The Minnesota Vikings sucked on MNF.

Minnesota:
QB:
J. Dobbs 22/32 185 yds 1 TD 4 INT 54.3 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 10 car 52 yds 5.2 avg 21 long
WR:
TJ Hockenson 5 rec 50 yds 10.0 avg 1 TD 17 long
B. Powell 3 rec 45 yds 15.0 avg 28 long
J. Addison 6 rec 39 yds 6.5 avg 14 long
KJ Osborn 3 rec 34 yds 11.3 avg 22 long
DEF:
A. Barr 1 fumble recovery
S. Day 1 fumble recovery
D. Hunter 1.5 sacks
I. Pace Jr 1 sack
J. Metellus 0.5 sack
K:
G. Joseph 1/1 FG (34) 1/1 XP

Game Summary:
Not really going to spend too much time on this. The game overall was pretty poor from both teams. The Bears broke the ice in the 4th quarter to win the game. Minnesota was terrible for most of the game and that includes Josh Dobbs. Dobbs through 4 picks, and each of them were very bad decisions. 
This game has made the staff question Dobbs as the starting QB.

Up Next
After the bye week, the Vikings will go to Las Vegas to play the Raiders on Sunday at 12 PM CT.

​#skol

The Vikings disappointed us yet again this week. Completely forgot I didn't write this already.
Final: Minnesota Vikings 20 Denver Broncos 21
Minnesota:
QB:
J. Dobbs 20/32 221 yds 1 TD 1 INT 80.3 rtg (8 car 21 yds 1 TD, 1 fumble lost)
RB:
A. Mattison 18 car 81 yds 4.5 avg 15 long (1 fumble lost)
T. Chandler 10 car 73 yds 7.3 avg 31 long (4 rec 37 yds)
WR:
TJ Hockenson 4 rec 55 yds 13.8 avg 29 long
J. Oliver 4 rec 47 yds 11.8 avg 1 TD 29 long
J. Addison 3 rec 44 yds 14.7 avg 18 long
B. Powell 3 rec 32 yds 10.7 avg 22 long
DEF:
DJ Wonnum 1 sack
D. Hunter 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 2/2 FG (34, 30) 2/2 XP

Game summary:
Minnesota didn't start off the game on the best footing. Dobbs fumbled and Denver kicked a field goal. In the 2nd quarter the Vikings got on the board with a touchdown pass from Dobbs to Josh Oliver. I believe this is Oliver's first touchdown as a Viking. Greg Joseph kicks a 34 yard field goal shortly after to take a 10-3 lead. Denver would kick two field goals to end the half cutting the deficit to 10-9. 
In the second half, the Vikings scored first with a touchdown run from Josh Dobbs to increase the Vikings' lead to 17-9. Denver would take advantage of a fumble from Mattison and an interception from Dobbs to kick two more field goals to cut the deficit to 17-15. Minnesota would kick their 2nd field goal from 30 yards out to marginally increase their lead to 20-15. However, the defense would crack at the worst time and allow a touchdown from the Broncos, even though Denver failed their 2-point conversion. Minnesota was operating at a deficit for the first time since the first quarter. The Vikings tried to do something on offense but couldn't get to the 50 yard line and the game ended there.
While the turnovers Dobbs committed weren't necessarily his fault, fumble was caused by bad pass coverage and interception was caused by his arm being hit as he threw, they still hurt. Mattison's fumble definitely changed the game a bit.

NFC North Update
Minnesota could still control their own destiny to win the division if the Lions lose on Thanksgiving. As far as playoffs go, Minnesota is still in by 2 games over the Packers, also holding the tiebreaker with their head to head victory. 

Injury Update
QB Joshua Dobbs briefly left the game in the 1st quarter after a dirty hit from Broncos DB Kareem Jackson hit him in the helmet and chest. He returned soon after.

Up Next
This week, the Vikings come home to face off against Chicago for the second time this season. This time its on Monday Night Football, and kickoff is at 7:15 PM CT.

