Vikings’ Struggles Match Up To Bucs’
October 21st, 2014
A wise ass might say that since the Vikings’ defense has been so bad on 3rd-and-long this season (and 4th-and-long), they’re a great Sunday matchup for Tampa Bay, which finds itself in 3rd-and-long quite often.
Yes, the Minnesota defense has been very solid but has folded at key moments.
The Star-Tribune penned a really good piece looking at the Vikings’ struggles defensively, though they are in the upper half of the NFL in many defensive stats, including 13th in yards allowed. (Imagine that with a first-year defensive head coach using a brand new scheme!)
But in this instance, the one in question is the most recent one — the 17-16 loss to the Bills, the one that still had the Vikings shaking their heads 24 hours later.
Buffalo’s two long-distance conversions, including their game-saving completion on Fourth-and-Forever, on the game’s final drive are the most glaring instances of the Vikings not finding a way to finish a defensive stand and get off the field in a pivotal spot. And in the aftermath of the spectacular come-from-ahead loss, those struggles have put the spotlight on a trend that has carried on throughout the 2014 season.
Thirty-three times the Vikings have put their opponents in the unfavorable position of needing to pick up 10 or more yards on third or fourth down to move the chains. And on exactly one third of those plays, their opponents converted and kept a drive alive, many of those drives ended with scores.
“That’s kind of been the Achilles’ heel,” [Mike] Zimmer said.
Yes, the Bucs will have a game on their hands Sunday. The Vikings are no pushover. Like most teams with first-year head coaches, the Vikings (2-4) are battling, but they have been blown out twice this season (New England and Green Bay).
Joe has no clue how the Bucs might respond Sunday. The only solid indicator is that they bounced back extremely well in Pittsburgh after the seal-clubbing at the hands of Atlanta. One can hope an historic beating by Baltimore will drive the same kind of focus and heart.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Will be interesting to see how our QB of the future will respond to their defense.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Nothing cures an opponents offense better than a date with the Bucs defense!
October 21st, 2014 at 3:31 pm
I thought we were going for the worst defense in the 95 year history of the NFL.
to me that does not match up to anything. It makes history which means there is no comparison. absolute worst. guiness book of world records.
the should change there helmets to brown bag colors and name them mean machine
October 21st, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Bowers – 2 game PED suspension. There goes our pass rush lol
October 21st, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Bet we see Bowers cut by the end of the week
October 21st, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Just saw that Bowers has been suspended for PED.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:48 pm
How is it you take ped’s and still suck? Wow.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:56 pm
The Vickings will set franchise records Sunday always seems to happen under these circumstances. Whose replacing Bowers now? That’s just ridiculous the Bucs should just wash there hands of him.
October 21st, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Wait so Bowers was on the juice and he was that bad? how bad would he be clean?
October 21st, 2014 at 3:59 pm
At least we have Holiday now! the extra 2.4 pards per KR and the one of worse PR stats in the league are worth throwing our developmental players under the bus. Did Eric Page pee in your Wheaties Lovie Smith. Give the man a chance.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Can we trade Bowers now? Guess that’s out the window.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:04 pm
iPad hatred.
Robert9 might feel ha actually has a chance for a date with a Buc finally.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:05 pm
@blackmagic00 That’s easy. It’s because of bad coaching! He’s been a pro bowler ever since Schiano drafted him, but he isn’t able to perform because our coaching staff sucks from top to bottom!
October 21st, 2014 at 4:06 pm
If the Vikings come in our house and beat us. There will be a full blown mutiny.
Sheridan better be in front of One Suc Place handing out sodas to the “chirping fans”.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:12 pm
they have been reporting all night Holiday signing what is taking so long for the announcement? Bucs front office want Page but Lovie wont have it.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:25 pm
No home wins after three home games is just dismal. Where is the home teams home team advantage? The next three home games are Vikings, Falcons, and Bengals. The Falcons QB will probably toast the Bucs D backs, the Bengals will probably return to early season form and bite the Bucs hard. The upcoming Vikes look like the easier of those home games. Man, I have to put this schedule down, the home and away next six so so teams look better than the Bucs. The last four look like wipeouts of the Bucs. Home team advantage, it’s hard to find any advantage anywhere on this schedule. Damn that’s depressing! Unless of course you want a top three draft pick.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Any sliver of hope is welcomed. This is the easiest game of the next three. Time to win.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:51 pm
It is a real shame that it coms down to every year we must look at the schedule to see who should be a cake walk just to get a win.
October 21st, 2014 at 4:53 pm
With bowers out for 2 games. Micheal Sam was just let go by the Cowboys… We do need a pass rusher.
October 22nd, 2014 at 7:24 pm
1.
Michael Sam is very under sized but the guy can get to the Qb. If the right scheme is placed.
2. We should’ve cut Bowers the second he got suspended. Wasted talent. ” We SUCK Again!