Seahawks post-mortem

[Bowhunting Viking]

Last night before the game is Salters had to do that stupid report about how Cook has finally stayed healthy this year for the 1st time in his career. I looked at my wife and said OH NO.. she did it. She just put the jinx on him. He will get hurt before the game is over. She said what are u talking about.
So I explained that whenever they talk about a player staying healthy, a kicker not missing a kick, a QB not throwing an INT for a stretch, a player not fumbling in so many touches.. and the list goes on... that as soon as they do that it happens.
I remember Aikman earlier in the season talking about how O'Niel hadn't given up a sack. Next series.. he did.
Worst example ever, Gary Anderson lining up for the game sealing FG in the Championship game against Atlanta. Madden had to go on and on about how he was automatic, hadn't missed a FG or Xtra point all yr and would seal the win for us. Then we watched it sail left.
I HATE it when they do that.

Listen closely to the announcers in some game where you are not invested. They do this all the time because it allows them to excitedly say immediately "but not any more!" or "but not this time!" or "and there he goes again!". Good or bad it doesn't matter. Coincidentally some percentage of the time they will be exactly right or wrong about a good or bad stat, but some percentage of the time the stat is completely irrelevant for the entire game. When the random stat they just stated has nothing to do with the next few plays it is easily forgotten but the next play they'll state some other potentially relevant fact.

Time and time again last night I heard statements about how Wilson is known doing this or that positive thing. IIRC, they said something like that just before the batted ball INT. They probably have folks behind the announcers who study the game during the broadcast and look for tendencies and put the stats up for the announcers that might possibly become relevant in the next few plays. Even much later in the game if something they talked about earlier becomes relevant they often do a call-back "earlier we were talking about..." and it really doesn't matter if it is good or bad or proven wrong or right-- it becomes a talking point. "But not today!" or "their woes continue" etc. If I had to make a guess, I'd say they say exactly the right thing 3-6 plays a game which is why the more positive or negative a stat is, the more powerful it will be if it happens or if the exact opposite happens. They rarely quote fact like "The Vikings get first downs on 45% of their 2nd down plays"-- what can you do with that stat? Nothing. If they make it or not it's not notable in any way-- it's not like they can crow "and now its up to 45.2%" or the like.

My advice is watch the game with your wife, and stop seeing omens where there are none. It's only a game-- spend the time with your wife. It's far more valuable time spent than worrying about what announcers are saying about players just in case they just happen to be right and then goading yourself into believing the coincidence was somehow prescient. Life is too short.

I understand what ur saying. That probably did come across a little strong, but it was more of Aww man they are talking about it so it will happen . I was just telling her how it's so weird how many times that happens. I know its coincidence. It's not like I believe it curses, omens etc lol. It's just weird how often that happens. Like I said Aikman even said it during the Dallas game. He said all that about O'Neil, then a few mins later he gave up a sack. Aikman said , and I paraphrase here, but he basically said " I just talked about all that with O'Neil and now he gives up his 1st sack. I guess I shouldn't have talked about it".
I have heard Collinsworth allude to the fact several times that when they spotlight a situation like that, it ends up changing.
I've had the NFL Sunday ticket ever since it became available so I do watch every Vikings game, and enjoy it, well.. don't always enjoy the outcome, but I am glad to now know that I will be able to see them every game and not be at the mercy of the Network market I live in as to which game I will see.
Thanks for your post, but trust me , I understand the value of life being short and enjoying it. This comes from a guy with heriditary coronary heart disease rampant on my moms side. I had my 1st heart attack playing softball at 25 , and my 2nd one 16 yrs later at 41 that resulted in a life flight straight to the cath lab and having to be zapped 3 times to be brought back. And the kicker is both attacks were on June 26th, which ironically is also the day my daughter was born also.
So believe me man, I understand the concept of cherishing life. I was just coming from the angle of seeing the irony of how many times that stuff happens on the broadcast.
And another thing, the Minneapolis Miracle taught me to never give up . I remember, again, sitting there telling my wife Well it's over. There's now way we win now. She said we still have the ball and a chance. I got a big I told ya so on that one. Wives seem to get us men on that one alot.
Hopefully we will advance in the playoffs, get to the Championship game and they will talk about how we have lost so may times in the past, and that Irony Reporting will work FOR us. That would be great.
Anyhow thanks for the reminder buddy.

