JUST WIN BABY!
The Minnesota Vikings earned another impressive win, absolutely dominating the Jacksonville Jaguars 12-7, to improve to 7-2 on the season. Before you freak out about this win, just know that the Jaguars are one of the 32 best teams in the NFL. A first-class win by Minnesota. I just can't overstate how exciting this Vikings team is to watch play American football. This might be the greatest team to ever bless the gridiron. We are truly blessed as Minnesota fans. Let's dive a little deeper into this dominating performance:
The Minnesota Vikings out-gained the Jacksonville Jaguars in total yards, 402 to 143. This is about as one-sided as you'll ever see in an NFL game.
The Vikings advanced the ball for 28 total first downs, while the Jaguars offense only accumulated 10 in the entire game. I take a Fireball shot every time the Vikings get a first down... and they had me drunk off my ass last Sunday!
The Vikings won the time of possession by an astounding 42:19 to 17:41. It was only the 3rd time since 2000 that the Vikings have finished with over 40 minutes of T.O.P. in a single game.
7-2 is the worst hand to have in poker, but 7-2 also happens to be the best record to have in football. It's science.
The turnover differential finished at a stalemate of 3 to 3. Sam Darnold and the Vikings executed 3 thrown interceptions PERFECTLY against the Jaguars, allowing the game to stay close and forcing the Vikings defense to prove that they could be dominant again (after a couple poor performances in the previous weeks). It helped having MLB Blake Cashman back, but by having the Vikings offense move the ball so easily and then intentionally throw interceptions to make the defense prove their worthiness through adversity in a close game was a brilliant move by KOC and Darnold.
Another strong play of adversity by the Vikings, besides intentially not scoring any touchdowns, was to say our "long-snapper and kicker are injured" heading into the easiest portion of the schedule. By doing this, KOC and the front office proved to the team that they could win a game without scoring a single touchdown, relying on a first time long-snapper and field goal kicker, and letting the defense find their confidence again. Manufactured regular season adversity always leads to great postseason success. Absolutely brilliant!
Top performers for the Vikings: Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, Harrison Phillips, Blake Cashman, Cam Bynum, Byron Murphy, and Kicker John Parker Romo (4/4 on FGs in his NFL debut).
Next up, the 7-2 Vikings will stay on the road to face the terrible 2-7 Tennessee Titans. The Vikings will be at full strength, while the Titans will be without 2 of their starting OL and their top CB. With that being said, the Titans should not be overlooked because they are a scrappy team with a solid running game and a very good defensive line. In fact, if the Titans were to play in this year's College Football season, they would be the Number 1 ranked team, go undefeated, and win the National Championship. Now that Minnesota had their "intentionally poor offensive performance," I think they will look like their normal selves again. I expect a smooth 27-13 victory over the Titans, with big games from Darnold, Jones, Jefferson, and Hockenson. The Titans come in with a -11 turnover differential on the season, 2nd worst in the NFL. Expect the Vikings defense to finish this game with a +3 turnover differential. Strap in, the Vikings are going to have another stellar performance and improve to 8-2 on the season! Let's go, Vikings! SKOL!!!!
18-6 Vikings
Skol! I think 35-10
Hello, go Vikings
Great points, compelling and rich.