Week 5 Vs. Browns

[Cliff]

Overall good win. The defense struggled with the running game again but it wouldn't have mattered nearly as much without the turnovers. That first turnover probably cost them some points, they were moving well. The second turnover was crazy. How do you fumble with both arms on the ball snug to your chest!?

The offensive line looked terrific considering there are 2nd and 3rd stringers out there. Much better than I expected.

Addison is going to end up being traded this off season. Look for another WR in the first round in the 2026 draft. The guy has a ton of talent but talent isn't everything. Dude caught the game winning TD and somehow that's not what I'll remember about him this game.

The amount of penalties is crazy but the offensive line is switched out so much it's not surprising. A lot of special teams penalties.

Wentz made some good throws. He hasn't played well enough to put JJM on the bench when he's healthy but I'd have JJM on a short leash.

Bye is coming at a good time. Lots of injuries.

[Cliff]

Also something interesting.

[StumpHunter]

Also something interesting.

Looks like he was going to miss right anyway and I am also not sure it actually hit anything. Super windy there today and could have just been a gust of wind.

[CharVike]

Overall good win. The defense struggled with the running game again but it wouldn't have mattered nearly as much without the turnovers. That first turnover probably cost them some points, they were moving well. The second turnover was crazy. How do you fumble with both arms on the ball snug to your chest!?

The offensive line looked terrific considering there are 2nd and 3rd stringers out there. Much better than I expected.

Addison is going to end up being traded this off season. Look for another WR in the first round in the 2026 draft. The guy has a ton of talent but talent isn't everything. Dude caught the game winning TD and somehow that's not what I'll remember about him this game.

The amount of penalties is crazy but the offensive line is switched out so much it's not surprising. A lot of special teams penalties.

Wentz made some good throws. He hasn't played well enough to put JJM on the bench when he's healthy but I'd have JJM on a short leash.

Bye is coming at a good time. Lots of injuries.

Addison's value is low right now. Fans will never know the details for the missed walkthrough but NFL GMs will. He has 2 years on his rookie deal might as well use those and then let him walk for a possible comp pick. As a side maybe he was delayed attempting to do the Beatles Abbey Road crossing walk which isn't horrible. If he was doing window shopping in the red light district then it's a different story. I'd prefer a proven player over a draft pick. One has a chance the other not much.

[psjordan]

Speaking of kicking, how about Wright's 3rd qtr punt (he caught it at our SEVEN YARD LINE and it was downed at the CLE TWO YARD LINE. I think it counted as a 77 yarder. He also had a 63 and 53 yarder. No question he did his part.

I thought our OL more than held their own, considering who we had in there. Honestly I expected a much bigger disaster authored by Garrett. But we kept him in check most of the game. I expected way more snap issues as well. Overall it was more than adequate - even good - considering who was playing where.

I thought the fact Gabriel played just well enough not to get pulled was a huge plus for us. We did NOT need a motivated Sanders in there at QB with a "nothing to lose" mentality. We never would have heard the end of that one and the replays would have been nauseating all week long.

Nice to see some RB's with a burst playing for us (could do without the fumbling though). I certainly like AJones but he's not exactly a "burst" guy at this point. With a healthy backfield and healthy OL, this team just may surprise on the ground.

As one of his biggest critics, I felt Turner had a pretty good game. I still see him taking a lot of plays off when he is on the back side, which peeves me to no end. Maybe they can coach that out of him. Still think he needs to work on burst and not necessarily strength, but leverage. He seems to at least have the tools to do so.

My understanding is that we did all we could to get the third pick in two years ago draft to go for Maye. I know JJMac has yet to get off the ground, but let's hope he's heading in the same direction as Maye.

I still think this team could surprise moving forward, especially after seeing DEN > PHI and NE > BUF. Definitely a year when anyone can beat anyone.

[VikingLord]

Also something interesting.

Looks like he was going to miss right anyway and I am also not sure it actually hit anything. Super windy there today and could have just been a gust of wind.

It was such a bad miss that it's hard to explain it but if there is even a chance the ball hit a camera wire the NFL should make sure that can't happen again.

[VikingLord]

Wanted to add my two cents to yesterday's game:

- Offensive line was good. They were good against a great defensive front. They played like a unit and that made all the difference. When it comes to offensive line play individually talented players are good to have, but a line of five guys playing well together is going to outperform a line of five great individual players who don't every time. It was refreshing to see that, because I expected a disaster. And we definitely did not see that against the Steelers who teed off all day because of constant breakdowns and penalties.

- JJ is a great player. He's made his money. He has his fame. The fire to win and be the best still burns brightly inside him.

