It was the Vikings first and last one-score loss of the season. They’d found a way to pull out the 11 previous close games. They had the opportunity to put a better end to this game. Down seven, the Vikings had the ball and plenty of time. Instead of the end zone, the “drive” stalled at midfield. The final play of the Vikings surprising, thrilling season had Kirk Cousins throwing to T.J. Hockenson for three yards on 4th-and-eight. That’s not the way to close out a playoff game. Hell, it’s not the way to close out any game. Perhaps a better, more appropriate fourth down play would’ve been a downfield throw to a covered Justin Jefferson. Put the ball on your best player. Let him make a play. It was the play before the final play that was the missed opportunity. Cousins had K.J. Osborn for a first down. The pass was to Osborn’s chest and the defender was able to make a play on it. If the pass had led Osborn more, the “drive” would’ve continued. A different, better ending would’ve then been possible.
Two fateful passes ended the Vikings season. Cousins and the passes he threw weren’t the reason for the sudden, disappointing end to this surprising, thrilling season. The Vikings defense made the Giants offense look like the 2007 New England Patriots. Or 1998 Minnesota Vikings. The Giants offense sliced through the Vikings defense. It was easy. So easy. The Giants first five possessions:
1. 5 plays, 75 yards, 3:12: Touchdown
2. 4 plays, 81 yards, 2:03: Touchdown
3. 20 plays, 85 yards, 10:52: Field Goal
4. 4 plays, end of half.
5. 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:23: Touchdown
20 plays! 10:52! Come on. The only thing good about that nonsense is that the Vikings “held” the Giants to a field goal.
The first Giants punt came with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter. The problem wasn’t so much what the Giants offense did. The problem was how easily they did it. Daniel Jones looked more like Steve Young than Daniel Jones. He passed easily to wide open receivers. He ran easily when needed. The Vikings were on their heels with him throughout the game. One of the league’s most mediocre quarterbacks looked like one of it’s best.
With the ease with which the Giants offense moved through the Vikings defense, it’s remarkable that the game was within reach at the end. That’s due to Cousins. When the Vikings offense wasn’t hurting themselves with a dropped pass here, an offsides there, a too-cute gadget play, and a Dalvin Cook slip, they were often doing to the Giants defense what the Giants offense was doing to theirs. Some might point to Cousins’ final pass as the tipping point for this loss. They’d be wrong. Cousins was the reason that the game was within reach.
The Vikings needed a takeaway. The Giants wouldn’t oblige.
All playoff losses are painful. In nearly fifty years of following the Vikings, I’ve seen plenty. Every playoff appearance has ended with a loss. Perhaps it’s a recency thing but this one is especially painful. This team and this season was so damn much fun. I wanted more time with these players and this team. I’m not ready for some the offseason changes that feel inevitable.
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