1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,680 Speaker 1: When you step into Lifetime, you won't just see the difference, 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:06,440 Speaker 1: you'll feel it. Experience it for yourself. Visit Lifetime dot 3 00:00:06,480 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 1: Life for a complimentary guest pass, or stop by a 4 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: club Lifetime the Healthy Way of Life partner for the 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:23,119 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings. What a performance by Dalvin against Pittsburgh to 6 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,319 Speaker 1: come back to show their brace on questionable going in. 7 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 1: No NOO's going to play. Dalvin's going to need that 8 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:31,680 Speaker 1: same attitude this week, and our goal would be to 9 00:00:31,760 --> 00:00:35,239 Speaker 1: keep on the field and wear him out. It's an 10 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: old school, tough town, tough type of game, and that's 11 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: the mentality that you have to have and Jefferson, I 12 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: think brought that last year and hopefully you'll do it 13 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: again this Monday night. You're listening to the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, 14 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: Episode one twenty four. I'm Tatum Everett alongside producer Jane 15 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: Nelson Gabe Henderson under the weather today. He'll be back 16 00:00:56,800 --> 00:00:59,240 Speaker 1: next week and probably later this week as well for 17 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: all of our Vikings content, but we're stepping in today 18 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:07,040 Speaker 1: to get ready for this big Monday night football game 19 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: between the Bears and the Vikings coming up. On the show, 20 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: we're talking playoffs. Jay I had to give me. I know, 21 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 1: every single time, I just want to win a game. Playoffs. Playoffs. 22 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,320 Speaker 1: We'll also have Vikings color analysts and Illinois native Pete 23 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 1: Bursage as our guest to get us ready for this contest. 24 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,759 Speaker 1: But back to Jim Mora and all things playoffs. It's 25 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,680 Speaker 1: been almost a week since the Vikings last game, so 26 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:35,440 Speaker 1: the team's enjoyed a little bit of mini buy after 27 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: the Thursday night football win over the Steelers and improves 28 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: Minnesota's record to six and seven, and Jay, we are 29 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:45,080 Speaker 1: still vying for that playoff berth. We are sitting on 30 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:47,600 Speaker 1: the very teetering edge of it. Yes, we are at 31 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: the eighth seed at this point. And every time I 32 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: see that the standings, you just see the kind of 33 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: the log jam there at the very end, and you're like, man, 34 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,880 Speaker 1: this is you know, the league likes the drama and 35 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: they like everyone to stay involved. And the fact that 36 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: there are as many teams at this point who are 37 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: still buying for that kind of six and seven seed, 38 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,520 Speaker 1: it's about to get real interesting for the next four weeks. Yes, 39 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: every game matters, and after that Monday Night football Cardinals lost, 40 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:15,720 Speaker 1: there's a new number one team in town, and no 41 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: one's happy to see it. Some people are, some people are. 42 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 1: At least you know, you've got your Packer fans who 43 00:02:22,240 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 1: are in the area. But at the same point, there've 44 00:02:25,160 --> 00:02:27,079 Speaker 1: been a lot of people pointing out last time they 45 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: had a number one seed, they lost in the playoffs 46 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,800 Speaker 1: at Lambo, so's there's I don't think there's any level 47 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: of angst that will not be met given the fact 48 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: that the Packers are the number one seed in the 49 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: NFC right now. But as we've seen over the last heck, 50 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: even the last week, all of this stuff is completely 51 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 1: fluid and changing every single week. So everyone's going to 52 00:02:47,480 --> 00:02:51,399 Speaker 1: pay attention. Yeah, especially when you're talking about the NFC West, Yes, 53 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:55,799 Speaker 1: and the Cardinals. They felled to third behind the Buccaneers now, 54 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 1: and then it's that five, six, seven that you're kind 55 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: of keeping your eye on right now. Obviously, eighth is 56 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 1: pretty important because you've got a bunch of teams at 57 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: six and seven, five teams at six and seven, Washington, Vikings, Eagles, Falcons, 58 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 1: and Saints, and it's really just going to be a 59 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:14,960 Speaker 1: dog eat dog kind of world. It's a murderers row 60 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: of teams that Vikings fans absolutely despise. So I think 61 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 1: it's going to be even more interesting to watch this 62 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:24,560 Speaker 1: and see who can kind of hopefully slide into that 63 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: seven seed here given the crazy schedules that are still 64 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: about to happen. Yeah, you know, you look at the Rams, 65 00:03:30,080 --> 00:03:32,080 Speaker 1: They're a team that are kind of hot right now. 66 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: They're kind of refound their identity after having a lull, 67 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: and so behind them is the forty nine ers, who, 68 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: you know, you just wish you could have another chance 69 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: at that. Yeah, that loss against the forty nine ers 70 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 1: really is kind of putting in in a predicament here 71 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: because not only are they head record wise, but then 72 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,600 Speaker 1: they have that, you know, essentially a half game tiebreaker 73 00:03:51,640 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 1: above us, so you're essentially fighting at least two games 74 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: just to try to get them in. That last minute 75 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: win by them last week was a killer. I was 76 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: really sitting there kind of gritting my teeth, going, come on, 77 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: let's see if they can you know, drop that one 78 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: in order to help us slide up. But they didn't. 79 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: So here we are, they're sitting in the sixth seed, 80 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: and we're trying to catch up to get to either 81 00:04:11,320 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: six or seven. Yeah, at this point, the seventh seed 82 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 1: is where you just want to end up because you 83 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: look at this row of teams. As you said, Washington 84 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 1: and Eagles play each other twice in this next stretch 85 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: of four games. They play the Eagles this weekend, or 86 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 1: Washington plays the Eagles this weekend, and they are in 87 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,400 Speaker 1: the middle of that COVID outbreak, and so that's gonna 88 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 1: be a really interesting development and interesting matchup to watch 89 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: as the story goes on. This week, Washington now has 90 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: hit double digits for players on that COVID list, and 91 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 1: I mean, who knows what's about to happen for not 92 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,280 Speaker 1: only this week but next week. And so the fact 93 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: that just like you were talking about, looking at the 94 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:55,920 Speaker 1: schedule with those teams, Philly's got all teams from their division, 95 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 1: Washington's all division games as well coming up for the 96 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 1: next month the Princess Philly has three home games and 97 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 1: Washington has three road games. So it's gonna get really 98 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: funky for them just to see what happens not only 99 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 1: between those guys, but but Dallas as well. Dallas has 100 00:05:10,920 --> 00:05:13,400 Speaker 1: been you know, kind of on a role as well lately, 101 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 1: and I just think they're going to really, you know, 102 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,840 Speaker 1: black and Blue beat themselves up here for the next month. Yeah, 103 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:21,440 Speaker 1: you're hoping for a little bit of that, Like I said, 104 00:05:21,520 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 1: dog eat dog kind of mentality. We want a series 105 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:29,480 Speaker 1: split with this Washington and Eagles two for coming up. 106 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: It'd be nice to see just in general, the fact 107 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 1: that they're playing all these division games between both of 108 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,040 