- I think the Vikings wasted a lot of money on Hargrave and Allen. Those two have been nearly invisible, while the young hungry and much less heralded interior defenders are showing up game after game. Kudos again to Redmond, Rodriguez and Ingram-Dawkins.

- Vikings continue to struggle to stop the run.

I honestly wasn't sure the Vikings were going to win this game, and right up until that final drive I had my doubts. But they pulled it off and now have some time to rest and get healthier, because the schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out.

[psjordan]

... the schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out.

Not that the "tough schedule" is a mirage, it's not, there are good teams we still have to play.

But it seems this year - no unbeaten teams left - the "toughness" of the opponent may be more of a week-to-week thing than in years past. Catch a team at the right time and who knows.

I can see this group doing OK actually. I like the "work as a team" component I am seeing in our play, even outside of the OL. And it seems the players (that speak publicly anyways) are still all-in on McCarthy, so that's a green flag.

The penalties still drive me crazy. The D still drives me crazy, and my blood pressure would really benefit from BFlo changing the scheme a bit. I'd feel much better for instance if Turner was a beast out there on all plays. But I can see us being a handful if we are healthy on both sides of the ball. Good timing for the bye.

[CharVike]

Looks like he was going to miss right anyway and I am also not sure it actually hit anything. Super windy there today and could have just been a gust of wind.

It was such a bad miss that it's hard to explain it but if there is even a chance the ball hit a camera wire the NFL should make sure that can't happen again.

Some felt it may have been grazed by a hand at the LOS. The NFL said there's nothing conclusive about the wire. I think a challenge flag would have come out if the wire was hit. It's not like nobody was watching the flight. Will seemed to look away as if something happened at the LOS or a miss hit. All the fans in the back and nothing.

[VikingLord]

... the schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out.

Not that the "tough schedule" is a mirage, it's not, there are good teams we still have to play.

But it seems this year - no unbeaten teams left - the "toughness" of the opponent may be more of a week-to-week thing than in years past. Catch a team at the right time and who knows.

That is an interesting observation as there were some surprising results this past weekend and the weekend before that. It tends to show up in the Pick 4 contest as well where some seemingly safe bets end up not paying off. Who would have thought the 49ers would cover the spread against the Rams, much less outright beat them? Ditto for the Patriots over the Bills. Lots of seemingly improbable late turns in other games as the Cardinals looked headed to an easy win and lost against a hapless opponent. The Broncos weren't a hapless opponent but it sure looked like the Eagles were on cruise control late in that game as well.

Is this a season trend or will the better teams establish themselves? I think that is harder to say. What does seem to matter at this point is which team is able to execute better when it matters most. Sloppy play (like the Cardinals RB dropping the ball before crossing the goal line on what should have been an easy score to clinch that game), stupid penalties, and dumb coaching decisions all seem to be playing roles in some of these unexpected outcomes. There are some teams that seem to be more talented than others at key positions, and if history is a guide eventually those teams rise to the top, but maybe this is a season where anything can happen and some teams may surprise everyone.

I can see this group doing OK actually. I like the "work as a team" component I am seeing in our play, even outside of the OL. And it seems the players (that speak publicly anyways) are still all-in on McCarthy, so that's a green flag.

Well, if what we saw from the offensive and defensive lines late is indicative of what we'll see going forward, I totally agree with you. Sometimes injuries to key players can produce unexpected positive outcomes. One wonders if we saw that in action with the OL especially against the Browns. Time will tell.

As far as McCarthy goes, I have no doubt the team backs him. He seems to work hard and seems like he has some leadership traits in the huddle. I'm just worried about his accuracy. His timing and field vision are concerning as well but a lot of young QBs struggle with those aspects of playing QB. It's when he decides to pull the trigger it's seeing what he hits that worries me. However, maybe he'll figure it out, and if he doesn't the Vikings at least know what they have in Wentz now.

The penalties still drive me crazy. The D still drives me crazy, and my blood pressure would really benefit from BFlo changing the scheme a bit. I'd feel much better for instance if Turner was a beast out there on all plays. But I can see us being a handful if we are healthy on both sides of the ball. Good timing for the bye.

