Vikings/Saints Post-Game

[J. Kapp 11]

It's starting already.

Some dipsh!t named Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose Mercury News has already put out a column saying the Vikings did the 49ers a favor today by beating the only worthy opponent in SF's path to the Super Bowl.

The Vikings went to New Orleans and — in improbable and thrilling fashion — knocked out San Francisco’s top challenger in the NFC bracket (and perhaps their only truly worthy adversary), the Saints on Sunday.

He goes on ...

The 49ers also have the most important advantage in football. In the NFL playoffs, we’ve seen time and time again that among evenly matched teams, the determining factor is often which squad has the better head coach and quarterback.

And ...

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer is an outstanding defensive mind, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has that same reputation on the offensive side of the ball. It might be an offensive league, but let’s be generous and call that matchup a wash.

So, if we’re not diving too deep into this analysis, Saturday’s playoff game should come down to quarterback play.

So who would you rather have? Jimmy Garoppolo or Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins?

The Vikings can answer that question for you. Deep down — in places they don’t talk about at house parties — they’d rather have Garoppolo.

Here's the deal. I'd take Kirk Cousins over the pornstar-loving punk from San Francisco every day of the week and twice on Sundays. What this so-called writer is conveniently overlooking is that Jimmy Garappolo has a penchant for -- wait for it -- TURNOVERS. And the Minnesota Vikings have been a takeaway machine over the past month. Garoppolo is also terrible under pressure, and you'd better believe that Mike Zimmer will find a way to sick his animals on Jimmy GQ.

And finally, while Robert Selah is the latest flavor of the week as the Niners DC, he's not Mike Zimmer. The 49ers are surprisingly susceptible to the same things their offense does well -- outside zone, play/boot action, and screens. The very things the Vikings do best. You watch. We'll find a way to get the ball to our playmakers, just like the Saints did when they put up 46 on this supposedly unstoppable defense.

In case you want to leave a comment, the article can be found at https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/05/ ... uper-bowl/

[Pondering Her Percy]

It's starting already.

Some dipsh!t named Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose Mercury News has already put out a column saying the Vikings did the 49ers a favor today by beating the only worthy opponent in SF's path to the Super Bowl.

The Vikings went to New Orleans and — in improbable and thrilling fashion — knocked out San Francisco’s top challenger in the NFC bracket (and perhaps their only truly worthy adversary), the Saints on Sunday.

He goes on ...

The 49ers also have the most important advantage in football. In the NFL playoffs, we’ve seen time and time again that among evenly matched teams, the determining factor is often which squad has the better head coach and quarterback.

And ...

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer is an outstanding defensive mind, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has that same reputation on the offensive side of the ball. It might be an offensive league, but let’s be generous and call that matchup a wash.

So, if we’re not diving too deep into this analysis, Saturday’s playoff game should come down to quarterback play.

So who would you rather have? Jimmy Garoppolo or Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins?

The Vikings can answer that question for you. Deep down — in places they don’t talk about at house parties — they’d rather have Garoppolo.

Here's the deal. I'd take Kirk Cousins over the pornstar-loving punk from San Francisco every day of the week and twice on Sundays. What this so-called writer is conveniently overlooking is that Jimmy Garappolo has a penchant for -- wait for it -- TURNOVERS. And the Minnesota Vikings have been a takeaway machine over the past month. Garoppolo is also terrible under pressure, and you'd better believe that Mike Zimmer will find a way to sick his animals on Jimmy GQ.

And finally, while Robert Selah is the latest flavor of the week as the Niners DC, he's not Mike Zimmer. The 49ers are surprisingly susceptible to the same things their offense does well -- outside zone, play/boot action, and screens. The very things the Vikings do best. You watch. We'll find a way to get the ball to our playmakers, just like the Saints did when they put up 46 on this supposedly unstoppable defense.

In case you want to leave a comment, the article can be found at https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/05/ ... uper-bowl/

Good post Kapp and I agree. Garappolo reminds me of Rivers under pressure. If he faces the pressure Brees did today, he's going to crap his pants.

I will say though, with this SF team, I think we need to do exactly what we did vs. Dallas. Focus on stopping this run game. They do not have household names at RB but they are a damn good run offense. The Saints have more weapons to throw to than SF IMO. Stop the run and get after Jimmy G. I just dont see this team coming out flat like they did in 2017 vs. Philly. Cousins just got a huge confidence booster, SFs run defense is suspect so Cook should have a day which helps everything and as I said leading up to the Saints game, this defense plays much better against pocket passing QBs.

