Vikings: One and Done

I quit reviewing Vikings games after the Jacksonvile game and the Vikings proceeded to go on a season long run, winning the NFC North on the last day of the regular season. This will serve as a review of the playoff game w/the Eagles as well as a season in review.

Eagles 26 Vikings 14

Chris Berman summed it up like this on NFL primetime last night, "The Vikings are just goofy". Boomer was referring to their punt coverage, Matt Birk's snap to the feet of Jackson, and Brad Childress's wonderful clock managment at the end of the first half.

Simply put the Vikings didn't win this game due to I believe three reasons

1. Eagles had McNabb - Vikings had T Jack - any football fan could see the superiority and calmness in McNabb's play on Sunday contrasted with Jackson's play that overall was shaky/and up and down. Both QB's threw interceptions - McNabb's gave the Vikes the ball deep in Eagles territory, while Jackson's interception was the pick 6 version.
2. Coaching - Schematically the Eagles dominated the Vikings. There was a 3rd and 1 in the 3rd quarter where Pederson and Tahi lined up in a Twins formation in the backfield. The Vikings have ran this play each of the last two weeks and ran Pederson off the right side for 2-3 yard gains. There was a couple of problems running this on Sunday. First, an amateur football mind could identify this play on TV...you'd think a team that watched tons of film on a team would be ready for this - and they were and forced the Vikes to punt on a drive where it looked like the Vikes could take a lead as the score was still 16-14. The second problem would be that the right side isn't exactly our best running side with Ryan Cook and Anthony Herrara. Also, Jim Johnson's blitzes dominated the Vikings and they virtually had no answer aside from a beautifully designed screen to Jim Kleinsasser. Now only if Jimmy's name was changed to Brian Westbrook - that play could've been bigger. The Vikings just weren't creative enough on offense to combat an Eagles blitz that was actually fun to watch - man they are so aggressive. And finally, I would've like to see more Chestor Taylor on Sunday. AP had one significant play, couldn't pick up the blitz, and dances behind the line of scrimmage way too much for me against a fast defense. That is a coaching move that Chilly failed to make.
   
3. Too many Benny Sapp and Tyrell Johnson Tackles - when Benny Sapp is making plays and I'm hearing his name called more than linebackers or Antoine Winfield - things aren't going to go well for the Vikings, eventually a big play will happen, which it did. Johnson was forced to play as Darren Sharper left with an injury to his ankle. Excuses due to injury are pretty lame, but it is worth noting that the Vikings D was without 4 starters on Sunday - Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, Darren Sharper, and E.J. Henderson. Although the D held up and I thought kept us in the game (practicing their bend but don't break philosophy well in the first half) - the D with these 4 starters in is noticeabely different.
4. I know I said only three - but Chris Kluwe (our punter) trying to tackle Deshawn Jackson (4.4 40) in the open field is never good.

Looking Ahead/Season Review

The Vikings enter the offseason again with doubts at the quarterback position. My thought is draft a QB in the first or second round and then let Jackson and the rookie battle it out in camp. We've seen this year what Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan could do as QB's surrounded by solid players and veterans.

Significant strides were made this year on D. Yes the Vikings led the NFL against the run again- but the big improvement comes in the area of pass D. We went from dead last (32nd) in the league last year in 2007 to 18th in the league in 2008. I attribute this to 1- Jared Allen. We've longed for a consistent pass rush for years and we finally got it in 2008. 2 - Madeue Williams was a significant upgrade at SS compared to something known as Dwight Smith.

Offensively this team's identity still is in running the football. I believe AP and Chestor are a great 1-2 punch, although AP's fumble issues need to be dealt with. The passing game had several big plays as Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade, and V Schiancoe all had productive seasons. I think we need more out of Sidney Rice next year.

The Vikings hadn't been to the playoffs since 2004 and it was actually fun looking down on the Bears and Packers at the end of the year. Under Chilly the Vikings have made improvement 6-10, to 8-8, to 10-6 (0-1 in the playoffs)....we need to continue that trend and go 11-5 or 12-4 next year and at least to the NFC championship game for me to see vast improvement. Minnesota Vikings 2008 - DEAD!