1 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:06,920 Speaker 1: Yo, what's going on? Welcome inside to tc OH Radio Studio. 2 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 1: This is the Minnesota Vikings Podcast, brought to you by PEPSI. 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: I'm Gabe Henderson. I'm alongside Vikings dot COM's Tatum Everett 4 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:16,440 Speaker 1: and our special guest of the night, mister Ben Gesling, 5 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:19,439 Speaker 1: who is from the Star Tribune. Eric Davidson produces this 6 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:22,600 Speaker 1: show and Ben the Vikings. Well, I'll start it off 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: with this. Who said you needed to score touchdowns to 8 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: win games in the NFL weeks? 9 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:33,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's it's pretty uncommon. The the I think match 10 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 2: the lowest scoring win in Vikings history, first time since 11 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:40,680 Speaker 2: nineteen seventy one. So Packers right, yes, against the Packers 12 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 2: at the met Fred Cox hit a game winner in 13 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:47,080 Speaker 2: the fourth quarter. So Fred Cox and Greg Joseph are 14 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 2: kindred spirits, I guess, and. 15 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 1: Then rewind back to the week prior, the Bears don't 16 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:53,920 Speaker 1: score a touchdown and they beat us. So it's you know, 17 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: the game of football is evolving. 18 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 3: Tatum, it certainly is. 19 00:00:57,480 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 4: And if you know, I was kind of I kind 20 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 4: of had a bow to pick with a lot of 21 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 4: fans who were so used to seeing so many explosive offenses. 22 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 3: I I love a defensive game. I really truly do. 23 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 4: I know that that might be in the minority of 24 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 4: of of decision. 25 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: Anybody's listening right now, are gonna be like Tatum, you're 26 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: by yourself phone. 27 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I respect it. 28 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 4: So growing up in the South and watching a lot 29 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:21,960 Speaker 4: of great sec defenses that was kind of like where 30 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,479 Speaker 4: I really learned my love of football, and so I 31 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 4: just have a I like watching a good defense. Now 32 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 4: do I have a lot of question marks about this offense. 33 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 4: Of course I do, because it shouldn't be a three 34 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 4: nothing game. But I love a shutout any day of 35 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 4: the week. I love the way that it goes back 36 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 4: and forth and like every every small, tiny minute decision matters. 37 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,559 Speaker 3: So, I mean I said it. I don't know where 38 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 3: I said it, but I was like, I'm I wish. 39 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 4: People would just be like, hey, like it's it's a 40 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 4: good defensive game. It was sure, the offense wasn't me, 41 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 4: but like it was a great defensive game, yeah for sure. 42 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 1: And just thinking about just the first three quarters, Ben, 43 00:01:57,680 --> 00:01:59,720 Speaker 1: you were there, just how how did you see the 44 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: defense kind of step up in those moments? 45 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, I think a lot of the things 46 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 2: that we've seen throughout the course of the season played 47 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:11,799 Speaker 2: out where it's they're forcing throws underneath because of the 48 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 2: zone coverages and then all of the pass rush that 49 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 2: forces Aidan o'connall get rid of the ball quickly. But 50 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:21,519 Speaker 2: the tackling I thought was especially good. That there were 51 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: a lot of plays where the ball would be underneath 52 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:28,359 Speaker 2: and you'd think a guy has room to make something happen. 53 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:31,799 Speaker 2: And the perimeter tackling, I think especially was a lot 54 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 2: of the reason that they were able to force punts 55 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 2: like they were and keep the Raiders really from not 56 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 2: only not scoring, but not even attempting a field goal. 57 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 2: So I think that stuck out and it just like 58 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 2: you said, Tatum, it's one of those games where you 59 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 2: had to have everything because any one play could have 60 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:53,760 Speaker 2: set up Daniel Carlson for a field goal and that 61 00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 2: never happened. 62 00:02:54,480 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 4: Jordan Hicks was a huge part of this defense, one 63 00:02:57,480 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 4: of the main tacklers, I guess you could say, leading 64 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:02,119 Speaker 4: up and to his injury, how do you think they've 65 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 4: been able to especially with Ivan Pace in the mix, 66 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,920 Speaker 4: been able to step up in his absence and still 67 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 4: almost like not skip a beat. 68 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:11,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, Ivan Pace I think has deserved a 69 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: lot of credit and has received a lot of credit 70 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 2: this week for the way he's handled it. You know, 71 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 2: really an impressive rookie season as a whole, and we 72 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 2: had seen that coming into this, but I mean, I 73 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:25,000 Speaker 2: thought when Jordan Hicks went down and the way people 74 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 2: talked about it, the way Brian Flores talked about it, 75 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 2: the way Kevin O'Connell talked about it, you could tell 76 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 2: what he means to this team and the season he 77 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 2: was having. There was certainly a void there, there was 78 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 2: a felt loss. I think the impact of him being 79 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 2: out was certainly not lost on these coaches. So for 80 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 2: Ivan Pace to come in there and do what he's 81 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 2: done to the point where they really haven't, like you say, 82 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 2: they haven't missed a beat very much. It's been being 83 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 2: as Simon sound. It's I think being a more effective 84 00:03:56,000 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 2: pass rusher probably than people would have expected from an UNDRAFTEDOKI. 