1 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:09,079 Speaker 1: Empty backfield. Allen out of the shotgun, passes over the 2 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: middle and am shifted by Rusen Dao to the town 3 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:19,600 Speaker 1: of the fifteen with a twenty more Cousins who's out 4 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:29,920 Speaker 1: to the left, passes to Diggs touchdown, eighty four yard touchdown. 5 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:35,280 Speaker 1: Just step. This is Everyson Griffin and you listen to 6 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Vikings podcast. What's up, everybody? Welcome to the 7 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings Podcast. This is episode eighteen. My name is Siaminson. 8 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: I am sitting in the studio with the fantastic Chris 9 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 1: Corso and the wonderful Jane Nelson and for the second 10 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: week in a row, boys, we are celebrating a nerve racking, tense, 11 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: last second, amazing victory. The two very different wins to 12 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:16,320 Speaker 1: the Dallas win was one. This one was a rollercoaster 13 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:21,680 Speaker 1: of emotions, A real tale of two halves, was it not, Chris? Yeah? Absolutely? 14 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: And you said it was a different game than most 15 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: of the Vikings this year. How about a different game 16 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: than most in the entire NFL in the past five seasons. 17 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: Out of the last ninety nine games, teams trailing by 18 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: twenty or plus points have not won any of those games. 19 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: Goose so one out of a hundred, and the Vikings 20 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 1: are the ones that do it. Great to see at home, 21 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,840 Speaker 1: great to see heading into the bye. Thank gosh, man, 22 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 1: we're gonna we're gonna enjoy this bye Gonna. We're gonna 23 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 1: be ready to go for Seattle. I love it and 24 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: I will We're gonna get We're gonna really get into 25 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: what went well in the second half. We're gonna hammer 26 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: in on Kirk's big performance. Before we do that, I 27 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: want to talk about out. We're gonna we're gonna break 28 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: it into two halfs. Let's talk about the good and 29 00:02:03,280 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: the bad. Because that first half. Man, that first I 30 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 1: think you had Viking fans everywhere with PTSD from the 31 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: Josh Allen Bills game last year. Every You know what, though, 32 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:18,640 Speaker 1: I will say, it wasn't like everything was going wrong. 33 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 1: You know, I was watching it with a couple of 34 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: people they were and they were freaking, everything's going to me. 35 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 1: This was a situation where, you know, sometimes other teams 36 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: execute really, really well, and first and foremost, we came 37 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: in and we have the best running back in the 38 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: NFL bar none, Dalvin Cook. You get that guy going, 39 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 1: you win football games. We tried to get him going 40 00:02:40,440 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: and they stopped him. Yeah, and that's what Vig Fangio does. 41 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:46,200 Speaker 1: He focuses on one thing, and he focuses on your 42 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: best thing, and he goes and takes that away. He 43 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: did it for the Chicago Bears last year against the Vikings, 44 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:53,480 Speaker 1: and this year he knew in this game he was 45 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 1: gonna come in, use that big defensive line that he has, 46 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,360 Speaker 1: Von Miller, a big pass rusher, and stop Dalvin Cook. 47 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 1: That's exactly what he did because Kirk Cousins was moving 48 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 1: the ball a little bit, not down the field, but 49 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: he was eleven for twelve in that first half, which 50 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 1: is shocking for me to even repeat that. Yeah, given 51 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 1: given how the game felt, you you wouldn't have thought 52 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: he had an eleven for twelve game. And I think 53 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: part of that was You're right, those those passes were 54 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:24,400 Speaker 1: smattered and spread around a lot of run game failure basically, 55 00:03:24,840 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 1: And I think when you couple that with we said 56 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: this going into the game, there's no tape on Brandon Allen, 57 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 1: there's no telling what he's gonna do. You just have 58 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:35,080 Speaker 1: to come out and play the best you can in 59 00:03:35,120 --> 00:03:38,839 Speaker 1: your own scheme. And I'll say people were pretty hard 60 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: on the cornerbacks again, and we'll get into that later 61 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: as well, But credit to their receivers and their quarterback. Basically, 62 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 1: they made three big plays in the first half, two 63 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: of them from the quarterbacks arm one of them on 64 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 1: Alan Courtland Sutton that pass, yeah, wasn't so they were 65 00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:00,520 Speaker 1: fantastic passes. Honestly, our cornerbacks were in a decent position 66 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: and their wide receivers just went up and made plays. 67 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 1: So this wasn't busted coverages. After you know, busted coverages. 68 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: We weren't getting it done the way we envisioned, and 69 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: then they were executing on a few plays and before 70 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: you knew it, it was seventeen zero. Yeah, we talked 71 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 1: about the rookie quarterback having no film on him. We 72 00:04:18,920 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: know how trick plays can sometimes get this Vikings defense. 73 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: It was a combination of that. A tough defensive pass 74 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: interference penalty on Xavier Row. You know, that was a killing. 