​#skol

The Vikings made all of us have heart attacks again. Not sure if that will ever stop, but a win is a win.
Final: New Orleans Saints 19 Minnesota Vikings 27
Minnesota:
QB:
J. Dobbs 23/34 268 yds 1 TD 101.1 rtg (8 car 44 yds 1 TD)
RB:
T. Chandler 15 car 45 yds 3.0 avg 1 TD 13 long
A. Mattison 8 car 27 yds 3.4 avg 9 long (1 rec 6 yds)
WR:
TJ Hockenson 11 car 134 yds 12.2 avg 1 TD 28 long
J. Addison 4 rec 69 yds 17.3 avg 29 long
B. Powell 4 rec 35 yds 8.8 avg 14 long
J. Nailor 1 rec 16 yds
J. Mundt 2 rec 8 yds 4.0 avg 8 long
DEF:
B. Murphy Jr 1 INT
M. Blackmon 1 INT (1st career interception)
DJ Wonnum 1 sack
D. Hunter 1 sack
J. Bullard 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 2/3 FG (40, 33) 3/3 XP

Game summary:
The Vikings got off to a good start in this game. They may not have scored on their opening possession but New Orleans didn't either. Minnesota would kick a field goal to get on the board. The Saints matched this as well. In the 2nd quarter, the Vikings appeared to blow the game open. Ty Chandler ran in for a 2 yard score on a long drive early in the 2nd quarter to give Minnesota a 10-3 lead. Joshua Dobbs then leaps into the endzone for a stunning 7 yard score to bring the lead to 17-3. After the Saints took very little off the clock, Minnesota drives down and scores on a passing score from Dobbs to Hockenson, who had a career day. Minnesota led 24-3 at half and it felt like they would just cruise to a win.
In the second half, the Vikings kicked a field goal to start their half. 27-3 was the score. However, the defense had to give us a scare and allowed two Saints touchdowns with both 2-point conversions to make it a one score game with 11 minutes to go in the game. Minnesota's offense seemed to let their foot off the gas and couldn't get much done. Fortunately the defense played the game of their lives for the final 10 minutes and the Vikings got the victory after picking off backup QB Jameis Winston twice.

Injury Report
The Vikings lost RB Alexander Mattison in the 2nd quarter and did not return. His status is currently unknown for Sunday's game.
LB Jordan Hicks had a complication in his left leg and had to have emergency surgery to fix it. He is out for the season.
TE TJ Hockenson may have had a career day, but he did it while dealing with a nagging rib/oblique injury. He is not expected to miss any time.

Up Next
The Vikings now will hit the road for a week when they go to Denver to play the Broncos on Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 7:20 PM CT on NBC.

#SKOL

The Vikings struck gold with Joshua Dobbs in their first game without Kirk Cousins.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 31 Atlanta Falcons 28
Minnesota:
QB:
J. Dobbs 20/30 158 yds 2 TD 101.8 rtg (7 car 66 yds 1 TD) 2 fumbles lost
J. Hall 5/6 78 yds 118.8 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 16 car 44 yds 2.8 avg 8 long (2 rec 49 yds 1 TD)
C. Akers 8 car 25 yds 3.1 avg 19 long (3 rec 13 yds)
WR:
TJ Hockenson 7 rec 69 yds 9.9 avg 29 long
J. Addison 5 rec 52 yds 10.4 avg 24 long
J. Mundt 1 rec 18 yds
KJ Osborn 2 rec 17 yds 8.5 avg 15 long
B. Powell 2 rec 15 yds 7.5 avg 1 TD 8 long
T. Jackson 1 rec 2 yds
J. Oliver 2 rec 1 yd
DEF:
J. Metellus 1 fumble recovery
B. Murphy Jr 1 INT
J. Hicks 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 3/3 FG (24, 31, 32) 2/2 XP