85 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 2: And it's been being able to keep everything kind of 86 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 2: in check in front of him running that huddle and 87 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 2: Jordan Hicks. We'll see if he gets back, but you know, 88 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 2: it's been awfully impressive to watch Ivan Pace this year. 89 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 2: And I wonder how because there's not like a runaway 90 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:18,360 Speaker 2: defensive Rookie of the Year candidate this year, at least 91 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: as far as I've been able to see. So, you know, 92 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 2: an off ball linebacker, it's a hard one thing. It's 93 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 2: a hard thing to win. But you know, I think 94 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 2: he's certainly going to be in the conversation. 95 00:04:26,760 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 4: Well, speaking of conversation, I leads me to what I 96 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 4: really wanted to ask you next, was with the way 97 00:04:32,120 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 4: that the defense is carrying through these past couple of 98 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:39,039 Speaker 4: games especially, I mean, really this whole entire season, how 99 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,760 Speaker 4: much should Brian Flores' name be mentioned in the conversation 100 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,599 Speaker 4: for coordinator of the Year. 101 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, I think pretty high on that list. 102 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 2: I mean it's you know, to watch this defense do 103 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 2: what it's done. I mean I kind of thought beginning 104 00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 2: of the season the setup was something to the effective 105 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: offense has a lot of proven scope, has been players, 106 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 2: a lot of proven talent. This is a thirteen win 107 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,280 Speaker 2: team that had a defense that was ranked twenty eighth 108 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 2: or twenty ninth in the league last year. If it 109 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 2: improves to the point where it's fifteenth, eighteenth, whatever, nineteenth twentieth, 110 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:17,039 Speaker 2: that's going to be enough of an improvement that the 111 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:19,160 Speaker 2: offense will take care of itself and you're getting the 112 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 2: stops that you need. So to see it now where 113 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 2: it's been, you know, it's ranked fifth in the league 114 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 2: I think in points allowed, and you haven't really seen 115 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 2: anybody crack it yet. Now, it has not been a 116 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 2: murderer's row of quarterbacks lately, but you have not seen 117 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,920 Speaker 2: this thing where people have started to figure it out 118 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: because it continues to shift and evolve and the number 119 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 2: of players that have executed a scheme that allow that 120 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 2: requires a lot of make on the fly decisions, make 121 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,040 Speaker 2: a lot of checks pre snap, make a lot of 122 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 2: reads on what you're going to get from the offense, 123 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,720 Speaker 2: and communicate those things across the defense. For a young 124 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: group to not see the busted covered, I mean you 125 00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:05,039 Speaker 2: kind of expected at some point. Okay, there's a lot 126 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 2: going on in this defense. There's a lot of guys 127 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 2: that have not played significant snaps in the NFL. There's 128 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 2: going to be some breakdown at some point or another. 129 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 2: That really has not happened much at all. So I 130 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: think the scheme, the way they've taught it, the way 131 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 2: they've executed it, the development you've seen from some of 132 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 2: these young players. Yeah, certainly is a credit to I 133 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 2: mean this to the staff, but also certainly to Brian 134 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 2: Floor is probably foremost of all. And yeah, it's been 135 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 2: awfully impressive to watch them. Certainly would say. 136 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: That speaking of being impressed, you know you did hit 137 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: a make a good point. Fifth in total defense, this 138 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings team is right now. But the thing that 139 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:44,560 Speaker 1: stands out to me is the run defense. The Vikings 140 00:06:44,560 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 1: are top five run defense in the NFL, and that's 141 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:49,840 Speaker 1: something that we haven't been able to do these past 142 00:06:49,839 --> 00:06:52,159 Speaker 1: couple of years. So to be able to do that, 143 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 1: Harrison Phillips, Waltsapayton Man of the Year, what are some 144 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,359 Speaker 1: other guys you would say are key contributors to this 145 00:06:57,440 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: Vikings run d well. 146 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean you think about it, it's like that 147 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 2: that game in Philadelphia Week two where the Eagles basically 148 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 2: said we're just going to run the ball the entire game. 149 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,720 Speaker 2: To be ranked as well as they are on run defense. 