[StumpHunter]

On the other two plays you listed, I disagree that those passes were "incredibly difficult". The ball was slightly behind him. Very catchable pass for a pro receiver, and especially one of Diggs' caliber.

The one thrown behind him was a more difficult catch than the one hander Rudy caught in the end zone. He is running a crossing route expecting to catch a pass on the run, and has to stop, and contort backwards while catching a very hard thrown pass that was essentially thrown away from him. It was catchable, but by no means was it an easy catch.

The other one looked to be at his feet to me. If so, that again is a very difficult catch on the run. If it was just a little low, yea, not a difficult catch and not even a bad throw.

[VikingLord]

On the other two plays you listed, I disagree that those passes were "incredibly difficult". The ball was slightly behind him. Very catchable pass for a pro receiver, and especially one of Diggs' caliber.

The one thrown behind him was a more difficult catch than the one hander Rudy caught in the end zone. He is running a crossing route expecting to catch a pass on the run, and has to stop, and contort backwards while catching a very hard thrown pass that was essentially thrown away from him. It was catchable, but by no means was it an easy catch.

The other one looked to be at his feet to me. If so, that again is a very difficult catch on the run. If it was just a little low, yea, not a difficult catch and not even a bad throw.

I agree that neither throw we are discussing here was a great throw by Cousins, but both should have been caught. When a RB or even a TE drops a difficult throw, they get a little leeway because they are asked to do more than catch passes, but catching passes is a receiver's primary job. They're held to a higher standard and more is expected of them. I think if the ball is in the vicinity, they should make the catch.

[Dames]

I agree that neither throw we are discussing here was a great throw by Cousins, but both should have been caught. When a RB or even a TE drops a difficult throw, they get a little leeway because they are asked to do more than catch passes, but catching passes is a receiver's primary job. They're held to a higher standard and more is expected of them. I think if the ball is in the vicinity, they should make the catch.

We were spoiled by Cris Carter. Diggs has pretty good hands, but damn, Carter was amazing. Those are the kind of catches he almost always made. I personally think it's more of a COULD vs a SHOULD thing, but your point about him being a WR is somewhat merited. Catching is his is main job.

[808vikingsfan]

random thoughts

Seattle is a good team. They can run, pass when needed, and rely on RW to make plays to win the game.

I thought the Vikings would have a hard time stopping the run in this game. Still, it was a frustrating to see. Thought they didn't respect SEA running game as much as they should have.

I was hoping the offense would come out strong and aggressive in the first half. Hurry up offense, no huddle, take a few shots down field. Try and get an early lead to neutralize the running game. Instead, they struggled again (except for the opening drive).

Thought the pass defense and containing RW was good yesterday. The one big td pass hurt. If you look at the replay, it's hard to understand what happened. Smith covering the RB in the flat. Barr and Kendricks covering no one. Rhodes thinking he has help.

ST stunk. missed XP, fake punt, fumble. Success on any one of these failures could have lead the vikings to a win.

Cook. Just when you think he's the answer, he's not. I'd rather have a reliable back...no, I take that back. He's the reason this team clicks. Vikings need him back if they want to make any noise in the playoffs (if they get there).