75 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:30,599 Speaker 1: He's taken a lot of heat this year, but man, 76 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: that was a dumpster call. That was a bummer. That 77 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 1: was tough to see. So a mix of big plays, 78 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:39,479 Speaker 1: a trick play, a rookie quarterback. And I said it 79 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,400 Speaker 1: on Vikings final prep. I said a fast start was 80 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: necessary for the Vikings offense in this game. It didn't happen, 81 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: but we still found a way to get it done well. 82 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 1: It was literally the opposite of a fast start. And here, 83 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: but here's the interesting thing that game teetered into. Where 84 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: it teetered into almost Bills mode, was right at the 85 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 1: end because Kirk dropped that fumble. I almost am I 86 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: in my gut fan instinct and I fight through this, 87 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 1: but I was like, well turning it off, Like I 88 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: just I couldn't handle the emotion. I obviously kept watching, 89 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 1: but to have him fumble and then you immediately after 90 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:17,719 Speaker 1: giving up the field goal, you get the fumble on 91 00:05:17,760 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: the kick return. I don't think that Andersondo interception. I 92 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,599 Speaker 1: don't think it was a last prayer. I don't. I 93 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: don't think if you'd have told me right there, that's 94 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 1: that is the play, that is the defensive play that 95 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,760 Speaker 1: will make the best comeback in the past five years 96 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 1: in the NFL happened, I'd have been like, Okay, sure, 97 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 1: but that was that was a defining moment at the 98 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:43,040 Speaker 1: end of that half. Yeah, and it Kirk said it 99 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: after the game. It keeps you within three scores. It 100 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:49,320 Speaker 1: keeps you within striking distance. Anything more than that makes 101 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 1: it makes it an over three score game, which is 102 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: almost as we said with the stat it's impossible to 103 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: come back from just given just given the time of possession, 104 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 1: you would need to accomplish that level of point. Yeah, 105 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: and Sindejo, as soon as I saw him grab that ball, 106 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 1: I was okay, stop the bleeding. That was the way 107 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: to stop the bleeding. He was able to kind of 108 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: hold onto it there right before half, and it's like, okay, 109 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: twenty points were good. Twenty seven at that point would 110 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: have been almost insurmountable. Absolutely, and speaking of blood. Just 111 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: to wrap up the first half, statistics combined eight yards 112 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: for Dalvin, only four first downs, we had one less 113 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,359 Speaker 1: fumble than we did first downs, three fumbles, we lost 114 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:31,560 Speaker 1: two of them. Denver goes up twenty to zero. And 115 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: probably the most damning part when you looked at what 116 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: was happening was a time of possession difference nineteen oh 117 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:41,279 Speaker 1: one for Denver ten fifty nine to Minnesota. But then, 118 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 1: unlike the Buffalo game, we went into the locker room, 119 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: we made some adjustments and boy, oh boy, did they 120 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 1: pan out. They did say Stefanski basically grabbed a whiteboard 121 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: for the first time all year at halftime and started 122 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 1: drawn up plays in the locker room just to kind 123 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,799 Speaker 1: of be really, we're starting over. So here we go, boys, 124 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:04,159 Speaker 1: And I this is huge credit to this team. What 125 00:07:04,320 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: I've wanted to see forever is exactly what we saw 126 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: on the second half, because, like we said, you know, 127 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,400 Speaker 1: I think some people maybe still don't recognize that is 128 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:15,320 Speaker 1: a hell of a defense, especially against the past. The 129 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: Broncos defense. Yeah, they are, They're spectacular. They really do 130 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:23,080 Speaker 1: a really good job. So to come out going to 131 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: go into a two minute drill, which is and they 132 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,360 Speaker 1: played no huddle, two minute drill. What every possession, Chris 133 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: every possession for the second half. Kerk told us that 134 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: they went for a two minute drill offense, no huddle, 135 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,760 Speaker 1: and just kept on moving the ball down the field. 136 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:41,239 Speaker 1: Kirk didn't want to make the mistake, so we didn't 137 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: just toss the ball down the field every single time. 138 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: He more described it as being a surgeon and finding 139 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: the spots where he can just just make positive impacts 140 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: down the field. And I spoke to Ben Lever down 141 00:07:54,040 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 1: on the sideline after the game, and I said, Ben, 142 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: you're you're around here. You see you were right by 143 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 1: the locker room. How long was Zimmer in there? Because 144 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: I want to know, like what did he say? He 145 00:08:02,640 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: said he was in there for about two to three 146 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,320 Speaker 1: seconds and he walked out, So I think he must 147 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: have had some sort of statement and just walked out. 148 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,880 Speaker 1: And he made an impact. Let his coaches take over, 149 00:08:15,000 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: make the adjustments. He dealt with the emotional part, and 150 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: then they were off to the races. Here's another thing 151 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: to think about with the two minute offense. You're down 152 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 1: twenty points, and when you're ahead twenty points, what is 153 00:08:27,160 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: the thing you always hear? Turn the line loose, like 154 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: pull your ears back and let's go get the quarterback. 