150 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 2: With that still on the resume, it has been an 151 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: awfully big change here in the last few weeks. And 152 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,280 Speaker 2: you mentioned Harrison Phillips, that's been a big part of it. 153 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 2: I think you've seen contributions from a lot of guys 154 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 2: in that line that don't get a ton of credit. 155 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 2: Jonathan Bullard has made some plays Kiro's Tonga. Jacquelyn Roy 156 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:28,240 Speaker 2: has had some moments where he's coming as well. But 157 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 2: it's been it's been that, it's been guys at the 158 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:33,720 Speaker 2: second level, it's been Josh Mattelus. I mean, there's there's 159 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 2: a lot of things. Daniel Hunter continues to be a 160 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:38,480 Speaker 2: sound I mean, he's known for his pass rushing, but 161 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 2: he's a sound run defender that he not. 162 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: In discussion for Defensive Player Year. 163 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 3: I think he is. 164 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 1: I feel like since we're such in a small market, 165 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 1: people don't really give his name much. 166 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: So and he's not the I mean, he's got not 167 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:52,920 Speaker 2: a guy that draws a ton of attention to either. 168 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 2: So I mean some of these things are are branding 169 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 2: to some degree, I suppose, but but yeah, I mean 170 00:07:58,760 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 2: he's he's a guy that has always been that way 171 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: you always done his job against the run and has 172 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 2: not played that position saying I'm just going to go 173 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 2: off for the quarterback and whatever happens on the run, 174 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,640 Speaker 2: I'm not worried about it. So the fact that he 175 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 2: does that, the fact that you've had people on the 176 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 2: defensive line kind of step into contributing roles and it's 177 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 2: been impressive, and especially because most of the time and 178 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,000 Speaker 2: the default personnel grop being the base defense for this 179 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 2: team is in the nickel. I mean, it's three safeties 180 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:30,480 Speaker 2: on the field all the time, but whether it's two 181 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 2: four in front of those five, whether it's three to three, 182 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:35,440 Speaker 2: I mean occasionally see a four to two, but you're 183 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 2: not playing heavy personnel very much, so teams have incentive 184 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 2: to say, let's try to run it, I would think, 185 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 2: and the fact that they haven't been able to do that, 186 00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:48,439 Speaker 2: a lot of people have executed the assignments at a 187 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 2: pretty high level. 188 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,439 Speaker 1: That's what we need and what we need right now 189 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 1: is for this offense to start executing some assignments. Just 190 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: understanding that there's another quarterback change this year. This will 191 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 1: be the fourth well I guess the time that we've 192 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: had a starting different starting quarterback this season, so well, 193 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,199 Speaker 1: fourth time because Jaron Hall started in that land, right. 194 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:09,959 Speaker 1: What are realistic expectations for for Nick mellins Well, I. 195 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 2: Think you saw shades of it at the end last 196 00:09:12,920 --> 00:09:14,600 Speaker 2: week where the ball is coming out a little bit 197 00:09:14,679 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 2: quicker that time that he's had in this offense that 198 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 2: obviously Josh Dobbs and Jaren Hall have not. You see 199 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 2: some of those things I think play out. So it's 200 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 2: running the offense efficiently, it's keeping the offense out of 201 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 2: third and longs, out of turnovers, out of sacks, all 202 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 2: those types of things. I mean, I think that's probably 203 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 2: that's the first order of business. And you know, it's 204 00:09:38,400 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 2: not going to be probably the most explosive offense in 205 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 2: the world, but there's enough skill position players on this 206 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 2: team that can run after the catch that some of 207 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 2: it is just getting justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockinson 208 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 2: the ball in space and letting them go to work. 209 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,560 Speaker 2: It's not having to throw twenty five yards down field. 210 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 2: Although he did have some downfield moments on Sunday, the 211 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 2: throat to Hockinson, the throat to Addison that kind of 212 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,239 Speaker 2: set up the game winner. I mean, he showed he 213 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,640 Speaker 2: can he can push the ball downfield. There were a 214 00:10:07,679 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 2: couple of times there where I thought he had an 215 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 2: underneath throw and he says, now I'm gonna take the 216 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 2: high corner, I think on the one to Addison, and 217 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 2: so that was impressive to watch. But you know, if 218 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 2: you get to the point with him where he's throwing 219 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:24,440 Speaker 2: for two hundred and twenty yards a game and not 220 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 2: turning the ball over, that should be enough. 221 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 1: Jake Browning numbers right there. 