The Vikings gave the game to the Buccaneers. 20-17.
The game felt like it could’ve been, should’ve been about 21-3 Vikings at the half. Instead, it was 10-10. As is often the case, turnovers were the difference. The Vikings gave the ball to the Buccaneers three times. The first and third ended promising drives and excellent scoring opportunities. The second gifted the Buccaneers a field goal. The first turnover was the most ridiculous as right guard Ed Ingram knocked the ball from Kirk Cousins’ grasp as the play started. That happened on the Buccaneers 26-yard line after a crisp 60-yard drive. The third turnover was an interception on the goal line. Cousins threw the ball slightly behind K.J. Osborn and had it snatched away. With a second-and-one from the Buccaneers 13-yard line at the end of the half, it looked like the Vikings were finally going to put their sputtering start behind them and take control of the game. 17-10 Vikings at the half was inevitable. Right? Nope.
Other than the field goal the Vikings gifted to them, the Buccaneers offense did nothing for most of the first half. The Vikings defense stifled everything that they tried. Just a bunch of punts. If there was a singular turning point in the game, it might’ve been with two minutes remaining in the first half. The Buccaneers faced a third-and-seven from their own 42-yard line. Up until that point they’d only converted one first down. For the first 28 minutes, the Vikings defense smothered everything that they tried. Instead of forcing a sixth first half punt, Patrick Jones II jumped the snap and gifted a much more manageable 3rd-and-two. The Buccaneers converted and were on their way. A few plays later, Baker Mayfield hit Mike Evans for a 28-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was unstoppable in the first half. 138 yards. He finished with 150. Getting only 12 yards in the second half might’ve been one of the biggest reasons for this very disappointing, avoidable loss. The Vikings have several offensive weapons. They will and should spread the ball around. Despite all those weapons, the Vikings went three-and-out on their final two possessions. That can’t happen. And Jefferson should never have only 12 second half yards when more yards are needed.
The Defense.
While the defense failed to get the needed stops at the end of the game, their play yesterday was a revelation. After last year’s defensive disaster, it was wonderful to see players racing to the ball rather than waiting for it to come to them. It would’ve been nice to get a turnover or two, or four, especially with the offense’s first half generosity. It was a nice start for Brian Flores and the defense.
An offensive goal for the season is to run the ball more efficiently. That did not happen against the Buccaneers. With mountainous Vita Vea in the middle it’s tough to run against this defense. Still, the Vikings needed much more than 41 yards on 17 carries. 2.4 yards per carry is horrible and it doesn’t approach efficient. Losing center Garrett Bradbury to a back injury after only seven snaps didn’t help but the Vikings must do better on the ground. Second-and-longs simplifies things for the defense.
I’m getting so sick of screen plays that are doomed from the start. Last year, it felt like Dalvin Cook was often served up for a killing with these damn screens. Yesterday, it was T.J. Hockenson. Twice he was thrown the ball with no hope for success. Twice he was blasted as soon as he caught the ball. These doomed screens to Hockenson were the first play on each of the final two possessions. The result was second-and-13 and second-and-14. The Vikings were clearly not fooling anyone with these damn plays. Those second-and-longs were a big reason for consecutive, game-ending three-and-outs.
The reasons for this season-opening loss are pretty simple. Turnovers, a couple mind-numbing penalties, inefficient run game, and those two doomed screen plays. With a Thursday game in Philadelphia against the Eagles, the Vikings needed this game. They didn’t get it. Now, it’s time to stun the Eagles.
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