Well, that was a brutal game. I suppose that when two teams enter a game with a combined 1-10 record expectations are low. Well, I think that this failed to meet those expectations. The Minnesota Vikings are now 1-5 after a miserable 23-7 loss to the now 1-6 New York Giants.
The Josh Freeman era didn't start very well. It looked like it might have started too soon. Freeman didn't seem to be on the same page with his receivers. He didn't seem terribly comfortable with the offense.
The offensive line didn't do Freeman too many favors. He dropped back to pass over fifty times. He ended up picking himself up off of the ground on well over half of those. The offensive line didn't do anything for Adrian Peterson either. He was met by Giants in the backfield on nearly every carry. 13 carries 28 yards. Basically, the offensive line had a whole bunch of problems. That has to get fixed. This line has been playing together for over a year. They are better than this.
Last week the Carolina Panthers took their first drive on a nine and a half minute journey. Last night the New York Giants kept their opening drive for about as long. At least they only gave up a field goal after that long drive last night.
The Vikings defense has to get off of the field on third down.
Outside of that first, very long drive, the defense actually did a decent job. It was better than they've played in most of their first five games.
Marcus Sherels was a hero early when he took a punt back 86 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-3 lead. Then he went from goat to bigger goat on a two play sequence in the third quarter. First, he dropped an easy interception and likely touchdown. At least, he forced a Giants punt. On his return of that punt, he fumbled. The Giants recovered inside the Vikings 2-yard line. Easy touchdown and a 17-7 Giants lead. That was a likely 14-point swing.
Twice the Vikings special teams set the offense up nicely. Long snapper Cullen Loeffler recovered a fumble on a punt return near the Giants 30-yard line. The Vikings offense did nothing and Blair Walsh missed his first career field goal of over 50 yards. Then Cordarrelle Patterson had a terrific kick return to near the Giants 30-yard line. Sounds familiar. The Vikings did nothing and rather than attempt a long field goal, they punted. Very sad.
Three times, at the end of the game, Freeman led the Vikings on drives into Giants territory. All three ended on failed 4th down attempts. I'm not sure if that's promising or not but it's something.
I don't think that announcer Mike Tirico cares much for the Vikings. He hacked up the call on many of the Vikings players. Like he didn't care or wasn't paying attention. Maybe it was just the pathetic game that he was watching. He still has a job to do. He even referred to Vikings receiver Greg Jennings as ex-Vikings receiver. Who does that?
Despite the terrible game, I think that Freeman will get it together. He's got the talent. He just needs to get on the same page with the receivers. He can stretch the field. Play action with Peterson should be dominating. He and the offense left a lot of room for improvement.
Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night. The Vikings have to put this Giants game in the trash and leave it in New Jersey. Never to return to that level of play again.
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