222 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:31,079 Speaker 2: Well yeah, I mean it's it's funny. I mean we 223 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 2: mentioned the defense and not having seen this in a while, 224 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 2: but some of these formulas that you start to think 225 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:39,280 Speaker 2: about in terms of seventeen points, twenty points, whatever it is, 226 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:41,199 Speaker 2: will win you a lot of games. I mean, these 227 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 2: are the conversations that people had around here when Mike 228 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 2: Zimmer was here, at the height of the Mike Zimmer defenses. 229 00:10:47,840 --> 00:10:49,600 Speaker 2: That was a lot of the talk because they only 230 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:52,120 Speaker 2: need to score twenty twenty one points and they're gonna 231 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 2: win most of the time. So that does feel like 232 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 2: the formula a little bit right now. I mean, even 233 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 2: Kevin O'Connell's spech after the game on Sunday, it's and 234 00:10:59,360 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 2: he's saying you you understand that you have to play 235 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:03,679 Speaker 2: to the strengths of your team, and the team as 236 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:07,559 Speaker 2: it's currently constituted is built around a defense, and if 237 00:11:07,559 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 2: you get the skill position players healthy, there's a formula 238 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 2: there to make it work. It's not the one that 239 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 2: everybody expected, but I think it can be done. 240 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 4: I also think something from the Raiders game to take 241 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 4: home from from the offense, at least from a positive perspective, 242 00:11:19,679 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 4: was the physicality upfront and the ability to control the 243 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 4: line of scrimmage. 244 00:11:23,480 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 3: The run game. 245 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 4: It may have been one of their best performances really 246 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 4: just trying to plug along while. 247 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:31,079 Speaker 3: They obviously the passing game was struggling. 248 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 4: And if they can give that support to Mullins moving forward, 249 00:11:35,679 --> 00:11:37,319 Speaker 4: how much do you think that could play a role 250 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 4: and do you see them building off of that. I mean, 251 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 4: that's something that they've been hard. It's been hard for 252 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:41,440 Speaker 4: them to get going. 253 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:41,760 Speaker 1: Yeah. 254 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 2: I mean I think Sunday in terms of success rate 255 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 2: in the run basically in terms of how often you 256 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 2: are making appreciable progress towards a first down, I think 257 00:11:51,200 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 2: they had the highest rate of the year on Sunday. 258 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:54,959 Speaker 2: I think it was fifty six percent against the Raiders. 259 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 2: And the Bengals have not had good numbers against the run. 260 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 2: The Packers have shown a lot of trouble against the run, 261 00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 2: like they did on Monday night against the Giants, So 262 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 2: there is going to be room there to run the ball. 263 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 2: And I thought like you said, I mean, Alexander Madison 264 00:12:10,240 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 2: had some nice runs in terms of being able to 265 00:12:11,679 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 2: make cuts and make a couple of guys miss, but 266 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 2: a lot of it was the offensive line kind of 267 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 2: being able to reset the line of scrimmage, being able 268 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 2: to push the defense of the Raiders defensive front a 269 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 2: couple of yards back, three hours back, making it so 270 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,920 Speaker 2: that whoever has the ball is not getting hit right away, 271 00:12:25,920 --> 00:12:28,480 Speaker 2: which we've seen a lot of this year. And for 272 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:32,040 Speaker 2: that to happen with a lot of changes happening on 273 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 2: the offensive line, where Ed Ingram's on the game, Ryan 274 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,839 Speaker 2: O'Neil goes out, Dalton Reisner goes out for at least 275 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 2: a couple of plays, it was impressive. And I think 276 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 2: the physicality that they showed, the commitment to that you're 277 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 2: going to see more of that. I mean, they're i think, 278 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 2: have averaged since Cousins went out thirty two runs a game, 279 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,200 Speaker 2: and some of that stobs, yes, but the overall number 280 00:12:57,280 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 2: is like the fifth or sixth highest in the league. 281 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,320 Speaker 2: So it's it's been I mean, defense and run the ball. 282 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 2: It's it's uh, you know, now, it's. 283 00:13:04,000 --> 00:13:07,800 Speaker 1: Just right for a guy who wants to throw the 284 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 1: ball fifty times a game. Who needs to. 285 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 3: Run it takes to win, right, That's all. 286 00:13:11,679 --> 00:13:14,120 Speaker 1: Right, Well, we're winning in the first segment of this break, 287 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:16,719 Speaker 1: but let's run to our commercials and make sure we 288 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:18,560 Speaker 1: pay some bills, so we'll be right back with more 289 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:21,040 Speaker 1: with Ben Gesling right here on the Minnesota Vikings podcast. 290 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 4: Blonde Montage is the Twin Cities premiere salon and spa 291 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:30,479 Speaker 4: destination and proud official hair sponsor of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. 292 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 4: With three convenient locations an Dinah, Woodbury and Chan Hassen. 