Week 2 Vs. Falcons
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Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
I was wrong with this one. JJM seemed to have slippery hands. The early 4th down the control was bad. Down at the goal line a ball slip. Delay of game down at the 1 yard line is a joke. Call a timeout. Rouse pitiful holding call on Matson run. Missing Nailor wide open late was bad. That's a TD. Make that play and the game changes. Our OL sucked right from the start. Not having someone helping our LT is stupidity. Even the announcer mentioned it. Put Brandle next to him. He played T before. You can't have free runners at the QB. JJM lacked accuracy and looked a little out of sync all night. He might be too hyped right now. Calm down. Our backup center wasn't awful but Kelly leaving hurt. Flores kept the D playing well but with nothing on O it can only last so long. I'll give Flores a ton of credit. It's only one loss but this was ugly. You need to spank that Falcon team.
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VikingLord
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Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
McCarthy continues to be late on his reads and is over-compensating on his throws. He didn't really get it last week and this week was no better. Until/unless he makes the leap and starts to see it more quickly, he's going to continue to struggle as a passer and as the QB goes, so goes the offense. Its been pretty ugly thus far. I trust KOC knows what he's looking at when evaluating a QB's potential, but so far other than a brief one quarter of football McCarthy has not looked remotely like a difference-maker at QB. If anything, he seems more capable of being the difference for the opposing team's chances than the Vikings.
But that defense was horrid tonight. 200 yards surrendered on the ground to a really average offense, Bijan Robinson not withstanding. Penix didn't do much but he didn't have to because the defensive front consistently surrendered on run after obvious run. If I'm an OC and I watch the film from the last two games, it is pretty clear how to attack the Vikings this year. They spent a lot of money to solidify the defensive line and it was a horror show on par with McCarthy's 3 turnovers.
When all is said and done the Vikings were beyond fortunate they haven't lost these last two games by Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears margins. Both games could have easily gotten out of hand had the opposing offenses been even mildly more competent. Those types of offenses are coming.
It's going to be a long year...
But that defense was horrid tonight. 200 yards surrendered on the ground to a really average offense, Bijan Robinson not withstanding. Penix didn't do much but he didn't have to because the defensive front consistently surrendered on run after obvious run. If I'm an OC and I watch the film from the last two games, it is pretty clear how to attack the Vikings this year. They spent a lot of money to solidify the defensive line and it was a horror show on par with McCarthy's 3 turnovers.
When all is said and done the Vikings were beyond fortunate they haven't lost these last two games by Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears margins. Both games could have easily gotten out of hand had the opposing offenses been even mildly more competent. Those types of offenses are coming.
It's going to be a long year...
Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
I wouldn't call the D horrid because they gave up 12 points through 3 quarters. The Falcons couldn't score a TD. By the end they were wore out and couldn't play. Our O gave them little if any help. We never could make the play to get us going. JJM seems late with the ball and perhaps that's a young guy getting his feet under him. We are lucky to be 1-1 and that's only because of who we played. You called it correctly when you posted the Falcons could blow us out. I thought we found our groove after the 4th quarter against the Bears. We aren't close to a groove.VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:11 am McCarthy continues to be late on his reads and is over-compensating on his throws. He didn't really get it last week and this week was no better. Until/unless he makes the leap and starts to see it more quickly, he's going to continue to struggle as a passer and as the QB goes, so goes the offense. Its been pretty ugly thus far. I trust KOC knows what he's looking at when evaluating a QB's potential, but so far other than a brief one quarter of football McCarthy has not looked remotely like a difference-maker at QB. If anything, he seems more capable of being the difference for the opposing team's chances than the Vikings.
But that defense was horrid tonight. 200 yards surrendered on the ground to a really average offense, Bijan Robinson not withstanding. Penix didn't do much but he didn't have to because the defensive front consistently surrendered on run after obvious run. If I'm an OC and I watch the film from the last two games, it is pretty clear how to attack the Vikings this year. They spent a lot of money to solidify the defensive line and it was a horror show on par with McCarthy's 3 turnovers.
When all is said and done the Vikings were beyond fortunate they haven't lost these last two games by Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears margins. Both games could have easily gotten out of hand had the opposing offenses been even mildly more competent. Those types of offenses are coming.
It's going to be a long year...
Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
It all comes down to the offensive line for me. JJM made some rookie mistakes and didn't look good either, but without proper protection who knows how he actually would have been. The offensive line gave up 6 sacks and I don't know how many pressures, but a lot. LT might as well be a practice dummy. They need to bring in someone else to back up Darrisaw. Speaking of which, he's not in IR so hopefully he comes back soon.
The defense gave up yards but not points. They gave up important yards at the end but they must have been pretty gassed by then as they falcons had the ball for about 13 more minutes than the Vikings. The defense was the only reason the team was in the game at all. They only gave up a TD at the end when they literally did it on purpose.
If the offensive line isn't fixed up the team isn't doing anything. Once there is decent protection I'll be more apt to blame JJM or the game plan or whatever. For now, the plays can't be executed if blocking isn't correct. JJM is in his first year and will make mistakes but with the offensive line playing like they are not only will it limit his opportunity to make good plays, but it will amplify those mistakes.
On to week 3 and hopefully Darrisaw is healthy enough to come back.
The defense gave up yards but not points. They gave up important yards at the end but they must have been pretty gassed by then as they falcons had the ball for about 13 more minutes than the Vikings. The defense was the only reason the team was in the game at all. They only gave up a TD at the end when they literally did it on purpose.
If the offensive line isn't fixed up the team isn't doing anything. Once there is decent protection I'll be more apt to blame JJM or the game plan or whatever. For now, the plays can't be executed if blocking isn't correct. JJM is in his first year and will make mistakes but with the offensive line playing like they are not only will it limit his opportunity to make good plays, but it will amplify those mistakes.
On to week 3 and hopefully Darrisaw is healthy enough to come back.
Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
Yeah that fourth quarter is the anomaly currently.
Defense I thought mostly played a "bend dont break" well. They couldnt contain Bijan any of the game, most teams struggle with that though. They only allowed fgs out of it. We should be able to score enough when the defense is keeping the other team out of the end zone all game.
Offense is atrocious right now. Know that happens when you have multiple backup lineman in. We need Darrisaw back in a BAD way. Initial watch, Jackson seemed to play well considering he was surrounded by backups on both sides.
Playcalling was gross. Mason not seeing the field at all first few drives was puzzling. KOC needed to reevaluate what he is doing right now with the personal he has available.
Of course we see an old kicker from our roster beat us.
Defense I thought mostly played a "bend dont break" well. They couldnt contain Bijan any of the game, most teams struggle with that though. They only allowed fgs out of it. We should be able to score enough when the defense is keeping the other team out of the end zone all game.
Offense is atrocious right now. Know that happens when you have multiple backup lineman in. We need Darrisaw back in a BAD way. Initial watch, Jackson seemed to play well considering he was surrounded by backups on both sides.
Playcalling was gross. Mason not seeing the field at all first few drives was puzzling. KOC needed to reevaluate what he is doing right now with the personal he has available.
Of course we see an old kicker from our roster beat us.
Last edited by makila on Mon Sep 15, 2025 1:58 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
Our backup for Darrisaw is bad and should never be left on his own. Rouse, who's is 3rd, can't play that spot. I saw camp footage and Greenard ate him alive. Don't they see this. We have all these later picks why not trade some for a backup that can at least play at a Robinson level. Early in the game it looked like a jail break coming in. There's not a QB walking that will play great with that. Even Penix crumbled when we got after him. Do we ever run a quick slant or screen? When the Falcons put 5 guys on the LOS we had nothing to counter it. A screen should smoke that. Down by the goal line was a cluster. Missing Darrisaw is huge and no Addison is putting too much on Jetts. We need to get through this rough start and stay 500. It's a long road to the end and I'd rather be at the top of our game at that point.Cliff wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 8:36 am It all comes down to the offensive line for me. JJM made some rookie mistakes and didn't look good either, but without proper protection who knows how he actually would have been. The offensive line gave up 6 sacks and I don't know how many pressures, but a lot. LT might as well be a practice dummy. They need to bring in someone else to back up Darrisaw. Speaking of which, he's not in IR so hopefully he comes back soon.
The defense gave up yards but not points. They gave up important yards at the end but they must have been pretty gassed by then as they falcons had the ball for about 13 more minutes than the Vikings. The defense was the only reason the team was in the game at all. They only gave up a TD at the end when they literally did it on purpose.
