Vikings-Chargers

Well, there's the Minnesota Vikings defense that we're accustomed to seeing. Midway through second quarter the Los Angeles Chargers held a 10-9 lead. 30 unanswered points later and the Vikings won their last road game of the season 39-10. Those 30 unanswered points could've been much more as the seven turnovers that the Vikings forced resulted in only 20 points. And seven of those were scored by the defense. If the offense had taken proper advantage of the opportunities that the defense gave them, the Vikings probably score 50 points. A win is a win. It doesn't matter if it's by a single point or 29 points. Or 50. A wins count the same and the Vikings got a much needed one yesterday.

Vikings defensive numbers:

4 fumbles recovered

3 passes intercepted

3 sacks

1 fumble returned 56 yards for a touchdown

Chargers last nine possessions of the game:

1. 4 plays, 4 yards-Interception

2. 6 plays, 19 yards-Fumble that Vikings returned for a TD

3. 1 play, 12 yards-End of half

4. 1 play, 5 yards-Fumble

5. 3 plays, -10 yards-Punt (partially blocked punt)

6. 13 plays, 69 yards-Turnover on Downs

7. 1 play, 5 yards-Fumble

8. 4 plays, 24 yards-Interception

9. 7 plays, 52 yards-Intercpetion

Since Mike Zimmer was hired as head coach in 2014, the Minnesota Vikings have been known as a defensive team. The defense controlled games, kept the score low and when the Vikings won the offense often scored just enough to do so. This year has been different. The offense has been scoring and the defense has been frequently exposed by opposing offenses. The defense has had difficulty getting off the field and haven't forced many turnovers. One thing that the defense most definitely did against the Chargers was force turnovers. Hopefully, what we saw yesterday is a defense that's finally playing to the talent that they have. 

The Vikings offense wasn't as explosive as they've been much of the season. Considering how many premium opportunities that the defense provided them, the offense wasn't that explosive at all. Despite those appearances, the offense did seem to do whatever it wanted. They just didn't do whatever they wanted in an explosive manner. The Vikings were re-introducing receiver Adam Thielen into the offense. Without making it a focal point of the offense they clearly wanted to get him some touches. It can be a problem when a team has a priority other than the usual game priorities like converting first downs, scoring points, preventing opponent points. Getting Thielen some touches had to be a priority and he got some touches, positive touches, yesterday and hopefully the re-introduction helps the offense moving forward. The offense is so much better when he's a big part of it. What isn't good and wasn't good for the offense yesterday was Dalvin Cook aggravating his shoulder injury. Zimmer said after the game that the injury was a new one rather than an aggravation of the old one. I'm not sure which is worse as neither is good. Cooks was injured in the third quarter and the Vikings shut him down for the rest of the game. He looked to be in considerable discomfort/pain on the field but appeared to be in good spirits on the sideline after being evaluated by the medical people. This offense needs Cook. With RB2 Alexander Mattison inactive for the game, Mike Boone was the next back up. He ran well and scored two touchdowns. 

Turnovers decided this game. The Vikings forced them and forced them often. Seven total turnovers. Ahead 10-9 midway through the second quarter, the Chargers were probably feeling pretty good about their chances of winning the game. Ifeadi Odenigbo's 56-yard touchdown return of a fumble seconds before the half flipped this game. Down 19-9 coming out of halftime after a less than favorable end to the first half, the Chargers were probably still feeling pretty good about their chances of winning the game if they kept possession of the ball. Instead of protecting the football, the Chargers fumbled on their first play from scrimmage of the second half. Three more turnovers followed. For whatever reason the Chargers seemed fearful of possessing the football and the Vikings defense feasted on that fear. Hopefully, that feasting continues in all games that they play the rest of the way. 

The Vikings are now 10-4. With two games to play they are two games ahead of the Los Angeles Rams for the final playoff spot. One win clinches the playoffs. At the moment, the only game that matters is a home game against the Green Bay Packers next Monday night.

Purple dominated the stadium environment yesterday. Vikings fans have travelled incredibly well all season. It’s been remarkable to see. The scene yesterday further proves that moving the Chargers from San Diego was one of the most idiotic franchise relocations in professional football history. And there have been a few idiotic franchise relocations. Browns, Colts, and the impending Raiders move top that list. Los Angeles doesn’t need two teams. It’s questionable whether they can even support one.