Game Summary:
Coming into this game, not many had high expectations for what the Vikings were gonna do. Many of us thought we would just be riding mediocrity for the rest of the season. We weren't convinced on the first drive. While the defense was able to hold off Atlanta on their first drive, Minnesota did nothing on offense. However after the defense gave up a field goal, the Vikings drove down the field under direction of rookie QB Jaren Hall. He was leading Minnesota down the field and got to the goal line. He scrambled for an attempt to score but was denied at the goal line and suffered a concussion as a result. The Vikings would kick a field goal. Newly acquired QB from Arizona Joshua Dobbs was trotted out on the field on the next drive. Minnesota would take a safety on his first drive as Dobbs was sacked in the endzone. It would dreary for Minnesota for a while as Atlanta put up 2 more field goals. The Vikings would manage their first touchdown of the day on a pass from Dobbs to Mattison and take a 10-11 deficit going into halftime.
In the 2nd half, Minnesota and Dobbs looked like a completely different team. The teams traded field goals to open the 3rd quarter. Then the defense allowed a 60 yard scamper TD for Atlanta. Things changed drastically from here, as the Vikings would score on their next drive as Joshua Dobbs scrambled for a 15 yard score and then a pass to Trishton Jackson for the 2 point conversion to tie the game at 21. Minnesota would kick another field goal to open the 4th quarter. However, the defense let us down on the last Atlanta drive as they allowed a touchdown from Tyler Allgeier. This wouldn't stop Joshua Dobbs though. He led Minnesota down the field 75 yards until a pass to Brandon Powell just over the goal line gave the Vikings the advantage and was the game-winning score!
Suddenly, after the doom and gloom of last weekend, this Vikings team looks a hell of a lot like a playoff team!

NFC North Update
This weekend, the Packers won and the Bears lost. The Lions were on a bye. However, if Minnesota keeps winning, the Packers won't really matter that much. If the Vikings can manage to win at least 4 games throughout the rest of the season they most likely make the playoffs. This is doable with Only 4 games out of the final 8 games against teams with a winning record as of now, 2 of those being against NFC North leader-Detroit. 

Injury Report
The Vikings lost rookie QB Jaren Hall early in the 1st quarter and was later ruled out with a concussion. I would not expect him to be available next Sunday so Minnesota will have to pull up either Sean Mannion and get Nick Mullens off of the IR list.
The team also lost KJ Osborn to an ugly hit to the head in the 3rd quarter, he was also later ruled out with a concussion.
TJ Hockenson left the game multiple times with what looked like an abdomen injury. He finished the game.
In the waning minutes of the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost RB Cam Akers. He suffered an Achilles injury and will also miss the remainder of the season.
LT Christian Darrisaw did not play this game and was inactive after being day-to-day this past week. The hope is that he will play next week.

Up Next
Minnesota will come home to what is hoped to be a much hungrier Vikings crowd next Sunday when they host the Saints at 12 PM CT.

​#SKOL

I swear this team is cursed. While the Vikings have their first win over the Packers in the post-Rodgers era (and it wasn't remotely close), they lost their franchise QB in the process. This will likely alter not only the remainder of this season, but future seasons as well.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 24 Green Bay Packers 10
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 23/31 274 yds 2 TD 122.2 rtg
J. Hall 3/4 23 yds 88.5 rtg (1 fumble lost)
RB:
A. Mattison 16 car 31 yds 1.9 avg 10 long (1 rec 2 yds)
C. Akers 9 car 19 yds 2.1 avg 1 TD 9 long (1 rec 6 yds)
WR:
KJ Osborn 8 rec 99 yds 12.4 avg 32 long
TJ Hockenson 6 rec 88 yds 14.7 avg 1 TD 23 long
J. Addison 7 rec 82 yds 11.7 avg 1 TD 20 long
B. Powell 1 rec 10 yds
J. Mundt 1 rec 8 yds
DEF:
J. Metellus 1 INT
DJ Wonnum 2 sacks
D. Hunter 1 sack
H. Phillips 0.5 sack
C. Bynum 0.5 sack
K:
G. Joseph 1/3 FG (25) 3/3 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota didn't get off to the best start. The offense drove down but stalled, and Joseph missed the field goal. However, Green Bay couldn't do anything on offense in the first half, so the Vikings scored on their next drive with their first rushing score of the season. The Vikings would only manage a field goal in the 2nd quarter. Green Bay would also kick a field goal in the 2nd quarter to bring it to a 10-3 halftime score.
In the 2nd half, things changed. Minnesota dominated the 3rd quarter - scoring 2 touchdowns in less then 2 minutes. After a passing score from Cousins to Hockenson, Josh Metellus picked off Jordan Love and the Vikings would score on a touchdown to Addison 1 play later. Green Bay would score their lone touchdown towards the end of the 3rd quarter.
This is where things start to change. About a few minutes into the 4th quarter, Cousins limps off the field after an incompletion on 3rd down. While he was being evaluated, Joseph has his field goal attempt blocked. We found out later what happened to Cousins and it was all that was on anyone's mind. The Vikings defense held up their end of the deal and did not allow another point from Green Bay even though they ended up in the redzone a couple times.