If the offensive line isn't fixed up the team isn't doing anything. Once there is decent protection I'll be more apt to blame JJM or the game plan or whatever. For now, the plays can't be executed if blocking isn't correct. JJM is in his first year and will make mistakes but with the offensive line playing like they are not only will it limit his opportunity to make good plays, but it will amplify those mistakes.
On to week 3 and hopefully Darrisaw is healthy enough to come back.
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VikingLord
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Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
The defense gave up only field goals in large part because the Falcons kept doing dumb things once they got into the redzone. Really similar to how the Bears played as well. Just wait until the Vikings face a competent offensive team that can execute in those situations.
Also, how many yards did Bijan rip off on just his first two rushing attempts? I'll answer that - 42 yards. 2 rushes for 42 yards. That was not an anomaly either. The Falcons finished the game with 218 rushing yards on 39 attempts for an eye watering 5.6 yards per carry average. Yes, the defense has some injuries. Yes, the Falcons have a really good running back. But as it stands the Vikings are either last or near last in run defense to start this season, and from what I can see most of the runs are coming between the tackles, so right up the gut against what was supposed to be a vastly improved interior DL.
As far as McCarthy goes, yes, he could use better protection up front and a more effective run game, but how many times did he drop the ball last night? 3? Penix gets sacked by a free runner and he covers and protects the ball. McCarthy gets the same and puts it on the ground. Not good. And McCarthy's accuracy is starting to become notable. There was the outright miss to Nailor on the deep shot which would likely have been a TD, but there were numerous other throws that were off the mark. The first INT by Bowman was thrown late and behind Nailor. That should have been outside where only Nailor could make a play on it. There were other throws, some easy and some not, that were not on target on throws where McCarthy had time to make a better throw. We saw this in preseason and against the Bears and now against the Falcons. From what I can see thus far, McCarthy is late on his reads and is inaccurate.
The Vikings let Darnold and Jones walk. They passed on Rodgers who wanted to play for them. They went with McCarthy and the assumption is they did that because McCarthy showed them enough to make them believe he would be the best option. But I am starting to wonder if maybe they just want that to be the case.
McCarthy clearly has a long way to go. The accuracy issues might be fixable with some work on the mechanics. The post-snap timing and processing will probably improve. But so far I'm not seeing much evidence that McCarthy is capable of being a franchise QB. He looks pretty average to me even by the standards of a young QB.
Also, how many yards did Bijan rip off on just his first two rushing attempts? I'll answer that - 42 yards. 2 rushes for 42 yards. That was not an anomaly either. The Falcons finished the game with 218 rushing yards on 39 attempts for an eye watering 5.6 yards per carry average. Yes, the defense has some injuries. Yes, the Falcons have a really good running back. But as it stands the Vikings are either last or near last in run defense to start this season, and from what I can see most of the runs are coming between the tackles, so right up the gut against what was supposed to be a vastly improved interior DL.
As far as McCarthy goes, yes, he could use better protection up front and a more effective run game, but how many times did he drop the ball last night? 3? Penix gets sacked by a free runner and he covers and protects the ball. McCarthy gets the same and puts it on the ground. Not good. And McCarthy's accuracy is starting to become notable. There was the outright miss to Nailor on the deep shot which would likely have been a TD, but there were numerous other throws that were off the mark. The first INT by Bowman was thrown late and behind Nailor. That should have been outside where only Nailor could make a play on it. There were other throws, some easy and some not, that were not on target on throws where McCarthy had time to make a better throw. We saw this in preseason and against the Bears and now against the Falcons. From what I can see thus far, McCarthy is late on his reads and is inaccurate.
The Vikings let Darnold and Jones walk. They passed on Rodgers who wanted to play for them. They went with McCarthy and the assumption is they did that because McCarthy showed them enough to make them believe he would be the best option. But I am starting to wonder if maybe they just want that to be the case.
McCarthy clearly has a long way to go. The accuracy issues might be fixable with some work on the mechanics. The post-snap timing and processing will probably improve. But so far I'm not seeing much evidence that McCarthy is capable of being a franchise QB. He looks pretty average to me even by the standards of a young QB.
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VikingsFan12345
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Re: Week 2 Vs. Falcons
Vikings just have not played well lately, Vikings should have been 0-2 but Vikings got lucky last week, Vikings have alot of work to do if Vikings want to make the playoffs