And to top it all off, we will be underdogs, once again and everyone will continue to doubt us. Please do because we play that much better when we everyone is doubting us.

[Bowhunting Viking]

It's starting already.

Some dipsh!t named Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose Mercury News has already put out column saying the Vikings did the 49ers a favor today by beating the only worthy opponent in SF's path to the Super Bowl.

The Vikings went to New Orleans and — in improbable and thrilling fashion — knocked out San Francisco’s top challenger in the NFC bracket (and perhaps their only truly worthy adversary), the Saints on Sunday.

He goes on ...

The 49ers also have the most important advantage in football. In the NFL playoffs, we’ve seen time and time again that among evenly matched teams, the determining factor is often which squad has the better head coach and quarterback.

And ...

Minnesota coach Mike Zimmer is an outstanding defensive mind, but 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has that same reputation on the offensive side of the ball. It might be an offensive league, but let’s be generous and call that matchup a wash.

So, if we’re not diving too deep into this analysis, Saturday’s playoff game should come down to quarterback play.

So who would you rather have? Jimmy Garoppolo or Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins?

The Vikings can answer that question for you. Deep down — in places they don’t talk about at house parties — they’d rather have Garoppolo.

Here's the deal. I'd take Kirk Cousins over the pornstar-loving punk from San Francisco every day of the week and twice on Sundays. What this so-called writer is conveniently overlooking is that Jimmy Garappolo has a penchant for -- wait for it -- TURNOVERS. And the Minnesota Vikings have been a takeaway machine over the past month. Garoppolo is also terrible under pressure, and you'd better believe that Mike Zimmer will find a way to sick his animals on Jimmy GQ.

And finally, while Robert Selah is the latest flavor of the week as the Niners DC, he's not Mike Zimmer. The 49ers are surprisingly susceptible to the same things their offense does well -- outside zone, play/boot action, and screens. The very things the Vikings do best. You watch. We'll find a way to get the ball to our playmakers, just like the Saints did when they put up 46 on this supposedly unstoppable defense.

In case you want to leave a comment, the article can be found at https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/05/ ... uper-bowl/

LOVE IT!! What a dumb ####.. I know that will be edited but had to type it. How the Vikes see that.
I mean who would you trust being pressured most... Frew Brees, who I personally have no doubt will be in the HOF, or pretty boy Jimmy G. I know who I pick. And Kapp I know from our PMs who you will pick.
Look what that pressure did to Brees, statistically the most prolific passer in the history of the NFL. Did u see it. I did. And look what it did to Thomas, one of the most prolific WR of all time.
Imagine what it will do to Jimmy G. I've seen him fold under pressure this season.
So thank you Dieter CRAPenbach, or whatever your stupid name is.
I hope the WHOLE media gang totally doubts us again this week. I like us as a spoiler again. I feel the Saints are a better all around team than the Niners. My opinion.
Oh how I wanna shock again , then either beat the Seachickens or the Pukers. Keep on proving the haters wrong.
SKOL VIKINGS. KEEP ON POUNDING

[VikingLord]

Haven't read all of the posts in this thread, but here are some thoughts on the win against the Saints.

- No way should the Saints have been favored by 8. That was just downright disrespectful to the Vikings and not reflective of the objective differences between the two teams. The Vikings channeled that disrespect into a pretty solid overall performance and now I see the 49ers are favored by 7. Time to do it again to another team that is being over-hyped. I expect it to continue and I'm glad. The bookies are way off so far and that is a good thing for the Vikings.

- The offensive line played well. The 4th quarter performance wasn't great, but I thought the playcalling hurt them a lot. That, plus the fact that the blocking schemes were way off and they were letting Saint defenders run untouched into the backfield. But they pulled it together on that overtime drive and showed they can compete in critical situations. That is going to serve them well against the 49ers.

- Very impressed by Dalvin and Mattison. Both made a big difference in the game and prevented the Saints from teeing off against Cousins. I thought I saw Saints defensive linemen playing tentatively several times as they waited to see if the Vikings were running play action or handing it off. Great strategy. I hope the Vikings can duplicate it against the 49ers.

- Thought the Vikings WRs were a little uneven today. Some great catches and some missed opportunities. Diggs getting hot on the sideline is a good sign to me. I'd rather see that then him sulking or not caring. He got some opportunities later in the game and will get more against the 49ers. Rudolph against single coverage in the end zone is something that I don't think can be defended. Not sure how the Vikings can manufacture that matchup but if Cousins sees it that is where the ball needs to go.

