problem. JJM kept yelling and clapping his hands to get him to hike it. On more than one occasion Will Fries had to tap him on the shoulder to wake him up. It seemed like the guy was spacing out. They couldn't run block to save their lives through the first 3 quarters. JJM definitely deserves credit for getting his act together in the 4th, he had his own problems to correct too, but it was just as much the offensive line actually run blocking and giving him time to throw the ball.

We will go on O as the OL goes. IMO football is typically won or lost at the LOS. Skule did give up 2 sacks and 4 pressures plus a costly holding call that took back an 11 yard run. Not getting the ball off was a problem and more than likely was caused by several issues. We got away with it this time but playing a top level team with good coaching we won't get away with it. Perhaps Kelly was having problems getting the line calls off because of what the Bears were doing and our lack of prep for it. JJM mentioned the prep. Maybe the play came in late or Kelly was spaced out. He's a solid vet and I'm sure they will work on things to correct the problems.
One last thing we were also using a silent count as Wes Phillips pointed out in a press conference.

[Cliff]

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[VikingsVictorious]

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Injury report is really looking bad, but we will find a way to win.

[cogitator]

I don't think this has any affect on the game, an interesting bit of news though, very young to be a dad.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/462 ... ya-kuropas

[CharVike]

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I'm surprised Darrisaw is out. KOC made it sound like he was close to ready. Now I wonder how much longer? They do realize there is an injured reserve that is only 4 weeks? If our current starting LT gets hurt who goes out there during the game anybody? Why take that chance with the QB? I realize it's a pain losing your LT but you still need some depth that has played that spot. That spot is the most critical on the OL.

[Cliff]

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I'm surprised Darrisaw is out. KOC made it sound like he was close to ready. Now I wonder how much longer? They do realize there is an injured reserve that is only 4 weeks? If our current starting LT gets hurt who goes out there during the game anybody? Why take that chance with the QB? I realize it's a pain losing your LT but you still need some depth that has played that spot. That spot is the most critical on the OL.

I would assume since he's not on IR they expect him to start in week 3 or 4.

They might slide Jackson over to LT in a pinch. He was forced to do that in college his last year and did a good job from what I understand.

[StumpHunter]

The injuries are crazy one game into the season.

Worried about our #3 CB being a practice squad level CB and almost no depth at ILB now. We better hope Wilson and Pace stay healthy.

Skule was awful on Monday night and will probably continue to suck Sunday night, Turner did very little in limited playtime and will now be asked to play a much bigger role with AVG out.