Vikings-Colts

 That was terrible. Just terrible. The Minnesota Vikings lose to Indianapolis Colts, 28-11. Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. 

The Bad:

 Just about everything. 

More specifically:

1. Time of possession. After holding the ball for only 18:44 in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings hold the ball for only 21:35 against the Colts. Terrible. 5:59 of that 21:35 was on the first drive of the game. Terrible. 

2. First downs:

Colts: 24

Vikings: 12

Terrible. If a team isn't converting first downs, it only follows that the team isn't maintaining possession of the football. Just like the Packers last week, the Colts offense was on the field way too much. The Vikings offense was on the field way too little. 

3. Total yards:

Colts: 354

Vikings: 175

4. Kirk Cousins was off all game. When he wasn't missing receivers he was forcing it to Adam Thielen. Cousins threw three interceptions. The was first on a pass forced to Thielen. The third was behind Olabisi Johnson but still on and then off his hands. Johnson probably should've caught the pass but it was off target. An accurate throw and it's an easy pass and catch. The middle interception was a Hail Mary at the end of the half. Cousins had a terrible game. 

5. Anthony Barr left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. Hopefully, hopefully he misses no further time. 

6. The Vikings allowed Mo Alie-Cox to look more like Travis Kelce than Mo Alie-Cox.

7. The Vikings need receiving options other than Thielen. They have other receiving options. Olabisi Johnson, Irv Smith Jr., Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Conklin, Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Justin Jefferson. It sure would be nice to see Jefferson with some targets while the game is still in hand. Cousins just has to hit these other receiving options when he has them. 

8. The officials were terrible. The most blatant officiating blunder was the safety. I've never seen a safety called on a player that was tackled on the 3-yard line. Cousins' forward progress was never stopped until he was tackled on the 3. He was never not moving forward until he was tackled at the 3. The officiating was terrible throughout. 

9. There was so much more that was terrible but I'm getting headache. 

The Good:

1. Yannick Ngakoue got his first sack. He also forced a fumble on the play. 

2. The young cornerbacks got another game of experience. There was going to be some bumps as these talented, young players gain experience. They will get better. I truly believe this. 

3. Dalvin Cook ran well. He needs more than 14 carries and 16 total touches. The offense couldn't stay on the field long enough to do much of anything. 

4. The defense didn't play as terribly in the second half. 

Summary:

That's two terrible games to start the season. At least the offense got something going in the second half of last week's game. The offense never got anything going yesterday. The defense played a little better this week. The Vikings have to forget these two terrible games, get out of their own way, and start playing football.