293 00:13:35,040 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 4: There is a balon close to you. Visit online at 294 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 4: spalon dot com. Say hello to flawlessly smooth skin at 295 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 4: Pure Lux Medspot, the preferred medspa of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, 296 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:55,360 Speaker 4: specializing in elite laser hair removal, body contouring, botox, cosmetic 297 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 4: filter and age defying skincare treatments such as diamond glow 298 00:13:58,960 --> 00:14:01,880 Speaker 4: and skin pen or collagen induction therapy. 299 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 3: For more information, visit my pure lucks dot com backslash. 300 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 4: Vikings for exclusive offers to Vikings fans. That's www dot 301 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:14,679 Speaker 4: my pure lucks dot com backslash Vikings. 302 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: We are back in action. Vikings football, coming off of 303 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: a win last week in Las Vegas, is back on 304 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:25,360 Speaker 1: the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday at twelve 305 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 1: pm Central Time on NFL Network. Ben Gestling is here, 306 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 1: Tatum Evert is here. Our producer Eric Davidson is here. 307 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 1: My name is Gaye Anderson. This is the Minnesota Vikings Podcast. 308 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 1: And Ben, just understanding that we're going to be in 309 00:14:37,520 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 1: another game where there are two quarterbacks that didn't start 310 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:44,320 Speaker 1: the season enough, how do you make sense of what 311 00:14:44,360 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: we really can expect at pay Course Stadium on Saturday. 312 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, it's it's been kind of the story 313 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 2: of the NFL season that you've seen all of these 314 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 2: high profile quarterbacks go down. And I was looking this 315 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 2: up this week. I don't know that it's statistically unusual 316 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 2: yet in terms of the number of teams that have 317 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 2: played a couple of different quarterbacks. I think it's fourteen. Now. 318 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 2: I think the Chargers might be the fourteenth. Somebody can 319 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 2: check me on that, but I think with Justin Herbert 320 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 2: going out, it's right in that neighborhood that almost half 321 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:13,120 Speaker 2: the league has used him. But you've seen a lot 322 00:15:13,160 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: of whether it's Aaron Rodgers, Justin, Herbert kirk Cousins. I'm 323 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 2: sure I'm missing a couple. Ryan Tannehill. Yeah, I mean 324 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 2: there's been a lot of quarterbacks that have gone out. 325 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 2: I mean brock Perty was out for at least a bit. 326 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 2: Derek Carr, Derek Carr, Yeah, I mean there's been a 327 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 2: lot of veterans or high level guys that have missed time. 328 00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:34,680 Speaker 2: So it has become Joe Burrow. Obviously we're going to see. 329 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 3: This on Ry heartbroken. Sorry Tigers there, I know. 330 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 4: It's fine, you know, selfishly heartbroken. Thankfully, the Vikings don't 331 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:49,840 Speaker 4: have to face like that. I mean, Jake Browning is 332 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:53,280 Speaker 4: playing very well, which is interesting because we've seen him before. 333 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 4: It's another Viking, former Viking quarterback who's getting some time 334 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 4: in the league while we're facing them, which is quite interesting. 335 00:15:59,120 --> 00:15:59,320 Speaker 1: Yeah. 336 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, and he looked I think better than it's. 337 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 3: Night practice, Jakey. 338 00:16:04,400 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 2: I was about to say, people forget about it looked 339 00:16:06,040 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 2: like the night practice when he had to play all 340 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 2: the time quarterback. 341 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: You probably had seven hundred and eight hundreds that night. 342 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, maybe he was a tco. 343 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 2: He led a go ahead drive and then Jake Browning 344 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 2: was unable to answer Jake Browning after Jake Browning led 345 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 2: a touchdown drive. So I mean it was some good 346 00:16:22,960 --> 00:16:25,800 Speaker 2: and mad there, I guess, but yeah, that was kind 347 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 2: of a shy moment. Yeah, should we give. 348 00:16:27,760 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: A backstory for fans who were listening. So twenty twenty 349 00:16:30,240 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: the COVID year, Uh, they would have been twenty one, 350 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:35,640 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one, the COVID year. There were three quarterbacks 351 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: in the room, Kirk Cousin, Sean May, and Jake Brownie 352 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: Milon Mont, so four quarterbacks. So of course, with the 353 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:44,760 Speaker 1: COVID protocols, if somebody gets or test positive, everyone in 354 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:47,880 Speaker 1: that room has to either retest or they. 355 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 3: Can't can't be a direct content. 356 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 1: So long story short. Afterwards, Jake Browning was the only 357 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: quarterback the day of that was healthy enough to press. 358 00:16:57,120 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: It was TC night practice to Tatum's point, continue. 359 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was. It was, And I think he had 360 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 2: people dunking in with water afterwards. 