Even if they do make the playoffs it's unlikely they will go anywhere once there, and even if they somehow manage to play well early and do end up somewhere significant, I'm almost certain they will find a way to blow it as only the Vikings can.Cliff wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:40 pmDobbs had a terrible night, no question, but two of those picks hit the WRs in the hands if I recall. He had finally made pretty passes and the WRs couldn't catch them. Can't really put that on him.J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 28, 2023 1:09 pm
Well, last night's game against the Bears has shown me that the Vikings chances of making the playoffs with Dobbs as QB just sank like the Titanic. That was ugly. Four bad picks, panicky decisions, and inaccuracy helped the Bears get their first division in in 13 tries against our Vikings at US Bank Stadium.
If THAT version of Dobbs or anyone else is under center, this could easily turn into a 6-11 season that ends with a 7-game losing streak.
Anyway your main point stands, they won't make the playoffs if that version of Dobbs starts for the Vikings.
Once Kirk went out the chances of this turning into a special season went with him. Those chances were already small to begin with, but with so many other teams struggling with QB play and Kirk having a full year in KOC's system under his belt, there was a chance. Dobbs was never the answer. He was a hope and a prayer borne out of desperation. I personally like him and still hope he does well, but he's becoming "KOC-ified" now, defenses have plenty of tape on him with the Vikings, and he really does struggle with accuracy and timely decision-making. I thought that might be a result of his short amount of time with the team, but it seems like a real problem and is likely a reason, if not THE reason, he's bounced around the league so much. Sometimes people are too smart for their own good. They overthink and overanalyze which causes hesitation, and hesitation causes mistakes. Dobbs seems like that type of player and person. Kirk was super-conservative and risk-averse. Dobbs just doesn't trust what he sees and despite how smart he is, doesn't appear to be able to manipulate a defensive secondary very well or take advantage of tells and overly aggressive play in the secondary. Well, I shouldn't say that, because he was taking off and picking up key yards with his legs in the two wins when the defense gave him those opportunities. Now, not so much.
But the real problem with this team's chances of making the playoffs and winning is KOC. His offense lacks something. It might be the players, it might be the playcalling, it might be the failure to execute consistently, but as talented as the offense is, it doesn't seem like they scare anyone. Both Denver and Chicago played up and tight and were on top of everything short. I continue to wonder where the big plays over the top are for this offense. I watch other teams with less heralded players go over the top all the time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but they at least try it a few times per game. KOC's offense and mentality seem rooted in the same mindset that Zimmer had which is every game has to be close, every lead has to be protected rather than exploited - basically slow-and-steady-wins-the-race. Except when it doesn't because your players keep turning it over, dropping catchable balls, or committing inopportune penalties.
Anyway, this team as it stands isn't going anywhere last year's team hasn't already gone, which is, if it manages to make the playoffs at all, will be a first round loss. A close loss most likely, but a loss nonetheless. They'll have a middling first round draft position too, so the chances of getting a QB who might really improve their fortunes is dramatically lower. Not impossible, but not great. And then on top of that there is this ongoing belief that the Vikings aren't really all that far away, that the talent core is there to field a team that can compete for a Superbowl. This on a team with relatively inconsistent line play, spotty secondary play, and that will soon lack an established QB.
This might finally be the year to take the proverbial step backwards to try to take two forwards. The Bears are doing that. They are suffering right now, sure, but they might have the first two picks in the upcoming draft and are loading up on young, talented players on both sides of the ball. In another year or two if the Vikings don't do something substantial I fear we'll be looking up at them as the class of the NFC for several seasons. The Lions are already running away with the North this year. Green Bay is paying the price to try to establish a new QB. If the Vikings aren't willing to retrench a bit, they're going to be pulling up the rear in the North for several seasons to come.
