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A number of Minnesota followers are searching for a powerful bounce again recreation from Kevin O’Connell’s squad. Dallas marched into U.S. Financial institution Stadium and left with a 40-3 victory. It was a humbling defeat, one which has sown seeds of doubt into our collective purple thoughts. A Vikings loss on Thanksgiving would appear to additional reinforce the notion that the crew isn’t worthy of its stellar document.
In latest video games, Minnesota has proven some weaknesses. The offensive line has struggled to decelerate proficient defensive fronts. The beleaguered secondary has struggled to totally corral the opposition’s go catchers. The run protection has typically been absent, and the dedication to working the soccer has typically been missing.
If we shrink issues down to only the latest recreation, we will see some extra motive for concern, consternation, and catastrophizing. Check out a number of the numbers for the Cowboys:
- 40 factors
- 12/17 on third down
- 458 whole yards
- 307 passing yards
- 7 sacks
- 37:24 time of possession
In different phrases, issues acquired ugly. Doesn’t a Vikings loss on Thanksgiving night time merely reinforce that Minnesota is in over its head?
Under no circumstances.
In reality, I’m amongst those that imagine that some midseason wrestle will be productive. Earlier within the week, Cole Smith wrote a bit for PurplePTSD detailing why he thinks the timing of the Cowboys loss may need “come at the right time.” He sees a possibility following the upcoming recreation:
Fortuitously, the Vikings will obtain a mini-bye week following their Thanksgiving bout with the Patriots. It will permit the crew to get wholesome and get a few of their key contributors again. Their absences value the Vikings towards the Cowboys and nearly value them towards the Payments. If they’ll get wholesome after the bye week, they are going to nonetheless area a largely wholesome roster heading into December.
Certainly, the power to go right into a mini-bye is an efficient factor. Ideally, the gamers can step away for a number of days, taking time for his or her households and pals. A number of the crew’s injured gamers – Christian Darrisaw foremost amongst them – can hopefully get again to 100%.
Moreover, the teaching workers ought to profit from the additional days off. Whether or not they’re 9-2 or 8-3, the Vikings shall be within the driver’s seat for the NFC North. That’s Objective #1 heading into the season. Successful the division secures a minimum of one dwelling playoff recreation, a notable benefit after the gruelling common season.
The Vikings’ schedule will get simpler after this recreation. The remaining opponents are as follows: the Jets, Lions, Colts, Giants, Packers, and Bears. That record of 6 groups doesn’t encourage a ton of worry. After all, wins aren’t a assure, and but the very fact stays {that a} 3-game stretch involving the Payments, Cowboys, Patriots appears to be like significantly extra daunting than one with the Jets, Lions, and Colts. Ditto for the ultimate trio of video games.
With all that being mentioned, we circle again to the article’s primary matter. A Vikings loss on Thanksgiving isn’t the top of the world. The crew would wish to recommit to discovering methods to win and would wish to infuse their preparation with additional urgency. Clearly, it’d be a lot better if they may pursue future success as a crew that stands at 9-2, however an 8-3 document is nothing to be ashamed of.
The trail to securing the primary division title since 2017 stays vast open. Dropping tonight’s recreation gained’t change that actuality, so let’s not get too far forward of ourselves if Minnesota stumbles.
Editor’s Observe: Data from Professional Soccer Reference and NFL.com helped with this piece.