Injury Update
As of the moment of this writing, I am fairly certain that Cousins suffered an achilles injury. This is what HC Kevin O'Connell feared last night and I don't deem it likely that its the wrong diagnosis. If this is confirmed today with an MRI, Cousins' season is likely over and potentially his time in Minnesota along with it.
KJ Osborn briefly left the game in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury.

NFC North
Honestly, this injury changes the entire trajectory of the season. Minnesota could decide to trade for a QB replacement, but many local sources say this is unlikely. The Vikings will most likely roll with rookie QB Jaren Hall or backup QB Nick Mullens who is eligible to come off IR this week. Their last on-roster option would be practice squad QB Sean Mannion who had been with the team for the last 4-5 seasons. Minnesota season is likely over, or at least very different without their franchise QB. If they finish how I think they will now, Detroit is really the only viable team from the North to make the playoffs. Green Bay doesn't look too good, and Chicago is a mess.

Up Next
Next Sunday, the Vikings will head to Atlanta for a 12 PM CT date with the Falcons.

​#Skol

The Vikings showed up last night in a BIG way! 
Final: San Francisco 49ers 17 Minnesota Vikings 22
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 35/45 378 yds 2 TD 1 INT 107.2 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 8 car 39 yds 4.9 avg 19 long
C. Akers 10 car 31 yds 3.1 avg 13 long (2 rec 30 yds)
WR:
J. Addison 7 rec 123 yds 17.6 avg 2 TD 60 long
TJ Hockenson 11 rec 86 yds 7.8 avg 22 long
B. Powell 4 rec 64 yds 16.0 avg 27 long
KJ Osborn 5 rec 47 yds 9.4 avg 18 long
T. Chandler 1 rec 12 yds
T. Jackson 1 rec 7 yds
DEF:
C. Bynum 2 INT
D. Lowry 1 fumble recovery
D. Hunter 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 3/4 FG (21, 20, 54) 1/2 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota came out of the gate a little shaky as normal this year. Cousins threw a little behind Jordan Addison on the second play of the game and San Francisco picked it off in a wrestle with Addison. However, 4 plays later, DL Dean Lowry poked the ball out of 49ers RB Christian McCaffery's hands and recovered it for the Vikings! The Vikings would not let this one go, and went down the field and scored on a Cousins to Addison touchdown, the rookie's 5th of the season. The Niners punted on their next possession and Minnesota drove it down to the redzone but couldn't convert. They kicked a 21 yard field goal to grow to a 2 score lead in the early part of the 2nd quarter. However, San Francisco would find their footing on their next drive, going the length of the field for McCaffery's first TD of the night. Minnesota then got the ball back just under a minute left in the 1st half. Cousins zipped a few passes to get around midfield. Then he threw a pass that looked like it should have been picked off, but Jordan Addison picked it right out of Ward's hands and ran it all the back for a 60 yard touchdown! Minnesota went into the half with a 16-7 lead after Joseph missed the PAT.
In the 2nd half the Vikings stopped the Niners from doing anything and resulted in a Minnesota 20 yard field goal to increase the lead to 19-7. On their next drive though, San Francisco would drive down again and score on a touchdown pass to McCaffery from Brock Purdy. Many Vikings fans groaned as this brought the lead to only 5, on the last drive the Vikings had 5 chances to punch the ball into the endzone to increase to a 3-score lead. However, the Vikings would drive down and kick a rare 54 yard field goal to give them back a touchdown lead. Early in the 4th quarter the 49ers would kick a 55 yard field goal to reduce the deficit to 5. However, the Vikings defense would play out of their minds through the rest of the game. Minnesota would pick Brock Purdy off twice to seal their huge victory on Monday Night Football!