The unpopular opinion here. Not looking for an argument. Just wanted to express my thoughts:

Cousins had an average game. Made a few really good plays, a few bad plays, tossed a bunch of inaccurate throws (high, low, behind). I think any ave-good QB can do what he did, maybe even more (or less). But what's disappointing was with all this talk about how the media and fans are being unfair, the stage was set for him. 3 minutes left, down 4, Vikings ball. Cousins had the perfect opportunity to erase the narrative. He couldn't ask for a better situation. And what did he do? 3 terrible passes in that series resulting in a turnover on downs. The one he sailed to no one was a head scratcher, esp with Treadwell possibly beating his man deep. Maybe a miscommunication but it looked like he just bailed on that play early. The 3rd down pass may have been tipped but was late on the throw IMO, and that pump fake only put the defenders in a better position to defend. Smith was open for the 1st down but never looked his way. The 4th down throw had zero chance. A better throw and maybe Smith catches it. A more patient Cousins and maybe he sees Mattison open at the 1st down yard line. All 3 plays in the most critical moment of the season. Forget what happened prior, good or bad. He was in a position to do what everyone is saying he can't, and didn't deliver. So yes, the defense couldn't stop the run. Yes, the ST failed miserably. Yes, there were dropped balls. In the end, Cousins was put in a position that every QB dreams of, Monday Night Football, against one of the best teams in the league, #2 (possibly #1) seed on the line, can finally shut his critics up.

On to the Lions.

[Texas Vike]

random thoughts

Seattle is a good team. They can run, pass when needed, and rely on RW to make plays to win the game.

I thought the Vikings would have a hard time stopping the run in this game. Still, it was a frustrating to see. Thought they didn't respect SEA running game as much as they should have.

I was hoping the offense would come out strong and aggressive in the first half. Hurry up offense, no huddle, take a few shots down field. Try and get an early lead to neutralize the running game. Instead, they struggled again (except for the opening drive).

Thought the pass defense and containing RW was good yesterday. The one big td pass hurt. If you look at the replay, it's hard to understand what happened. Smith covering the RB in the flat. Barr and Kendricks covering no one. Rhodes thinking he has help.

ST stunk. missed XP, fake punt, fumble. Success on any one of these failures could have lead the vikings to a win.

Cook. Just when you think he's the answer, he's not. I'd rather have a reliable back...no, I take that back. He's the reason this team clicks. Vikings need him back if they want to make any noise in the playoffs (if they get there).

The unpopular opinion here. Not looking for an argument. Just wanted to express my thoughts:

Cousins had an average game. Made a few really good plays, a few bad plays, tossed a bunch of inaccurate throws (high, low, behind). I think any ave-good QB can do what he did, maybe even more (or less). But what's disappointing was with all this talk about how the media and fans are being unfair, the stage was set for him. 3 minutes left, down 4, Vikings ball. Cousins had the perfect opportunity to erase the narrative. He couldn't ask for a better situation. And what did he do? 3 terrible passes in that series resulting in a turnover on downs. The one he sailed to no one was a head scratcher, esp with Treadwell possibly beating his man deep. Maybe a miscommunication but it looked like he just bailed on that play early. The 3rd down pass may have been tipped but was late on the throw IMO, and that pump fake only put the defenders in a better position to defend. Smith was open for the 1st down but never looked his way. The 4th down throw had zero chance. A better throw and maybe Smith catches it. A more patient Cousins and maybe he sees Mattison open at the 1st down yard line. All 3 plays in the most critical moment of the season. Forget what happened prior, good or bad. He was in a position to do what everyone is saying he can't, and didn't deliver. So yes, the defense couldn't stop the run. Yes, the ST failed miserably. Yes, there were dropped balls. In the end, Cousins was put in a position that every QB dreams of, Monday Night Football, against one of the best teams in the league, #2 (possibly #1) seed on the line, can finally shut his critics up.

On to the Lions.

I think your criticism of Cousins is totally valid and convincing. It's too bad that Cousins, as a topic, has gotten so polarizing that we can't even touch it. There are two camps and each looks through that filter. Sounds a lot like how our country has gotten in general, actually.

Our run D really stunk throughout the game. What has happened to our D? We were amazing not that long ago. Now? We're quite average.

