Game thoughts
- Who would have thought we would go into Dallas, play without Darrisaw and not give up a sack? And run the ball to close out the game?
- That touch pass, back shoulder to Nailor on 4th down was a beautiful throw. Gives me much hope for JJ and the future of QB room. Second time he has hit Nailor on that throw in a critical situation.
- Love the handoff to Ham for a TD. Great call.
- WRs and TEs seem to have gotten over their dropsies now that the QB issues have settled. Hock had a great catch of a fireball up the seam. Oliver also caught a rocket on a critical play.
- Defense played quite well. Gave up some plays, but to get that 1st 3 and out after the initial tipped INT. Special teams let down on that fake FG, but the initial stop was huge.
- Rodgers impressed me with his willingness to tackle. Couple of big tackles on the RB.
- Tackling is still an issue. Lots of grabbing, drag down rather than wrap up.
- Having Will the Thrill is a huge relief. Glad to have a solid kicker.
- Punting has been a big positive this year as well. Pinned them deep multiple times.
Midway through the second quarter, Greenard sacked Prescott for a 5-yard loss on third down. Brandon Aubrey on the following play pulled a 51-yard field goal attempt wide right, his first of two misses on the evening.
The second miss? That one came on a 59-yard boot after Van Ginkel and Greenard met at the QB and took Prescott down for a 4-yard sack.
greediron wrote:
Interesting. Defense held them to 2-12 on 3rd down. But more importantly
- Who would have thought we would go into Dallas, play without Darrisaw and not give up a sack? And run the ball to close out the game?
- That touch pass, back shoulder to Nailor on 4th down was a beautiful throw. Gives me much hope for JJ and the future of QB room. Second time he has hit Nailor on that throw in a critical situation.
- Love the handoff to Ham for a TD. Great call.
- WRs and TEs seem to have gotten over their dropsies now that the QB issues have settled. Hock had a great catch of a fireball up the seam. Oliver also caught a rocket on a critical play.
- Defense played quite well. Gave up some plays, but to get that 1st 3 and out after the initial tipped INT. Special teams let down on that fake FG, but the initial stop was huge.
- Rodgers impressed me with his willingness to tackle. Couple of big tackles on the RB.
- Tackling is still an issue. Lots of grabbing, drag down rather than wrap up.
- Having Will the Thrill is a huge relief. Glad to have a solid kicker.
- Punting has been a big positive this year as well. Pinned them deep multiple times.
Midway through the second quarter, Greenard sacked Prescott for a 5-yard loss on third down. Brandon Aubrey on the following play pulled a 51-yard field goal attempt wide right, his first of two misses on the evening.
The second miss? That one came on a 59-yard boot after Van Ginkel and Greenard met at the QB and took Prescott down for a 4-yard sack.
Cowboys were averaging 44% on 3rd down conversions, which ranked 6th in the NFL. Last night they converted on 16%.
I'm still trying to figure out why Jets has virtually disappeared. His routes aren't nearly as crisp, his hands have been suspect, and he doesn't come down with the 50-50 balls as he has done in years past. He's always had to deal with double coverage so nothing new there. JJ throws it hard so the could be part of it. I've noticed that Jets has been wrong footed a number of times to jump for a high ball. That's probably partially on JJ for getting the ball there quick.
^^^ was wondering about the drops myself (not just Jets) and if JJM's velocity on his passes is part of the issue
badgervike wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out why Jets has virtually disappeared. His routes aren't nearly as crisp, his hands have been suspect, and he doesn't come down with the 50-50 balls as he has done in years past. He's always had to deal with double coverage so nothing new there. JJ throws it hard so the could be part of it. I've noticed that Jets has been wrong footed a number of times to jump for a high ball. That's probably partially on JJ for getting the ball there quick.
Jets has been close to an angel when it comes to being a quiet supporter of the QB in 25...I just cant imagine how toxic things could (at least publicly) get/gotten this year.
Part of the problem I think is something Collingsworth hit on last night - inexperienced QB's like JJM dont like throwing into double coverage. So yah, I think JJM is part of the problem with Jets. He's gotta give him more opportunities/targets.
I suspect the progression approach they have instituted is having JJ look for target #2 as soon as he sees Jets doubled.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
badgervike wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out why Jets has virtually disappeared. His routes aren't nearly as crisp, his hands have been suspect, and he doesn't come down with the 50-50 balls as he has done in years past. He's always had to deal with double coverage so nothing new there. JJ throws it hard so the could be part of it. I've noticed that Jets has been wrong footed a number of times to jump for a high ball. That's probably partially on JJ for getting the ball there quick.
