A guy can dream.
I sure hope that Carson Wentz’ status as the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, during the showdown versus the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night football, is conditional. I want to believe there was a conversation that went something like this:
KO: “Hey, Carson, I need to talk to you for a moment.”
Wentz: “Sure. What’s up coach?”
KO: “We decided we are giving you the start against the Chargers”
Wentz: “Thanks Coach, I won’t let you down.”
KO: “I want to believe you Carson, so show me you can bounce back.”
Wentz: “Absolutely Coach.”
KO: *Leans in and speaks at a level only Carson can here*: “Just know this, if I see you throw one moronic shovel pass, I will yank you out of this game so fast you’re going to travel through space and time into another dimension where you will be so deep on the bench that you fuse with it and become one with the practice squad. You got that? Don’t disappoint me.”
Or something like that. You get the picture. The Minnesota Vikings lost a very winnable game against the Philadelphia Eagles. There is a dimension where Wentz actually threw touchdown passes to his teammates, instead of players on the team he played for a thousand years ago.
My ears spared my eyes the pain.
I want to be transparent: I was traveling across the great state of Minnesota during game time, so I listened to the broadcast on KFAN. I have seen a few clips on social media but have not yet gone back to watch any film on this game. I did see both of Wentz’ interceptions, Jefferson’s dropped pass in the endzone, and Hockenson’s “drop” while scrolling on my phone over the past couple of days. I didn’t need to see what was happening on the field to know that this was a very winnable game for Minnesota.
After the failed conversions on 2nd and 3rd down from the six yard-line, I was yelling in my car “RUN THE DAMN BALL, KEVIN.” It was inexplicable to me how we do not even attempt a run to pick up the first down in that situation. However, Daily Norseman reader and avid commenter, Krauser, made a pair of astute observations in a comment on Shawn C.’s most recent article:
Krauser correctly points out that 2nd and 1 was originally called a run, but Wentz adjusted at the line and switched it to a pass play. It was a nice throw from Wentz that Justin Jefferson had two hands on, which Jefferson admitted should have been a catch and that he needed to do better bringing the ball into his body.
Side Note: Justin Jefferson is an incredible leader for this football team and holds himself accountable for everything. Anyone who says he is going to be requesting a trade because he never gets consistent quarterback play, definitely doesn’t acknowledge or appreciate the content of Jetts’ character. Anywhoozle.
On 4th and 1, we witnessed an egregious holding call against Blake Brandel on a beautifully designed play that should have resulted in six points. Penalties and questionable overturned touchdowns were a factor in this game, but the real killer was turnovers (once again).
Turnovers: The thorn in KO’s side.
The Vikings lost the turnover battle on Sunday. Previously, it was Jordan Mason’s fumbles and this time it was Carson Wentz throwing up prayers in a close game where our defense is holding up well against the opposing team’s offense (it was also previously Wentz’ interceptions too). Wentz was out there trying to play hero ball, when we just needed him to drive the bus inside the freaking lines. Make a quick read, if it’s not there, throw it away.
Now, that might confuse Carson when I say throw it away. That doesn’t mean end the drive on one pass, it means throw it out of bounds or the back of the endzone to live and play another down. Disclaimer: I am venting here. I know playing in the NFL is insanely difficult and I am not diminishing the good that Carson did this past Sunday. However, I feel like I have the right to be a little peeved about his boneheaded mistakes.
Kevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings are now 5-16 when they lose the turnover battle. What’s worse, is that since KO took over as the Vikings’ head coach, his team has committed fewer turnovers than ONLY THE CLEVELAND BROWNS. That’s right, the Vikings are tied for second most turnovers since the start of the 2022 season with the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts. To once again quote the late great Ken Hotate from Parks and Rec: “that, is not great.”
Where there’s a Will, there’s a made field goal.
On a positive note: Will Reichard is the best kicker in football, even with the camera wire fiasco still in recent memory. Only six games into the 2025 campaign, Will the Thrill holds the record of most 59+ yard field goals in a single season in NFL history with 3. He is one of four kickers to ever have two or more 59+ yard field goals in a season (Brandon Aubrey, 2023, (2) Justin Tucker, 2021, (2) Sebastian Janikowski, 2004, (2).) It doesn’t get a whole heck of a lot better than that for a kicker.
Please let me enjoy my weekend. Please!
For Thursday night against the Chargers, all I want to see is a clean game from Minnesota. I don’t need to see crazy 80-yard touchdowns. Carson Wentz doesn’t have to throw for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns. The team just needs to play better, pure and simple. I am making a bold prediction, that will only come true if the game transpires in a very specific way.
If the Vikings go the entire game against Los Angeles with zero turnovers and give up zero sacks, they will win. I know that’s a tall order and some very specific conditions. However, I think we are a very good football team that has lost sight of some of the fundamentals. We MUST be a better TEAM than the Chargers on Thursday night. Although Minnesota would still be mathematically alive for playoff contention, a loss here might be the nail in the tire that slowly deflates the season.
I am still excited for yet another prime-time matchup and will be watching every snap from the comfort of my living room with my 3-year-old daughter. Honestly though, I really have no idea what is going to happen on Thursday night. I just hope some of the breaks go our way, so we can sneak out with a W and put the Carson Wentz era behind us. Yes, that means I still believe J.J. McCarthy can and WILL effectively lead this team upon his return, and beyond. MY HOPE WILL NEVER DIE!!!
Until Next Time.
- Jesse M.
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