NFC North Update
I have been way too skittish to do anything like this yet this season. But I will take my chances now. Here is how things look in the division after 7 weeks. Detroit is practically running away with the North with a 5-2 record. The Vikings rise into 2nd place after winning the last 2 weeks, while the Packers have now lost 2 straight and are only a half game up on Chicago who is in last place. The Bears beat the Raiders this past week to get their 2nd win.
Minnesota's schedule appears as though it might soften just a little bit. Green Bay isn't the team many thought they would be through 7 weeks, however its a division team so anything can happen. After that Minnesota visits an up and down Falcons team that is 4-3. After that, finally another home game when the Saints come to town. Minnesota then visits Denver on SNF before hosting Chicago again on MNF before the week 13 bye week.

Injury Update
WR Justin Jefferson remains on IR for the next couple weeks before he is eligible to return, which I feel more confident about after 2 wins in the first 2 games without him.
WR Jordan Addison briefly left Monday's game with a cramping issue before returning in the 4th quarter.
TE TJ Hockenson also left briefly in the 3rd quarter before returning later on.

Up Next
Now the Vikings hit the road for their second division game of the year, this time in Green Bay against the 2-4 Packers. Kickoff is at 12 PM CT.

​#SKOL

The Vikings defense came up with 3 turnovers today to help the team to their second win.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 19 Chicago Bears 12
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 21/31 181 yds 1 TD 93.6 rtg (1 fumble lost)
RB:
A. Mattison 18 car 44 yds 2.4 avg 8 long (4 rec 28 yds)
WR:
TJ Hockenson 6 rec 50 yds 8.3 avg 21 long
KJ Osborn 4 rec 48 yds 12.0 avg 21 long
J. Addison 3 rec 28 yds 9.3 avg 1 TD 15 long
B. Powell 3 rec 20 yds 6.7 avg 9 long
DEF:
B. Murphy Jr 1 INT
J. Hicks 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery
D. Hunter 2 sacks
H. Phillips 1 sack
DJ Wonnum 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 2/3 FG (53, 41) 1/2 XP

Game Summary:
The Vikings didn't have the greatest game. They scored in the 1st quarter for the first time this year with a field goal. In the 2nd quarter the Vikings kicked another field goal. After that the Vikings managed a touchdown before half to Jordan Addison but missed the extra point. Minnesota also missed a field goal earlier and Chicago kicked two field goals. 
In the 2nd half, the Vikings didn't do much on offense that made any sense. The defense was the really winner. Justin Fields got hurt on a sack late in the 3rd quarter so undrafted rookie QB Tyson Bagent had to play the remainder of the game. The Vikings strip sacked Bagent on his first drive and Jordan Hicks returned it for a touchdown that would end up winning Minnesota the game. In the 4th quarter, the Vikings defense allowed Bagent's first touchdown in the NFL, which narrowed the margin of victory to 19-12. However, Minnesota was able to pick off Bagent to seal the victory.

Injury Report
LB Marcus Davenport left the game in the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury and did not return to the game.

Up Next
Next week, the Vikings will come home to host the high flying San Francisco 49ers coming off their first loss of the season. Kickoff is on Monday Night Football on October 23rd at 7:15 PM CT.

