So...if Sunday goes well...

Hard to say...

I think getting the OL back and with some evolution of KOC lens to playcalling, there could very well lead many to a refreshed take on the season.

I also dont think Wentz will be manning the QB spot beyond the time it takes for JJM to get back on the field - safely.

If we're w/out CD and Kelly this week? I'm a bit glad JJM isnt playing tbh.

I realize that 17 games doesn't sound like much compared to the NBA with 82 (or thereabouts) games, or MLB with its 162 game schedule.
Every game matters.
Honestly, if we are 5-5 with 7 to go, we still have a legit shot..assuming the pieces of the puzzle fall together.
Not the first time in this league, that's for sure.

StickierBuns wrote:
In listening to Darrisaw, it appears he's holding up his return. Seems very apprehensive about it. I think medically he's cleared, its a mental thing. If he doesn't go tomorrow, I'm officially concerned about his state of mind.

It seems some are expecting a lot from Wentz. I've got a fan's hope, but we know how delusional that can be. I don't see Carson lighting it up. Battle of the backups, so its hard to predict a winner. To your point: the team is 1-1, so certainly from that view the season isn't close to being over. I'm going to have to see something markedly different tomorrow for me to change my sour outlook, I'm honestly expecting very little. But if it 'goes well' and Minnesota wins somehow, yeah I mean its moving everyone closer to hope I suppose. 

sidenote: JFC Wentz is a big dude. 6'5", 235 lbs.

I was thinking the same thing about Darrisaw. I know nothing, but based on what I've heard and read, I suspect he's been cleared to play by the team's medical staff and it's Darrisaw himself who is not yet "comfortable" enough to get out there. A player knows best, but how far do you take this? At what point does the team lose patience? 

I don't think anyone's expecting a lot from Wentz. But I do expect him to run a "functional" offense and help Jurgens get us in and out of protections. Baby steps.

It is amazing the feel of this game as opposed to last Sunday.  There was so much excitement around JJ and what this team could be.  This week's game feels like week 15 of a below .500 season.  No high expectations, no excitement around the QB, a lot of disappointment and concerns.  Hopefully Wentz puts on the uniform of his childhood team and totally transforms himself.  I am sure I will feel more up for the game tomorrow, but the expectations are low. I also think a part of it is also the disappointment of the JJ era on hold and having to wait to see what we have in him, which was a big part of the excitement of this season.

If history is our guide, then I suspect a FUGLY win Sunday...

Some may call it purgatory? But it might be as good as it gets for a bit - till we get more time to gel and get key players back to health.

Lol watch it's a 12 to 9 final score

Vikergirl wrote:
Lol watch it's a 12 to 9 final score

If we win, I'll take it.

This is the game I'm most worried about, right now. Wentz will get better with time/familiarity in our system and with the players, and we have people rotating back in from injury/illness...so, I'm still fairly optimistic about our overseas games.

First, though, is this mess. MAYBE, we have Darrisaw, and MAYBE we have Harry, Greenard, and so on...this game has triple the variables that make every game interesting. Our on-field leadership will need to be amazing, and KOC has got to get better at figuring out what our offense CAN do, as opposed to stubbornly insisting that backup OL players will allow for slow-developing plays. There's big questions and concerns across the team, across the game...

...and the chaos is a little tantalizing, if completely maddening.

Wonder what this means. Desperate vibes after one embarrassing loss? It was indeed embarrassing but... I like Andrew Krammer but even a curmudgeon like me is a little skeptical. Then again JJM looking bad and now Carson Wentz who has done nothing in this league for years... I suppose that could make guys feel like it's over all of a sudden.

“Vibes are not great” 😬@Andrew_Krammer take on the Vikings locker room this week and how they are desperate for a win on Sunday.

“This is a team that is desperate… vibes are not great. That's at least kind of what I've been sensing around the team.”

(Via: @Purple_Insider) pic.twitter.com/w8TwSPBl90

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 20, 2025

comet52 wrote:
Wonder what this means.  Desperate vibes after one embarrassing loss?  It was indeed embarrassing but...  I like Andrew Krammer but even a curmudgeon like me is a little skeptical.  Then again JJM looking bad and now Carson Wentz who has done nothing in this league for years... I suppose that could make guys feel like it's over all of a sudden.

“Vibes are not great” 😬@Andrew_Krammer take on the Vikings locker room this week and how they are desperate for a win on Sunday.

“This is a team that is desperate… vibes are not great. That's at least kind of what I've been sensing around the team.”

(Via: @Purple_Insider) pic.twitter.com/w8TwSPBl90

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 20, 2025

It sounds pretty self-explanatory, and reasonable. Some of them will remember the chaos from 2023, even if they only heard about it. Losing the young star QB two games after his entire first season was delayed is brutal in general...so, it's likely 10 times more brutal in the locker room than it is in the fandom.

Maybe it's just hope on my part, but I'd expect that a lot of the team are less "desperate" than truly frustrated/pissed off...and will be looking to take those feelings out on someone.

Browning may be in for a long, painful game, tomorrow.

Well...if your mood is sour right now, it's not hard to imagine the team's is too. This is a team many fans, media and players thought was Super Bowl bound. At least playoff bound. And they haven't looked like it at all—not at QB, OL, TE, WR, DL, ED, LB and DB. Yeah, pretty much all positions. 

Maybe it's time for the one of those player-only meetings. That was a joke.

MaroonBells wrote:
Well...if your mood is sour right now, it's not hard to imagine the team's is too. This is a team many fans, media and players thought was Super Bowl bound. At least playoff bound. And they haven't looked like it at all—not at QB, OL, TE, WR, DL, ED, LB and DB. Yeah, pretty much all positions. 

Maybe it's time for the one of those player-only meetings. That was a joke.

I'd say that the boys were ready to take it out on Cincy.

I know Browner had a big chip on his shoulder when we didn't keep him, and used that against us before. I wonder how he feels after that ass kicking?

SKOL, BABY!!

StickierBuns wrote:

Sour no longer. One game at a time. 

Its french toast and mimosas time, fans....9:30 am EST start the next 2 Sundays!

Love those early games. 7:30 am in Denver. Gonna have to figure out an Irish food and beverage theme for that one. Problem is, I've been to Ireland and Irish breakfasts are the absolute worst.

MaroonBells wrote:

Love those early games. 7:30 am in Denver. Gonna have to figure out an Irish food and beverage theme for that one. Problem is, I've been to Ireland and Irish breakfasts are the absolute worst.

All food in Ireland and England sucks - ok except Fish & Chips.