- Joined
- Feb 9, 2014
- Messages
- 20,922
- Name
- Peter
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #41
http://www.scout.com/nfl/vikings/forums/1554-purple-thoughts/14246825-here-comes-the-buzz-saw
HERE COMES THE BUZZ SAW...
I'm as excited as anyone that we are 5-2, but, like the Packers, the only decent team we've played so far are the Denver Broncos (We showed better against them than the Packers however =).
Now, unlike most people, I don't feel the meat of out schedule starts in 3 weeks. It starts next week with the Rams.
The Rams have a great defense and the new up and coming premier running back of the league in Gurley. They're a lot like us at this point : great defense, great running back, inconsistent passing game. This game has the feeling of the first time AD squared off against LT, only this time, Gurley is the the new AD, and AD is LT. I hope this game doesn't play out the same way. While I'm happy with 5-2, I'll start believing at 6-2.
Next we travel to Oakland. Instead of elite running backs facing off, this week is all about Bridgewater vs. Carr and Diggs vs. Cooper. (If I were to list offensive rookies of the year at this point, it'd go 1. Gurley, 2. Cooper, 3. Diggs). The Raiders just destroyed a very good Jets defense, and they're playing as well as anyone right now. If we can go into Oakland and beat the Raiders, I'll be drinking purple kool-aid for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Finally, we get Green Bay. This is actually the most winnable game of the three in my humble opinion. We almost beat them at home last year, and we've improved as a team. They haven't That being said, beating Green Bay at home or away is a big deal, and, if we've already taken care of business in the two weeks preceding this game, this game will be for the division lead.
If we manage to win all three of these games, I'll be buying my tickets the the Superbowl (in my mind, of course, since I can't actually afford them).
The rest of our schedule after this point aren't all that daunting:
@Falcons (good record, but not a great team)
vs. Seahawks (struggling mightily this year)
@Cardinals (good team, and a Thursday night game on the road, I don't expect to win this one, but I'll be at the game cheering us on regardless [I live in AZ])
vs. Bears (beating them in Soldier Field is tough. At home? not so much...)
vs. Giants (Mediocre team that will likely win a bad division)
@ Packers (It's always tough to win in Lambeau)
Most pundits seems to feel the latter part of our season is the toughest part of our schedule. They're wrong. We'll know exactly who and where we are as a team after the next 3 games.
-------
One week at a time... one week at a time....
A win at home vs. St. Louis is going to be tough but it's do-able.
-------
Nope
Not this year, not with this coach, not with this team.
-------
I agree with the OP completely and said as much in another thread:
"Months ago, while looking over the entire schedule, I had this one pegged as one of the big "letdown" games. I know most people seem to fear the Oakland tilt in two weeks more than this one, but I think the Rams are a pretty tough out. That D-line is so stout, and against our depleted O-line I just don't know how we are going to generate any offense whatsoever. If you recall last year they stifled Peterson pretty badly, and most of our rushing output came from Patterson, who doesn't even sniff the field anymore. I see this as one of those 13-10 slugfests, the problem is I don't know which team is going to be the 13 and which the 10."
This game coming up is so huge in terms of building momentum. If we win it we are legit and people will have to start talking about us. These are the kind of games that define who you are. Beating St. Louis would make Green Bay start looking over their shoulder (especially if Carolina can help us out a bit) and give us a huge boost in the wildcard scenario if we can't overtake the Pack.
Unfortunately, in the past several years just when we start to believe we are on our way, we go out and lay an egg against a beatable team. But we haven't had a coach like Mike Zimmer in a LONG time, so I want to say now is the time we start winning these statement games.
--------
If we want to be a good team, we have to beat equal or weaker teams at home. Same for the road, we have to win the games against weaker teams like Detroit and Chicago. I think the next 2 games are good tests, home and away versus teams that are good.
-------
I don't feel there's a team in the league we can't play with or even beat. I'm not saying we are going to win all of our games, but going into each game with this defense and a decent offense , I feel we have a good shot at winning.
I haven't felt this way in a long time.
-------
I think the Rams present a good matchup for us. We have been stout against the run and should be able to combine blitz packages. I expect a better game out of Bridgewater and AD seems to be hungry. 1st game back home after two away, I give the edge to the Vikes
I'm Just Sayin.
------
I agree there are no teams vastly superior to us on the remaining schedule. We may have already played against the best squad already (Denver). GB is certainly beatable, particularly at home. We may not win that game, but they aren't too good for us if we play our game. Like you said, nobody is too for good now, to compete and have a chance to win. Our defense and STs are largely responsible for us being always competitive.
Even though we are a bit dull offensively, we have legit big play ability from a couple of sources, and a smart winning QB. I think we have upside on offense with more consistent OL play, which has improved a bit, and better execution and more experience for our young QB.
--------
I feel if our patched up O line can come together and protect Teddy more we will be legitimate,,,if not maybe make the playoffs maybe not!!! If we can beat the Pack the first time we play them!!! That will go a long way in this team believing in itself and improve confidence and swagger!!!! I see a hungry team, a well coached team..But a team that has big trouble protecting Teddy!!! Until we do that we are doomed, but at least we can improve in the off season and next year if healthy watch out!!!