​#SKOL

Minnesota is now 0-1 against Patrick Mahomes.

Final: Kansas City Chiefs 27 Minnesota Vikings 20
Minnesota: 
QB:
K. Cousins 29/47 284 yds 2 TD 92.9 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 8 car 26 yds 3.3 avg 7 long (2 rec 20 yds 1 TD)
T. Chandler 1 car 15 yds
C. Akers 5 car 15 yds 3.0 avg6 long
WR:
J. Addison 6 rec 64 yds 10.7 avg 1 TD 16 long
TJ Hockenson 5 rec 51 yds 10.2 avg 19 long
KJ Osborn 5 rec 49 yds 9.8 avg 27 long
B. Powell 4 rec 43 yds 10.8 avg 26 long
J. Jefferson 3 rec 28 yds 9.3 avg 14 long
DEF:
M. Davenport 1 sack
D. Hunter 1 sack
K: 
G. Joseph 2/2 FG (40, 29) 2/2 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota didn't start off on a good note. On the first play of the game, TE Josh Oliver fumbled on a pass from Kirk Cousins and the Chiefs would take an early 7 point lead. I wish the rest was sunshine and rainbows but it wasn't. The Vikings would kick a 40 yard field goal in the first quarter to get on the board for the first time that early in a game this season. In the 2nd quarter, Minnesota actually played well. They only held Kansas City to a couple field goals while the offense was able to get a field goal and a touchdown pass in to Jordan Addison. However, that would not really carry over to the 3rd quarter, as Kansas City would score two touchdowns and take a commanding lead. Minnesota managed to score another touchdown early in the 4th quarter with Kirk Cousins throwing a touchdown to Alexander Mattison. This score cut it to a one score game. Minnesota got the ball back multiple teams in the remainder of the 4th quarter but just couldn't get the ball in the endzone and fell to Kansas City 27-20. 
Unfortunately, with the Vikings falling to 1-4, a lot of things will start to change for this team. Calls for trading key players will grow louder and rumors will get more frequent. So, if you are a fan that hates that stuff like me, you are in for a long few months here. Those that wanted the team to tank will probably get it now with Jefferson out (I will get to that later) and the team not winning the games they should. I still firmly believe this team is better then their 1-4 record shows, but I can't deny that they still have only won a single game. This year is looking like its headed for the depths of the NFL, which will bring a lot of changes in the next 6-7 months.

Injury Report
In the early part of the 4th quarter, Justin Jefferson appeared to suffer a non-contact injury on the field. We later learned its a hamstring injury, and Minnesota is putting Justin on IR. This means he will not be eligible to return to the field until Week 10 against New Orleans. I strongly fear the Vikings won't be anything special by Week 10, but anything can happen. If the Vikings go 1-3 or 0-4 in the next 4 weeks, don't expect to see Jefferson back in a Vikings uniform. 

Up Next
Minnesota hits the road for their first NFC North game of the year when they play the Bears in Chicago. Kickoff is on Sunday at 12 PM CT.

​#skol

Minnesota finally found the win column in a close win over the Panthers.

Final: Minnesota Vikings 21 Carolina Panthers 13
Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 12/19 139 yds 2 TD 2 INT 80.7 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 17 car 95 yds 5.6 avg 17 long (1 rec 3 yds)
C. Akers 5 car 40 yds 8.0 avg 10 long (2 rec 11 yds)
WR:
J. Jefferson 6 rec 85 yds 14.2 avg 2 TD 30 long
TJ Hockenson 2 rec 24 yds 12.0 16 long
KJ Osborn 1 rec 16 yds
DEF:
DJ Wonnum 1 fumble returned for a touchdown, 1 sack
M. Davenport 1 sack
K:
G. Joseph 3/3 XP