I think part of it is the inexperienced QB. Teams are rolling lots of coverage his way, so his windows are pretty tight. Darnold and Cousins were able to read the D and make them pay for the focus on Jefferson, so it was tougher for a D to do it all the time. If JJ can start hitting Addison, Hock, Nailor, it will open the game up for Jefferson too.
purplefaithful wrote:
Jets has been close to an angel when it comes to being a quiet supporter of the QB in 25...I just cant imagine how toxic things could (at least publicly) get/gotten this year.
Part of the problem I think is something Collingsworth hit on last night - inexperienced QB's like JJM dont like throwing into double coverage. So yah, I think JJM is part of the problem with Jets. He's gotta give him more opportunities/targets.
I suspect the progression approach they have instituted is having JJ look for target #2 as soon as he sees Jets doubled.
No argument though I haven't noticed Jets open as much as he used to be. Even in double coverage, his moves were good enough to create separation. And...Jets has made a living on 50-50 balls. That doesn't seem to be the same this year. I noticed it even more when I watched in person at the Green Bay game in Lambeau.
In a lost season, KOC is cognizant of Jets lack of receiving yards. I think you'll see more game planning to get Jefferson open in the last 3 games.
Mostly, I think Jets is in a funk or having an off-season, but there’s a lot of other potential things going on. I think as JJM develops it will more naturally get sorted out, but it also feels like every throw to JJ is sort of a forced throw, whereas throws to other receivers feel like a natural part of the progression of the play. It kind of feels like, it’s just easier to throw to the other very good receivers in single coverage than for a young QB to force it into double coverage, so he slings it in there extra hard to beat the double coverage which makes it less accurate and harder to catch. I think he’ll develop more touch as he continues to gain comfort with the offense and how defenses try to defend them.
badgervike wrote:
No argument though I haven't noticed Jets open as much as he used to be. Even in double coverage, his moves were good enough to create separation. And...Jets has made a living on 50-50 balls. That doesn't seem to be the same this year. I noticed it even more when I watched in person at the Green Bay game in Lambeau.
In a lost season, KOC is cognizant of Jets lack of receiving yards. I think you'll see more game planning to get Jefferson open in the last 3 games.
KOC seems to be publicly taking it very seriously (personally) to make sure Jets hits 1k receiving yards this year...
Definitely work to do with JJM/Jetta this off-season
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
badgervike wrote:
No argument though I haven't noticed Jets open as much as he used to be. Even in double coverage, his moves were good enough to create separation. And...Jets has made a living on 50-50 balls. That doesn't seem to be the same this year. I noticed it even more when I watched in person at the Green Bay game in Lambeau.
In a lost season, KOC is cognizant of Jets lack of receiving yards. I think you'll see more game planning to get Jefferson open in the last 3 games.
I think JJ missed him on a big pass last night, he finally broke open in the middle and JJ air mailed it.
A couple other items in the blocking category. CJ Ham destroyed a LB on one big run to the right. TJ made a nice block on the swing pass to Jones. And kudos to O'Neill for his recovery on the deep pass to Addison. Clowney blasted him on the snap, pushed him way back, but O'Neill recovered, setup and stoned him so JJ didn't have to move off his spot.
badgervike wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out why Jets has virtually disappeared. His routes aren't nearly as crisp, his hands have been suspect, and he doesn't come down with the 50-50 balls as he has done in years past. He's always had to deal with double coverage so nothing new there. JJ throws it hard so the could be part of it. I've noticed that Jets has been wrong footed a number of times to jump for a high ball. That's probably partially on JJ for getting the ball there quick.
I think it's a combination of the new QB (different velocity, different rotation) and the fact that he's just not getting the ball enough to stay sharp and focused. I think they're really trying to get him the ball more to keep his head in the game, but here's a stat that is mind-blowing....
Football Analysis@FBallAnalysisYT
JJ McCarthy was 13/16 for 228 yards, 2 tds, 0 INT, 158.3 perfect passer rating targeting anyone other than Justin Jefferson tonight
He was 2/8 for 22 yards, 0 tds & 1 INT, and a passer rating of 0.0 when targeting Jefferson
remember when Dallas waltzed into Minneapolis for a Sunday night game in 2019 , the cowboys started Cooper Rush and beat the Vikings who did not make the playoffs that year.
Last night we did too then what they did to us.
Maybe it's petty and shallow but the Vikings nuked the cowboys fan base because they're eliminated them from post season.
Fwiw Vikings can do the same to lions and potentially lower the Packers seed.
Beating both would make my holiday season extra special.
Mattyman wrote:
remember when Dallas waltzed into Minneapolis for a Sunday night game in 2019 , the cowboys started Cooper Rush and beat the Vikings who did not make the playoffs that year.Last night we did too then what they did to us.
Maybe it's petty and shallow but the Vikings nuked the cowboys fan base because they're eliminated them from post season.
Fwiw Vikings can do the same to lions and potentially lower the Packers seed.
