Bears-Vikings

Well, that was a terrible end to a disappointing season.

The Chicago Bears ended the Minnesota Vikings' season with a 24-10 win.

The game was a tuneup for the Bears before they entered the postseason. Their spot in the playoffs was set. The game didn't have much importance to the Bears. It was a must-win for the Vikings to get into the playoffs. The Bears played like the team that needed to win. The Vikings played like the team that wasn't playing for much.

The Vikings came out with so little apparent energy. It looked like they played on both sides of the ball as if they were going to be ushered into the playoffs. So, why bother showing up? Why play the game? The offense went three-and-out on their first four possessions. They trotted onto the field. After three ho-hum plays they trotted off the field. They did that four times. Four. They ran six plays on their fifth possession. Each failed offensive attempt was more painful to watch than the last. The defense seemed much more engaged. They did make some stops. The Bears punted three times in the first half. They also scored two touchdowns. Despite some stops the defense didn't appear to be playing with much energy. It was more than the offense but not enough more.

The Vikings didn't look like they were playing a must-win game. That's what made it so damn frustrating. It'd be easier to take if the Vikings played their asses off but the Bears played better. I can accept a season ending like that. I wouldn't like it one bit but I could accept it. This effort, this game, and this season has to sit with Vikings for an entire offseason. They were blown out in the NFC Championship game last year. That ending must've produced a painful offseason. This one better feel worse. It sure feels a whole lot worse to this Vikings fan. And I'm not even 24 hours into it.

As much as I shouldn't, I can't help but think about the Week 2 tie with the Green Bay Packers. Rookie kicker Daniel Carlson missed two field goals in overtime. The second one was shorter than an extra point attempt. Carlson was released the next day. I thought that reaction was a bit harsh until I considered the possibility that those misses could end up keeping the Vikings out of the playoffs. Those misses did keep the them out of the playoffs. They'd be in and the Philadelphia Eagles would be out if Carlson had made one of those overtime kicks. But I shouldn't think about that now.

I shouldn't think about this woulda/coulda nonsense because the Vikings haven't played like a playoff team. They have playoff talent, even Super Bowl talent, but they haven't played like a playoff team. They have an offseason to figure out how to do that. Here's a start:

Vikings Offseason Priority #1: Fix the offensive line

Vikings Offseason Priority #2: Fix the offensive line

Vikings Offseason Priority #3: Fix the offensive line

As frustrated as I am with this team right now, I miss them already.