155 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:35,559 Speaker 1: So they did this with a good defense coming after 156 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: your quarterback. Let's run through some of the statistics from 157 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: the second half that Kirk put up and that the 158 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 1: reason because it was it was almost poetic. My brother 159 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: was sitting next to me in his chair and he goes, ah, Diggs, 160 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:49,679 Speaker 1: didn't you know Diggs really doesn't have much of a 161 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: rhythm this game. And I started defending him. I go, Greg, 162 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: he's he's getting doubled and then bam, bam, touchdown, first down, Bam, 163 00:08:57,720 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 1: they just started going. So just in the second half, 164 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:04,280 Speaker 1: there were some ridiculous offensive statistics. Yeah, thirty five plays, 165 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 1: three hundred twenty one yards, eighteen of twenty three passing, 166 00:09:07,800 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 1: and three touchdowns. I mean, Kirk, he was, like we said, 167 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,720 Speaker 1: he picked his spots when he wanted to go down 168 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: the field. And one thing I noted when we were 169 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: talking before the show was when he rolled left on 170 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:23,240 Speaker 1: a play action. In this game, he was two for two, 171 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: a touchdown to Stefan Diggs, which was probably the loudest 172 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:31,280 Speaker 1: I've heard Usbank Stadium since the Minneapolis Mary that brought 173 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,199 Speaker 1: us right within four points. And then he did it again. 174 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: That's the moment where everybody was like, wait a second, 175 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: happen here we go And then then then the next 176 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 1: one was the lead and it's Kyle Rudolph coming across 177 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,199 Speaker 1: the field for his third longest touchdown of his career 178 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 1: with the Vikings where he was wide open. Kirk couldn't 179 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,600 Speaker 1: even believe it. So I like when Kirk rolls, I'm 180 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:56,880 Speaker 1: a lefty, so I and think about this. If given 181 00:09:56,920 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 1: it was a twenty zero game at halftime, when you 182 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:02,200 Speaker 1: find out that you wind it up with Digs with 183 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 1: five receptions for one hundred and twenty one yards and 184 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:06,560 Speaker 1: a touchdown, Rudolph for five receptions for sixty seven yards 185 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: in a touchdown, a big screen to Dalvin Cook, a 186 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: big pass for a TD to Iersmith. Yeah, it's amazing 187 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 1: that you would have gotten to that point offensively, and 188 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 1: the defense as much as they struggled in the first half. Again, 189 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:20,080 Speaker 1: like I said, I think that was more just some 190 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: real execution on Denver's part and some strong plays by 191 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,560 Speaker 1: their receivers. But the defense came to play. And not 192 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:29,360 Speaker 1: only did they come to play, they are a offsides 193 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 1: on a punt away from That's the only thing that 194 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 1: led to that field goal there. Otherwise this might have run, 195 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 1: this might have run route direction the other way. We 196 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: might not have even been playing nervously at the end 197 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 1: of the game. And that's the thing, is what you've 198 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: seen the last two weeks especially, is when it gets 199 00:10:44,520 --> 00:10:46,680 Speaker 1: down to crunch time and they have to make a 200 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 1: play in order to hold them out of the end zone, 201 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 1: they're doing that. Can you believe McManus missed that field goal? 202 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: That is that never is a That is a Viking 203 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 1: miss man My whole life that's the kick that we 204 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: miss and he's lining up it's in from the somewhere 205 00:11:01,160 --> 00:11:02,880 Speaker 1: in the forties. I was like, there's no way he 206 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: misses this. And then showink the moment that went right. 207 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:07,480 Speaker 1: I was like, oh shit, we're gonna win this game. 208 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 1: It stood no chance. It never was going in. It 209 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,160 Speaker 1: wasn't even close. Let's talk real quick here, we're gonna 210 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: jump all over the place. I'm feeling the emotions that 211 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 1: I felt on Saturday because then I have a very 212 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 1: specific question for you guys, because you were on the 213 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:23,679 Speaker 1: field and in the locker room. But let's let's talk 214 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:27,880 Speaker 1: about jay Ron Curse. Let's talk about a guy who 215 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:31,080 Speaker 1: always does his job. You know, never catch as much heat, 216 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: never gets a ton of praise. He's just a guy 217 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 1: who goes out and does his job. You don't win 218 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: that game without him. That to go forth four downs 219 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: in goal and have to stop all of them as passes. 220 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:45,640 Speaker 1: You have to stop four passes from what was it 221 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:49,559 Speaker 1: the two yard line, the three yard line, the fourth somewhere, yeah, four, 222 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: And to have him make those plays, and not just that, 223 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:55,200 Speaker 1: but how he played throughout the half after he replaced 224 00:11:55,320 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith. I mean I I could not have been 225 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: more impressed with Jayron Curse. Yeah, my biggest thing on 226 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: j arn is I know he took a little heat 227 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,679 Speaker 1: when he wasn't the starting safety following the injury to 228 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 1: Anthony Harris. But his thing, his strength is being the 229 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: utility man for the Vikings. He can come in and 230 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,720 Speaker 1: slot in. He's slotted in the nickel corner spot. He's 231 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: filled in for Harrison Smith at the safety spot. But 232 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 1: his biggest strength is when you have a big time, 233 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 1: tall wide receiver as a tight end or a wide 234 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: receiver no offense, there is no one that matches up 235 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: better with no offense than Jayron Curse because he has 236 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: the size and he has the skill and he has 237 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,280 Speaker 1: the speed to make those plays. And he showed it 238 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:39,240 Speaker 1: at the end of the game. And it's two weeks 239 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:41,160 Speaker 1: in a row. You want to talk about a confidence 240 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: