Joseph had made his first three field goals as the Vikings kicker. All were from at least 50 yards. One might wonder if the Vikings would’ve been better off if the offense had stopped gaining yards once they hit the Cardinals 36-yard line on Adam Thielen’s catch and run. Instead of Joseph lining up for a fourth 50+-yarder, Kirk Cousins made things easier for his kicker. He completed a couple clutch throws to K.J. Osborn to get to a beautiful spot for a field goal attempt at the Cardinals 19-yard line. It was supposed to be a gimme. It wasn’t. It’s been a while since a field goal was a gimme for the Vikings.
The Vikings start the 2021 season at 0-2.
Last week, the Vikings played terrible against the Cincinnati Bengals and still could’ve/should’ve won in overtime. This week, the Vikings played much better against a very talented Cardinals team and had a wonderful chance to win. It makes for an 0-2 start. This team feels better than winless but they’re still 0-2. The unyielding simplicity of a win-loss record can be brutal.
Despite all of things that the Vikings did right to hang in a shootout with the Cardinals, the final, depressing, horrible, sad, deflating missed field goal wasn’t the sole reason for the loss. The Vikings offense was difficult to stop in the first half. They were often stopped in the second half. Only one of the five second half possessions ended with points. It was a field goal. It was a field goal that was made possible by a Cardinals roughing the punter penalty. That penalty saved the Vikings from a three-and-out.
Vikings 2nd Half Possessions:
Punt-4 plays, 22 yards
Field goal-10 plays, 35 yards (made possible by a roughing the punter penalty)
Punt-3 plays, 7 yards
Punt-3 plays, 4 yards
Missed field goal-9 plays, 58 yards
The Vikings had two more three-and-outs during their otherwise productive first half. They had way too many useless possessions against the Cardinals.
The offense did manage some very good things. They were solid in the first half and had that clutch final drive. Cousins was good. Dalvin Cook was great. The offensive line was much better than last week. Cousins was sacked once and for the most part experienced a comfortable time in the pocket. The Vikings were penalized three times after about a dozen last week. Despite the positives, the offense can not have so many wasted possessions. The second half was filled with them.
Fortunately, while the offense went into semi-hibernation in the second half, the Vikings defense scrapped, clawed, and did enough to frustrate a hot Kyler Murray and his fleet of slippery pass-catchers. Newcomers Nick Vigil and Xavier Woods grabbed interceptions. Vigil returned his for a touchdown. Danielle Hunter corralled Murray three times for sacks. The defense can clean up some things. Murray threw for 400 yards. The Cardinals gained 474 yards. There were too many explosive plays. Murray is a unique football players. He’s surrounded with an abundance of quick, elusive playmakers. The Cardinals are going to get their yards. The Vikings defense needed some takeaways. They got two. They nearly had a third. They put points on the board with one of those takeaways. They needed some stops. They got a final stop to give the offense an opportunity at a game-winning drive. The Vikings defenders are still learning to play with each other. They will get better.
Other Vikings thoughts:
K.J. Osborn had another strong game as the Vikings third receiver. Statistically, he was the Vikings top receiver against the Cardinals.
5 catches, 91 yards, 1 TD (64 yards)
Osborn’s 64-yard touchdown catch on the second play of the game was a scintillating start. His clutch catches on the final drive were huge but ultimately forgotten by the missed field goal.
The Vikings now have a third impact receiver.
The Vikings need more from their tight ends.
Patrick Peterson did a fine job against his old team, in general, and DeAndre Hopkins, in particular.
Danielle Hunter is great.
So is Eric Kendricks.
Some Cardinals thoughts:
If you’re at all affiliated with the team facing the Cardinals, Kyler Murray is a real pain-in-the-ass. If you’re affiliated with the Cardinals or neutral and simply a fan of football, you’re enjoying all of the things that he does. He’s a fun football player but he wasn’t all that fun yesterday.
Cardinals rookie receiver Rondale Moore will be a problem for defensive coordinators for a long time.
Based solely on this game and my pre-draft thoughts, the Cardinals scored with their first two picks of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Round 1: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Round 2: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
***
The Vikings host the Seattle Seahawks next week. Finally at home. Finally in front of their own fans.
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