All Things 2024-25 Vikings Regular Season Thread

[GophersInIowa]

We’re running long developing routes against all our blitzes.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

I did wake up this morning and hedge that bet, which was actually my first ever experience hedging a bet. Didn't exactly make it a toss-up but it was still a pretty damn good return.

And of course, always fantastic to see the Packers lose in grand fashion!

Of course you did.

 

[kg21]

I don’t feel like the OL played that poorly. Detroit is blitzing. Either Darnold isn’t seeing guys or receivers aren’t winning 1 on 1s.

the offensive line was beaten like a drum.

 

[Ope3]

I did wake up this morning and hedge that bet, which was actually my first ever experience hedging a bet. Didn't exactly make it a toss-up but it was still a pretty damn good return.

And of course, always fantastic to see the Packers lose in grand fashion!

Good call.

 

[kg21]

We turned Detroit over twice, played good defense in the first half, and Detroit could get 38 points if they want too.

If we were to somehow beat the rams, we'd probably be headed back to Detroit. Oh Joy!

 

[Ope3]

I'd rather be in Tampa in a fortnight.

True, that would be better than Detroit or Philadelphia.

Also possible to host Washington if all 3 lower seeds win, which I realize is a longshot.

 

[cncmin]

Well, the Lions got away with being dirty punks. Again. Expected, at home, I guess. Still doesnt make it feel fair. Darnold looked lost all game. Either he wakes up and the Vikes bounce back or Darnaud is looking to halve his offseason value. Losses sometimes are necessary to get back to good ball…see Ohio State and how they similarly looked against Michigan, and now they are back. But this is MN sports we are talking about, so maybe best to forget hope.

I love how in their Detroits’ post-game highlights they can’t find any plays to show other than ones where they are grabbing jerseys and holding arms.

 

[Ope3]

Well, the Lions got away with being dirty punks. Again. Expected, at home, I guess. Still doesnt make it feel fair. Darnold looked lost all game. Either he wakes up and the Vikes bounce back or Darnaud is looking to halve his offseason value. Losses sometimes are necessary to get back to good ball…see Ohio State and how they similarly looked against Michigan, and now they are back. But this is MN sports we are talking about, so maybe best to forget hope.

I love how in their Detroits’ post-game highlights they can’t find any plays to show other than ones where they are grabbing jerseys and holding arms.

Excuses are for losers.

 

[kg21]

Excuses are for losers.

Saw the holding and grabbing on almost every single play.

I have no idea what pass interference is anymore.

Just the facts

 

[From the Parkinglot]

It can’t be both?

No. There were passes to be completed and Sam flat out missed them. Vikings could have been up at the half with a semi competent Sam, but it was not to be.

 

[Ope3]

So for the first time in my lifetime, and I was born in the 60s, the Minnesota Vikings have now lost to the Detroit Lions 5 consecutive games.

It didn't happen under any or partially in the Bud Grant (X2), Les Steckel, Jerry Burns, Denny Green, Mike Tice, Brad Childress, Les Frazier or Mike Zimmer regimes.

The fact it happened with Kevin O'Connell as HC is amazing, especially since he engineered 13 & 14 win campaigns in 2 of his 3 seasons in Minnesota.

I'll be damned.

Roar.

 

[cncmin]

Excuses are for losers.

You’re right. It’s the Vikings’ fault they didnt sell the penalties harder. Or dive at their knees. Maybe next time.

 

[From the Parkinglot]

Any update of charges being brought against the Wilf’s for buying tickets and making Vikings fans watch this game in person. Gotta be something like abuse or some sort of mental anguish thing.

 

[Ope3]

Saw the holding and grabbing on almost every single play.

I have no idea what pass interference is anymore.

Just the facts

It was a butt whipping. The Lions won just as they have the 4 previous encounters.

 

[Ope3]

You’re right. It’s the Vikings’ fault they didnt sell the penalties harder. Or dive at their knees. Maybe next time.

Keep telling yourself that if it brings you any solace.

 

[gopher7]

We’re running long developing routes against all our blitzes.