Speaker 1: those teams, just to see them almost like cancel each 109 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,400 Speaker 1: other out, just make it a wash. Let them go 110 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 1: two and two in both, you know, in their games 111 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 1: here in the next four games, and hopefully let them 112 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 1: slide as you, hopefully on the Viking side keep winning 113 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: against these uh you know, a couple of what you 114 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 1: hope are winnable games and a couple are really difficult ones. 115 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: So you're gonna have to ask for a little bit 116 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: of help here from some of these other teams. Yeah. 117 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 1: Some of those teams include the Saints, who are in 118 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:01,680 Speaker 1: a five game losing streak and now they get to 119 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,040 Speaker 1: face good old Tommy on Sunday Night football. Tampa Bay 120 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,200 Speaker 1: is going to be rolling, you know, rolling at home. 121 00:06:08,480 --> 00:06:10,080 Speaker 1: That's the thing for New Orleans too, if you really 122 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: look at it. They're at Tampa home against Miami, home 123 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: against Carolina, and at Atlanta. So like they're not doing 124 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:17,960 Speaker 1: a ton of traveling. But at the same point, you 125 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: know that Tampa game and even that Atlanta game, with 126 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,520 Speaker 1: Atlanta fighting for that seven seed as well. Again, this 127 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: might be a situation where those two can kind of 128 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 1: cancel each other out a little bit, but it's gonna 129 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:29,920 Speaker 1: be a it's gonna be an uphill battle, I think 130 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 1: for that New Orleans team. Yeah, I mean the Falcons 131 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: showing life after that Panther's victory and the Panthers looking 132 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: like a shell of their former beginning of the season selves, 133 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: Christian McCaffrey out for the rest of the season. They 134 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,320 Speaker 1: play the forty nine ers though this week that's gonna 135 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: be a big NFC game to watch. Atlanta's pretty much 136 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: out of the race if they lose this one, so 137 00:06:49,040 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: they have a lot to play for this week, and 138 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: then you've got to think like once they do that, 139 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: they're going to try and play spoilers to the Saints, 140 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 1: at least for Atlanta looking at the who they got 141 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 1: coming up here three or four the road at San Francisco, 142 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 1: at Detroit, at Buffalo, and then New Orleans. So again 143 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,440 Speaker 1: Atlanta New Orleans trying to cancel each other out at 144 00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: San Francisco trying to stay in that six season Atlanta. Again, 145 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: that's a rough rough patch here at San Francisco and 146 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: at Buffalo. That's a heck of a lot of travel. Yeah, 147 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: you talk about teams trying to fight for things, and 148 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: right now the Bears at four and nine, they could 149 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: make a run for it at the end of the season. 150 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: And so the Vikings really like this is this is 151 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: the time you need to win games in order to 152 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 1: get that because right now you don't necessarily control your destiny. Yeah. 153 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: The other two teams that are kind of clipping at 154 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 1: the heels of all these six and seven teams are 155 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:36,720 Speaker 1: the Panthers, like we had just talked about. But then 156 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: the Seahawks, and we all know, I mean, Seahawks have 157 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: definitely not been what they've been in the past, but 158 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: there's a chance you could see them getting hot here. 159 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: You're getting a little high. Yeah, they've won two in 160 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: a row, and you know they've got the Rams coming 161 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: up here. So say they get to win against the Rams. Yeah, 162 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: they're right back in contention here, and they've got Ross 163 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: in that offense. So I mean, who knows. But for me, 164 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,520 Speaker 1: I'm just going to try and focus on not only Washington, 165 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: who's tied with US currently, but just trying to keep 166 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: ahead and keep pace behind in front of those other 167 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: teams that are really chasing at our heels. Well, I 168 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: think it's it's kind of interesting this week too, that 169 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: we'll have the Monday night football game, so we'll see 170 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: how everything develops on Saturday and Sunday this week. Yeah, 171 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: and Thursday, but Saturday and Sunday. This is that time 172 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 1: of year where the Saturday games kick in because the 173 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: college games are over and there's gonna be a whole 174 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:31,120 Speaker 1: lot of people in fantasy going, wait, I forgot to 175 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 1: set my line up on Saturday. I never forget. I'm 176 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,400 Speaker 1: too obsessed. I always love the Saturday games. I think 177 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 1: people some people say, we've already got Thursday, We've already 178 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: got Sunday, we already get Monday. I'm like, yeah, and 179 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 1: every week that's the thing, as many as many days 180 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:47,840 Speaker 1: as possible, especially when it gets to the playoff implications 181 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: that that Saturday game is also going to be one 182 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: that's gonna be fun to watch. So it just you 183 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 1: gotta pay attention all week long, you do, especially, I 184 00:08:56,200 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 1: mean think about it this way. The NFL week started 185 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: over on two. You only go two days without a game, 186 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,079 Speaker 1: then Friday, and then you have a game the rest 187 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,240 Speaker 1: of the weekend. I mean three days in a week 188 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: that you don't have a game. That's insane. That's what 189 00:09:09,520 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 1: the NFL wants at this time of year. And then 190 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: once the bowl games kick in, you're like, yep, that's 191 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: the back half, and then we really get to focus 192 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: on the chaos of the playoff pictures. So for me, 193 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 1: I just I love this time of year. I love 194 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: everything's coming down, especially when you're relevant. And the fact 195 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 1: that we are as as you know, riding on that 196 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: edge as much as we are just makes it so 197 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: that you really have to focus on not only what 198 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: we're doing, but then you're kind of the hard part 199 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: is is you're not in the Washington spot where you're 200 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 1: controlling your destiny. But at the same point, just the 201 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 1: way things are shaping up here with all these different teams, 202 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: that just feels like, man, you are you are primed 203 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:49,199 Speaker 1: to if you handle your own business and get at 204 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:51,280 Speaker 1: least two of these. But you're looking at, you know, 205 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: having to snag something either from the Rams or at 206 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,360 Speaker 1: Green Bay. You're just hoping that you know, if you 207 00:09:56,400 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 1: can get at least three of these pieces here, you're 208 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: shaping up pretty dang good. And the key to all 209 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: of that, though, Jay, is a win on Monday Night 210 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:05,120 Speaker 1: against the Bears. And so to get us ready for 211 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,480 Speaker 1: this big Monday night football game, who else? Then Vikings 212 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,440 Speaker 1: analyst Pete Bursach to fill us in on just this 213 00:10:11,559 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: matchup his long standing knowledge of the Bears in general 214 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,320 Speaker 1: from what a kid perspective, a coaching perspective, and a 215 00:10:19,360 --> 00:10:22,240 Speaker 1: player perspective. Yeah, grown up in then the Chicago Land area, 216 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: he was a you know, a kind of the Bears 217 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 1: kid and living through the whole eighty five Bears dynasty 218 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:30,199 Speaker 1: with the Super Bowl shuffle and all that kind of stuff. 