builder for a young safety who gets called into action 241 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: at important moments. Last week he makes the interception on 242 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: the hail Mary. This week he's playing crucial knockdowns right up. 243 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: It was him with the knockdown on the fourth and 244 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: goal play, yep. And it's not even just for him. 245 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:57,199 Speaker 1: That's a confidence builder for the coaches, you know, they 246 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: know they can plug in in and feel like this 247 00:12:58,800 --> 00:13:00,680 Speaker 1: guy's gonna make a play off comes to his side. 248 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 1: So here's my big question before we transition out of 249 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: this game. What was it like in the locker room? 250 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:08,560 Speaker 1: What was because Ben texted me Ben Lieber after the 251 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 1: game and was just like, this is bonkers. He goes, 252 00:13:10,920 --> 00:13:16,280 Speaker 1: this is the the excitement, enthusiasm and emotion. I can't, 253 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: especially given what you said about the halftime and how 254 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: that went, what was swirling around in that locker room after. Yeah, 255 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 1: it was a man. I mean, you can find the 256 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 1: head coach Mike Zimmer's locker room speech on vikings dot com. 257 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:30,319 Speaker 1: I suggest you watched that if you haven't already. I mean, 258 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: these guys were so excited to go into this bye 259 00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:37,680 Speaker 1: week with that kind of victory. Just you're up here, 260 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:40,560 Speaker 1: You're you're up in the sky after that win, and 261 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: coach Zimmer started that speech off with saying, that's a 262 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:47,280 Speaker 1: that's a good team. Those Denver Broncles. They've lost three 263 00:13:47,360 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: games this season by two or less points, So they're 264 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 1: no they're no slouts that we beat there. They're a 265 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: good team, and we got through it and we won 266 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 1: the big game. And there's nothing better than going into 267 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 1: a bye week where you have some are our players 268 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:02,959 Speaker 1: with some injuries who get to sit around and rest 269 00:14:03,280 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 1: and get ready for that Monday night football game in Seattle, 270 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: a season defining game for us. I think we're in 271 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 1: a good position no matter what happens next Monday, but 272 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,440 Speaker 1: that is a chance. Like I've always said this, good 273 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:18,480 Speaker 1: great teams, teams that contend, they have these moments where 274 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:20,760 Speaker 1: they can if they lose the game, they'll still be 275 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 1: in contention, but if they win the game, it can 276 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: define their season. And that's what this Seattle game is. 277 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: Backtracking a little bit, I want to say one more thing. 278 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: I just cannot wait to see this no huddle more often. 279 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 1: And I think now it's speaking to coach's confidence. What 280 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: I've said all along is there's so many weapons on 281 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:45,280 Speaker 1: this team. Let's just trust that this offense can go 282 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: out and beat the hell out of somebody. And to me, 283 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: there is no better example of down twenty to a 284 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: fantastic defense and throwing twenty seven points. Say it was 285 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: the same story in terms of time of possession in 286 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 1: the second half seventeen forty two to Denver twelve eighteen 287 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 1: to Minnesota, but we beat that. It's a completely different half. 288 00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 1: So I and I AY, we all know football is 289 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 1: about preparation. So one of the huge things that this 290 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: game does, and this no huddle offense does, is everybody 291 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: that plays us for the rest of the season has 292 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 1: to go just remember at any given time they can 293 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: go into this no huddle that they torched a good 294 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 1: defense with. But I'm hoping that we see it on 295 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: an opening drive, randomly in the second quarter, bring it 296 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: out when another team doesn't expect it. Because the truth is, 297 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:35,280 Speaker 1: as much as I love Dalvin Cook and think he 298 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,480 Speaker 1: should be in the running for MVP and all these things, 299 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 1: every once in a while team's going to stop him. 300 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: And so it's not bad to give teams something to 301 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:47,240 Speaker 1: think about and start a game slinging and running and gunning. 302 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: And it's just an experienced thing. With Kevin Stefanski. He 303 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: is not as much experience calling these plays himself. It's 304 00:15:55,160 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: probably almost that a full season of games now, and 305 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 1: for him to be able to make that adjustment at 306 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:03,720 Speaker 1: halftime tells me a lot about what he's doing with 307 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 1: this Vikings offense. He always his main thing is being 308 00:16:06,880 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 1: multiple He talks about being multiple, being able to run, 309 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 1: and also being able to pass throwing the play action. 