Beating both would make my holiday season extra special.
It's a game; it's OK to be petty and shallow. :-) I took a lot of joy in reading Cowboy Twitter this morning. One comment: "the Vikings offensive line was a brick wall last night."
Mattyman wrote:
remember when Dallas waltzed into Minneapolis for a Sunday night game in 2019 , the cowboys started Cooper Rush and beat the Vikings who did not make the playoffs that year.Last night we did too then what they did to us.
Maybe it's petty and shallow but the Vikings nuked the cowboys fan base because they're eliminated them from post season.
Fwiw Vikings can do the same to lions and potentially lower the Packers seed.
Beating both would make my holiday season extra special.
I was thinking the same thing. Would be glorious. Perhaps even knock the packers out.
medaille wrote:
Mostly, I think Jets is in a funk or having an off-season, but there’s a lot of other potential things going on. I think as JJM develops it will more naturally get sorted out, but it also feels like every throw to JJ is sort of a forced throw, whereas throws to other receivers feel like a natural part of the progression of the play. It kind of feels like, it’s just easier to throw to the other very good receivers in single coverage than for a young QB to force it into double coverage, so he slings it in there extra hard to beat the double coverage which makes it less accurate and harder to catch. I think he’ll develop more touch as he continues to gain comfort with the offense and how defenses try to defend them.
This is where I'm at. It's going to be fine, but maybe not soon.
Unfortunately for Jefferson who is my favorite player, him Mossing CBs is generally not the "smart football play".
Targeting the other team's best CB, who probably has Safety help, just to feed Jefferson when McCarthy Tight Ends are working against LB2/3 or an undersized nickel, it's not hard to see how we got here.
If anything I'm surprised Addison hasn't feasted more, but McCarthy has spread the ball around well.
Some QBs hypertarget their ace like Darnold, some spread it around like Herbert. McCarthy seems to prefer the latter approach, at least at this stage.
I expect huge things from JJ2JJ but not this season.
The Vikings are one of two NFL defenses since 2009 to not let a team score through the air in five games in a row. Yup, Minnesota has not given up a passing touchdown since Lamar Jackson took advantage of a coverage breakdown in Week 10. Since then, five opposing players have gone 79-for-142 (55.6 percent) with 160 yards per game and two interceptions (h/t Washington). Oh, and Minnesota has 11 total sacks.
Mattyman wrote:
remember when Dallas waltzed into Minneapolis for a Sunday night game in 2019 , the cowboys started Cooper Rush and beat the Vikings who did not make the playoffs that year.Last night we did too then what they did to us.
Maybe it's petty and shallow but the Vikings nuked the cowboys fan base because they're eliminated them from post season.
Fwiw Vikings can do the same to lions and potentially lower the Packers seed.
Beating both would make my holiday season extra special.
Yeah I remember. I don't care if it's petty or not, Fuck the Cowboys. Reading their fans whining online was delightful.
You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it. — Robin Williams
The balanced attack has worked better overall in the last two games. However, against the Cowboys, we only ran for an abysmal 2.8 yards per carry (compared to 4.8 yards per carry against Washington), which forced McCarthy to make due through the air and he performed.
We also have to remember that Jefferson and McCarthy have not been together for most of the season. Jefferson missed TC and with the injuries and the birth of McCarthy's baby, they have not been able to develop the bond that others have. I'm confident both guys will figure it out and work together this offseason to getting it fixed. But I agree with Badger regarding Jefferson's struggles. He's also overthinking it, IMO and just off with his timing.
IceRatz16 wrote:
The balanced attack has worked better overall in the last two games. However, against the Cowboys, we only ran for an abysmal 2.8 yards per carry (compared to 4.8 yards per carry against Washington), which forced McCarthy to make due through the air and he performed.We also have to remember that Jefferson and McCarthy have not been together for most of the season. Jefferson missed TC and with the injuries and the birth of McCarthy's baby, they have not been able to develop the bond that others have. I'm confident both guys will figure it out and work together this offseason to getting it fixed. But I agree with Badger regarding Jefferson's struggles. He's also overthinking it, IMO and just off with his timing.
Good point. I'd forgotten about Jefferson missing most of training camp.
McCarthy false starts ‘Griddy’
Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips commended quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s pocket presence to buy time by stepping up and finding throwing lanes downfield. But he wasn’t as big of a fan of McCarthy’s “Griddy” touchdown celebration during a 1-yard run in the second quarter. McCarthy swung the ball by his ankles as he crossed the goal line. McCarthy said after the game he had done the dance in practice and was told not to do it during the game.
“As coaches, it doesn’t matter what the player or position,” Phillips said, “we want them to just cross the goal line first and then celebrate; do your thing. There’s been examples this year of guys taking the ball from a tucked position and starting to put the ball over the goal line and fumbling.”
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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