361 00:17:04,080 --> 00:17:04,440 Speaker 1: It was. 362 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,560 Speaker 2: It was quite a scene. But yeah, it was kind 363 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 2: of the thing that everybody remembers him for around here, 364 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 2: I suppose, but I know he impressed a lot of 365 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 2: people in this building through that camp and and through 366 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:19,439 Speaker 2: his time here. So it's been interesting to watch him 367 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 2: in Cincinnati. I mean he's had some days where he 368 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,879 Speaker 2: had I think went out with cramps on Sunday, but 369 00:17:24,240 --> 00:17:27,359 Speaker 2: he was dealing before that. So I mean they have 370 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 2: a lot of weapons with Chase and t Higgins and 371 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:33,600 Speaker 2: you know Tyler Boyd. So it's yeah, mixing, and they've 372 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,159 Speaker 2: had trouble running the ball, but there's a lot of 373 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 2: skill position talent there. It's a little bit of a 374 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 2: mirror image. I suppose agree, in the sense that there's 375 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 2: enough high level skill players there, headlined by the LSU receivers, 376 00:17:48,040 --> 00:17:49,640 Speaker 2: that if you have a quarterback that can get them 377 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 2: the ball, you can make more things happen than you 378 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 2: would think, even though the starter is out for both teams. 379 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, I think I think it is interesting because 380 00:17:57,359 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 4: because you when you see these backups come in and 381 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:03,200 Speaker 4: time as you see different stars stand out. So while 382 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:05,399 Speaker 4: we do know those big names, now you have to 383 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 4: worry about a Tanner Hudson, you have to worry about 384 00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,120 Speaker 4: a Chase Brown. So you have these guys that maybe 385 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:12,639 Speaker 4: have worked with Jake second team reps getting those in, 386 00:18:12,680 --> 00:18:13,000 Speaker 4: so you're. 387 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 3: Now you're worried about that as well. 388 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:19,040 Speaker 4: However, I like the fact that this run game got 389 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,639 Speaker 4: going in this Raiders game, and that's kind of what 390 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,439 Speaker 4: I like seeing in this matchup. I do think that 391 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 4: you're going to have to rely on that in this 392 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 4: one for momens, but I'm excited to see his confidence 393 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:32,080 Speaker 4: in there and and to see what this defense can do. 394 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 4: You know, I hope that it's not another Ryan Right 395 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,040 Speaker 4: game personally. I mean, I do like defense, but I 396 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:40,360 Speaker 4: don't like as many punts. 397 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean it was, uh, it was she prefers mistreat. 398 00:18:44,480 --> 00:18:47,680 Speaker 2: Ryan Right had a good day. 399 00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 3: Miss field goals. No, that's an alabana JK JK JK. 400 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: I love this datum. 401 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:55,920 Speaker 2: It was, yeah, a quote a showdown of the punters 402 00:18:55,960 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 2: between Ryan Right and aj Cole launching one eighty three yards. 403 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 2: When that came off his foot, I thought he shanked that. 404 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:05,159 Speaker 2: I mean just in the press box, it looked like 405 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 2: a line drives bos good grief. I mean, yeah, the 406 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 2: things kept flying, so it was like one of those. 407 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:15,679 Speaker 2: It must have been on purpose, because he had to 408 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 2: think a couple more that were kind of that line 409 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 2: drive style kick. And yeah, both those punters had heck 410 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 2: fit day and had to have it obviously when nobody's scoring. 411 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, sometimes you need that twelfth man on the field, 412 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: and in this case it was Ryan right just being 413 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:33,080 Speaker 1: able to flip the field for our defense. And Tatum 414 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,159 Speaker 1: started off with what she liked about Sunday's matchup and 415 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 1: just understanding we do this segment called PEPSI that's what 416 00:19:39,240 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: I like segment. She likes the run game for this 417 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,280 Speaker 1: Minnesota Vikings team. What's one thing that you like going 418 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,200 Speaker 1: into Saturday's matchup against the Bengals. 419 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 2: I mean, I think the ability to get pressure on 420 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 2: Jake Browning. I think it's going to be a big 421 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:57,560 Speaker 2: factor in this. So you know, Daniel Hunter against that 422 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 2: Bengals offensive line, I think there's opportunities for him there. 423 00:20:00,880 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 2: Who was had a shot at Zach number fourteen against 424 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 2: the Raiders and I think set up one for I 425 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 2: think it was DJ wanting to clean it up. So yeah, 426 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 2: I mean, I think the opportunities to pressure Jake Browning. 427 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:14,240 Speaker 2: I mean it's we've seen this a lot this year 428 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:17,639 Speaker 2: with young quarterbacks where Brian Flora's defense has caused a 429 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 2: lot of trouble because it's a lot of looks that 430 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 2: you don't see. It's not a scheme that has a 431 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 2: lot of peers in the NFL in terms of people 432 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 2: playing that way. So it's not like, oh, we see 433 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,960 Speaker 2: film of this other team and it's like this last 434 00:20:30,960 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 2: team we saw, I mean the Vic Fangio type defense 435 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 2: that the Vikings were in last year. I do think 436 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,800 Speaker 2: there was some of that where it's okay, everybody practices 437 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 2: against a similar version of this, whether it's Green Bay 438 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 2: or the Chargers or the Rams or the Broncos have 439 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 2: run at the Dolphins probably are doing some of that 440 00:20:47,359 --> 00:20:51,000 Speaker 2: now with Fagio being there, with Brian Flores's approach to defense, 441 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:53,920 Speaker 2: you don't see it really anywhere else. So I think 442 00:20:53,960 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 2: that is always a little bit of a shock for 443 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 2: some of these teams. It's a little bit like remember 444 00:20:58,480 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 2: a couple of years ago when the Vikings were playing 445 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:03,800 Speaker 2: ball Baltimore. It's we don't see teams that have an 446 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 2: offense that operates like the Ravens do with Lamar Jackson. 