Vikings run defense

Go frigging figure this game out...Cause I cant

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Spare me any analysis that says the Vikings coaches did anything magically different from an X’s and O’s standpoint in Sunday’s season-turning 27-24 victory over the Lions at Detroit’s Ford Field. Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores did a wonderful job, but this stunning 10-day turnaround from the 37-10 beatdown from the Chargers came down to effort, desire, pride, old-fashioned want-to.

Nowhere was that more evident than how the defense manhandled Jahmyr Gibbs, the elite back who in two games vs. the Vikings last year posted 47 touches for 330 yards (7.0 per carry) and six touchdowns. 

Sunday, he touched the ball 12 times for 28 yards (2.3), a long gain of 7, no TDs and not even a single first down. He also gave up a critical third-down sack with a lackadaisical attempt to block Eric Wilson in the red zone near the end of the third quarter.

Javon Hargrave, who had eight tackles in a standout game, started two Detroit three-and-outs by simply beating the man across for him to drop Gibbs for minus-2 and 2 yards. Wilson had another tackle for loss on Gibbs, Josh Metellus a stop for 1 yard and Blake Cashman an open-field tackle for 6 yards on a third-and-8 completion. 

The effort Sunday was every bit as beautiful as it was ugly against the Chargers. It makes little sense, but that’s why we like the NFL.

STRIB

Which is exactly my point with this team....who are we? Because you couldn't have two more contrasting games in back to back weeks. Are we the defense that stifled Montgomery/Gibbs, or are we the defense that let some guy named Kimani Vidal rip off 5.1 yards are carry en route to 117 yards and a TD the week prior?

supafreak84 wrote:
Which is exactly my point with this team....who are we? Because you couldn't have two more contrasting games in back to back weeks. Are we the defense that stifled Montgomery/Gibbs, or are we the defense that let some guy named Kimani Vidal rip off 5.1 yards are carry en route to 117 yards and a TD the week prior?

You gotta wonder if we just didn't have enough time to recover after a super physical game against Philly and the Chargers took advantage?  

Plus, I do think JJ McCarthy's return lit a fire in the team.  Carson was a warrior while he was out, but how do you think the players felt watching him get up wincing throughout the game and seeing some awful passes.  Think the team knew we were cooked that night.  JJ brings a whole new vibe and dimension than Wentz.

purplefaithful wrote:
Go frigging figure this game out...Cause I cant

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Spare me any analysis that says the Vikings coaches did anything magically different from an X’s and O’s standpoint in Sunday’s season-turning 27-24 victory over the Lions at Detroit’s Ford Field. Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores did a wonderful job, but this stunning 10-day turnaround from the 37-10 beatdown from the Chargers came down to effort, desire, pride, old-fashioned want-to.

Nowhere was that more evident than how the defense manhandled Jahmyr Gibbs, the elite back who in two games vs. the Vikings last year posted 47 touches for 330 yards (7.0 per carry) and six touchdowns. 

Sunday, he touched the ball 12 times for 28 yards (2.3), a long gain of 7, no TDs and not even a single first down. He also gave up a critical third-down sack with a lackadaisical attempt to block Eric Wilson in the red zone near the end of the third quarter.

Javon Hargrave, who had eight tackles in a standout game, started two Detroit three-and-outs by simply beating the man across for him to drop Gibbs for minus-2 and 2 yards. Wilson had another tackle for loss on Gibbs, Josh Metellus a stop for 1 yard and Blake Cashman an open-field tackle for 6 yards on a third-and-8 completion. 

The effort Sunday was every bit as beautiful as it was ugly against the Chargers. It makes little sense, but that’s why we like the NFL.

STRIB

I will go back to the Thursday game.  Physical loss against Philly.  Travel on 3 days rest halfway across the country.  Play another physical game.  We sucked.  Reminded me of the Redskins traveling to GB in week 2.  Like they were sluggish or forgot to show up.  Oh, wait, that was a Thursday night game as well.

Before that it was a long trip to Europe for 2 weeks.  Hard to be a consistent team with all the travel and disruption.  I think Philly and Detroit games are who we are.  We aren't world beaters on offense, but our D is good and if JJM can learn and grow, we will be a tough team come playoffs.

supafreak84 wrote:
Which is exactly my point with this team....who are we? Because you couldn't have two more contrasting games in back to back weeks. Are we the defense that stifled Montgomery/Gibbs, or are we the defense that let some guy named Kimani Vidal rip off 5.1 yards are carry en route to 117 yards and a TD the week prior?

We're both, and we likely will be all season. Wins will come when we game plan well and losses will come when we don't. Injuries and short weeks play a big part in that as well.

Speaking of game plan, Flores had a good one in pass defense as well. 

Brian Flores had a great game plan against the Detroit Lions

Vikings were able to force the RB into pass protection over and over, create movement to prevent the QB stepping up in the pocket, and then overload the OL to create a free runner outside

Broke it all down here ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/M3SYbDAPX2

— Shawn Syed (@SyedSchemes) November 3, 2025