Vikings Mailbag: O-line and CB issues, how to attack the Packers D and more
5 years, 4 months ago

Vikings Mailbag: O-line and CB issues, how to attack the Packers D and more

New York Times  

Mike Zimmer on Monday tried to downplay the Vikings’ strong start to the season. — Hunter G. Unfortunately, I think the Vikings’ best option is just to hope like heck that Hughes can play soon and play at a high level. We’ll just kind of see where he’s at when he’s ready to roll.” If he can play in Green Bay, that’s a big boost for the Vikings defense. — Dane B. I wouldn’t say that’s the likely formula they’ll bring into a game against the Vikings, not after what Minnesota showed in the running game Sunday. “But those are clean-up things that’ll get fixed.” Based on the Packer’s performance defensively week 1, where do you think the Vikings will be able to succeed on offense in ways that the Bears couldn’t?

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History of this topic

Vikings stamp themselves as legitimate contenders with impressive victory over Packers
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Vikings stamp themselves as legitimate contenders with impressive victory over Packers

New York Times  

MINNEAPOLIS — Most of the reporters had left. It’s not that NFL analysts and pundits haven’t been impressed by what head coach Kevin O’Connell has done or quarterback Sam Darnold’s marvelous season. We’ve just got to make it work.” GO DEEPER Week 17 NFL playoff picture: Vikings win sets up clash with Lions for NFC No. 1 seed According to …

Vikings thrive under coach of year favorite O’Connell, a relatable state for Packers with LaFleur
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Vikings thrive under coach of year favorite O’Connell, a relatable state for Packers with LaFleur

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s stirring locker room tribute to his team last week at Seattle was respectfully interrupted by seven-year veteran right tackle Brian O’Neill, who flipped the script on the game ball awards by tossing one to the boss in honor of his second 13-win season in three years. The Vikings have obliterated even the most …

Vikings win 7th straight to forge tie for NFC North lead with 30-12 blowout of reeling Bears
4 weeks, 1 day ago

Vikings win 7th straight to forge tie for NFC North lead with 30-12 blowout of reeling Bears

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Their spot in the playoffs secure, the Minnesota Vikings delivered a prime-time performance seeped in those ingredients that frequently fuel postseason success. “We’re going to have to play well and continue to improve, chasing our best football.” Justin Jefferson had seven catches for 73 yards, among them a touchdown from Sam Darnold in the first quarter that was …

The Vikings and their in-gear offense will be a tough team to outscore moving forward
1 month ago

The Vikings and their in-gear offense will be a tough team to outscore moving forward

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Sam Darnold pinballed around his collapsed pocket to dodge a sack on third-and-8, before slicing through a skinny opening to sprint right in search of more space as Justin Jefferson’s hand shot up downfield. With O’Connell directing the quarterback development program and calling the plays and Jefferson leading a dangerous and diverse group of pass-catchers, Darnold has …

NFL best bets Week 12: Picking Jim against the spread in the Harbaugh Bowl and 3 more plays
1 month, 3 weeks ago

NFL best bets Week 12: Picking Jim against the spread in the Harbaugh Bowl and 3 more plays

New York Times  

It had been a solid run betting on the NFL, and that run has abruptly come to an end. Sign Up Best bets for NFL Week 12 Minnesota Vikings -3 at Chicago Bears Caleb Williams and this Bears offense looked a lot better last week after making a change at offensive coordinator. Worst price to bet: Over 46.5 Los Angeles …

Vikings still struggling to stop the quarterback carousel from spinning with Cousins out
1 year ago

Vikings still struggling to stop the quarterback carousel from spinning with Cousins out

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — Kirk Cousins naturally evoked the loudest roar of the night in Minnesota, further amping up a high-energy atmosphere for a crucial game against Green Bay. When Jaren Hall was benched for Nick Mullens at halftime, after an interception and a fumble each set up a Packers touchdown, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell switched quarterbacks for the fifth time in …