310 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: We know how successful that's been for the Vikings this year, 311 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,880 Speaker 1: but for him to make this adjustment at halftime, I 312 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: think that is the biggest biggest takeaway from this game 313 00:16:21,880 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: is the adjustment by the offensive coordinating well, and I 314 00:16:24,760 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: think the head coach, who is pretty from all accounts 315 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 1: hands off and likes to trust his offensive leadership to 316 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: run the team. This has got to instill a huge 317 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: amount of confidence in those guys that they were able 318 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: to walk off the field and say to your head coach, 319 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 1: look what we did, Look how it works, and he 320 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: can go, hell yeah, guys, keep it rolling. That's also 321 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 1: a thing where it comes down to making sure you 322 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: have the right personnel because one of the main reasons 323 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: why they always talk about not running that kind of 324 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 1: offense all the time is because it wears out your 325 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: offensive line and those kind of guys where it's constantly go, 326 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 1: go go. If you've got the guys that you've now 327 00:16:58,240 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: changed kind of the philosophy with your old line of 328 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,200 Speaker 1: getting the athletes who can get out in space and run, 329 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:04,920 Speaker 1: that means those guys are prepared to run this kind 330 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 1: of an offense and that's going to kill defenses feeling 331 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,200 Speaker 1: like they're just trying to keep up. And speaking of that, 332 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:13,959 Speaker 1: we did that offensively without Adam Feelin so and you 333 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 1: hit this on the head. We go into the bye week. 334 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: Hopefully hamstrings are tricky, man, they are a tricky, touchy thing, 335 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:22,439 Speaker 1: especially for wide receivers. But you know, this was the 336 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 1: whole idea with Adam Feeland was keep him out, don't 337 00:17:25,480 --> 00:17:27,800 Speaker 1: risk it. Hopefully hold him through the bye and if 338 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 1: we can get him back for the Seattle game, that 339 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 1: would be huge. The Lindvall thing, there's a lot less 340 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:35,400 Speaker 1: chatter about Lindvall, so in my head, I assume it's 341 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: the same way. Are we thinking that the bye week 342 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:40,240 Speaker 1: is going to help him and we'll probably see Lindvall 343 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: after the bye? Yeah, we're hoping that that he's ready 344 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: to go after the bye. We also were missing two 345 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:48,800 Speaker 1: other starters, and that was Josh Klein, the starting guard. 346 00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:52,000 Speaker 1: Cussion protocol absolutely, and then that should clear up through 347 00:17:52,080 --> 00:17:54,400 Speaker 1: the through the bye week. That's a huge to get 348 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,560 Speaker 1: him back. I was talking to some guys today about 349 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: how impressed they've been with his performance, being a veteran 350 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: on the Vikings offensive line with a bunch of young players, 351 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 1: the trio of young players that they have there at 352 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: that position. And then Anthony Harris as well. We're hoping 353 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: that Hendeo had a big pick, but Anthony Harris, Anthony's 354 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:13,600 Speaker 1: a game changer man, played really, really, really well. And 355 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: then Harrison Smith obviously tweaks a hamstring. But Chris, you're saying, 356 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: you talk to some people and they it's not that 357 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: they're not worried, but there seems to be a level 358 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:26,879 Speaker 1: of confidence there that the bye week will do Harrison well. Absolutely, 359 00:18:26,960 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: and that's what you hope. I mean, you same thing, hamstring. 360 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 1: How rare is it that you only have five or 361 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:34,840 Speaker 1: six games left in the season and you get this 362 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:38,480 Speaker 1: kind of break in between. Coach Zimmer gave the entire 363 00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 1: team off following the team picture yesterday, So this team 364 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,320 Speaker 1: is going to hell. I didn't get invited his team. 365 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:49,120 Speaker 1: He's gonna be ready to go for those last couple 366 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 1: games in the season. It's all about who's hot at 367 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: the end of the season, and I think coach Zimmer 368 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: is just getting ready for those last few games. And 369 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,239 Speaker 1: it's also why coaches and front office staff. Whenever you 370 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 1: get the schedule in April May, they constantly are looking 371 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: for wins, the buy. They want the late buy in 372 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:05,640 Speaker 1: order to make sure you're healthy for the final push 373 00:19:05,680 --> 00:19:07,680 Speaker 1: at the end of the year and make sure everybody's 374 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 1: good to go. Well, let's talk about let's talk about 375 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: schedule and buys and playoff chances and everything of the like, 376 00:19:14,760 --> 00:19:18,960 Speaker 1: Because on Sunday you had the Panthers take a pretty 377 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:22,080 Speaker 1: brutal loss that knocked them down a peg. The Rams 378 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,240 Speaker 1: beat the Bears, and they put themselves in a little 379 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:27,120 Speaker 1: bit better of a position. So Bill Barnwell at ESPN 380 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:31,439 Speaker 1: did an article including the top eight NFC teams in 381 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 1: his opinion, that are really in the race for the 382 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 1: playoff spot right now. You got the Niners, the Saints, 383 00:19:36,440 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: the Packers, the Vikings, the Seahawks, the Cowboys, the Eagles, 384 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: and the Rams. There's a percentage chance that each of 385 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: them are in or out right now. The Vikings at 386 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: a knock on wood ninety two point nine percent as 387 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:51,520 Speaker 1: they sit in the sixth seed. So if you're a 388 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 1: Viking fan, you're obviously rooting against the Rams. You have 389 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 1: the head to head tiebreaker against the Eagles and the 390 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 1: Panthers seem to be failing down the stretch, and they 391 00:19:59,800 --> 00:20:02,320 Speaker 1: had have a brutal game this weekend against the Saints, 392 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:04,640 Speaker 1: and so actually, if you're a Viking fan, and we'll 393 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 1: get to the other side of this, you might want 394 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 1: to Panthers win right there. So you have the big 395 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,720 Speaker 1: team remaining that's chasing you is the Rams, and they 396 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: have the Ravens on Monday Night, the team that might 397 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 1: be the hottest team in all of football, with maybe 398 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: the MVP at quarterback. So that's the wild card side 399 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,040 