Vikings @ Bears Game Day Discussion Thread -- Week 8

[VikingPaul73]

I was pleased as punch, although I'll confess, I wasn't feeling confident at all with about 5 minutes left in the game and the Vikes trailing. The game had the feel of another close loss at Soldier Field for the Vikes. Then, all of a sudden, they started making plays! That TD pass to Diggs stunned the crowd and sent us Vikes fans in attendance soaring out of our seats. When Diggs made his move and headed for the corner I was just screaming "Run! RUN!" at the top of my lungs. He made a great effort to finish the play and get into the endzone. I'm lovin' that kid.

Johnson's catch to help set up the win was a great effort too.

I thought the o-line did a much better job of run blocking and Peterson was hitting the holes well. He made some cuts that were just amazing to watch and on more than one play, he was close to taking it the distance only to be tackled by the last defender in his way. On a couple of those plays, there were gasps from the crowd. It was cool to sense that everyone around me understood how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands.

I understand the criticisms of Bridgewater's performance. He was underwhelming for most of the game but to his credit, he made the plays he had to at the end. One thing that jumps out to me when I watch him in person is how little zip he puts on the ball most of the time. However, there are times, when he needs to put more on a throw, that he seems capable of doing so. It's perplexing.

The defense played well (some of the tackling, in particular, was very sharp) but you could see them having a hard time with Jeffery and when Cutler smelled a blitz, that's where he was going with the ball.

One more observation: Kendricks is FAST. That guy covers ground in a hurry. He's fun to watch. So is Barr. The Vikes have serious speed at LB now.

Speaking of Barr: there was a play in the second half where it looked like he wanted to blitz. His eyes must have been focused on the backfield because he took a step or two forward and ran right into the back of his one of his teammates. It was pretty funny and I don't think the play amounted to much so there was no harm done.

Overall, it certainly wasn't the Vikings finest performance but they got the win in a tough place for them to win so I left the stadium very happy. I had some nice conversations with Bears fans at the game and on the way out. As usual, when I go these games, they were a class act. The Vikes were well-represented in the crowd too. I saw a lot of purple.

Thanks to Steve, Landon and everybody else who thought of me yesterday. It's too bad we weren't all at the game together!

Good post, Jim

Just curious on your perspective being at the game....it seemed like the Bears focused less on AD than other teams so far.....curious if receivers looked open and bridgewater just wasn't seeing them? Or were the receivers blanketed most of the time?

[Mothman]

Good post, Jim

Thank you.

Just curious on your perspective being at the game....it seemed like the Bears focused less on AD than other teams so far.....curious if receivers looked open and bridgewater just wasn't seeing them? Or were the receivers blanketed most of the time?

From what I saw, there was some of both. He missed some throws to open receivers that I imagine you could see on the broadcast but as far as failing to see open receivers, I didn't see too much of that. The Bears coverage was pretty good most of the day. That said, I have to confess that I wasn't always looking downfield because I spent a little more time looking at the line play than I usually do when I see a game live. I plan to watch the game on GamePass to this week to get a better idea of what was going on downfield on some of those passing plays. I certainly saw some plays where it seemed to me like Bridgewater could have pulled the trigger or where he just made bad throws to open receivers. He didn't look sharp at all for the first 3+ quarters and the INT he threw was pretty bad. He had a lot of time on that play and he just zeroed in on Diggs and forced a throw into coverage.

[J. Kapp 11]

I understand the criticisms of Bridgewater's performance. He was underwhelming for most of the game but to his credit, he made the plays he had to at the end. One thing that jumps out to me when I watch him in person is how little zip he puts on the ball most of the time. However, there are times, when he needs to put more on a throw, that he seems capable of doing so. It's perplexing.

This is what confused me last year, Jim. He started the year with those flippy throws, then seemed to be driving the ball toward the end of the year. But now this year, I'm seeing more of the flippy throws. It's almost as if his brain sees the throw he needs to make, and he just reacts before his feet have a chance to get set. He's never going to have a Cutler or Stafford arm, but it seems like his problems are correctable to the point where he can make the throws he needs to make.