Vikings defense dictating tempo — plus everything else we’ve seen at training camp
1 year, 5 months ago

Vikings defense dictating tempo — plus everything else we’ve seen at training camp

New York Times  

EAGAN, Minn. — Each day of Minnesota Vikings training camp begins the same way. “They always say, ‘The offense dictates.’ We dictate the tempo here.” The statement feels like a perfect line for posters inside the defensive meeting rooms. Offensive line a focal point for Kevin O’Connell Free-agent offensive lineman Dalton Risner met with the Vikings brass Tuesday. Still, considering …

With Dalvin Cook departing, where does the Vikings’ run game go from here?
1 year, 7 months ago

With Dalvin Cook departing, where does the Vikings’ run game go from here?

New York Times  

They desperately want to run the football effectively. “A main goal of mine is to have some improvement in our running game,” O’Connell, a former quarterback and also the team’s play caller, said. “Depth and continuity for another year are huge.” Last year, Pro Football Focus graded the Vikings’ run-blocking unit as the fourth-best in the NFL. Following that game, …

Vikings offense still seeking complete performance
2 years ago

Vikings offense still seeking complete performance

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings have made the first year for coach Kevin O’Connell an unforgettable and unparalleled season of late-game drama, with an NFL-record 11 wins in one-score decisions. “We’re still hunting that four quarters of true, consistent football that we want to see,” O’Connell said after the 27-24 victory over the New York Giants on Saturday. WHAT’S WORKING …

Donatell, Vikings working on fixes for floundering defense
2 years, 1 month ago

Donatell, Vikings working on fixes for floundering defense

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — The calmness and optimism Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell pours into the job has not publicly wavered, a steady demeanor built through experience and personality that’s not about to suddenly disappear at this point in a 43-year coaching career. Heck, you’ve got to roll your sleeves up and get to work, and that’s what we’re doing,” …

Cook, Vikings can’t capitalize on Jefferson’s record day
2 years, 1 month ago

Cook, Vikings can’t capitalize on Jefferson’s record day

Associated Press  

DETROIT — In the end, no amount of fireworks from Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson — and they set the air ablaze Sunday — could overcome perhaps the worst game of Vikings running back Dalvin Cook’s six-year career. “When I look at it, there was some positive performances from some individual players and some things that gave us a chance …

Vikings offense with O’Connell still a work in progress
2 years, 3 months ago

Vikings offense with O’Connell still a work in progress

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — After opening with a decisive win against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings have been tested the past two weeks. “We’re just continuing to evolve and we are still just three games into, officially, our guys running this system and this offense, so there’s going to be some times where we’ve got to try to have that …

Cook’s 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22
4 years, 2 months ago

Cook’s 4 TDs help Vikings knock off Packers 28-22

Associated Press  

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Now that Dalvin Cook’s feeling healthy again, the Minnesota Vikings have a chance to turn around a season that seemed headed to oblivion. Cook gained 226 yards from scrimmage and became the first Viking in over four decades to score four touchdowns in a single game as Minnesota defeated the Green Bay Packers 28-22 on Sunday. …

As Cook rests, Vikings get long look at backup running backs
5 years, 4 months ago

As Cook rests, Vikings get long look at backup running backs

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — Mike Zimmer knows the potential and importance of running back Dalvin Cook to the Minnesota Vikings, so the coach is taking the cautious approach to Cook’s workload during the preseason. The advantage is two-fold: Cook stays fresh and injury-free, while the Vikings get a long look at a quartet of players who are trying to seize a …

Vikings go back to drawing board after latest disappointment
6 years ago

Vikings go back to drawing board after latest disappointment

Associated Press  

EAGAN, Minn. — After finishing one game short of the Super Bowl last season and spending big to make Kirk Cousins their franchise player, the Minnesota Vikings were surrounded by high expectations from the start. I think, if anything, it will sharpen us and give us an edge as we prepare for next year, and I think that’s a good …

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