-------
Indeed, the angst on this board regarding our club playing away or on prime time confuses me. This team fights, and fighters are not afraid of that man/team standing across from them. They prepare hard and effectively, expecting to win. I believe some of our fans have been so beat down they are afraid to expect big things, which is ironic because we now have a gritty team that wont quit.
-------
The Vikings are one game back from the Pack and we play them twice. The division is still up for grabs. Our fate is still in our hands.
I am realistic enough to know we're going to lose at some point, but the thing I am saying is this: IF . . . we were able to win the rest of our games, then we wouldn't need the help of anyone to take the division. It's all still within reach.
-------
Those 2 games will determine who wins the division
------
Rams don't worry me in the least, shut down the run and they got nothing. Also their defense can be burned passing. I like our chances Sunday at home.
-------
http://minnesotavikingsnation.com/thread/33108/rams-next-week
The Rams Next Week
We host St. Louis in what could be one of the most important games of the season for us looking back in the end. They're 4-3 and this game will have huge playoff implications. Todd Gurley is arguably the best RB in the league this year thus far and their front-7 looks absolutely dominant at times. They'll be our first true test since the bye week (no disrespect to KC, DET & CHI) so I'm eager to see if our boys can step up.
Also, these two teams are so d*** similar to one another. Great run games, inconsistent QB play, super instinctive and fast defenses. Could very easily turn into a chess match between coaches. I'm beyond excited and can hardly wait another 7 days.
-------
I agree about the coaches Chess Match, I'll take Zimmer over Fisher any day of the week. Gurley is scary good though.
--------
Tavon Austin is their version of Percy Harvin and he's been playing lights out lately. Today he had 98 rec yds and a td and 21 rushing yds and a td. Has 6 tds on the year.
The Vikings D will have their hands full. Our Oline will probably face their biggest test so far this season. Should be a helluva game.
--------
The two teams are very similar. Our advantage is being at home, we should win because of it.
-------
if we can stop gurley and not turn the ball over we should be fine.
-------
I just want to throw out that as of now, the Vikings have the worst strength of schedule in the league at 0.321. We haven't beat a single good team this year.
-------
Heck, we've yet to beat a team with more than 2 wins this year. The Rams will be quite a challenge for this team unless an offense shows up.
-------
I'm not going to get too excited unless we beat the Rams.
-------
. If we can't beat St Louis we don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Other than Denver they will be the only average or better team we've faced, and they are only average. Its nice to win these divisional road games that were formerly impossible for us, so we are making baby steps of progress. This offense needs to do a lot better for us to be legitimate contenders for playoff wins.
-------
Imagine if we had a good qb?
HERE COMES THE BUZZ SAW...
I'm as excited as anyone that we are 5-2, but, like the Packers, the only decent team we've played so far are the Denver Broncos (We showed better against them than the Packers however =).
Now, unlike most people, I don't feel the meat of out schedule starts in 3 weeks. It starts next week with the Rams.
The Rams have a great defense and the new up and coming premier running back of the league in Gurley. They're a lot like us at this point : great defense, great running back, inconsistent passing game. This game has the feeling of the first time AD squared off against LT, only this time, Gurley is the the new AD, and AD is LT. I hope this game doesn't play out the same way. While I'm happy with 5-2, I'll start believing at 6-2.
Next we travel to Oakland. Instead of elite running backs facing off, this week is all about Bridgewater vs. Carr and Diggs vs. Cooper. (If I were to list offensive rookies of the year at this point, it'd go 1. Gurley, 2. Cooper, 3. Diggs). The Raiders just destroyed a very good Jets defense, and they're playing as well as anyone right now. If we can go into Oakland and beat the Raiders, I'll be drinking purple kool-aid for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Finally, we get Green Bay. This is actually the most winnable game of the three in my humble opinion. We almost beat them at home last year, and we've improved as a team. They haven't That being said, beating Green Bay at home or away is a big deal, and, if we've already taken care of business in the two weeks preceding this game, this game will be for the division lead.
If we manage to win all three of these games, I'll be buying my tickets the the Superbowl (in my mind, of course, since I can't actually afford them).
The rest of our schedule after this point aren't all that daunting:
@Falcons (good record, but not a great team)
vs. Seahawks (struggling mightily this year)
@Cardinals (good team, and a Thursday night game on the road, I don't expect to win this one, but I'll be at the game cheering us on regardless [I live in AZ])
vs. Bears (beating them in Soldier Field is tough. At home? not so much...)
vs. Giants (Mediocre team that will likely win a bad division)
@ Packers (It's always tough to win in Lambeau)
Most pundits seems to feel the latter part of our season is the toughest part of our schedule. They're wrong. We'll know exactly who and where we are as a team after the next 3 games.
-------
One week at a time... one week at a time....
A win at home vs. St. Louis is going to be tough but it's do-able.
-------
Nope
Not this year, not with this coach, not with this team.
