Moving on up...
The Vikings defense is now rated fourth in the NFL, behind the top-ranked Chicago Bears, the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins.
But with a flurry of turnovers the last two games (11), the Vikings are now third in takeaways, behind the Bears and Ravens.
With three games left, though, the Vikings will have a tough time catching at least the Bears. Not only do they play tonight, against the St. Louis Rams, they already have 39 takeaways, including a remarkable 18 fumble recoveries.
Also, in spite of turnovers by the offense that have directly resulted in touchdowns, the Vikings allow the ninth-fewest points per game in the NFL.
But with a flurry of turnovers the last two games (11), the Vikings are now third in takeaways, behind the Bears and Ravens.
With three games left, though, the Vikings will have a tough time catching at least the Bears. Not only do they play tonight, against the St. Louis Rams, they already have 39 takeaways, including a remarkable 18 fumble recoveries.
Also, in spite of turnovers by the offense that have directly resulted in touchdowns, the Vikings allow the ninth-fewest points per game in the NFL.
posted by Unknown at 10:35 AM
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Miscellaneous thoughts:
Brad / Brad saga: Sunday’s win is not likely to lessen the year long criticism of Childress’ conservatism and Johnson’s ineffectiveness. One thing I have puzzled over all year is a chicken or egg, cause and effect question between these two. Is Johnson ineffective because of conservative play calling? Is the play calling conservative because of Johnson’s ineffectiveness? Sunday’s events revealed a partial answer. At the beginning of the game, the play calling was unpredictable and balanced … some first down passes, passes on 2nd and short, etc. and it was effective as our offense marched smartly. Then, one horrible play by Johnson and suddenly the play calling reverts to run, run, check down. This tells me that Childress doesn’t trust Johnson, and that is a primary reason for the play calling. The 2nd half “play not to lose” theory of run, run, check down almost backfired. There was a lot of locker room comments about “killer instinct” and “we have to learn to put teams away”. Passivity rather than aggressiveness is the problem.
Red zone: Were we four for six? That is certainly an improvement. It appears that if the defense will allow us to pound it in, we will be successful. If the defense stops the run??? Out of these six possessions and twenty or so plays, how many “shots” into the end zone did we attempt? Zilch. Again, lack of trust in Johnson is implied.
Weekly team defensive stats: Vikes have moved to 4th overall in total defense, 4th in third down defense, 5th in defensive QB ratings against, 8th in avg yards per pass play. The 26th rank in overall pass defense based solely on the yards gained continues to be completely misleading.
Weekly team offensive stats: Johnson is 28th ranked QB. Team is 29th on third down conversions.
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