219 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:32,960 Speaker 1: Pete definitely knows this stuff. So at this point, let's 220 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:37,120 Speaker 1: jump in with Pete Bursch on the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. Pete, 221 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: how you doing this morning? Great? How are you guys? 222 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: We are fabulous? Peach keen good. Yeah, it feels much 223 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: better after wins. You know, you know what's funny it 224 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 1: always does every week is the same. It's good groundhog 225 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:51,959 Speaker 1: day no matter what. But when you you know, when 226 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:54,439 Speaker 1: you win, when you win, it just man makes it 227 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: a little better, you know, I know, coaching coaching, winning 228 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:00,200 Speaker 1: is the only thing that made it worth it. I 229 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 1: mean it was just so so miserable, you know, on 230 00:11:04,280 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: a week when you lose that you know it just 231 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:10,840 Speaker 1: getting that W makes all the difference in the world 232 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,079 Speaker 1: and doesn't matter how you do it. It's just you 233 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,559 Speaker 1: get the W. And it's I mean that's also such 234 00:11:15,600 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: a good point when you think about how long it's 235 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:20,559 Speaker 1: been in between games as well, right, and you do 236 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 1: have a little bit of extra time, and you know 237 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,559 Speaker 1: that matters too. It used to, you know, I know 238 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:29,560 Speaker 1: when I played, um, we knew that if we won 239 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:33,080 Speaker 1: going into a buy, we'd get a little extra time off. 240 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: Or if you had a long weekend like this and 241 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: played on Thanksgiving, if you win, you get it. So 242 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: we everybody, everybody fought there rear ends off to get 243 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: that get that extra day or two of a time off. 244 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 1: At this time of the year, I mean that was 245 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: at the gold I mean that's kind of the only 246 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: currency you have. And again things have changed now, Um 247 00:11:52,880 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 1: you know's what's for a number of things. I don't 248 00:11:55,160 --> 00:11:58,319 Speaker 1: think that they're they're sitting in the facility all day 249 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 1: long like we used to they just don't have too 250 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: where they can't due to COVID or for whatever reason. 251 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: So and that's another great great thing about players too. 252 00:12:06,520 --> 00:12:09,000 Speaker 1: I think as you see these young guys, the rookies, 253 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 1: they just want to compete and get on the field 254 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,520 Speaker 1: and play well. And then the older guys, the veteran guys, 255 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: they are the ones that really should be concerned about 256 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,840 Speaker 1: winning and leaving some kind of a legacy behind to 257 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 1: be able to look back on their career and say, yes, 258 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: we made a couple of big runs, we won some 259 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: playoff games. I mean, that's that's what matters. So it 260 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:30,720 Speaker 1: just it just depends on where you are in your 261 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,480 Speaker 1: career too. Speaking of legacy, the legacy of the Vikings 262 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 1: at Chicago has always been kind of a mixed bag, 263 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:40,680 Speaker 1: especially in the last twenty years. Looking at the stats, 264 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 1: I believe Zimmers three and four at Chicago, seven and 265 00:12:43,920 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: seven against them in total. But for me, the question 266 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: with this is why is Chicago always such a tough 267 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: place to play for the Vikings. So Soldier Field is 268 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,959 Speaker 1: it's managed and run by the Park Service. Really it's 269 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 1: they call it a stadium in a park, is what 270 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: Soldier Field is. And um I know back in the day, UM, 271 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 1: when we had Randy Moss and we were a speed 272 00:13:08,080 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: type of the team, they would let the grass grow 273 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: for at least you know, they wouldn't cut it for 274 00:13:12,240 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 1: two months. You go out there and it's ankle deep. 275 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:17,320 Speaker 1: They would do things like that. But there's always it's 276 00:13:17,320 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: like it's always something and that you know that they do. 277 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:24,040 Speaker 1: But they've always been UM for the most part of 278 00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 1: it's just such a physical team, and really on defense too. 279 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: I'm going like with guys like Brian Cox back in 280 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:35,240 Speaker 1: the day and then Erlacker and Um all these other 281 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: players that it was always a physical game. It's always 282 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 1: going to be a close game. It's always going to 283 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,480 Speaker 1: be UM. You know, you're out in the grass, you're outside. 284 00:13:45,400 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: It's it's it's a very unique place to play UM, 285 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 1: and usually we play him. It seems like we always 286 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: like to play him here late in the year when 287 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:57,240 Speaker 1: it's nice and cold. So it's another added twist I 288 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 1: think to the game. UM. But yeah, are our luck 289 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: in Chicago hasn't been you know, you look at Green Bay. 290 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:08,280 Speaker 1: Green Bay is the exact same thing. It's you know, 291 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:11,560 Speaker 1: it's on the road, it's outside, it's whatever. But it 292 00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:15,760 Speaker 1: seems like we just don't always answer the call here 293 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:18,959 Speaker 1: in Chicago as like you do when you're in Green Bay, 294 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 1: except for last season. They got the November win over 295 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:24,560 Speaker 1: the Bears last season. But you make a good point, though, 296 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: I mean, the Bears have been a team that you 297 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:28,000 Speaker 1: know is always gonna at the end of your schedule. 298 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: I think was it you and I J that looked 299 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 1: us up? I don't remember. I looked it up with somebody, 300 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: and it was the last five or six years that 301 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 1: they've ended the year playing the Bears. Yeah, right now. 302 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:41,640 Speaker 1: And most of the time the game doesn't matter, or 303 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: it's one way or another, and it's you know, yeah, 304 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:47,800 Speaker 1: it's until I remember we ended my last season coaching, 305 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:49,520 Speaker 1: Our last game of the year was against the Bears, 306 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: and I remember they had like an offensive lineman playing guard. 307 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, they had an offensive guard playing defensive line. 308 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:59,160 Speaker 1: I mean it got crazy. Last year's game. I'll tell 309 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: you what sneak he was, sneak sneaky wise, it was 310 00:15:02,320 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: one of Justin Jefferson's best games. Um, I don't I 311 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:08,480 Speaker 1: don't think his numbers were crazy. It wasn't like it 312 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: wasn't like he had against Tennessee or or you know, 313 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:16,560 Speaker 1: anything like that. But he made some really really tough 314 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: plays and and ground out some some pretty tough receptions 315 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,520 Speaker 1: for you know, for first downs and things like that. 316 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:28,000 Speaker 1: But Jefferson and Feeland Feeling especially always seems to have 317 00:15:28,120 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: a big day when you know he's in Chicago. But 318 00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:35,120 Speaker 1: Jefferson last year m got some really really tough first downs, 319 00:15:35,160 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: grinding things out dragon dbs, and that's just kind of 320 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's the Bears. That's kind of the 321 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,640 Speaker 1: mentality that you have. And back in the day, remember 322 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,240 Speaker 1: Jack del Rio, would you know Bear week, you don't shave. 