***Official 2020 Minnesota Vikings season thread***

[punkoholic]

Originally Posted by lambeauleap87

I am really surprised at how bad Elflein ended up being at the NFL level. Same with Billy Price in Cincy. Two of the best interior linemen I've ever seen at Ohio State.

And wasn't Elflein good in his 1st year? Then proceeded to suck soon after.

[CC_123]

Really fun win last night. It wasn't without some errors, but winning at Soldier Field, where we never win regardless of how good we are, was fun to see! The defense is starting to play with a little swagger and a lot of young guys are stepping up! Cousins was solid last night too, especially on third down. Now we sit at 4-5 with Dallas, Carolina, and Jacksonville as the next three games before we face Brady. It COULD get interesting.

[codered]

Crazy to think that if we had better play calling at the end of games (Seattle/Tennessee) we could be 6-3 but even at 4-5 with a softer schedule coming up I love the glimmer of hope at the last WC spot. We should be favoured in 5 of the last 7 games and if we can possibly upset Tampa or NO we actually have a surprisingly decent shot a WC spot. I’m just happy with how well we have turned things around to be completely honest. Skol

[AllDay2k]

Originally Posted by CC_123

Really fun win last night. It wasn't without some errors, but winning at Soldier Field, where we never win regardless of how good we are, was fun to see! The defense is starting to play with a little swagger and a lot of young guys are stepping up! Cousins was solid last night too, especially on third down. Now we sit at 4-5 with Dallas, Carolina, and Jacksonville as the next three games before we face Brady. It COULD get interesting.

Agreed. It's sad however watching opposing quarterbacks sit back in a clean pocket unless the Vikings bring somewhat of a blitz. Really miss that defensive line we had the last few seasons. But some defensive players have stepped up! Wilson for sure, and then I feel like Gladney has been showing some promise. Fun to watch a young team but man do I miss being excited to watch the other team be on offense.

[dstwinsfan]

Originally Posted by AllDay2k

Agreed. It's sad however watching opposing quarterbacks sit back in a clean pocket unless the Vikings bring somewhat of a blitz. Really miss that defensive line we had the last few seasons. But some defensive players have stepped up! Wilson for sure, and then I feel like Gladney has been showing some promise. Fun to watch a young team but man do I miss being excited to watch the other team be on offense.

Speaking of Wilson, I don’t know what the cap hit would be if we cut Barr at the end of the year, but if it’s little, do you think Barr is gone? The cap may be going down so I think there may be a chance

[CC_123]

Originally Posted by dstwinsfan

Speaking of Wilson, I don’t know what the cap hit would be if we cut Barr at the end of the year, but if it’s little, do you think Barr is gone? The cap may be going down so I think there may be a chance

From what I am seeing, Barr would be a 7.8 million in dead cap and a 15.5 million cap hit. I can't see them letting Barr go, honestly. Wilson has played incredibly well, but is set to be an UFA this upcoming offseason, where he will likely get a nice little payday. I would love if we could roll out next years linebackers with Barr/Kendricks/Wilson, but I am guessing that won't really be plausible.

[CC_123]

Originally Posted by AllDay2k

Agreed. It's sad however watching opposing quarterbacks sit back in a clean pocket unless the Vikings bring somewhat of a blitz. Really miss that defensive line we had the last few seasons. But some defensive players have stepped up! Wilson for sure, and then I feel like Gladney has been showing some promise. Fun to watch a young team but man do I miss being excited to watch the other team be on offense.

Not having Hunter and Pierce is what has affected our ability to get to the quarterback, but we have adjusted well and have started to find different ways to put pressure on the QB, which is nice to see.

[DontToewsMeBro]

The problem with what the Vikings are doing right now is that fans are being bamboozled and conned again by Kirk Cousin's mediocrity. AGAIN!

Even if the Vikings make the playoffs they are not remotely close to being a Superbowl team and NEVER will be with Cousins.