Xavier illustrates the issue. He lost his cool in the MPLS miracle game because he was getting schooled by Michael Thomas. He was super emotional on the sideline, just like this past game in SEA. The 2nd half of that Saints game marked the end of Zimmer's dominant D (and Xavier's dominance). They've been declining ever since.

[J. Kapp 11]

random thoughts

Seattle is a good team. They can run, pass when needed, and rely on RW to make plays to win the game.

I thought the Vikings would have a hard time stopping the run in this game. Still, it was a frustrating to see. Thought they didn't respect SEA running game as much as they should have.

I was hoping the offense would come out strong and aggressive in the first half. Hurry up offense, no huddle, take a few shots down field. Try and get an early lead to neutralize the running game. Instead, they struggled again (except for the opening drive).

Thought the pass defense and containing RW was good yesterday. The one big td pass hurt. If you look at the replay, it's hard to understand what happened. Smith covering the RB in the flat. Barr and Kendricks covering no one. Rhodes thinking he has help.

ST stunk. missed XP, fake punt, fumble. Success on any one of these failures could have lead the vikings to a win.

Cook. Just when you think he's the answer, he's not. I'd rather have a reliable back...no, I take that back. He's the reason this team clicks. Vikings need him back if they want to make any noise in the playoffs (if they get there).

The unpopular opinion here. Not looking for an argument. Just wanted to express my thoughts:

Cousins had an average game. Made a few really good plays, a few bad plays, tossed a bunch of inaccurate throws (high, low, behind). I think any ave-good QB can do what he did, maybe even more (or less). But what's disappointing was with all this talk about how the media and fans are being unfair, the stage was set for him. 3 minutes left, down 4, Vikings ball. Cousins had the perfect opportunity to erase the narrative. He couldn't ask for a better situation. And what did he do? 3 terrible passes in that series resulting in a turnover on downs. The one he sailed to no one was a head scratcher, esp with Treadwell possibly beating his man deep. Maybe a miscommunication but it looked like he just bailed on that play early. The 3rd down pass may have been tipped but was late on the throw IMO, and that pump fake only put the defenders in a better position to defend. Smith was open for the 1st down but never looked his way. The 4th down throw had zero chance. A better throw and maybe Smith catches it. A more patient Cousins and maybe he sees Mattison open at the 1st down yard line. All 3 plays in the most critical moment of the season. Forget what happened prior, good or bad. He was in a position to do what everyone is saying he can't, and didn't deliver. So yes, the defense couldn't stop the run. Yes, the ST failed miserably. Yes, there were dropped balls. In the end, Cousins was put in a position that every QB dreams of, Monday Night Football, against one of the best teams in the league, #2 (possibly #1) seed on the line, can finally shut his critics up.

On to the Lions.

I gotta say ... this is actually a pretty fair assessment of Cousins' play. It wasn't a bad game, but it wasn't one of his better games, like New York or Detroit or Dallas. However, to be fair, I think we can give him a ton of credit for bringing the team back from the brink in the fourth quarter. That's a step up from last year. He also lost his most dangerous weapon in Dalvin Cook early in the second half. Not trying to make excuses. It wasn't one of Cousins' better performances, and you're right -- he had an amazing opportunity with 3 minutes left.

All that being said, the Minnesota Vikings lost this game because of turnovers and terrible defense. We actually held Russell Wilson in reasonable check, but we gave up 218 yards on the ground. That's unacceptable and inexcusable. Wilson burned us once, but it was a doozy ... a terrible, terrible touchdown where nobody was within 15 yards of the receiver. We gave up 10 points off turnovers. Our offense put up 23 points (there's that missed XP). That's not great, but it's not terrible on the road at Seattle. But our defense was abysmal. I mean, 37 points. That's not what we're used to seeing in Minnesota. In fact, in the previous 19 games, Minnesota had surrendered 30 points only once, and we won that game.

In all, we played hard and made a game of it against a great team in a hostile environment. Unfortunately "made a game of it" ended up being an L.