323 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: Everybody goes in there, and you know, it's kind of 324 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: a you know, it's a it's an old school, tough town, 325 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: tough type of game, and that's a mentality that you 326 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 1: had to have. And Jefferson, I think brought that last 327 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: year and hopefully he'll do it again this Monday night. 328 00:15:57,240 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 1: I think the thing was you saw Dalvin kind of 329 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: do that again. It's Pittsburgh this this past week where 330 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: he was the guy that was just kind of like, 331 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:05,760 Speaker 1: all right, this is what it's going to be. Let's go. 332 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 1: I One of the things that's always been a pain 333 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 1: in the bought. It feels like playing Chicago has been, 334 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 1: especially in recent times, has been that defensive line has 335 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: always just killed us at the point of attack with 336 00:16:16,840 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: no Khalil Mack basically for the rest of the year. 337 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: And now a Keem Hicks maybe coming back. And I 338 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 1: saw like even this morning, there's more information coming out 339 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,760 Speaker 1: about you know, COVID list people and defensive tackles and 340 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 1: everything else, like that's going to be a variable to watch. 341 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 1: But what do you feel like this defensive line for 342 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 1: the Bears, You know, what kind of resistance are they 343 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: going to put up against us again this year? Um? 344 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 1: You know, a Keen Hicks is always big question mark. 345 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:47,360 Speaker 1: I mean when that guy on Jay's he's unbelievable, you know, 346 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: and you kind of add him in the mix. Balal 347 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: Nichols is playing really, really well. They like to put 348 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: him on the same side as Robert Quinn, and Robert 349 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: Quinn has really, I think stepped up and answered the call. 350 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: He's one of the one of the NFL leaders and 351 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: sacks this year. Um, see, you lose Khalil Mack, but 352 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 1: you know, Robert Quinn steps up, you put him on 353 00:17:06,840 --> 00:17:09,399 Speaker 1: the same side of the line as Ball Nichols and 354 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: those two guys run stunts together, do different things together. 355 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 1: We saw him get you know, get to Aaron Rodgers 356 00:17:14,800 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: a number of times. And getting to Aaron Rodgers, we 357 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: know it's not easy. Um, but that front, that front 358 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 1: is really good. Um, and you know they're gonna have 359 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: They're gonna have a few, you know, a few other guys. Uh, 360 00:17:28,280 --> 00:17:31,880 Speaker 1: you know, Travis Gibson's gonna be mixed in there. Um, 361 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 1: you know they're gonna they have. They're always real physical 362 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 1: Marcus Hunt, you know, six foot eight two pounds. I mean, 363 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: he's not tiny. You guys, you know these guys are huge. 364 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:45,680 Speaker 1: They're they're big, they're physical. What can they maintain that intensity? 365 00:17:45,720 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 1: And then right behind him is standing Roquan Smith, who 366 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: is leading this team and tackles by I don't even 367 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 1: know how him any dozens of tackles he's leading this 368 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: team by. But this kid ums continues to improve every year. 369 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 1: So their front seven is always always good. And then 370 00:18:01,880 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 1: in the back end, you know, they depend on the 371 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:05,880 Speaker 1: pass rush. And if they're getting the pass rush, then 372 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: you know the way they play coverage works well. If 373 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: you can keep the quarterback up right and make those 374 00:18:11,240 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: guys cover for just a fraction of a second longer. 375 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:17,160 Speaker 1: You know, then you know you can you can make 376 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 1: some big plays and move the football on them. So, um, yeah, 377 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: they're they're, they're, they're all. You know. It's a good, 378 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:27,359 Speaker 1: really good solid group. And it's Monday night, right, and 379 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: Monday night football. Everybody's watching the people. Teachers, he had everybody, 380 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:34,560 Speaker 1: you know, so you always you always get a great 381 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 1: effort out of both teams on a Monday night type game. 382 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:41,919 Speaker 1: I just anticipate Chicago bringing Hicks back just because you 383 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: had both defensive end Mario Edwards and nose tackle Eddie 384 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 1: Goldman test positive for COVID. So if those guys are 385 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 1: potentially going to be out next Monday, depending on the 386 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,040 Speaker 1: whole testing regiment and all that kind of stuff, I 387 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:54,880 Speaker 1: just feel like they're going to definitely need a Keeam 388 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: Hicks to come back to help shore up because I'm 389 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 1: sure looking at a two hundred yard rushing game Delvin 390 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: last week is going to be on the mind of 391 00:19:02,240 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: that defensive line, no question about it. And and that's 392 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:07,720 Speaker 1: the thing with the with this COVID thing is is 393 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:09,840 Speaker 1: every day is different. You just never know. I mean, 394 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:12,680 Speaker 1: coach Zimmer mentioned that yesterday or a few days ago, 395 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: he's you know, saying, my phone rings or you get 396 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 1: text every day and something's different. So um yeah, fingers crossed. Um, 397 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: you know we have our offensive line intact, um the 398 00:19:23,800 --> 00:19:26,600 Speaker 1: way the way it's been. Uh, and yeah, I mean, 399 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: what a what a performance by Dalvin against Pittsburgh to 400 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,159 Speaker 1: come back shoulder brace on questionable going in No. One. No, 401 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 1: he was going to play and you know, to put 402 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 1: up two to be one yard. He actually tied um 403 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:42,960 Speaker 1: his what his all time record or his record in 404 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,000 Speaker 1: single game and then had a TfL for put him 405 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:48,719 Speaker 1: down to two h five. So yeah, he brought it. 406 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:51,359 Speaker 1: And what a leader for this team as far as 407 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:55,520 Speaker 1: attitude and you know, how do you play this football game? 408 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: So Dalvin's going to need that same attitude this week 409 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,600 Speaker 1: and he's gonna be out in mc grass. So that's good. 410 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 1: I think Dalvin on the grass outside it's gonna be 411 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 1: it's gonna be better for his body. And um, you know, if, 412 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: like you said, if they're missing a few of those linemen, 413 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 1: their depth isn't what it normally is, and then our 414 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 1: goal would be to keep them on the field and 415 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: wear him out. Yeah, and good to point out as 416 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:18,440 Speaker 1: well though, that Alexander Madison is one of the guys 417 00:20:18,440 --> 00:20:20,320 Speaker 1: that we're talking about who will not be in the game. 418 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: So is this the time that we see a little 419 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: bit more Canay wong Wu. Yeah, let's hope so, right, 420 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: I mean, and that's the thing is is for Canay. Um. 421 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:33,600 Speaker 1: You know, you saw him in the preseason and he 422 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:35,880 Speaker 1: looks so good and then he you know, the injury 423 00:20:35,960 --> 00:20:38,120 Speaker 1: came in and you know we weren't able to see him. 424 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: And now he's seeing a couple of things that you know, 425 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: his kickoff return and his ability. Um, I mean, the guy, 426 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:48,120 Speaker 1: he's dynamic, he's got he has some speed. It's it's 427 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: like this this sneaky little wide receiver Jacchine Grant that 428 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,640 Speaker 1: the Bears traded for from Miami. Um, I mean, this 429 00:20:55,640 --> 00:20:58,159 Speaker 1: guy's quick. He looks like he should be playing on 430 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,440 Speaker 1: the Kansas City Chiefs. You know, he's just that small 431 