Speaker 1: of things. Now, if you start talking about can we 400 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 1: win this division, can we maybe get a first round 401 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:30,440 Speaker 1: by can we achieve some of these larger goals, there's 402 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 1: a game you might want to watch, Packers Niners. That is, 403 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 1: if your hope is to catch the Packers and make 404 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,880 Speaker 1: that last game of the season, Chris a meaningful one 405 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 1: and one with the division on the line, we need 406 00:20:43,119 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: a win here from the forty nine ers, because you 407 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:51,920 Speaker 1: got this is the Packers remaining schedule. They got Giants, Redskins, Vikings, Lions, 408 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: and Bears. That's after the Niners. So you got to 409 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:57,160 Speaker 1: think Giants, Redskins and Pride Bears are no shows. I'm 410 00:20:57,160 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 1: gonna hold out hope on the Lions because it's the 411 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 1: last game of the season. I think Stafford will be 412 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 1: back because he's a gamer, a little bit of that 413 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: revenge stuff. If they can do anything to hurt the 414 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 1: Packers playoff, they like play spoiler at the end of 415 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 1: the season there. Yeah, And I just think because of 416 00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: the ref stuff that happened, they got a little bit 417 00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: of a chip on their shoulder. And that Packer Niner 418 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 1: game is the Sunday night prime time, so you're going 419 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:19,920 Speaker 1: to find out it's a primetime Sunday night game. That's fantastic. 420 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:22,160 Speaker 1: So you have to be looking for them to lose 421 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 1: because if they lose and we go on a run, 422 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 1: that game against them could be for the division. And 423 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:28,560 Speaker 1: that's all you want as a Vikings fan, of home 424 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 1: game against the Packers for the division. Beyond that, you 425 00:21:33,119 --> 00:21:35,359 Speaker 1: know you do have there's a real jumble here with 426 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:37,159 Speaker 1: the Niners at eight and one, the Saints at eight 427 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:38,919 Speaker 1: and two, and the Seahawks at eight and two. You 428 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: get to play the Seahawks head to head, so you 429 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:43,520 Speaker 1: can take care of anything right there. So, So, like 430 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 1: I said, maybe we're rooting for the Panthers this weekend 431 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:48,840 Speaker 1: because the Niners actually have a pretty brutal scheduled scheduled 432 00:21:48,840 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 1: down the stretch after the Packers. So obviously, take care 433 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:55,160 Speaker 1: of your own business. You got to win your games 434 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 1: to be in a position. But it's a bye week 435 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 1: and then a Monday night, so you basically have two 436 00:21:59,240 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 1: full sundays of football to watch before we see the 437 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 1: Vikings again. So you know, let's get out there and 438 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 1: root against the teams that we need to fail. Yeah, 439 00:22:06,600 --> 00:22:10,160 Speaker 1: it's a good time to root against certain teams. Looking 440 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,760 Speaker 1: at the Viking schedule, the two biggest games are clear. Yeah, 441 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: so so read them off. I mean, I know most 442 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 1: people know, but give me them, give them to me 443 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 1: in order. We got December second. We have December second, 444 00:22:20,080 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: Monday night football against Seattle. Seattle in Seattle. We haven't 445 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 1: won there in the past couple of years when we've 446 00:22:25,920 --> 00:22:28,199 Speaker 1: played there. That is a huge one because of the 447 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 1: wild card play. And now here's here's buttoning back to 448 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: what we said earlier in the show. That was a 449 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,080 Speaker 1: game last year. What was the final score? Seven to 450 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: zero or three to zero or nine three? It was 451 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,399 Speaker 1: some awful game. Would remember that bad call with the 452 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,959 Speaker 1: jumping over the line and the whole nonsense. To me, 453 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:48,959 Speaker 1: this is the sort of situation where, and I know 454 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: it's a risk because if you go out and you 455 00:22:50,560 --> 00:22:52,680 Speaker 1: fail at it, Russell starts slinging it the other way. 456 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 1: You're maybe in a game you don't want to be in. 457 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 1: But man, knowing what our few trips, last few trips 458 00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:00,119 Speaker 1: up there have been, I would love to see that 459 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 1: no huddle to open the game. I would love to 460 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:03,960 Speaker 1: see it once or twice in the first half and 461 00:23:04,000 --> 00:23:06,040 Speaker 1: catch him a little bit off guard. But you're right, 462 00:23:06,320 --> 00:23:09,320 Speaker 1: that game, that game, like I said earlier, is a 463 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:12,360 Speaker 1: season definer for us. Then then we're home next we're 464 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 1: home against the Lions. It seems like Matt Stafford will 465 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:18,160 Speaker 1: not be available for that game. So you got driscoll 466 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,399 Speaker 1: as the quarterback. Who's I mean? I like our chances 467 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:24,199 Speaker 1: right there, he's been playing well. I like our chances. 