-------
I agree with the OP completely and said as much in another thread:
"Months ago, while looking over the entire schedule, I had this one pegged as one of the big "letdown" games. I know most people seem to fear the Oakland tilt in two weeks more than this one, but I think the Rams are a pretty tough out. That D-line is so stout, and against our depleted O-line I just don't know how we are going to generate any offense whatsoever. If you recall last year they stifled Peterson pretty badly, and most of our rushing output came from Patterson, who doesn't even sniff the field anymore. I see this as one of those 13-10 slugfests, the problem is I don't know which team is going to be the 13 and which the 10."
This game coming up is so huge in terms of building momentum. If we win it we are legit and people will have to start talking about us. These are the kind of games that define who you are. Beating St. Louis would make Green Bay start looking over their shoulder (especially if Carolina can help us out a bit) and give us a huge boost in the wildcard scenario if we can't overtake the Pack.
Unfortunately, in the past several years just when we start to believe we are on our way, we go out and lay an egg against a beatable team. But we haven't had a coach like Mike Zimmer in a LONG time, so I want to say now is the time we start winning these statement games.
--------
If we want to be a good team, we have to beat equal or weaker teams at home. Same for the road, we have to win the games against weaker teams like Detroit and Chicago. I think the next 2 games are good tests, home and away versus teams that are good.
-------
I don't feel there's a team in the league we can't play with or even beat. I'm not saying we are going to win all of our games, but going into each game with this defense and a decent offense , I feel we have a good shot at winning.
I haven't felt this way in a long time.
-------
I think the Rams present a good matchup for us. We have been stout against the run and should be able to combine blitz packages. I expect a better game out of Bridgewater and AD seems to be hungry. 1st game back home after two away, I give the edge to the Vikes
I'm Just Sayin.
------
I agree there are no teams vastly superior to us on the remaining schedule. We may have already played against the best squad already (Denver). GB is certainly beatable, particularly at home. We may not win that game, but they aren't too good for us if we play our game. Like you said, nobody is too for good now, to compete and have a chance to win. Our defense and STs are largely responsible for us being always competitive.
Even though we are a bit dull offensively, we have legit big play ability from a couple of sources, and a smart winning QB. I think we have upside on offense with more consistent OL play, which has improved a bit, and better execution and more experience for our young QB.
--------
I feel if our patched up O line can come together and protect Teddy more we will be legitimate,,,if not maybe make the playoffs maybe not!!! If we can beat the Pack the first time we play them!!! That will go a long way in this team believing in itself and improve confidence and swagger!!!! I see a hungry team, a well coached team..But a team that has big trouble protecting Teddy!!! Until we do that we are doomed, but at least we can improve in the off season and next year if healthy watch out!!!
-------
Indeed, the angst on this board regarding our club playing away or on prime time confuses me. This team fights, and fighters are not afraid of that man/team standing across from them. They prepare hard and effectively, expecting to win. I believe some of our fans have been so beat down they are afraid to expect big things, which is ironic because we now have a gritty team that wont quit.
-------
The Vikings are one game back from the Pack and we play them twice. The division is still up for grabs. Our fate is still in our hands.
I am realistic enough to know we're going to lose at some point, but the thing I am saying is this: IF . . . we were able to win the rest of our games, then we wouldn't need the help of anyone to take the division. It's all still within reach.
-------
Those 2 games will determine who wins the division
------
Rams don't worry me in the least, shut down the run and they got nothing. Also their defense can be burned passing. I like our chances Sunday at home.
-------
http://minnesotavikingsnation.com/thread/33108/rams-next-week
The Rams Next Week
We host St. Louis in what could be one of the most important games of the season for us looking back in the end. They're 4-3 and this game will have huge playoff implications. Todd Gurley is arguably the best RB in the league this year thus far and their front-7 looks absolutely dominant at times. They'll be our first true test since the bye week (no disrespect to KC, DET & CHI) so I'm eager to see if our boys can step up.
Also, these two teams are so d*** similar to one another. Great run games, inconsistent QB play, super instinctive and fast defenses. Could very easily turn into a chess match between coaches. I'm beyond excited and can hardly wait another 7 days.
-------
I agree about the coaches Chess Match, I'll take Zimmer over Fisher any day of the week. Gurley is scary good though.
--------
Tavon Austin is their version of Percy Harvin and he's been playing lights out lately. Today he had 98 rec yds and a td and 21 rushing yds and a td. Has 6 tds on the year.
The Vikings D will have their hands full. Our Oline will probably face their biggest test so far this season. Should be a helluva game.
--------
The two teams are very similar. Our advantage is being at home, we should win because of it.
-------
if we can stop gurley and not turn the ball over we should be fine.
-------
I just want to throw out that as of now, the Vikings have the worst strength of schedule in the league at 0.321. We haven't beat a single good team this year.
-------
Heck, we've yet to beat a team with more than 2 wins this year. The Rams will be quite a challenge for this team unless an offense shows up.
-------
I'm not going to get too excited unless we beat the Rams.
-------
. If we can't beat St Louis we don't deserve to be in the playoffs. Other than Denver they will be the only average or better team we've faced, and they are only average. Its nice to win these divisional road games that were formerly impossible for us, so we are making baby steps of progress. This offense needs to do a lot better for us to be legitimate contenders for playoff wins.
-------
Imagine if we had a good qb?
