Tue Jan 05, 2016 3:25 pm
Here's what we haven't done with enough consistency to rank as a contender:
1) put the ball in the end zone. I don't think it's bragging rights to have the kicker with the most field goals when other teams are trading out for touchdowns
2) Peterson consistency: yes, league rusher. But big games he's gotten stuffed every time, and the nagging injury issue does not do well for us
3) deep pass: if Teddy makes the first one it seems he keeps throwing them. But if a miss, well it's play actions with 3 yard dumps the rest of the game. Boy wonder will need to get past missing a receiver and get his crap dialed in, particularly if AP isn't averaging 4+ per carry.
4) The "young core": Diggs, McKinnon, etc. all need to step up. They also need to "captain up" and tell their QB to put it safe and close enough, not wait until their open, and then validate Bridgewater by actually catching the ball.
5) Special teams: I wish Patterson wasn't special in the sense he's become..... when he does show up he seems to start playing for Special Team Short Bus: fumbles, penalties, acting like a clown..... Anyway, him and Sherrels are going to need to be hyper proficient and the squad is going to need give them support.
6) Play with chicanery: The Vikes are a clean team. The Seahawks? Maybe not dirty, but definitely aggressive with a mantra of "If the ref isn't throwing the flag we're not playing hard enough....." The risk for the Vikings in this is it rattle their cage. The the Offsides, Illegal Hands to the Face, Pass Interference, etc. They need to own their white horse and be prepared Seattle is going to try and knock them off... like taking Joe Friday to a strip club. If they can be conscious of it, and work it, they should be able to draw Seattle INTO penalties and gain yardage advantage. We did a great job of not getting sucked in to the Aaron Rogers passing penalty machine (one we might have slipped by on)
7) Fire Paul Allen: I'm with LT on the PA announcing/etc. Used to be I'd prefer to listen to radio while watching on TV. Now, I'll take Joe Buck, and that just sucks.