That being said, I do like his intangibles, especially his moxie at the end of games.

Glad you were finally able to witness a victory in Chicago!

[Mothman]

A few shots from the pre-game warm up, taken by my friend Jill:

[Mothman]

This is what confused me last year, Jim. He started the year with those flippy throws, then seemed to be driving the ball toward the end of the year. But now this year, I'm seeing more of the flippy throws. It's almost as if his brain sees the throw he needs to make, and he just reacts before his feet have a chance to get set. He's never going to have a Cutler or Stafford arm, but it seems like his problems are correctable to the point where he can make the throws he needs to make.

That's my take as well. He seems to have sufficient arm strength, even if it's not great. I wonder if he's trying a little too hard to put touch on his throws. Maybe it's a mechanical issue and as you suggested, he's reacting before he gets his feet set. I don't know.

That being said, I do like his intangibles, especially his moxie at the end of games.

I do too. If he can improve the more concrete aspects of his game, the Vikes will really have something.

Glad you were finally able to witness a victory in Chicago!

Thanks! I think it's my first one since the '90s. I wasn't able to attend their win here in 2007 and I think that's the only Vikes/Bears game I've missed in Chicago since the turn of the century. It figures, eh?

They're at 5-2 now and in position to make some real noise if they can handle the tougher stretch of schedule coming up. Let's hope they can keep rolling!

[dead_poet]

That's my take as well. He seems to have sufficient arm strength, even if it's not great. I wonder if he's trying a little too hard to put touch on his throws. Maybe it's a mechanical issue and as you suggested, he's reacting before he gets his feet set. I don't know.

Here's my assessment and it's along the lines of what you pointed out: Teddy is not setting his feet and driving the football and it's limiting the zip he puts on the ball and it remains one of the most frustrating parts of his game for me. Time and again I'll watch Manning or Brady and their lower body looks so...powerful/study when they drive the ball. Teddy is routinely throwing the ball on his heels or even falling backwards. This is either due to legitimate pressure, perceived pressure or a fundamental flaw (though I don't recall this being an issue coming out of Louisville). As poorly as the line has blocked this year, I suppose I can't fault him for defaulting to falling/running backwards on almost every play out of self preservation but it's really, really limiting his effectiveness. It doesn't help that it seems like most of his pressure is coming from the C/G spots so he doesn't have room to wiggle and step up in the pocket prior to his throws.

[J. Kapp 11]

Here's my assessment and it's along the lines of what you pointed out: Teddy is not setting his feet and driving the football and it's limiting the zip he puts on the ball and it remains one of the most frustrating parts of his game for me. Time and again I'll watch Manning or Brady and their lower body looks so...powerful/study when they drive the ball. Teddy is routinely throwing the ball on his heels or even falling backwards. This is either due to legitimate pressure, perceived pressure or a fundamental flaw (though I don't recall this being an issue coming out of Louisville). As poorly as the line has blocked this year, I suppose I can't fault him for defaulting to falling/running backwards on almost every play out of self preservation but it's really, really limiting his effectiveness. It doesn't help that it seems like most of his pressure is coming from the C/G spots so he doesn't have room to wiggle and step up in the pocket prior to his throws.

This is a great example of what Teddy CAN do if he sets his feet and drives the ball.

Teddy to Charles Johnson.

Teddy is flat-footed, no crow hop, but his feet are underneath him and his base is in great position, so he's able to drive the ball more than 40 yards downfield.

In spite of Ronde Barber's inability to see beyond his opinion that it should have been picked off by Antrelle Rolle (read: I would have picked that ball), it was a great throw by Teddy that essentially won the game. He can make these kinds of throws, but not with just his arm, like Stafford or Cutler.

[Mothman]

Here's my assessment and it's along the lines of what you pointed out: Teddy is not setting his feet and driving the football and it's limiting the zip he puts on the ball and it remains one of the most frustrating parts of his game for me. Time and again I'll watch Manning or Brady and their lower body looks so...powerful/study when they drive the ball. Teddy is routinely throwing the ball on his heels or even falling backwards. This is either due to legitimate pressure, perceived pressure or a fundamental flaw (though I don't recall this being an issue coming out of Louisville). As poorly as the line has blocked this year, I suppose I can't fault him for defaulting to falling/running backwards on almost every play out of self preservation but it's really, really limiting his effectiveness. It doesn't help that it seems like most of his pressure is coming from the C/G spots so he doesn't have room to wiggle and step up in the pocket prior to his throws.