468 00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,760 Speaker 1: I'll tell you one thing about Jeff driscoll, I that 469 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:29,280 Speaker 1: dude can throw the football. He sings it. I don't 470 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: know how he is at game planning, smarts, you know, 471 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,080 Speaker 1: any of the understanding of football. But he puts that 472 00:23:34,119 --> 00:23:36,280 Speaker 1: ball on a rope all over the field. The good 473 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 1: thing for us. Unlike Brandon Allen, there is going to 474 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:41,639 Speaker 1: be tape on Jeff Driscoll. We will get to prepare 475 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:43,960 Speaker 1: for him. So then after that it's another primetime game. 476 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: Next is a primetime game Sunday night football. The Vikings 477 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: will be in La to take on the Chargers in 478 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:53,320 Speaker 1: their little mini stadium where we seem to travel pretty well. 479 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:55,760 Speaker 1: I think there's gonna be a lot of purple at 480 00:23:55,760 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 1: that game. Yeah, I think there's always a lot of 481 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:00,199 Speaker 1: opposite colors at that game. I will tell you that 482 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:03,719 Speaker 1: that game is I'm glad that it's not after the 483 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 1: Seattle game. It bums me out that it's before the 484 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 1: Green Bay. That one has a little bit of trapp 485 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,159 Speaker 1: ability to it because you're going to the West Coast, 486 00:24:12,440 --> 00:24:16,600 Speaker 1: you're playing outdoors at night, you got the traveling home. 487 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 1: It is just a lot that goes into that game. 488 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 1: And and we saw against the Packers. I know they 489 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 1: played like garbage. Well okay, I say they played like 490 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,160 Speaker 1: garbage against the Chiefs on Monday night, but they still 491 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:30,520 Speaker 1: were only a touchdown away with four Philip Rivers interception. 492 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,240 Speaker 1: So I'm not that to me is that's a hell 493 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:37,359 Speaker 1: of a task And then you get your third primetime 494 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:40,119 Speaker 1: game in four weeks and hopefully the division will be 495 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: on the line. It's the day before Christmas, right, Chris, Yeah, 496 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:46,480 Speaker 1: well it will be two days before Christmas, day before Christmas. 497 00:24:46,520 --> 00:24:50,680 Speaker 1: Count Christmas as Christmas Eve. That's where my family celebrates. 498 00:24:50,760 --> 00:24:54,359 Speaker 1: Absolutely the Monday night, December twenty third, this is the 499 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:58,040 Speaker 1: game to watch. Like you said, you think America likes 500 00:24:58,040 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 1: the Vikings because they're gonna see him three out of 501 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,240 Speaker 1: the next four weeks. I mean, in this game, everyone's 502 00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 1: watching Vikings Packers. Guess who hasn't won a game at 503 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:12,480 Speaker 1: US Bank Stadium. I love it. I'm bragging. Chris has 504 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:16,720 Speaker 1: no understanding of how superstition works, of how worry works. 505 00:25:16,720 --> 00:25:20,159 Speaker 1: He's like, never in the history of football has Aaron 506 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:25,119 Speaker 1: Rodgers thrown eleven touchdowns in Minnesota. She's never want a 507 00:25:25,240 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: US Banks shame strangle everyone who loves you when you 508 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,119 Speaker 1: do stuff like he hates it. He hasn't beaten Sam Bradford, 509 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:33,160 Speaker 1: he hasn't beaten Case keen him. It doesn't matter who's 510 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:37,359 Speaker 1: playing quarterback. He cannot win at US Bank Stadium. Hey, so, guys, 511 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 1: Chris Corso's address is if you want to send your 512 00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 1: anger and fist towards him. When that goes the other direction, 513 00:25:44,119 --> 00:25:47,720 Speaker 1: I have the final edit on this one, Jay way, 514 00:25:47,880 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: don't let him touch it? Circle right. Yeah. So, and 515 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,360 Speaker 1: then you finished the game. You finished the season with Chicago, 516 00:25:55,359 --> 00:25:58,080 Speaker 1: which is always a tough game for us. You know, 517 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:01,439 Speaker 1: if the season ended right now, we are six seed 518 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,200 Speaker 1: traveling two New Orleans. Who would be the three seed. 519 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:07,399 Speaker 1: I think a lot of things are going to change 520 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:10,440 Speaker 1: in between now and then. As as of right now, 521 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:12,600 Speaker 1: you know, let's we can close the show out here. 522 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 1: But as of right now, let's just let's everybody enjoy 523 00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:18,720 Speaker 1: the hell out of the bye week. Enjoy the fact 524 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:21,439 Speaker 1: that when I normally hate it when people say this, 525 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:23,639 Speaker 1: but I am going to now be guilty of it. 526 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,160 Speaker 1: If when this season started, if you'd told me we'd 527 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 1: be eight and three into the bye week, I would 528 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,280 Speaker 1: really like our chance. I would really like our chances 529 00:26:30,280 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 1: this season. So it's granted. The Chiefs game was frustrating, 530 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: the Packers game was frustrating, the Bears game was frustrating. 531 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,760 Speaker 1: But you got eight wins. You've done a lot of 532 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,960 Speaker 1: good things. There's still room for improvement, and I think 533 00:26:43,000 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 1: everybody knows that and that's a positive to me, and 534 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:48,680 Speaker 1: hopefully we get healthy. Just enjoy the bye week, enjoy 535 00:26:48,760 --> 00:26:51,280 Speaker 1: some other teams, and let's get ready for the stretch. 536 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:53,000 Speaker 1: Before we leave, I'm gonna I want to give you 537 00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 1: guys each what's the what's the one thing you're really 538 00:26:56,680 --> 00:26:59,600 Speaker 1: looking for down the stretch. What's what's the one key 539 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 1: to this team succeeding and making a run towards a 540 00:27:03,600 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 1: division championship and maybe a first round by My biggest 541 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: thing is Vikings general manager Rick Spielman addressed the media 542 00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 1: during the bye week and he said, we need to 543 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:18,800 Speaker 1: get back to being a dominant secondary, shutdown team, and 544 00:27:18,880 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 1: that's the Vikings past defense. And coach Zimmer when he 545 00:27:21,840 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 1: has some time off, he goes down to his ranch 546 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 1: in Kentucky. He looks at every single piece of game 547 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 1: film and he finds a way to make adjustments. He 548 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,480 Speaker 1: did it last year after we started out really slow 549 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:34,760 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the season, and he improved it. 550 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:37,119 Speaker 1: I think he has that same challenge on his hands, 551 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,440 Speaker 1: not saying we've been terrible, but up to his standards. 