Masterpiece theatre
As a poster who was cautioning everyone, including myself, not to expect too much too soon...we got a masterpiece in game 1 of a new regime, new scheme, new era!
3 penalties, 0 turnovers, double digit win vs our most hated rival and defending division champs = a masterpiece.
We beat them in every facet of the game - coaching, execution, run game, pass game, defense, ST's
I'm in awe of a complete game. Seriously, even when we had great defenses (zimmer), or great offenses it has been extremely rare for our team to work in unison and complete a game with no hiccups.
What a win!!!!!
O'Connell gets an A-plus as play-callerKevin O'Connell was both unpredictable and committed to the run while toying with a stout Packers defense with a balanced play sheet that earned him a stress-free 23-7 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium in his debut as Vikings coach.
On 27 first downs, O'Connell called 16 runs and 11 passes. At halftime, it was eight runs and eight passes.
Early in the fourth quarter, it was 11 runs, 11 passes.
Channeling both his inner new-school Sean McVay and old-school Mike Zimmer on first downs, O'Connell got Justin Jefferson three catches for 111 yards and a touchdown while also feeding Dalvin Cook 10 carries for 59 yards.
Back-to-back 9-yard runs by Cook on first down led to back-to-back first-down passes to Jefferson for 47 yards, a touchdown and a 17-0 halftime lead. "Balance is something we talked about since Day 1 ," receiver Adam Thielen said. "He told us we're not going to just abandon the run game. You still have to be able to run the ball in this league."
https://www.startribune.com/five-extra-points-kevin-oconnell-play-calling-kirk-cousins-check-down-minnesota-vikings/600206014/
@"purplefaithful" said: O'Connell gets an A-plus as play-callerKevin O'Connell was both unpredictable and committed to the run while toying with a stout Packers defense with a balanced play sheet that earned him a stress-free 23-7 victory at U.S. Bank Stadium in his debut as Vikings coach. On 27 first downs, O'Connell called 16 runs and 11 passes. At halftime, it was eight runs and eight passes. Early in the fourth quarter, it was 11 runs, 11 passes. Channeling both his inner new-school Sean McVay and old-school Mike Zimmer on first downs, O'Connell got Justin Jefferson three catches for 111 yards and a touchdown while also feeding Dalvin Cook 10 carries for 59 yards. Back-to-back 9-yard runs by Cook on first down led to back-to-back first-down passes to Jefferson for 47 yards, a touchdown and a 17-0 halftime lead. "Balance is something we talked about since Day 1 ," receiver Adam Thielen said. "He told us we're not going to just abandon the run game. You still have to be able to run the ball in this league." https://www.startribune.com/five-extra-points-kevin-oconnell-play-calling-kirk-cousins-check-down-minnesota-vikings/600206014/
Play calling and play design/game plan was far superior to what the offense has had since Shurmur was here.
@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
So....throw to Thielen covered by Alexander when JJ is running free in the secondary? Sounds like someone had Adam on his fantasy team.
@"MaroonBells" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
So....throw to Thielen covered by Alexander when JJ is running free in the secondary? Sounds like someone had Adam on his fantasy team.
184 yards and 2 TDs to your number one receiver is non-debatable...
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
You take what is given to you and make the most of it. It was Jefferson's day and it was awesome. Not taking advantage of all those opportunities would be stupid. Obviously not every game is going to be like this but why not celebrate the successful play calling and varied use of Jefferson. It worked didn't it? Thielen is going to get his, there are plenty more games to go.
@"Vikergirl" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
You take what is given to you and make the most of it. It was Jefferson's day and it was awesome. Not taking advantage of all those opportunities would be stupid. Obviously not every game is going to be like this but why not celebrate the successful play calling and varied use of Jefferson. It worked didn't it? Thielen is going to get his, there are plenty more games to go.