They would have been better off shutting down Dalvin Cook for the year saving the wear-and-tear on him and tanking.

All this season is doing is extending the misery for years to come.

[DontToewsMeBro]

Still can't believe the Vikes lost to Dallas last week.

With Thielen on IR (covid) it'll be all Cook all Day if the Vikes want to win.

Might be nice to see Rudolph step up in Thielen's absence.

Jefferson will be in tough as he'll get double-teamed all game.

Ezra Cleveland and Irv Smith both out hurts too.

If Cook isn't lights out it may be rough for the Vikes counting on Cousins to win anything

[DontToewsMeBro]

And now the Vikes are finding all new ways to lose

Two fumbles (Cousins and Cook) and two Panthers def TD's in 10 seconds?!?!?!

I've never seen such a sad display by any pro football team ever

[ItsMeJordanD]

Two fumbles returned for touchdowns against us AND (arguably) our best player getting injured in the span of about 5 minutes...

[punkoholic]

What a miracle. They won and striking distance for a playoff spot.

[CC_123]

It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but I am glad we were finally on the winning side of a close game! Cousins was fantastic on that final drive, dropping dimes every throw! Beebe redeemed his muffed punt with that game winning TD as well. The defense was actually really solid. Only gave up 13 points today.

[oldgoldy97]

Pick 17. Just guessing.

[DontToewsMeBro]

I cannot believe the Vikings won that dumpster fire of a game

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by CC_123

It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but I am glad we were finally on the winning side of a close game! Cousins was fantastic on that final drive, dropping dimes every throw! Beebe redeemed his muffed punt with that game winning TD as well. The defense was actually really solid. Only gave up 13 points today.

I’d argue for 10 points since the muffed punt basically gave them FG position

[Hollywood42]

A win's a win... lol. Defense still has a lot of work to do. Cousins was solid again, and big games from Cook and Jefferson helped. Also got Thielen involved too with 75 yards and a TD

And suddenly we're in playoff position. Quite the turnaround from a 1-5 start, clawing back to 6-6 now. I don't have any illusions that we'll do anything at all if we do hang on and make the playoffs, but if nothing else we're continuing to trend in the right direction, and if we can add some defensive pieces this offseason, we could be solid next year

[shaner1]

That was ugly for sure...but I'll take the W. I agree, we're not going anywhere in the playoffs, but it would still be better to see a playoff game than not.
Seems there are only about 3-4 seriously good teams that can contend in the NFL right now, and a whole lot of bad ones.

[LeonfromNC]

We had no business losing that Dallas game. We should be 7-5 and on a 6 game win streak.

Kirk Cousins puts up numbers but he is also the reason why we lose games and are always in nail biters every week.

Oh and our defense can’t stop anyone.

[2010GBPackers]

I would not want to play the Vikings in the playoffs if I'm in the NFC looking to get to the SB. They're going to be a tough out. *fingers crossed the Packers don't have to play you guys*

[LeonfromNC]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I would not want to play the Vikings in the playoffs if I'm in the NFC looking to get to the SB. They're going to be a tough out. *fingers crossed the Packers don't have to play you guys*

Agreed, but at least you guys have Discount Double Check playing QB while we have Captain Turnover.

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

I cannot believe the Vikings won that dumpster fire of a game

Had to check the posting date for this one....still accurate though

[DontToewsMeBro]

Kirk Cousins is mediocre at best.

He has flashes of brilliance but that is an illusion.

He has parlayed mediocrity into $$$millions. Good for him.

He still, and always will, make horrible errors every game. Look at the pick-6 at the start of 3rd Q yesterday. Terrible decision to throw that ball and way off target.

He will inevitably sink the Vikings boat (pun intended)

They will NEVER win the SB with Cousins at the helm.

As for the rest of the team?