447 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 2: So there's just not those banked reps in practice, and 448 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:13,159 Speaker 2: I think that always leads to a bit of a shock, 449 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 2: a bit of an adjustment for offenses, especially when they 450 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 2: have you on quarterbacks. So I think the pass rush 451 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 2: especially is a factor in this one. 452 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:25,200 Speaker 1: I agree just seeing what Daniel Hunter has done this year, Tatum, 453 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 1: you can probably speak to it from a, you know, 454 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 1: a broader perspective, like I don't think we've been able 455 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 1: to witness something this good on the defensive side of 456 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:35,760 Speaker 1: the ball in Purple since we've been here, correct, I. 457 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:36,240 Speaker 3: Would say so. 458 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 4: But it's also I think a big reflection on this 459 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 4: health uh the player performance uh here right now because 460 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,160 Speaker 4: he's now been able to stay healthy for two straight 461 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,200 Speaker 4: seasons and you're really able to see just how talented 462 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 4: he is and how valuable he is the defense. And 463 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:53,920 Speaker 4: that's really a tribute to player performance and Tyler Williams 464 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,760 Speaker 4: and r Ayah and their team to make sure that 465 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 4: he's you know, in tip top shape and not not 466 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 4: struggling with the same almost like I wouldn't say freak injuries, 467 00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 4: but just like very rare injuries that he had before 468 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 4: the last two seasons, like three years ago. 469 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 2: Y yeah, And it's he was a guy that before 470 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 2: those two seasons, like was twenty and twenty one that 471 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,080 Speaker 2: he had I mean it was it was his neck 472 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 2: in twenty and then the pectoral muscle in twenty one. 473 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:22,840 Speaker 2: Before that, he was the fastest player in NFL history 474 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:24,880 Speaker 2: of fifty Sacks. I mean, he this is a guy 475 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 2: that was on a gold jacket trajectory and those two 476 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 2: years kind of took him off of the map. But 477 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:33,199 Speaker 2: I mean I remember a couple of weeks ago in 478 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 2: the press box sitting there and Andrew Kramer goes, he 479 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 2: just passed Jared Allen Sacks and Viking's history a couple 480 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:43,120 Speaker 2: more years to do it, but also had a couple 481 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 2: of those years taken away from injuries. So I mean 482 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 2: he he has put together quite a resume in his 483 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 2: time in Minnesota, in a large part because he does 484 00:22:55,240 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 2: a lot of He's always I mean, coaches always talking 485 00:22:57,440 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 2: about how coachable he is, how much he he absorbs coaching, 486 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 2: finds ways to execute what they want, finds ways to 487 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:08,720 Speaker 2: improve his game. You pair that with an athletic skill 488 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,639 Speaker 2: set that's hard to match. You see these types of 489 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,679 Speaker 2: things come back. So I mean you talk about the 490 00:23:14,760 --> 00:23:18,199 Speaker 2: last time we saw a performance like this, I mean, 491 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:22,320 Speaker 2: Daniel Hunter is doing the best version of this since 492 00:23:23,040 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 2: I would say probably since Daniel Hunter. I mean, like 493 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 2: Daniel Hunter in twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen, twenty nineteen. Yeah, 494 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 2: you know a lot of those years where he's getting 495 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:34,679 Speaker 2: fourteen fourteen and a half sacks. I mean, this may 496 00:23:34,720 --> 00:23:39,040 Speaker 2: be on even another level, but he has shown before 497 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 2: that he is capable of this and it's certainly been 498 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:43,919 Speaker 2: fun to watch him get back to that, if not 499 00:23:43,960 --> 00:23:44,720 Speaker 2: exceed that level. 500 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: That's a great take. And before we get out of here, 501 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: I'm just going to give my quick thing that I 502 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:52,960 Speaker 1: like about Saturday's matchup. Just a backup quarterback, like the 503 00:23:53,040 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: backup quarterbacks on both teams that matchup. Yeah, I believe 504 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:57,879 Speaker 1: is going to be keith. I mean, of course to 505 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:00,760 Speaker 1: winning this game. We when I look at Nick Mullins 506 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:03,920 Speaker 1: play play the game of football, I understand it helps 507 00:24:03,960 --> 00:24:07,480 Speaker 1: me understand how much football is timing and chemistry. Yeah, 508 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:09,719 Speaker 1: he doesn't have the arm strength, yep, it's not the 509 00:24:09,760 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: tallest guy, but when you look at just some of 510 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 1: the throws that he makes, he's always ahead of the curve. 511 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:17,400 Speaker 1: And that's something that I that I really appreciate about 512 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,240 Speaker 1: his game. He kind of just sticks to what he knows. 513 00:24:19,280 --> 00:24:22,240 Speaker 1: And then Jake Browning is literally the same exact quarterback. 