- OK, I think it goes without saying that the defense was really good today. While they had a few miscues, the defensive line really got after things. Great against the run (other than Hill who was like Mr. Roboto) and got good pressure on Brees. Several big plays by guys the Vikings need to come up big. Really impressive. Even more than that was the strategy. Moving Hunter and Griffin inside on obvious passing downs? Fantastic! Saints didn't know what to do with that. 49ers will probably be more prepared for it but that was creative and effective.

- I have to say that Rhodes really impressed me today. He gave up some early plays, but then really tightened things up. Plus he stayed in after injuring his shoulder on a solid tackle. I thought the Vikings played well on the back end and there too I thought Zimmer did a good job mixing coverages and taking things away. It wasn't perfect, of course, but given that they were down some key players, that was a great job against a really good QB.

- Cousins. The guy everyone loves to criticize and who often deserves it came up HUGE in the most critical of situations and times. He played well for the most part. He had a few miscues, but made no obvious mistakes. But in overtime, with the pressure on, he made some bigtime throws. The doubts will still be there, but he showed he has it in him to step up. He can get it done when everything is on the line. What a great drive in overtime to just win the game and keep Brees on the sideline.

It won't be easy for this team the rest of the way out. They are apparently going to remain heavy underdogs against the 49ers, and while I don't necessarily expect them to go out to San Francisco and beat the 49ers, I am convinced they are being vastly undersold and disrespected and can beat the 49ers.

[J. Kapp 11]

Here's the BEST so far.

Cam Jordan asked after the game if there was a sense of disbelief the way this season ended: "With the talent we have put together on this team, we had — we have full belief in us. Even up to the last second, we figured the ref was going to come in and be a ref. It’s a joke."

All I can say is ... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Poor baby. Grow a pair like your dad and take the loss like a man. Enjoy your golf.

[Bowhunting Viking]

Here's the BEST so far.

Cam Jordan asked after the game if there was a sense of disbelief the way this season ended: "With the talent we have put together on this team, we had — we have full belief in us. Even up to the last second, we figured the ref was going to come in and be a ref. It’s a joke."

All I can say is ... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Poor baby. Grow a pair like your dad and take the loss like a man. Enjoy your golf.

Hey Cam, go back and get the copy of the Bountygate game, even ignore the absolute dirty play of the team you play for. Just watch the POS Pete Morelli crew and their performance, then think about your referee accusations. THAT.. Mr. Cam Jordan, was absolute referee screw job. Like others said... Karma baby. It's a real ####

[cmoss84]

With the exception of the soft defense late, the defense dominated. Brees and his minions were manhandled...pure and simple. Had a non-viking fan buddy who is a really good hs coach text me "Payton got outcoached by Zimmer." Feel good for Zimmer and Cousins .

If any of you have coached any sport...you will understand how passionate some people can get...and how much they just cannot control their emotions. Much rather have Rhodes and Diggs responses than no reaction at all.

Liked the double reverse throw call even if it didn't work. Keeps defenses honest and those plays work from time to time.

Who Dat?
Ain't Brees. Ain't Brady.

[VikingLord]

Here's the BEST so far.

Cam Jordan asked after the game if there was a sense of disbelief the way this season ended: "With the talent we have put together on this team, we had — we have full belief in us. Even up to the last second, we figured the ref was going to come in and be a ref. It’s a joke."

All I can say is ... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Poor baby. Grow a pair like your dad and take the loss like a man. Enjoy your golf.

I know this won't likely be popular on this board, but objectively I thought the refs could have called Rudolph for a push off on that play. When I consider whether a foul occurred I always ask myself what I would think if the situation were reversed and it was the Saints TE catching that ball and the Vikings defending it. I don't think it was blatant, and I agree with the non-call, mostly because the defender never attempted to look for the ball AND because I thought the Saints were getting away with a lot of defensive PI and holding throughout the game and the refs were letting that go. It would have been inconsistent for them to call the Vikings for offensive PI on that play when they were not calling the Saints for defensive PI all game and I think they knew it.

But the bigger point in response to Jordan's statement is that it never should come down to the refs. Even last year when the Saints played the Rams, Sean Peyton could have simply kept running the ball and draining the clock. He chose to call a pass play and when that was incomplete he effectively stopped the clock for the Rams. It was a bold call in a key situation, but it was also a reckless call and he required the refs to bail him out when it didn't work. They didn't, and that is that. It was a bad non-call in that situation, but I would claim he tempted fate with the decision to throw when he only needed to run.