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,919 Speaker 1: stature um kind of a dynamo type player. And you 432 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:06,640 Speaker 1: know he returned to ninety seven yard punt for a touchdown, 433 00:21:06,720 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: the first one in the NFL this year. He took 434 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 1: a simple jet suite for a big touchdown against Green Bay. Um, 435 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:17,119 Speaker 1: and you know, Wong Wu has that same type of 436 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: you know, dynamic ability to him. He's bigger, but you 437 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: gotta get him more involved in the offense. It just 438 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:27,919 Speaker 1: looks like the last couple of weeks he hasn't had 439 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,200 Speaker 1: a lot of plays to be carrying into the game. 440 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: So when you are the backup, when you are the 441 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:35,399 Speaker 1: number two guy, you've got to be able to carry 442 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:40,280 Speaker 1: the entire offense protections. So hopefully, uh, you know, for 443 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:43,919 Speaker 1: wong Wu, he mentally he's ready and he's able to 444 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 1: step in there at any time. But I'm excited to 445 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: see that that guy carry the football and get a 446 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 1: little more a little more time at running back. You 447 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 1: mentioned a guy I wanted to talk about in the 448 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: Chicago Special teams department in Grant. But uh, you know, 449 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 1: watching that Monday night football game got me a little 450 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,440 Speaker 1: bit more nervous. I know, Bears lost the Packers, but 451 00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 1: but seeing their fight, which I feel this team in 452 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:09,879 Speaker 1: the Vikings has seeing justin fields and action. Um, I 453 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: thought he he impressed me that the Bears had jumped 454 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:15,280 Speaker 1: out to such a big lead like that, and so 455 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:17,119 Speaker 1: I kind of wanted to get your thoughts on what 456 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: is that the feeling back in Chicago on the way 457 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,359 Speaker 1: that Justin Fields is performing right now? I think, you know, 458 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:27,480 Speaker 1: I think in Chicagle everyone they like Fields, like what 459 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:31,720 Speaker 1: they see, and you know, you look early on in 460 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: the game, he Fields completed a past that Darnel Mooney. 461 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:40,000 Speaker 1: It was it was a simple twelve or thirteen yard pass, 462 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 1: but when he threw it, he got hit and Kingsley 463 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 1: Kiki hit him, and after that he just kind of 464 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 1: it just he just wasn't the same. And then he 465 00:22:52,520 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: started hurrying some throws and he played. He missed a 466 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:57,439 Speaker 1: couple of weeks. He had two broken ribs. And for 467 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:00,960 Speaker 1: people who have never broken a rib, I've never broken 468 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,800 Speaker 1: broken a rib, but I tore cartilage out in my 469 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: ribs and it's so it's similar, and it is you 470 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:11,360 Speaker 1: can't cough, you can't sneeze, you can't laugh. I mean, 471 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:15,639 Speaker 1: it's unbelievably painful. And so he's coming back from something 472 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,959 Speaker 1: like that. Took a big hit by Kiki, and um 473 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:21,639 Speaker 1: I think he was. He was just awf a little 474 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:24,560 Speaker 1: bit for the rest of the game. And the problem 475 00:23:24,600 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: here is protecting him and keeping him upright. I Mean, 476 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:31,600 Speaker 1: they've they have a lot of injuries on the offensive line, Um, 477 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: their left tackle situation is going to be going to 478 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 1: be pretty interesting. You know, Jason Peters, who's been there, 479 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:41,320 Speaker 1: uh for most of the for most of the year. Um, 480 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,679 Speaker 1: you know, twisted an ankle and so you got backups 481 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: and other guys coming in and stepping in and you 482 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,719 Speaker 1: know a lot of pressure, a lot of pressure on him. 483 00:23:50,760 --> 00:23:52,720 Speaker 1: So they're gonna keep him on the move, do all 484 00:23:52,760 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 1: the things that you do to try to keep a 485 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 1: quarterback upright. But if the defensive line, the linebackers, you know, 486 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:02,080 Speaker 1: seen our saved these blitz and the different things that 487 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:04,520 Speaker 1: we can do to create pressure, you're gonna you're gonna 488 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 1: have to be physical. And being physical with the quarterback 489 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 1: in today's game is a little different. You know. He 490 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 1: used to be you could see a quarterback get up 491 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:13,960 Speaker 1: limping because you'd hit him and take him to the ground. Well, 492 00:24:14,000 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 1: nowadays you just gotta, you know, keep putting the hits 493 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:20,280 Speaker 1: on them. Um, keep the keep at his feet, and 494 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: then you know, the accuracy starts to go. And I 495 00:24:22,520 --> 00:24:26,399 Speaker 1: think that's something um, you know here with with fields, 496 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:28,880 Speaker 1: it's it's the same kind of thing. It's you might 497 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: start out looking great and then the accuracy starts to 498 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:33,679 Speaker 1: go away as the hits start to add up and 499 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:36,800 Speaker 1: go on. So um, you know, they're excited. I know 500 00:24:36,880 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: everyone here is excited about them. I know they're they're 501 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: you know, most of the fans here want to you know, 502 00:24:41,359 --> 00:24:43,440 Speaker 1: want to get rid of the head coach Naggie. It's 503 00:24:43,480 --> 00:24:47,119 Speaker 1: just but that's it's like, you can only do you 504 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 1: can only do so much, right, you can do so 505 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,959 Speaker 1: much when you have uh guys playing out a position 506 00:24:52,960 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 1: and backups on the offensive line. You know, you still 507 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:58,160 Speaker 1: have Montgomery and running back. He's a good player, so 508 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 1: they have they have talent. The I guess thing watching 509 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 1: that game between the Packers and Bears the other night, 510 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:06,479 Speaker 1: for me was just realizing, you know, when the Bears 511 00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:08,520 Speaker 1: did jump out ahead and they kind of had the 512 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 1: fight to him, the Packers just outsprinted him. You know. 513 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:13,119 Speaker 1: By the back end of the game, it was just 514 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:14,879 Speaker 1: all right, we're going to keep scoring. Let's see if 515 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:16,920 Speaker 1: you can keep up with us. What do you feel 516 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,320 Speaker 1: like is the biggest key to victory for the Vikings 517 00:25:19,359 --> 00:25:22,440 Speaker 1: coming up here on Monday night. They don't need um 518 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:26,280 Speaker 1: shifty yard passes so to speak, through the air to 519 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:28,920 Speaker 1: be explosive and that's kind of a crazy thing. I mean, 520 00:25:29,160 --> 00:25:32,560 Speaker 1: Alan Robinson, Um, you know he's been he's had a 521 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:35,080 Speaker 1: growing I believe or hamstrings, and you use out for 522 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:37,199 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks. He came back. So is he 523 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:40,320 Speaker 1: you know who you know? Is he back to you know, 524 00:25:40,400 --> 00:25:43,160 Speaker 1: to be in himself. Darnell Mooney is you know, obviously 525 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 1: a good running back. But they take a guy like 526 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:49,480 Speaker 1: demere Bird put him a running back. He catches a little, 527 00:25:49,560 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, little little inside David Palmer's special you know, 528 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:55,680 Speaker 1: a little slant route out of the backfield as a 529 00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,480 Speaker 1: running back and takes that thing to the house. Um, 530 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:01,360 Speaker 1: you know, we talked about Team Grant. They have some 531 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:07,159 Speaker 1: very explosive players and receivers, especially on offense. Montgomery is 532 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,359 Speaker 1: a good running back, He's solid. So that's kind of 533 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 1: what you have to do. Jay. You can let them 534 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:17,520 Speaker 1: move the chains, but you have to you can't let 535 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:20,840 Speaker 1: them get explosive. You have to tackle well you can't. 536 00:26:21,119 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 1: And obviously special teams will be a big point of 537 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: emphasis this week after after what you know granted in 538 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:29,760 Speaker 1: the punt return game. You can't let this team, you 539 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:33,760 Speaker 1: can't give them anything, so to speak, offensive or you can't. 540 00:26:33,840 --> 00:26:36,280 Speaker 1: You have to make them do eight ten, twelve play 541 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,040 Speaker 1: drives um. And you know, whatever tricks they throw at you, 542 00:26:40,119 --> 00:26:42,240 Speaker 1: whatever wrinkles they throw at you, and go by the 543 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:45,080 Speaker 1: way fields is athletic too. So if you just let 544 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 1: him run around and scramble, he'll do that. But you 545 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:49,800 Speaker 1: can't let them get you can't let them get those 546 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:54,159 Speaker 1: big big runs after catches um. And if you do that, 547 00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 1: then you'll limit the amount of points they can score. 