This is the story of the game. If our offensive has a weakenss it's pass protections. Detroit did everything they could to exploit this, and they did by getting all kinds of pressure on Darnold, and we consistently responded with... long-developing passing plays. We just kept sending Darnold back into the pocket and let him get hammered and rushed. We seemed completely unprepared for how to counter this this. I'm glad it happened now though, so hopefully we can figure it out if we play again.

 

[cncmin]

Keep telling yourself that if it brings you any solace.

No, I’m saying if they cheat, then we should too. No excuses. Need to cheat to win, so do it.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Saw the holding and grabbing on almost every single play.

I have no idea what pass interference is anymore.

Just the facts

This is correct, but Darnold was overthrowing everything in the 1st half. The Vikings should've been up by 2 or 3 scores with the ball to start the 3rd quarter. That takes Gibbs' running out of the equation.

Then, the O-line completely failed in the 2nd half, and KOC didn't adjust the gameplan.

KOC probably saw on film that the Lions could be easily had by throwing. He was right, but Darnold completely failed him in the first half.

The Vikings are soft in the middle of both lines. They won't go far because playoff football requires bully football to succeed. Can you stop the run, and can you run through someone when required? The Vikings can't do either.

When the season ends, the middle of both lines need significant upgrades to succeed next season.

Keeping Darnold will depend on how he does in the playoffs, but I'd much rather let him go, improve the interiors of bothe lines, and then draft a CB or explosive RB.

Could you imagine how dynamic this offense would be with a good interior O-line and Ashton Jeanty running behind it?

 

[Ope3]

No, I’m saying if they cheat, then we should too. No excuses. Need to cheat to win, so do it.

Or when the Vikings have the ball inside the 10 yd line on 3 possessions, run 11 offensive plays, find a way to score more than 3 points.

 

[cncmin]

Or when the Vikings have the ball inside the 10 yd line on 3 possessions, run 11 offensive plays, find a way to score more than 3 points.

ESPN appears to be concentrating on this and Darnaud’s bad performance, rather than the obligatory “see the score, it was never close!” schtick they usually pull.

 

[TruthSeeker]

ESPN appears to be concentrating on this and Darnaud’s bad performance, rather than the obligatory “see the score, it was never close!” schtick they usually pull.

 

[TruthSeeker]

One final note. Reichard cannot be let off of the hook. I don't know if he's still hurt or if he's a headcase, but he's a complete liability now.

He and the punter need to be considered for replacement next season.

If only Parker Romo was still available.

 

[gopher7]

This is correct, but Darnold was overthrowing everything in the 1st half.

It's pretty hard to be critical of KOC at all, but he seemed oblivious to Darnold's struggles tonight. KOC should have dialed things back with more runs and short/quick passes to get Darnold into a better rhythm, but he just kept dialing up more long pass plays. It's like telling a batter who having trouble making contact to just swing harder.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

We win even when we lose

x.com

x.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

One final note. Reichard cannot be let off of the hook. I don't know if he's still hurt or if he's a headcase, but he's a complete liability now.

3 of 4 last night; 24/30 for the season and he was hurt for at least two misses IIRC.

He and the punter need to be considered for replacement next season.

The punter averaged 51.7 on three punts last night, so ?

Possibly some additional seeking is warranted

If only Parker Romo was still available.

 

[golf]

Darnold's agent had to have thrown up in his mouth a little after the game last night.
Glass half full: Darnold bounced back after the Jacksonville game. So that precedent gives hope going forward in the playoffs?

Frustrating thing is Lions played far from their best tonight as well. The opportunity for us to win was definitely present.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Darnold's agent had to have thrown up in his mouth a little after the game last night.
Glass half full: Darnold bounced back after the Jacksonville game. So that precedent gives hope going forward in the playoffs?

Frustrating thing is Lions played far from their best tonight as well. The opportunity for us to win was definitely present.

The third time’s the charm

 

[GophersInIowa]

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

As bad as Darnold and the O-line was, KOC's play calling was worse. The offensive game plan wasn't working and there was zero adjustments to what Detroit's D was doing.

 

[kg21]

It was a butt whipping. The Lions won just as they have the 4 previous encounters.

Correct, but the holding on routes was a thing of beauty.

The Patriots used to do this against Peyton Manning. Hey, they will call a couple but won't on every play.

The Vikings should try it.