Good assessment and Kapp, thanks for the link. There was plenty of zip on that pass. However, I wonder if Bridgewater was showing a huge level of confidence in Johnson on that play and throwing right at Rolle or if he just didn't see Rolle coming over after the CB let Johnson go. That was a risky pass. Fortunately for us, Rolle misplayed it and Johnson was aggressive enough to make a clutch catch.

[fiestavike]

Here's my assessment and it's along the lines of what you pointed out: Teddy is not setting his feet and driving the football and it's limiting the zip he puts on the ball and it remains one of the most frustrating parts of his game for me. Time and again I'll watch Manning or Brady and their lower body looks so...powerful/study when they drive the ball. Teddy is routinely throwing the ball on his heels or even falling backwards. This is either due to legitimate pressure, perceived pressure or a fundamental flaw (though I don't recall this being an issue coming out of Louisville). As poorly as the line has blocked this year, I suppose I can't fault him for defaulting to falling/running backwards on almost every play out of self preservation but it's really, really limiting his effectiveness. It doesn't help that it seems like most of his pressure is coming from the C/G spots so he doesn't have room to wiggle and step up in the pocket prior to his throws.

When he releases the football with his hand underneath it, it almost always wobbles out of there looking very bad. When he stays on top of the ball he throws some darts. That may be related to footwork, but its most obvious just in watching his arm action.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Here's my assessment and it's along the lines of what you pointed out: Teddy is not setting his feet and driving the football and it's limiting the zip he puts on the ball and it remains one of the most frustrating parts of his game for me. Time and again I'll watch Manning or Brady and their lower body looks so...powerful/study when they drive the ball. Teddy is routinely throwing the ball on his heels or even falling backwards. This is either due to legitimate pressure, perceived pressure or a fundamental flaw (though I don't recall this being an issue coming out of Louisville). As poorly as the line has blocked this year, I suppose I can't fault him for defaulting to falling/running backwards on almost every play out of self preservation but it's really, really limiting his effectiveness. It doesn't help that it seems like most of his pressure is coming from the C/G spots so he doesn't have room to wiggle and step up in the pocket prior to his throws.

Very good assessment, as usual, DP. Some of his throws, it looks like he is trying to use his upper body, and not have his feet set. The throws just aernt fluid. I think it may have to do with all the pressure he is getting this year, and being told to get the ball out quicker. Hes a bit gun shy and it has messed with his mechanics. Because i have seen him make some really good throws, with a lot of zip on them, right on target. But those throws that get away from, they are just ugly. I think his coaches can fix it, hes only 22, so young, and he has alot of other qualities. One of which is get up after some of those hits the Oline gives up. He isnt exactly a big QB.

[PurpleKoolaid]

Thanks for the pic Jim. I always love to see them as I rarely get to go to the games. Looking forward to the new stadium! Although I love the metro dome. So many good memories.

[Mothman]

Thanks for the pic Jim. I always love to see them as I rarely get to go to the games. Looking forward to the new stadium! Although I love the metro dome. So many good memories.

You're welcome!

[chicagopurple]

seeing these failings in his mechanics, I wonder how useful our QB coach is. Either he isnt able to get thru to Teddy, or Teddy wont correct himself. The last 2 throws that he made were more likely to be intercepted then caught. I give all the credit to our receivers for converting an obvious interception into a critical reception......they saved Teddys bacon.

[Purple Reign]

Cutlers TD wasn't.

That picture doesn't prove anything as it appears that he isn't down yet, that his butt is still a couple of inches off the ground. Given the fact that he was falling forward, the ball was probably touching the goal line when he was actually down. This picture is not conclusive evidence to overturn.

[Pondering Her Percy]

idk man it definitely looks like his butt is down