548 00:26:56,440 --> 00:26:58,480 Speaker 1: I mean, they were thirty second in the league, I believe, 549 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: or thirtieth in the league in points forward going into 550 00:27:00,720 --> 00:27:03,360 Speaker 1: green Bay, and they threw up you know, they threw 551 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:04,919 Speaker 1: up a lot of points they had. They had a 552 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 1: great night, So it can happen. And that's what happens, 553 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,440 Speaker 1: like with Green Bay. You fall asleep, you get a lead, 554 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 1: you're you know it will be right, and then next 555 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:15,040 Speaker 1: thing you know, you're down by a couple of touchdowns. 556 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:18,520 Speaker 1: I'm getting PTSD from me talking about falling asleep and 557 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 1: having leads disappear right now, Pete, But you know, I 558 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: wanted to ask you though you know, it happens all over, man, 559 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 1: you know, not just here right, It happens all over 560 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:32,320 Speaker 1: exactly right ahead. I mean, it's the NFL. It's you know, 561 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:36,080 Speaker 1: everyone gets paid on both sides, correct, They have professionals 562 00:27:36,119 --> 00:27:38,160 Speaker 1: on their side of the ball as well as ours. 563 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:41,680 Speaker 1: That's why no roster, no cupboard is completely is bare. 564 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:43,800 Speaker 1: You know what I mean is I mean the parody 565 00:27:43,920 --> 00:27:46,080 Speaker 1: is so much more evident this season, and I feel 566 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: like as well, you know, there's so many teams still 567 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: up for those playoff races, and I know I wanted 568 00:27:52,119 --> 00:27:54,359 Speaker 1: to ask you about, you know, if this team is 569 00:27:54,400 --> 00:27:56,800 Speaker 1: a playoff team, but but first I really wanted to 570 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:01,000 Speaker 1: get your thoughts on this is justin fields first time 571 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:04,640 Speaker 1: playing a Mike Zimmer defense, and historically rookies have kind 572 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,040 Speaker 1: of been rattled by that. Is that a card we 573 00:28:07,119 --> 00:28:09,639 Speaker 1: have in our pocket heading into this matchup? I think so. 574 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:13,040 Speaker 1: I mean we're especially in the back end of our defense. 575 00:28:13,080 --> 00:28:16,320 Speaker 1: I mean, I think that Xavier Woods and Harrison Smith 576 00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: have done an amazing job with disguising and disguising. Is 577 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: it's not just one guy. You can't have one guy 578 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 1: out there that can make everything look different. Usually quarterbacks 579 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:33,160 Speaker 1: can sniff that apple. When you have both safeties able 580 00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:38,160 Speaker 1: to show something and then actually give the quarterback something differently. 581 00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 1: It takes a lot of coordination and it takes a 582 00:28:40,280 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 1: lot of execution to do that before the snap, and 583 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:45,400 Speaker 1: those two guys have been doing it all year. I mean, 584 00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:50,720 Speaker 1: you know Harrison Smith his sack of Roethlisberger. You think 585 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:55,040 Speaker 1: about how hard it is just as a defensive coordinator 586 00:28:55,240 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 1: to draw up something and to create a blitz that's 587 00:28:57,840 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 1: going to have a free runner. You don't see a 588 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,680 Speaker 1: lot of runners to the quarterback. You just don't. But 589 00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,880 Speaker 1: to create something, develop it, install it, teach it, teach 590 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:10,480 Speaker 1: all the adjustments, and then have the players go out 591 00:29:10,520 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 1: and execute it and then execute it perfectly. You Oh, 592 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: by the way, all all eleven guys in the field 593 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:17,040 Speaker 1: have to do it for one guy to make the sack. 594 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,400 Speaker 1: I mean that just tells you we have not just 595 00:29:20,520 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: veteran coaches, but we also have a lot, you know, 596 00:29:22,840 --> 00:29:24,760 Speaker 1: a lot of veteran players that can get out there 597 00:29:24,760 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 1: and execute these things and understand, hey, we're going to 598 00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:30,960 Speaker 1: show him this because this is what we normally play here, 599 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:33,360 Speaker 1: and then we're going to give them something else. And 600 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: if you can do that to a young quarterback, it's 601 00:29:36,520 --> 00:29:39,520 Speaker 1: a little bit easier to do, I think, and I 602 00:29:39,520 --> 00:29:42,640 Speaker 1: think that's why Zimmers had some luck because he knows 603 00:29:42,640 --> 00:29:45,320 Speaker 1: what those quarterbacks it's it's the it's the next move, 604 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 1: so to speak. Right, he's gonna think of playing this 605 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 1: and we're going to give him that, and you know, 606 00:29:49,880 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 1: and vice versa um. And so hopefully we can keep him, 607 00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:55,680 Speaker 1: keep him off his game, keep his timing off, and 608 00:29:57,160 --> 00:30:00,360 Speaker 1: you know, confuse him a little bit. And that's that's 609 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 1: what we should be able to do with the people 610 00:30:01,920 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 1: we have. Most definitely, well, thank you so much to 611 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:07,400 Speaker 1: Vikings analyst Pete Persage for joining us on the Minnesota 612 00:30:07,480 --> 00:30:10,720 Speaker 1: Vikings podcast this week. We always love your insight and 613 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 1: if you want to hear more from Pete, be short 614 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,120 Speaker 1: tuned into the call, turn down your TVs, turn up 615 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:18,800 Speaker 1: your radios to Kfan for Paul Allen and Pete Persach 616 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 1: on the call for the Vikings Bears Monday night football 617 00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:24,120 Speaker 1: game this week. Thank you so much, Pete, Thank you guys. 618 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:27,240 Speaker 1: Have a great day. Thanks Pete. See Bud well Jay. 619 00:30:27,320 --> 00:30:30,120 Speaker 1: I always love hearing from Pete Bursach. His history and 620 00:30:30,240 --> 00:30:33,880 Speaker 1: coaching and playing and being from Illinois and all his 621 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: knowledge about the Bears is so helpful. But I really, honestly, 622 00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:39,320 Speaker 1: I really do enjoy his insight from his coaching perspective 623 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:42,280 Speaker 1: more than anything. He has seen it on all levels. 624 00:30:42,360 --> 00:30:45,440 Speaker 1: That's the thing is as a player and even just 625 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,280 Speaker 1: as a guy grown up in Chicago, he's got a 626 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 1: huge knowledge of the Bears and their history and kind 627 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: of what this rivalry has meant on all levels on 628 00:30:53,400 --> 00:30:56,240 Speaker 1: both sides, and so for him to really be able 629 00:30:56,280 --> 00:30:57,920 Speaker 1: to break some of that stuff down, it's always great 630 00:30:57,920 --> 00:30:59,480 Speaker 1: to get emin. It was a no brainer. When you're 631 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:02,640 Speaker 1: looking for somebody talk Chicago, grab Pete. He definitely has 632 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 1: the pulse on what's going on for sure. We haven't 633 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:06,600 Speaker 1: had him other podcast this season, so that was a 634 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 1: good welcome, welcome back kind of moment. You know, he 635 00:31:09,560 --> 00:31:11,680 Speaker 1: got us primed and ready for this Bears game, but 636 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:14,280 Speaker 1: I wanted to take a second kind of get ready 637 00:31:14,280 --> 00:31:16,360 Speaker 1: for the game ourselves the way we always do it. 638 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:19,160 Speaker 1: One thing that we're excited about in this matchup and 639 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:21,120 Speaker 1: one thing that makes you nervous since it's just you 640 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:23,400 Speaker 1: and me, Jay, why don't you go first? Sounds good. 641 00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:26,600 Speaker 1: One thing I'm excited about is something that was touched 642 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 1: on before, as well as kind of the justin fields 643 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:31,120 Speaker 1: going against the Mike zimmer defense for the first time. 644 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:33,920 Speaker 1: I kind of feel like, you know, I've given what 645 00:31:33,960 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 1: we saw at least in that first half against Pittsburgh. 