552 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,480 Speaker 1: Coach Zimmer, he's got some adjustments to make and you'll 553 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:45,560 Speaker 1: see those in the last couple games of the season, 554 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:47,840 Speaker 1: you know, And I think I think to button on 555 00:27:47,840 --> 00:27:50,160 Speaker 1: top of that, because that's been the biggest concern coming 556 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 1: from everyone everywhere. Lucky for us, we have the greatest 557 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:59,879 Speaker 1: teacher of the cornerback position in the modern football in 558 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 1: the last twenty five to thirty years as our head coach, 559 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:05,040 Speaker 1: and like you said, give them a little time, let's 560 00:28:05,080 --> 00:28:07,360 Speaker 1: see what happens. I'm with you on that. Mine has 561 00:28:07,400 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: continue to be top two talent because that's all you're 562 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: going to find in the playoffs when you get there. 563 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 1: That's a hell of a great point. I think sometimes 564 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 1: when people look at schedules and they go, oh, that's 565 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: a hard schedule. Because I don't get me wrong, I 566 00:28:19,359 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 1: want a playoff game. I want to be in the playoffs. 567 00:28:21,840 --> 00:28:23,879 Speaker 1: But the other side of me goes, if you in 568 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:26,360 Speaker 1: these last five games, if you lose four of them, 569 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:28,119 Speaker 1: you didn't deserve to be in the playoffs in the 570 00:28:28,119 --> 00:28:30,399 Speaker 1: first place. And I think the players and coaches and 571 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,320 Speaker 1: staff everybody would tell you that if we don't win games, 572 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:34,720 Speaker 1: we don't deserve to be there. So when to me, 573 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 1: this is an opportunity. You have three primetime games, you 574 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 1: have two games against title contending teams and one really 575 00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 1: tough road game. To me, this is an opportunity to 576 00:28:45,520 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 1: walk into the playoffs and when you get there, go, oh, 577 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:51,320 Speaker 1: this moment isn't going to be tough for us already. Yeah, 578 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:53,520 Speaker 1: we're not going to be in a difficult situation because 579 00:28:53,520 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 1: we've been dealing with this for the past five weeks 580 00:28:55,760 --> 00:28:58,520 Speaker 1: and you've been doing primetime games. You've also been you had, 581 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: you know, come from behind wins. You've had to do 582 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:02,640 Speaker 1: it the hard way, and you've had to find multiple 583 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:04,600 Speaker 1: ways to actually win these games that might be on 584 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:06,920 Speaker 1: the ground, might be in the air, it doesn't matter. 585 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:09,920 Speaker 1: You still might see the Packers and the Seattle Seahawks 586 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:12,600 Speaker 1: in the playoffs coming up here very shortly. Absolutely, So 587 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:16,120 Speaker 1: I have one more bye week activity. Nope, you get one. 588 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 1: Take the show, Chris. Bye week activity for fans. Go 589 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:24,840 Speaker 1: to nfl dot com slash Pro Bowl ballot and vote 590 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:28,760 Speaker 1: for your vikings. I need to CJ Ham in the 591 00:29:28,760 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl because he deserves it this year. Yeah, you know, 592 00:29:30,920 --> 00:29:32,840 Speaker 1: there's a lot of guys on this team that really 593 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:35,680 Speaker 1: deserve to be there. Kendricks having a Kendricks having the 594 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:40,160 Speaker 1: best year of his career, Daniel obviously, bar Harrison. Everson 595 00:29:40,240 --> 00:29:42,880 Speaker 1: Griffin not only is, not only should be a Pro bowler. 596 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:44,760 Speaker 1: In my opinion, he should be the comeback Player of 597 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 1: the year. Talent all over the offense, Chris's boy Kirk 598 00:29:48,920 --> 00:29:54,160 Speaker 1: is crushing it with twenty one touchdowns, three picks, digs Cook, 599 00:29:54,400 --> 00:29:58,440 Speaker 1: but sneakily and quietly, as we have the best rushing 600 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:01,640 Speaker 1: attack in the league. C J. Hamm is out there 601 00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:05,000 Speaker 1: leading it, doing everything possible and then oh yeah, being 602 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:09,040 Speaker 1: a safety release valve constantly for Kirk. He's playing the 603 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 1: fullback position as well as anyone in the league, and 604 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:14,960 Speaker 1: he deserves to be there. I know that's sometimes guys 605 00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: like that who really really deserve it, you know, get overlooked. 606 00:30:18,040 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 1: Can I give you another sneaky one who I believe 607 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:22,320 Speaker 1: deserves a vote? And I don't even know. I haven't 608 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: looked at the bout yet. Brian O'Neill love it, Bryant 609 00:30:26,120 --> 00:30:28,440 Speaker 1: and O'Neill. It's been like one or two sacks he's 610 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 1: allowed all year. Brian O'Neill is quietly. You know, it's 611 00:30:31,840 --> 00:30:33,960 Speaker 1: been a long time since this team has had a 612 00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:37,400 Speaker 1: dominant offensive line. So most of the discussion surrounding the 613 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 1: offensive line is how do we make it better? What 614 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 1: do we need to do? But at some point this 615 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:43,960 Speaker 1: season we need to spend some time talking about how 616 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,720 Speaker 1: great of a job. Brian O'Neill has done a couple 617 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: quick Vikings programming notes before we get you out of here. 618 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:53,520 Speaker 1: Under Center with Kirk Cousins had the Power Trip Morning Show. Guys, 619 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:57,080 Speaker 1: it's typically Tuesday nights on k Fan from six to 620 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,520 Speaker 1: seven pm. You can also get it at Vikings dot 621 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:02,600 Speaker 1: com and YouTube. If you want the video edit, you 622 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:06,520 Speaker 1: can also podcast at Apple, Google Play, Spotify, all that stuff. 623 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:10,560 Speaker 1: This show, the MVP podcast is uploaded on Wednesdays, same 624 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:13,959 Speaker 1: thing Vikings dot com, YouTube, when we have video guests, 625 00:31:13,960 --> 00:31:16,920 Speaker 1: podcast wherever you want it. And finally, School Stories and 626 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:19,560 Speaker 1: Vikings Final Prep are off this week because it's a 627 00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:21,560 Speaker 1: bye week and all the people that work in this 628 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 1: building deserve to spend a couple of days, you know, 629 00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 1: taking a breath and looking at their kids. I'm out, 630 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:29,959 Speaker 1: so you guys are out. Have a great time. We 631 00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 1: will see you next week in preparation for the Seattle game. 632 00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:36,920 Speaker 1: Enjoy the eight and three everybody, We'll talk soon.