Game Summary:
Minnesota stumbled out of the gate again. This first drive ended with a redzone pick-6 for Carolina. On the next drive, Minnesota went 3 and out. The Vikings would score a field goal before the Panthers kicked a few field goals. Minnesota finally found the endzone on a Cousins to Jefferson touchdown at the end of the 1st half. 
In the second half, Minnesota still stumbled at times. However, the big spark was when DJ Wonnum picked the ball out of Carolina QB Bryce Young's hands and returned it for a touchdown, the defense's first of the season. This gave Minnesota a 14-13 lead. After Carolina went three and out, the Vikings marched down and scored on another Cousins-Jefferson connection to give the purple a 21-13 lead that would end up being the final score. 
While both teams threatened to score in the 4th quarter, none of them could break the ice. Minnesota would wind up winning the game after the defense held Carolina from advancing past midfield on their last drive. 
Lots of questions still for the team after this game, but getting a win is always a good thing. Everyone can take a deep breath and move on from that goose egg. 

Injury Report
WR Justin Jefferson briefly left the game in the 2nd quarter but soon returned.
ILB Marcus Davenport returned to the team this week and made a big impact on Sunday's game. 
Christian Darrisaw was held out of this week's game due to a lingering injury.

Up Next
Next Sunday, the Vikings will play Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for the first time, at US Bank Stadium at 3:25 PM CT on CBS.

​#SKOL

Well, that was something for sure. Now that we have all had the chance to breathe after that bad loss, here we are.

Minnesota:
QB:
K. Cousins 32/50 367 yds 3 TD 1 INT 97.3 rtg
RB:
A. Mattison 20 car 93 yds 4.7 avg (5 rec 32 yds)
T. Chandler 3 car 27 yds 9.0 avg
WR:
J. Jefferson 7 rec 149 yds 21.3 avg 1 TD 52 long
TJ Hockenson 8 rec 78 yds 9.8 avg 21 long (1 fumble lost)
J. Addison 6 rec 52 yds 8.7 avg 16 long
KJ Osborn 1 rec 36 yds 1 TD
DEF:
D. Hunter 1 sack
J. Hicks 1 fumble recovery
K: 
G. Joseph 1/1 FG (23) 3/3 XP

Game summary:
Alright, so. Minnesota took a bit to wake up in this game. TJ Hockenson got stripped on the first drive that would have ended in a touchdown. That was the one bad play by the team until the final minute of the game. Vikings and Chargers traded shots back and forth all the way into the 4th quarter. Minnesota scored to start the 4th quarter, but LA drove down and took the lead back. Minnesota had a chance, but they punted it away. The Vikings defense comes onto the field with just under 2 mins to go in the game and holds the Chargers to a 3 and out, except LA goes for it at 4th and 5 around their own 25 yard line. It appears to everyone involved that Brandon Staley is basically handing Minnesota the game. The defense stops LA well short of the line to gain and the Vikings offense takes over. Minnesota gets a little bit closer, and has a big reception inside the 15 yard line that gets the crowd rowdy. But the clock is ticking down, as it was 35 seconds when the catch to Hockenson was made. The team initially rushes to the line, however it appears Cousins can't hear the play call over the fans chanting. They end up running the same play again and Cousins aggressively threw to Hockenson at the goal line, except TJ let the ball bounce off his hands and into the air to be picked off by a Chargers defender. That's right, I am not blaming Cousins for this interception. He did everything he was supposed to do except maybe spike the ball with 30 seconds left. That is something that head coach Kevin O'Connell took charge of after the game, as he told the media he gave Cousins the call to keep going and not spike it in an attempt to catch LA off guard. 
All in all, the team played well overall - but at the most key moment they let people down. This has been the story of the season so far. I just hope it doesn't continue to haunt them. While the season isn't lost yet, it certainly doesn't get any easier going forward. Don't forget, Minnesota has a 1st place schedule from last year.

Injury Report
WR Justin Jefferson was briefly down with an ankle injury, but returned to the game soon after.
TE TJ Hockenson also was briefly down to a lower body injury, but returned to the game soon after.

Up Next
This weekend, the Vikings travel out to North Carolina to play the Panthers and meet up with former Viking WR Adam Thielen. Kickoff is set for 12 PM CT.

​#skol