646 00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,360 Speaker 1: It feels like as if you can get to Big 647 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 1: Ben and confuse him as much as you did, hopefully 648 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:43,840 Speaker 1: you can dial it up for an entire game plan 649 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:46,320 Speaker 1: with justin fields. Yeah, he's gonna probably take some swings 650 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: and catch some good shots, but at the same point, 651 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:51,200 Speaker 1: I just feel like, if you can confuse him and 652 00:31:51,200 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 1: overwhelm him, I think that'll be a huge bonus for 653 00:31:53,400 --> 00:31:55,760 Speaker 1: us for sure. I mean, I think that you saw 654 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:59,800 Speaker 1: firsthand just how much this defense needs those veteran players. 655 00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:04,080 Speaker 1: They're making the calls against the Steelers and it's time 656 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:06,800 Speaker 1: for them to step up. Make sure no one gets 657 00:32:06,880 --> 00:32:08,640 Speaker 1: tight there in the final minutes of the game so 658 00:32:08,680 --> 00:32:10,800 Speaker 1: we don't end up in that position and don't have 659 00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:13,320 Speaker 1: to make those really tough plays there down the stretch. 660 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:14,800 Speaker 1: I think this is part of the reason you brought 661 00:32:14,800 --> 00:32:16,320 Speaker 1: those guys in at the beginning of the year, so 662 00:32:16,440 --> 00:32:19,080 Speaker 1: like this is the stretch. Now that you finally got 663 00:32:19,120 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 1: people back, they're in place. You feel like this is 664 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:24,920 Speaker 1: why you brought these veterans in period, and why You've 665 00:32:24,920 --> 00:32:27,400 Speaker 1: retained a bunch of the veterans on the defensive side. 666 00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:30,280 Speaker 1: So now for these last you know, four games coming 667 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 1: up here, this is when they got to step up 668 00:32:31,720 --> 00:32:34,880 Speaker 1: and go for sure. Well, person I'm most excited to 669 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:37,960 Speaker 1: see in this Bears Vikings game is justin Jefferson. I 670 00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:40,200 Speaker 1: know that it feels like a no brainer. But he's 671 00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:43,680 Speaker 1: going through a historic five games stretch with six hundred 672 00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:46,960 Speaker 1: and fifty six yards in the last in the last 673 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:51,360 Speaker 1: five games. You know, for me, he's going to be 674 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:53,880 Speaker 1: such a target if Adam Feeland is not back. But 675 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:58,600 Speaker 1: this passing defense or in Chicago is lowest of the 676 00:32:58,680 --> 00:33:02,360 Speaker 1: low and I that's a matchup that plays into the 677 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 1: Vikings hands, not only because of that, but because I 678 00:33:05,720 --> 00:33:08,800 Speaker 1: think he can continue this prolific stretch. He's really feeling 679 00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:11,360 Speaker 1: his stride and there's nothing like confidence and knowing that 680 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:13,440 Speaker 1: you have to play at your highest level right now 681 00:33:13,440 --> 00:33:16,120 Speaker 1: and there's no room for air for Kirk to be 682 00:33:16,160 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 1: able to focus on him as the primary target as well. 683 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 1: You just know that you know other guys like kJ 684 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:24,440 Speaker 1: and those guys have stepped up. Conklin, You're going to 685 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:25,920 Speaker 1: have some of these guys that are going to need 686 00:33:25,960 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 1: to step up again this week. But what has been 687 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,160 Speaker 1: proven over at least the last couple of weeks for sure, 688 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 1: is it doesn't matter how he's covered, he can find 689 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:37,160 Speaker 1: a way to get open. It just means that, you know, 690 00:33:37,240 --> 00:33:38,760 Speaker 1: Kirk's got to be in his game to be able 691 00:33:38,760 --> 00:33:40,840 Speaker 1: to hit him when he needs to in stride in 692 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:43,600 Speaker 1: tight windows. And I'm right there with you. I think 693 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:47,040 Speaker 1: Justin has the ability to completely, you know, decimate this 694 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,960 Speaker 1: defense if need be. It just comes down to Kirk 695 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:51,240 Speaker 1: being able to have the time to do it and 696 00:33:51,320 --> 00:33:53,160 Speaker 1: hit in the throws when he needs to. Yeah, and 697 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:55,160 Speaker 1: you know, I know you're about to touch on this 698 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,840 Speaker 1: for your nervous part, but the offensive line just played 699 00:33:57,880 --> 00:33:59,959 Speaker 1: their butts off the other night. They didn't allow us 700 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:01,920 Speaker 1: back for the third time this season. I mean that 701 00:34:02,280 --> 00:34:04,480 Speaker 1: It's just impressive what they've been able to piece together 702 00:34:05,080 --> 00:34:08,200 Speaker 1: as far as their different rotations and the people they've 703 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:09,960 Speaker 1: had to sub in and sub out. And so, yeah, 704 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:13,200 Speaker 1: that is a big concern obviously heading in giving Kirk 705 00:34:13,239 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 1: the time. I know Justin talked about it this week 706 00:34:15,680 --> 00:34:18,440 Speaker 1: on KF and just about how he felt like there 707 00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:20,440 Speaker 1: were a lot of balls he still caught in that 708 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:22,600 Speaker 1: game and so maybe you go back to the film, 709 00:34:22,680 --> 00:34:24,239 Speaker 1: you'll learn from it, and this is the week where 710 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 1: you start, you know, making those one handed catches because 711 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:30,359 Speaker 1: you're finally seeing on tape what you can fix. Nice 712 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:32,840 Speaker 1: thing about the NFL is every single week it turns 713 00:34:32,840 --> 00:34:35,360 Speaker 1: into and there's another one, and there's another one, and 714 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:38,680 Speaker 1: you keep getting better every single week until basically the 715 00:34:38,719 --> 00:34:41,960 Speaker 1: season's over. So for Justin, I think, you know, he's 716 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:44,440 Speaker 1: proven as well, he's a gamer, and I think he 717 00:34:44,520 --> 00:34:47,120 Speaker 1: understands at this point this last month of this season 718 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:49,640 Speaker 1: is going to be absolutely crucial. So he's going to 719 00:34:49,680 --> 00:34:51,520 Speaker 1: have to come out with his best foot forward on 720 00:34:51,560 --> 00:34:54,920 Speaker 1: Monday Night for sure. Well, speaking of Monday night nerves, 721 00:34:55,080 --> 00:34:57,880 Speaker 1: what are you nervous about in this one? Besides the 722 00:34:57,960 --> 00:35:00,560 Speaker 1: COVID stuff that keeps hitting around the league everything At 723 00:35:00,560 --> 00:35:03,560 Speaker 1: this point, I think the biggest thing that always kind 724 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:05,680 Speaker 1: of the joke of the PTSD has always been the 725 00:35:05,719 --> 00:35:09,239 Speaker 1: Bears defensive line against the Vikings offensive line. You know, 726 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:11,840 Speaker 1: they've they've tend to push us around. But the fact 727 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:14,840 Speaker 1: that Khalil Mack is out for the year, they're getting 728 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:17,200 Speaker 1: a Keem Hicks back. At this point, it sounds like 729 00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:22,040 Speaker 1: most likely Monday night, and for me, it's that point 730 00:35:22,040 --> 00:35:25,520 Speaker 1: of attack pass rush between him and then Roquan Smith, 731 00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:27,680 Speaker 1: who already has one hundred and thirty tackles and three 732 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:30,880 Speaker 1: sacks on the season, which is absolutely bananas. And then 733 00:35:31,000 --> 00:35:33,200 Speaker 1: Robert Quinn has been a sack machine for them. He's 734 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:36,040 Speaker 1: got fourteen sacks already this season as well. So all 735 00:35:36,080 --> 00:35:38,880 Speaker 1: of those guys like Pete had kind of pointed out before, 736 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,239 Speaker 1: just saying the point of attack and being able to 737 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:44,120 Speaker 1: control that off that defensive line. If they cannot get 738 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:45,960 Speaker 1: a pass rush on us, that's going to open up 739 00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:49,600 Speaker 1: justin Jefferson down the field. So if our offensive line 740 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:52,960 Speaker 1: kind of doing the musical chairs and definitely next man 741 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:56,479 Speaker 1: up mentality, if they can hold serve and give Kirk 742 00:35:56,560 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 1: the time. I feel like this Bears defense is not 743 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,319 Speaker 1: what it has been and they're definitely more vulnerable than 744 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:05,279 Speaker 1: they have been. So hopefully running game can get going, 745 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:08,080 Speaker 1: but the offensive line can definitely hold out on these 746 00:36:08,120 --> 00:36:11,359 Speaker 1: defensive linemen. Yeah, this defense is not producing as many 747 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:14,720 Speaker 1: takeaway as it normally has. Their minus eleven in turnover 748 00:36:14,880 --> 00:36:17,719 Speaker 1: ratio right now. Every margin part of that is just 749 00:36:17,719 --> 00:36:21,640 Speaker 1: justin fields being a rookie and making mistakes. But defensively, 750 