First, good on JJ on that first half, but it doesn't mean there wasn't a lot of meat left on the bone. We still punted 3 times that first half and it's silly that Thielen was targeted exactly one time until late in the 3rd Qtr. Second, JJ was held to 26 yds in the second half and again, we settled for 2 field goals keeping GB in the game into the 4th Qtr. Getting back to the OP this was not a masterpiece...yet. I do have high hopes, and it was more fun than the last 2 years with Satan...lol
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
It's true they only scored 6 points in the second half, but they only allowed Green Bay to score 7 points. This is also with a 17 to 0 lead going into the second half. Green Bay did make half-time adjustments to do everything they could to get back into the game...and didn't.
@"ThunderGod" said: I stayed guarded all game and wanted a TD on the last field goal. i have just seen too much of Rodgers talent, Packers luck, and ref interference. However, I did completely enjoy the game and especially Aaron’s facial expressions.Oh, I was as well, TG. Totally guarded and half expecting a collapse. But my point is AFTER the win, I was celebrating and will until game time for MNF.
As a fan, you never want your favorite team to play their best game of the season on opening day. You want them to build momentum throughout the season & peak in December heading into the playoffs.
@"Knucklehead" said: As a fan, you never want your favorite team to play their best game of the season on opening day. You want them to build momentum throughout the season & peak in December heading into the playoffs.Yeah, I think all 32 teams can easily say they've haven't played their best game coming out of Week 1. Watching the first halves of the early games on NFL Redzone was a shit show.
@"Knucklehead" said: As a fan, you never want your favorite team to play their best game of the season on opening day. You want them to build momentum throughout the season & peak in December heading into the playoffs.Exactly right. And this team should get better each week as it comes to grips with the new schemes. Up 17-0 at the half, I sorta wonder if KOC didn't pull the reigns on the offense a bit to save some for Philly.
@"mgobluevikes" said:@"Vikergirl" said:@"mgobluevikes" said:@"StickyBun" said:@"mgobluevikes" said: Defense was good in the bend but don't break dept. Offense started strong, but that second half was dog shit. Where was Irv Smith Theilen, or anyone not named Cook or Jefferson?Anytime we beat an A A Ron led Packers team it's a good day, but they were missing so much of their offense, I'm not ready to call it a great performance.
They have a team as well, that plays defense and has an offense. Dog shit is way too harsh. Rust for both teams. This is why I say fans sometimes are too close to the forest to see the trees. If you're looking for perfection, its always a few plays away.
2 field goals in a half is not good by any measure. That's big picture. Converting 1 of those FG to a TD and the game would have been over with 12 min. left in the 4th qtr. The rust should have been on full display in the 1st half. Taking until nearly the end of the 3rd quarter for Thielen to get his second target of the game is just plain stupid.
You take what is given to you and make the most of it. It was Jefferson's day and it was awesome. Not taking advantage of all those opportunities would be stupid. Obviously not every game is going to be like this but why not celebrate the successful play calling and varied use of Jefferson. It worked didn't it? Thielen is going to get his, there are plenty more games to go.
First, good on JJ on that first half, but it doesn't mean there wasn't a lot of meat left on the bone. We still punted 3 times that first half and it's silly that Thielen was targeted exactly one time until late in the 3rd Qtr. Second, JJ was held to 26 yds in the second half and again, we settled for 2 field goals keeping GB in the game into the 4th Qtr. Getting back to the OP this was not a masterpiece...yet. I do have high hopes, and it was more fun than the last 2 years with Satan...lol
AS someone who has zero artistic ability, I take umbrage to your saying this was not a masterpiece! Every masterpiece when looked at too closely or with a critical eye you can find an area open for debate, but it is when you step back and look from a little distance and you see a Viking team that easily beat the Packers by double digits with only 3 penalties and zero turnovers and holding them to 7 that is a masterpiece by any measure...like I said I am an expert so this is not open to debate :) Now can someone explain Dali to me? I see a lot of melting.
@"Knucklehead" said: As a fan, you never want your favorite team to play their best game of the season on opening day. You want them to build momentum throughout the season & peak in December heading into the playoffs.Of course not, but I'll always take a win for the opener too...
December is a lifetime away for now.
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