Last year the Minnesota Vikings and the Burgundy and Gold were both playoff teams. This year? Neither one is. A lot can happen in a year…and it did. Washington’s demise centered on the infamous “Blue Tent.” But, Minnesota’s is more complex. In a League where a franchise absolutely must have a highly functional Quarterback the Vikings let their version of it walk away. The answer was thought to be on-hand in JJ McCarthy. We all know about Jayden Daniels‘ injuries. JJ’s are similar in effect if not in substance. When the two face off in game #13 it will be the 7th game this season for both. JD5 has 8 Touchdowns with 2 Interceptions. JJ has 6 TDs and 10 picks. His last start was against Chicago where he was 12 of 19 for 87-yards, 0 TDs and 2 picks. Here’s the thing: He’s their best option.
Losing the Off-Season
This Minnesota meltdown has its roots in the General Manager’s office. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell bet heavily on McCarthy. They lost. Veteran Sam Darnold had resuscitated his career in Minneapolis. But, he played poorly in their playoff game. A combination of 9-Sacks, 1-TD, and 1-INT brought back the ghosts of Darnold’s NY Jets’ days. McCarthy has shown little to nothing so far. Darnold is living large in Seattle. He’s 9-3 for the season with 18-TDs and 10-INTs. This has shades of the Giants’ letting Saquon Barkley walk a year ago.
The amazing thing about the Minnesota QB fiasco is that they entered the season with a 2nd-year player at QB1 who had not played a down in 2024. Then they did not secure a solid QB2. Two Washington Cast-offs were central. Sam Howell was traded away to the Eagles on August 24. Then the Vikings signed Carson Wentz. He ended up playing in 5-games, losing 3 of them before he was lost to injury for the year. That left undrafted Max Brosmer. He got his first start last week against Seattle. It produced a stat line not even a mother could love: 24-38 for 168-yards, 0-TDs (the team was shut out), 4-INTs, and 4-Sacks. So, here in Week #14 the Vikings still are far removed from a solid QB2. Sam Howell would be a serious upgrade.
Minnesota’s strength is its Pass Defense. It is rated 5th in yards-allowed and 7th in TDs-allowed. But the Run Defense is not good. It ranks 23rd in yards-allowed and 15th in TDs-allowed. The telling stat is that the Pass Defense is 3rd best for attempts against it while the Run Defense is last in the League for Rushing attempts. Translation: They are behind on the scoreboard a lot. Teams are running because they have the lead. Apparently, this Defense can’t stop it effectively. Although, even with the blowout loss at Seattle the Defense was given a fair amount of praise by the punditry.
Lost No Longer
The quote of the week came in the WFT Locker Room immediately after the loss by Head Coach Dan Quinn: “We lost, but we’re not lost anymore.” It summed up the feelings many in the fanbase were harboring. The team that showed up in Madrid and on Sunday Night was different than what had gone out there in weeks prior. Trace it back to Quinn taking over the play-calling on Defense. That D-unit is lacking starters at key spots like Corner and Edge. But, they produced multiple Goal Line Stands against Miami. And, it was certainly respectable against the #2 AFC seed Denver last week. The Offense, with the QB2 at the helm was effective against Vance Joseph‘s highly rated Defense. It didn’t hurt things a bit that Terry McLaurin returned.
“We lost, but we’re not lost anymore”
Dan Quinn
Well, it’s not exactly Dorothy and her entourage skipping out of the deep forest singing about being out of the woods, out of the dark, step into the sun, step into the light. But, it’s not wrong either. For a couple of months this was a team that looked at each other aghast at what was happening, yet unable to stop it. Now, it claims to have found their identity. It’s too late to change the season. But, it was a necessity.
There is the ne’er-do-well contingent of the fanbase that relishes misery. This year has provided an ample supply. One of the messages that appeared on various boards was that “Dan Quinn had lost the team.” Kevin Sheehan commented this week about how remarkably tight the Locker Room has been. No pointed fingers. No anonymous leaks. And, then the team balled out for two games. If last week did nothing else it thankfully eviscerated that line of beeswax. For those hating on the Dan Quinn hire here’s some unwelcomed news: He’s not going anywhere.
The Band is Back Together
Jayden Daniels returns to, hopefully, finish the season. The “Bubble Wrap” folks like David Aldridge want JD5 to sit out the rest of the season. This is still a second-year guy that needs development. It’s not going to come with him wearing a stocking cap and holding a computer tablet. He needs the “Reps.” And, he’s going to get them.
The good news is that he gets to come back behind an Offensive Line that is playing well. And, he will have WR1 and WR2 on the field together for only the third-time this season. Expect some rust. But, also expect some points.
Another reclamation project may have some real promise. Next year Noah Brown is gone. His proclivity to get injured is amazing. Perhaps Mr. Treylon Burks will get a contract. He stated his case with what could well be the “Catch of the Year” on Sunday.
Those old uniforms look so good. Bring ’em back full time.
Favorites?
Could it possibly be true? Washington is a 1.5-point favorite this week. It’s been a long time coming. It may be that the WFT is favored over the Giants next week. But, surely they will be the “Dogs” for the game against Dallas and the two against the Eagles.
Fox Sports is sending their #5 of 5 Announcing crews to this game. Drew Brees is the replacement for Mark Sanchez. And, the game is at 1:00pm on Sunday. It’s a welcomed reprieve from Prime Time.
Game Information
Washington @ Minnesota 1:00PM
FOX Adam Amin and Drew Brees (Kristina Pink)
D.C. Radio: Bram Weinstein (play-by-play), London Fletcher (analyst), Logan Paulsen (analyst) BIG 100 WBIG-FM