Defence? Terrible right now - missing Kendricks, Barr, Gedeon, Hunter, Pierce all on defence has really hurt this year - plus have all those rookies at DB has been rough even though some of them (Dantzler, Boyd) have been improving

[codered]

If you told me during the bye week that we would be heading into week 14 in the last playoff spot I’d never ever believe it. We were a really bad football team the first 5-6 games of the season. Like it was really hard to watch games kind of bad. Thankfully we have turned things around a bit and are headed in the right direction. Funny thing is we could easily be 9-3 (Dallas, Tennessee and Seattle were all games we gave away in the final two minutes) or 4-8 lol. I agree we don’t have a super bowl run in us but we can definitely ruin somebody’s season lol all things consider we have had a good season thus far

[CC_123]

Originally Posted by LeonfromNC

Agreed, but at least you guys have Discount Double Check playing QB while we have Captain Turnover.

Since November, Cousins has been phenomenal. He can't help when he gets blind-sided in .2 second and fumbles. That happens to every QB if they don't get protected. Yesterday's INT was really on Cousins (it wasn't a great throw) because Dalvin didn't turn his head breaking from his route.

Since November, Cousins has 15 TD's and 2 INT's, while the Vikings have went 5-1 during that stretch. Cousins also has three go-ahead TD's in the 4th quarter this year that the defense ended up costing us the win down the stretch, while still having three GWD's. He isn't the best QB in the league, but 26 TD's to 12 INT's is pretty damn good with 4 games still to go. I'm not saying he is better than Rodgers, because clearly he isn't and everyone knows that, but the Vikings are capable of winning with Cousins, as we have shown. We should realistically be 8-4 or 9-3 but the defense gave up last second leads against Tennessee, Seattle, and Dallas which is why we are 6-6.

Originally Posted by DontToewsMeBro

Kirk Cousins is mediocre at best.

He has flashes of brilliance but that is an illusion.

He has parlayed mediocrity into $$$millions. Good for him.

He still, and always will, make horrible errors every game. Look at the pick-6 at the start of 3rd Q yesterday. Terrible decision to throw that ball and way off target.

He will inevitably sink the Vikings boat (pun intended)

They will NEVER win the SB with Cousins at the helm.

As for the rest of the team?

Defence? Terrible right now - missing Kendricks, Barr, Gedeon, Hunter, Pierce all on defence has really hurt this year - plus have all those rookies at DB has been rough even though some of them (Dantzler, Boyd) have been improving

Do you ever get sick of complaining about everything? He threw an INT yesterday that went for 6, but to put the sole blame on him is ridiculous. Dalvin didn't even turn his head and look when he broke into his route. Saying Cousins is mediocre is ridiculous. He is solid, but everyone loves to blame him for everything. Again, he had three go-ahead TD passes in the 4th quarter this year that then the defense gave back the lead. He has 3 game winning drives this season (but again, that could very well be 6 GWD without the defenses blunders). He started off incredibly slow this year and had a pretty brutal September, but he has been fantastic the last 6 weeks. And what QB has won a Super Bowl for the Vikings? Tarkenton? Cunningham? Culpepper? Favre? Cousins is better than the current alternative and will be better than anything the Vikings could draft next year or sign in free agency.

You want to go ahead and say the defense is terrible, but they have been very good overall (aside from the Dallas game) since the bye week. And that is with backups and third stringers in there, guys we are signing off the streets to throw in there that week, etc. What Zimmer has done with this defense that is filled with super glue and flex seal tape is impressive. Every week we have new players on the field that have hardly played this year because of necessity. The fact that the defense has played as solid as it has without Hunter, Barr, Pierce, Hughes is a testament to how good of a coach Zimmer actually is defensively. Now, we DO need to get better pressure on the QB's. We haven't gotten any good push this year without bringing the blitz, but again, that goes back to no Hunter, Pierce, Barr on the defense.

If we can take anything from this season it is the experience our youthful defense is getting. A completely healthy Vikings defense in 2021 could be downright scary.