514 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: So to your point of two mirroring teams of you know, 515 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:28,640 Speaker 1: really good star power on the outside and running backs 516 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,800 Speaker 1: that haven't figured it out yet. Now you have two 517 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: quarterbacks that if their timing is off, that affects the 518 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 1: entire game. So we'll see what Saturday at noon at 519 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:40,760 Speaker 1: Pegor Stadium looks like with those two guys, you know, 520 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:42,639 Speaker 1: taking the reps for both the Orange and the Purple. 521 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:45,480 Speaker 1: Before we get out of here, just your final thoughts 522 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:46,479 Speaker 1: on Saturday's matchup. 523 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:50,199 Speaker 2: Well, it's an interesting game and it's one that you 524 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,159 Speaker 2: looked at at the beginning of the season when you 525 00:24:52,200 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 2: see all four teams that had been in the conference 526 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 2: championship game on the schedule, this is when you had 527 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:00,280 Speaker 2: circled as one of the tougher road matchups the year, 528 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:04,920 Speaker 2: probably this in Philadelphia. I still think it's that it 529 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:08,600 Speaker 2: looks different, certainly without Joe Burrow, but I still think 530 00:25:08,640 --> 00:25:11,680 Speaker 2: it's a tough matchup in the sense that the Bengals 531 00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:13,320 Speaker 2: have played a lot of playoff games the last couple 532 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 2: of years. This is a team with a lot of 533 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 2: pedigree that has won and played deep into seasons the 534 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 2: last few years. So it is I think an opportunity 535 00:25:22,920 --> 00:25:26,320 Speaker 2: as the Vikings look at trying to assert themselves, and 536 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,920 Speaker 2: certainly they're in good playoff position, but still a chance. 537 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:31,920 Speaker 2: Believe it or not, they're in control their own destiny 538 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,359 Speaker 2: of the division. Still a chance to win the division, certainly, 539 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,920 Speaker 2: a chance to assert themselves heading into the playoffs, those 540 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 2: NFC North matchups coming up after this. I think it 541 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:45,200 Speaker 2: is definitely an opportunity because it's going to be a test. 542 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 2: I think going in there, it's a good fan base 543 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:54,640 Speaker 2: that'll be not frigid, but Chile so it's December football outside. 544 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:56,520 Speaker 2: I guess a team that's played a lot of playoff games. 545 00:25:56,560 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 2: I certainly think it's a good test. 546 00:25:57,880 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 4: I truly think that, and I don't want to say 547 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,440 Speaker 4: it could feel like a playoff games. I don't think 548 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,480 Speaker 4: we'll have that magnitude. But with these teams both fighting 549 00:26:04,640 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 4: for their playoff hopes right now, same record, Gosh, so. 550 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,639 Speaker 3: Many mirroring subjects on this thing, but they they're not. 551 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:13,440 Speaker 3: They I don't. I think the Ravens will win the division. 552 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:13,919 Speaker 4: Is that? 553 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:15,440 Speaker 3: Is that a decided thing yet? 554 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:15,960 Speaker 2: I don't know. 555 00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:20,560 Speaker 4: Yes, So I think I think that the Vikings have 556 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 4: a better chance whin their division than they do there, 557 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 4: so they're fighting for that wild card. 558 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:25,320 Speaker 3: So I could see like. 559 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 4: Things running hot in this game for sure, and that's 560 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,879 Speaker 4: really yes. Yes, So I'm excited for this one, my 561 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:33,800 Speaker 4: first time in that stadium. 562 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:34,920 Speaker 3: Excited to see that as well. 563 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 2: So, yeah, it's always kind of I always end up 564 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:40,679 Speaker 2: you mean, you end up staying in Kentucky a lot 565 00:26:40,720 --> 00:26:42,480 Speaker 2: of the time, and so I always say at a 566 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 2: hotel right across the right, across the river. So you 567 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 2: end up walking from Kentucky to Ohio. So I walk 568 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 2: across state lines. 569 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:51,719 Speaker 3: I love that. 570 00:26:52,119 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 4: Then you can say, hey, I've been to Kentucky. 571 00:26:55,560 --> 00:26:58,640 Speaker 1: Well, speaking of the test, that test starts twelve pm 572 00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 1: Saturday at pay Course State. To study for that test, 573 00:27:02,119 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 1: you can listen to the pregame show right here at 574 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: ten am with Mike Mussman. This is going to be 575 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 1: a great matchup two teams with the same record. The 576 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,200 Speaker 1: series is Todds seven to seven between the two teams, 577 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:16,560 Speaker 1: so someone will have the advantage at pay Course Stadium 578 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:19,320 Speaker 1: on Saturday. So for our producer Eric Davidson, Tatum Ever 579 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: from Vikings dot Com and Ben Guesstling from the Start 580 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:24,639 Speaker 1: to your Star Tribune, my name is Gabe Henderson. We 581 00:27:24,640 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 1: will talk to you all next week, whether you were 582 00:27:28,560 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: hosting a tailgate party or getting together with family and 583 00:27:31,119 --> 00:27:34,640 Speaker 1: friends for the holidays. Dairy is a staple to bring creamy, 584 00:27:34,720 --> 00:27:38,120 Speaker 1: rich goodness to your table. Find delicious new recipes at 585 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:41,280 Speaker 1: usdairy dot com to up your game. Brought to you 586 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:42,640 Speaker 1: by Undeniably Dairy.