Not sure what to say about Turner. He is still not setting the edge well on outside runs and just seems to lack a burst. Given how highly rated he was as a pass rusher coming out of college I expected to see some plays where he's just too fast or dynamic for the guy trying to block him but so far I'm not seeing that. When he gets pressure it's either because the coverage allows him enough time to get there, someone else flushes the QB towards him, or he is poorly blocked or not blocked at all. I think his run defense is far and away his worst attribute though. On runs to his side he either gets locked up and can't shed the blocker or he's allowing himself to get sealed off where he can't make the play. It would be nice to see him engage with more violence and throw the blocker off balance a little. He just seems way too easy to block just generally. Kind of passive like he expects someone else to make a play as long as he keeps the guy blocking him from being able to leave him and block someone else. Maybe it's a mentality thing. Great line defenders play with a hunger to get to the ball carrier whether that is the QB or someone else. I just don't see that hunger in Turner at all.

[psjordan]

Not sure what to say about Turner [... good observations ...]

Well I've watched him up close and personal in several games now (mostly so I can report back here ), and it's the reason I'm not impressed so far.

Let's put it this way - I have yet to see an opponent purposefully put a double-team on him. Never.

At his price he needs to be a FACTOR. And he is not.

[psjordan]

And it seems the players (that speak publicly anyways) are still all-in on McCarthy, so that's a green flag.

As far as McCarthy goes... I'm just worried about his accuracy. His timing and field vision are concerning as well but a lot of young QBs struggle with those aspects of playing QB. It's when he decides to pull the trigger it's seeing what he hits that worries me. However, maybe he'll figure it out, and if he doesn't the Vikings at least know what they have in Wentz now.

Disregarding "player and coach speak about the QB gotta be positive" type stuff, I guess my feeling is that if he'd not shown progress/aptitude in the traits you mention in practice reps, then players and coaches would not be waxing on about their confidence in him. I assume he's thrown balls in practice where everyone watching says "now THERE'S our guy".
I know you've been down on his performances so far, but I am willing to give him a way longer leash than say Turner for instance.
I am cautiously, slightly optimistic about the entire squad moving forward though, including all the youngsters.

[VikingLord]

As far as McCarthy goes... I'm just worried about his accuracy. His timing and field vision are concerning as well but a lot of young QBs struggle with those aspects of playing QB. It's when he decides to pull the trigger it's seeing what he hits that worries me. However, maybe he'll figure it out, and if he doesn't the Vikings at least know what they have in Wentz now.

Disregarding "player and coach speak about the QB gotta be positive" type stuff, I guess my feeling is that if he'd not shown progress/aptitude in the traits you mention in practice reps, then players and coaches would not be waxing on about their confidence in him. I assume he's thrown balls in practice where everyone watching says "now THERE'S our guy".
I know you've been down on his performances so far, but I am willing to give him a way longer leash than say Turner for instance.
I am cautiously, slightly optimistic about the entire squad moving forward though, including all the youngsters.

I did listen to some of KOC's comments announcing McCarthy's return to practice and he seemed to acknowledge the accuracy issues when he mentioned that McCarthy's footwork and lower body mechanics needed improvement. I have noticed that McCarthy seems to lean away from his throws a lot instead of lean into them. That can cause the ball to sail high and that has definitely been a problem for him, especially on deeper throws. The shorter route inaccuracy we've seen where he often seems to throw either too far in front or too far behind his intended target I'm not as sure about what causes that. There are times he's under a bit of pressure when he makes those throws but more often than not he's got clear line of sight to his target and has time to wind up and make the throw, so those misfires are puzzling and worrisome. It is possible that McCarthy just lacks accuracy. He could be the QB version of Troy Williamson who couldn't catch a deep ball even if it landed right in his facemask. I hope that is not the case and maybe something else has been affecting him that he can overcome.

The only thing I ask for from KOC is that he be objective about it. If McCarthy really can't correct those mistakes and it is costing the offense then KOC has to be willing to admit maybe he isn't the answer at QB and admit they (meaning KAM and him) made a mistake when they drafted McCarthy. We're not to that point yet but if McCarthy keeps misfiring at the same pace as before and the offense starts to bog down again and fail to produce at a level commensurate with the overall talent level it has, that day will come sooner rather than later.

[CharVike]

KOC made it perfectly clear that we will go back to JJM. That needs to happen. Wentz did a great job on that last TD drive for the win. Our OL play was the impressive part of that game and last drive. But against the Steelers we didn't score a TD until the 4th quarter. That's not very good offensive production. I don't pin that entirely on Wentz because we gave up 6 sacks which tells me we lost the LOS battle big time. The Steeler D is bad and we should have smoked them just like the Jets did. But JJM hasn't been accurate. Hopefully we get back to full strength on offense health wise. Also it's good that Addison is back in the lineup. If he doesn't mess up that will be a huge help for us and JJM. Wentz certainly used him. JJM hasn't played a down with Darrisaw in the lineup. His replacement isn't very good.