Souhan: One position defines Vikings, Packers, Gophers, and it's not quarterback

[BleedGopher]

Per Souhan:

Three football teams dominate conversations in the Twin Cities: the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Gophers.

The Vikings are 5-1. The Packers are 3-4, having lost consecutive games to the Giants, Jets and Commanders. The Gophers, after being dismantled by Penn State on Saturday, are 4-3, 1-3 in the Big Ten, riding a three-game losing streak and tied for last in the West Division.

There is a position that has played a key role in the relative fates of these three teams, and it's not quarterback. It's one of the most pivotal roles in modern football — No. 1 receiver.

This season, the Gophers are 3-0 when top receiver Chris Autman-Bell plays and 1-3 when he doesn't. It's true that Autman-Bell played in nonconference games against weak opponents. It's also true that he may have produced the Dungy effect in one or two of the Gophers' losses, either making big plays or commanding double teams that opened space for a teammate's approach.

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Go Gophers!!

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Per Souhan:

Three football teams dominate conversations in the Twin Cities: the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Gophers.

The Vikings are 5-1. The Packers are 3-4, having lost consecutive games to the Giants, Jets and Commanders. The Gophers, after being dismantled by Penn State on Saturday, are 4-3, 1-3 in the Big Ten, riding a three-game losing streak and tied for last in the West Division.

There is a position that has played a key role in the relative fates of these three teams, and it's not quarterback. It's one of the most pivotal roles in modern football — No. 1 receiver.

This season, the Gophers are 3-0 when top receiver Chris Autman-Bell plays and 1-3 when he doesn't. It's true that Autman-Bell played in nonconference games against weak opponents. It's also true that he may have produced the Dungy effect in one or two of the Gophers' losses, either making big plays or commanding double teams that opened space for a teammate's approach.

Star Tribune

Your source for Minnesota news today. Read articles, view photos or watch videos about news in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, and beyond.

m.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

I thought it was gonna be about the HC

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

The Packers play as well against east coast teams as the Twins do!

 

[Word]

The Packers play as well against east coast teams as the Twins do!

The Twins were 14-13 last year against east coast teams. Are the Packers 0.500 against the east coast?

 

[MNVCGUY]

Dang....don't like being on the same wavelength as Souhan....ever....but was going to put something about the Packers in one of the WR threads because you can see what the lack of a true #1 receiver has done to that offense. They have one of the best QBs to ever play the game and they are really really struggling on offense.

Doesn't really matter how great your QB is if nobody can get open on a regular basis.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

And here I thought he was going to go with "shitty, also-ran columnist" for that commonality