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:24,480 Speaker 1: they used to be such big Ballhawks because the quarterbacks 751 00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:27,200 Speaker 1: were having a rush throws out and it just hasn't 752 00:36:27,239 --> 00:36:30,200 Speaker 1: been that way this year for them, And I think 753 00:36:30,239 --> 00:36:32,560 Speaker 1: that's got to be the most frustrating part is knowing 754 00:36:32,600 --> 00:36:35,600 Speaker 1: that kind of like us losing Denil, they lost Khalil Mack. 755 00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:37,919 Speaker 1: He is an absolute beast when he's out there, game 756 00:36:37,920 --> 00:36:40,560 Speaker 1: record exactly. So between him and a Keem Hicks and 757 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:44,040 Speaker 1: all of these different players on the Bears right now 758 00:36:44,040 --> 00:36:47,080 Speaker 1: that are out due to injury or COVID, it just 759 00:36:47,120 --> 00:36:49,560 Speaker 1: doesn't feel like the same Bears team as it has been. 760 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:53,120 Speaker 1: But if anything, that Green Bay game proved it was 761 00:36:53,160 --> 00:36:55,320 Speaker 1: like they're gamers too. They're going to put up some points, 762 00:36:55,320 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 1: so you gotta be on it. And that leads me 763 00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,200 Speaker 1: to what I'm nervous about. I'm i feel like I'm 764 00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:01,160 Speaker 1: pulling a Jay now Elson moved right now, But I 765 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:04,800 Speaker 1: am just nervous about the Bears in general. So much 766 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,040 Speaker 1: is on the line right now with that playoff race 767 00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:09,759 Speaker 1: we just talked about earlier in the podcast. There's just 768 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:12,680 Speaker 1: there's just so little room for error, and that makes 769 00:37:12,680 --> 00:37:15,680 Speaker 1: me nervous. Because the Bears have had the Vikings number 770 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:19,120 Speaker 1: in the last five matchups, they've won four. Granted, the 771 00:37:19,160 --> 00:37:22,000 Speaker 1: last time the Vikings did win that game at Soldier Field, 772 00:37:22,040 --> 00:37:26,879 Speaker 1: So it's possible Monday night primetime game on the road, outdoors, 773 00:37:27,040 --> 00:37:29,520 Speaker 1: on grass, there's just so many different elements to play 774 00:37:29,560 --> 00:37:32,280 Speaker 1: that maybe they have Vikings haven't really seen yet before. 775 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:35,759 Speaker 1: And so I'm just nervous in general about the way 776 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:37,799 Speaker 1: things go. But I feel like that's my mindset, Like 777 00:37:37,800 --> 00:37:40,759 Speaker 1: I'm watching games with like my eyes closed and like 778 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:43,520 Speaker 1: I'm peeking through my fingers. I think that the fact 779 00:37:43,560 --> 00:37:47,200 Speaker 1: that the next couple of games against the Bears and 780 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:51,520 Speaker 1: the Packers are both at their place in December and January, 781 00:37:51,600 --> 00:37:53,439 Speaker 1: those were when I looked at it, When I looked 782 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:54,880 Speaker 1: at on the schedule and I saw those, I'm like, 783 00:37:54,920 --> 00:37:56,440 Speaker 1: we haven't had to deal with this in a while. 784 00:37:56,520 --> 00:37:58,719 Speaker 1: But yeah, we'll see what it. You know, the weather 785 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:01,200 Speaker 1: is so weird, even just this week, very true. I mean, 786 00:38:01,200 --> 00:38:03,160 Speaker 1: it's gonna be fifty today, Jay, So it's going to 787 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:05,239 Speaker 1: be weird just to see what's going to happen. But 788 00:38:06,040 --> 00:38:09,759 Speaker 1: Chicago has been a house of horrors and hopefully for 789 00:38:09,880 --> 00:38:12,480 Speaker 1: us we can we can be able to kind of 790 00:38:13,120 --> 00:38:16,200 Speaker 1: keep our focus with what it needs to be hit, 791 00:38:16,239 --> 00:38:18,600 Speaker 1: what we need to on offense, defensively, shore up what 792 00:38:19,160 --> 00:38:21,960 Speaker 1: we did not want to see happen. And if there's 793 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:23,799 Speaker 1: one thing I can guarantee with this thing at this 794 00:38:23,880 --> 00:38:25,920 Speaker 1: point with the season, it's probably going to be a 795 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:29,040 Speaker 1: nail biters another close game more than likely in the books. 796 00:38:29,040 --> 00:38:31,239 Speaker 1: Maybe we're even saying that to jinx it later down 797 00:38:31,239 --> 00:38:33,360 Speaker 1: the line. See if I say it now, it doesn't happen. 798 00:38:33,360 --> 00:38:35,640 Speaker 1: It turns into a blowout. So there we go. Wouldn't 799 00:38:35,640 --> 00:38:37,800 Speaker 1: that be nice? What's wait? What is that? What is 800 00:38:37,800 --> 00:38:41,200 Speaker 1: the blow I don't know what you're talking about. All right, guys, 801 00:38:41,200 --> 00:38:43,560 Speaker 1: well we've got to we're gonna wrap things up right now, 802 00:38:43,600 --> 00:38:46,160 Speaker 1: but we want to touch on some of the things 803 00:38:46,160 --> 00:38:49,440 Speaker 1: that you can watch that Vikings Entertainment Network is putting 804 00:38:49,480 --> 00:38:51,799 Speaker 1: together throughout this week because we do have an extra 805 00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:56,040 Speaker 1: week to get ready. So Jay, I know the Audible 806 00:38:56,360 --> 00:38:58,959 Speaker 1: is coming out, and so who is the special guest 807 00:38:59,000 --> 00:39:01,680 Speaker 1: this week? Special Guests this Week with Sheldon Richardson. It 808 00:39:01,760 --> 00:39:05,320 Speaker 1: was a phenomenal interview with him. It was great talks 809 00:39:05,320 --> 00:39:08,000 Speaker 1: about just kind of growing up in Missouri, kind of 810 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:11,120 Speaker 1: his journey to the NFL, working through some adversity and 811 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:13,719 Speaker 1: kind of you know, learning as a kid what it 812 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:16,760 Speaker 1: meant to really earn it as as an NFL player, 813 00:39:17,080 --> 00:39:19,200 Speaker 1: and so that's kind of what keeps him motivated as 814 00:39:19,320 --> 00:39:22,799 Speaker 1: as a player now into his thirties. On top of that, 815 00:39:22,880 --> 00:39:25,279 Speaker 1: he also talks a little bit about becoming a dad, 816 00:39:25,320 --> 00:39:28,000 Speaker 1: and so there's there's just some really interesting stuff in there. 817 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:31,600 Speaker 1: So Sheldon Richardson's a great interview, and I think at 818 00:39:31,640 --> 00:39:33,040 Speaker 1: the end when everyone was done, they just kind of 819 00:39:33,040 --> 00:39:34,120 Speaker 1: looked at and so that was probably one of the 820 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:35,960 Speaker 1: best ones we've had all sus long soul Well, I 821 00:39:35,960 --> 00:39:37,880 Speaker 1: mean it's we haven't really got a chance to get 822 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:39,480 Speaker 1: to know him as well. I know, I know he's 823 00:39:39,480 --> 00:39:42,000 Speaker 1: been here before, but having him back here, and you 824 00:39:42,040 --> 00:39:45,799 Speaker 1: know how age, you know, the longer the tooth, the 825 00:39:45,840 --> 00:39:48,600 Speaker 1: more you know, the way that your personality changes, it's 826 00:39:48,640 --> 00:39:51,520 Speaker 1: probably nice to see that side of him after he's back. 827 00:39:51,640 --> 00:39:53,920 Speaker 1: And the biggest thing too, is just you know, he 828 00:39:54,080 --> 00:39:56,799 Speaker 1: absolutely wanted to be here because of Andre Patterson. You know, 829 00:39:57,000 --> 00:39:59,480 Speaker 1: when he when he left and came back, you just 830 00:39:59,600 --> 00:40:02,120 Speaker 1: you hear even just him talk about kind of working 831 00:40:02,120 --> 00:40:05,160 Speaker 1: through the system and giving coaches their due when need be. 832 00:40:05,360 --> 00:40:07,120 Speaker 1: I think it was really interesting to hear him talk 833 00:40:07,120 --> 00:40:10,680 Speaker 1: about that Gabe Henderson, who is under the weather still 834 00:40:10,760 --> 00:40:13,840 Speaker 1: we know, but he will be interviewing Lewis Riddick for 835 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:15,879 Speaker 1: the network interview this week. We'll be on the call 836 00:40:15,960 --> 00:40:18,880 Speaker 1: for Monday Night Football. Plus we'll have Courtney Cronin as 837 00:40:18,920 --> 00:40:21,400 Speaker 1: our special guest on Vikings Vantage. When does that air? JA, 838 00:40:21,680 --> 00:40:24,600 Speaker 1: That's going to be Friday night, six thirty pm. Otherwise, 839 00:40:24,719 --> 00:40:27,520 Speaker 1: just check out your Vikings app or I heard media 840 00:40:27,520 --> 00:40:30,080 Speaker 1: app as well, and Courtney Cronin will be on Vikings 841 00:40:30,080 --> 00:40:32,920 Speaker 1: A Vantage. Yeah. I mean I subscribe, yeah to the 842 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,320 Speaker 1: Vikings foscast network so that I know when they drop, 843 00:40:35,400 --> 00:40:38,120 Speaker 1: so hopefully you do too. We'll also have another edition 844 00:40:38,120 --> 00:40:41,400 Speaker 1: of Opposing Viewpoints featuring the athletics Kevin Fishbaane who is 845 00:40:41,440 --> 00:40:46,000 Speaker 1: the Bears beat writer, and we will have Friday Football 846 00:40:46,239 --> 00:40:48,919 Speaker 1: Feast on Friday to get us ready for the Bears game. 847 00:40:48,960 --> 00:40:52,320 Speaker 1: I try to do my best Pa impression there. Football 848 00:40:52,600 --> 00:40:55,480 Speaker 1: Feast Feast. I know he always says it that way. 849 00:40:55,640 --> 00:40:59,120 Speaker 1: It's it's very it's very fun. We're actually going back 850 00:40:59,120 --> 00:41:02,080 Speaker 1: out to Buffalo followings Roseville, So I hope to see 851 00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:04,120 Speaker 1: you guys out there. That's always a fun one. When 852 00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:05,760 Speaker 1: I used to live in North Metro, that was always 853 00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:07,160 Speaker 1: the one we used to go to. So yeah, go 854 00:41:07,239 --> 00:41:09,319 Speaker 1: check out this is It's funny though. This is the 855 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:11,759 Speaker 1: second time they're going, and this is my second time going, 856 00:41:11,840 --> 00:41:14,880 Speaker 1: so like I've gotten Roseville both times. Dave and I switch, 857 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:18,560 Speaker 1: So hey, I welcome the fans, I hope. Honestly, I 858 00:41:18,840 --> 00:41:21,400 Speaker 1: don't remember being one of the larger crowds this season 859 00:41:21,440 --> 00:41:23,439 Speaker 1: that I've been to, so I'm hoping to see more 860 00:41:23,440 --> 00:41:26,440 Speaker 1: people there to put that you know, rumored to bed So. 861 00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:29,880 Speaker 1: But the Vikings are back on primetime for the second 862 00:41:29,920 --> 00:41:32,920 Speaker 1: straight week when they faced division rivals the Chicago Bears 863 00:41:32,920 --> 00:41:37,640 Speaker 1: at Soldier Field on ESPN's Monday Night Football. For Jay Nelson, 864 00:41:37,680 --> 00:41:39,560 Speaker 1: I'm Tatum Everett to stay with Vikings dot Com and 865 00:41:39,600 --> 00:41:41,560 Speaker 1: the Vikings App for everything you need to know to 866 00:41:41,600 --> 00:41:44,800 Speaker 1: get ready for Monday until next week. Skull Vikes