Ditto in today's game against the Vikings. His defensive backs were holding, creating illegal contact downfield, and otherwise getting away with stuff all game, and then the Saints want an offensive PI on a play where the DB could easily have been called for defensive PI?

I don't think so.

To his credit, Peyton seemed to acknowledge as much after the game. He didn't seem upset at all at the non-call, so I tip my hat to him for that.

As for Cam Jordan and the Saints fans who felt jipped, well, there is always next year. Play better during the game, maybe don't believe your own hype before the game, and you probably won't need the refs to decide it in your favor.

[Barry]

I haven't looked for the stats yet, but I am interested in numbers relating to plays called.
It seemed that every running play to the left was a no gain or negative play, and to the right was positive yardage.
Where I was watching, we all noticed it in the first half and it continued into the second.

[Trkn10]

All I have to say is FU.. YES!!! A few posts ago I thought we would be jobbed by the refs. We didn't give them the opportunity though.
What a great game and for the first time the refs did not mess the game up. Do I think we can beat the 9'ers, yes! However, anything after this is just gravy. God damnit it feels good watching the replays of this game.
Now Zim, unleash the dogs of war!
Attack, Attack, Attack!

[kidfozzy.]

This defense was FANTASTIC! Can’t ask for better that’s not named Taysome Hill.
Cook ran with aggression, the same that we seen back in week 1.
Cousins knows his progression and it’s finally showing.

As for next game, my 49ers friends don’t even mind if MIN pulls the upset, they have mutual respect for underdogs. Either result, I like SF too, and if not us, I would love to see them at the Super Bowl; losing to the hands of the Ravens or Chiefs. SKOL!

[Maelstrom88]

Here's the BEST so far.

Cam Jordan asked after the game if there was a sense of disbelief the way this season ended: "With the talent we have put together on this team, we had — we have full belief in us. Even up to the last second, we figured the ref was going to come in and be a ref. It’s a joke."

All I can say is ... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Poor baby. Grow a pair like your dad and take the loss like a man. Enjoy your golf.

The Saints organization and fans complain more than the Pats when they lose and that's really saying something. It can't always be the refs. Eventually you have to admit maybe there is a reason Brees was left off the NFLs all century team. Stats aren't everything.. especially in today's NFL.

[808vikingsfan]

Listened to Diggs interview in the locker room. His frustration stemmed from the type of coverages he was getting. Nothing toward his teammates. That's what I thought. He is a team guy. I think he's happier when Thielen makes a play than when he does. I'm thinking he was also frustrated because he was getting mugged without a call on a few plays.

[CharVike]

I agree and I hope Zimmer has a serious talk with him about that (as in: "Don't pull that $#@* again.").

You guys are giving it your own narrative. He was frustrated, doesn't mean he was frustrated at his teammates of not getting the ball. Sometimes, its because of the coverage he is getting, or you not being able to beat a guy that is outplaying you. Him and Kirk were always on the sideline talking.

Kirk had to settle his lame $ss down. It's hard enough to keep our team in the game without having to hug some cry baby. Maybe Diggs needs to contribute something. I give Adam credit big time. He had a tough time early. But he didn't cry he want out there and made some plays. That deep route was a thing of beauty. That's a play that needed to be made and he made it. That's how a team player and winner contributes. Suck it up and make a big play. This other guy is looking for his own stats. That's a loser mentality and not a team player. Make a big time play. He should be helping out by volunteering to return punts and take it the distance. We need that. But that's below him. He's the star of the show in his mind. That's the only player I can complain about after this great game. Just a loser big time. I'm sure he was #### all the way back home. He's above the team.

[Bowhunting Viking]

Here's the BEST so far.

Cam Jordan asked after the game if there was a sense of disbelief the way this season ended: "With the talent we have put together on this team, we had — we have full belief in us. Even up to the last second, we figured the ref was going to come in and be a ref. It’s a joke."

All I can say is ... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Poor baby. Grow a pair like your dad and take the loss like a man. Enjoy your golf.

BTW... Did all you guys hear Cam Jordan earlier in the week on the Rich Eisen show when Rich asked him about Cook playing, and Jordan turned it around to rip on Cousins. Basically saying most of the time Cousins sucks and was glad they were playing him. Well I wonder how he is feeling about that today. Bet he isn't enjoying the outcome of playing that sucky QB this morning. Lol. But of course the reason they lost is cuz of the refs.. not the fact that our D kept their Super Offenses in check for most of the game and didn't let them score at will like they expected.
Sorry Cam, but you already had that game won in your mind and was ready to get ready for the next game.
Well, you will be ready for your next game, cause its next season so you have plenty of time to get ready now.