The Minnesota Vikings frustratingly lost to the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday. The team was sloppy on Offense and Special Teams (as usual). The defense mostly held their own against a potent Ravens offense. The Ravens went three-and-out on four of their six drives in the first half. One of those ended in a field goal due to an interception. The Ravens were afforded two scores and a field goal attempt on only 90 yards of offense. Three turnovers on downs, two interceptions, and a Special Teams fumble is a bad ending to a Christmas song rewrite. Add a lucky thirteen penalties and it was a sloppy mess. The team had a chance to tie it at the end, but the offense couldn’t get past their own 40. Let’s take a look at who we’re still yelling about.
(This isn’t that serious — it’s called nincompoop. Only a nincompoop would be offended.)
Kevin O’Connell
13 penalties on KOC’s team Sunday and 3 turnovers. It was undisciplined football on the offense and special teams. They didn’t run the ball once on 3rd or 4th down this game. KOC falls in love with himself as a play caller. Jefferson is struggling and the team needs a 1st down on 3rd and 1…bomb. They’re in the Red Zone and Jones is running all over them, let’s surprise them with a pass. He’s a child playing Madden. The defense had to stay disciplined against Lamar Jackson and did their job. 3rd and 1 has been a struggle all year and KOC still tried to throw the bomb. The players didn’t execute on Sunday, but it’s so many the head coach has to take some responsibility.
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson was off on Sunday. He watched as his teammates tackled the Ravens DB after an interception. He dropped a touchdown pass. He seemed disinterested. Certainly not the effort you expect to see from Jefferson. He’s a top 2 receiver in this league, but he wasn’t this past week. I’m not sure he didn’t deserve to be pulled. Nailor put both starting WRs to shame.
J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy is young and inexperienced and looked like a young and inexperienced QB. He gets excited as the game goes along and his accuracy goes down. He’s going to need to control his emotions, and the football better, to get to where he wants to be.
Myles Price
Price has been pretty good returning kicks. They’re frustratingly called back a lot of times, but he’s had some nice runs. This week was not the one for Price. After an interception and field goal by the Ravens, Price dropped the next kickoff while fighting for an extra yard…at the 23. The next kickoff he dropped it again and got bailed out by Yurosek, who had a false start two plays later. Price’s main job is special teams. You can’t have two games like this.
Matt Daniels
Daniels’ unit is so undisciplined. Two fumbles and a hold on returns this game. At this point, the team would be better to fair catch all punts and not block at all. Just let them punt and catch it. I can remember one big play on returns and about a dozen negative. The kicker and punter aren’t too bad and maybe that’s why he’s around?
See More:
