Killer instinct in short supply for lucky Vikes Bob Sansevere

We've seen this before. A Vikings team that seemingly has a game won and then goes into full or partial meltdown mode is nothing new.

[tbone]

hey bob keep your pants on, you must of wrote the story and listen more to dan's (dierdorff) babbling. we were very short handed defensively not only winfield one of the best tacklers on the team was gone, but also hard hitting nickel back benny sapp. Thus relying on seldom used special teamer Paymah. Didn't seem odd to you every ball was thrown his way. and they exposed a weakness as seen in the rams game the screen behind jared allen. it was an ugly win, but long term health and rest is more important than rushing out winfield and sapp. and maybe even harvin next week.
i was disappointed we couldn't punch one in at the goal line, no offensive push for such a huge line.

[MN Observer]

Hey Bob, give Jerry Burns a call. I'm sure he can help explain why the Vikings seem to lack killer instinct. (You'll get some great quotes too.)

[Buckler]

Thanks for keeping your site free. I'm done with the strib and a lot of viking fans will be joining you here!

[Former Ranger]

Hey Bob, the other teams are professionals and get paid too. I'd rather have a lousy win than a good looking loss because in the end it's all W's or L's.

[Former Ranger]

Buckler wrote:

Thanks for keeping your site free. I'm done with the strib and a lot of viking fans will be joining you here!

Amen to that, there's no way I'm going to pay to read the Strib's comments on line. I couldn't believe it when that happened.

[Jusayin]

This should at least kill the myth that Leslie Frazier will be highly sought after for the next head coaching vacancies. His blitz package is a disaster that other teams have been exploiting all year.

[MN_Achilles]

The Strib would definitely have to get some better writers if they want me to pay for it. Plus, they want you to pay for just the Vikings content, WTF?

No thanks, I'll continue to migrate to free content until there is none left on the internet.

[DDD]

When your defense is hurting, the offense has to step up and do ball control. After Winfield went down, the offense went way too conservative, had too many 3 and outs and didn't help the defense enough. The coordinators have to start talking to each other and you know, maybe coordinate!

[Hayden Fox]

Missing Winfield has nothing to do with EJ and M. Williams' pop warner level tackling display they put on. EJ should be absolutely embarrased, forget the Pro Bowl this year EJ! It looked like you guys had a crapload of $ on Balt. to cover the spread. They didn't even try to wrap up....watch the highlights of Balt's big plays in the 4th qtr. It makes you wonder. Maybe they are playing with broken collarbones?????

[Linda]

They also neeed a killer instinct on offense. Once up by 14 they went to conservative play calling instead of continuing to apply the presssure. It works for both sides.

[Indyfan]

Lacking killer instinct starts at the top. Chilly's play it safe run call on our last possession could (should) have cost us the game. There is no excuse not taking a shot at the end zone.

[BW in TX]

Other than the Vikings needing to figure out a way to finish games, I learned something else yesterday - this Flacco kid is going to be really good. He got banged around all day and still hung in the pocket on that last drive. I see him and Aaron Rodgers being the class of the NFL for a long time - that is, if their offensive lines can keep them healthy.

[stackan]

What happened to the reverse, and mis-direction plays we caught glimpses of in previous games? When AP is getting only one and two yards going into the line, fake it to him and send Harvin outside??? Am a little frustrated by O-line blocking on runs, but their pass blocking has improved dramatically. Happy to see D blitzing in last couple minutes- this time they completed some passes, but only just barely. Much better than sitting back in a prevent. But yeah, when we go up by two touchdowns- hit 'em harder and go up by FOUR!!

[Conservative observations]

The ravens are a good team and the much heralded Viking defense disappeared in the second half. Clearly, the Vikes have begun to adopt the Coach Mason (Gophers) defensive strategy of being able to stop everything except for the run and the pass. The Vikes now have two last second wins on the season but the football gods will probably even that out over the course of the remaining ten games.

[Mad Dog Gus]

Winfield hurt, Sapp hurt, Ray Edwards playing like a model on a runway, Tyrell Johnson running in circles, and Madieu Williams trying to avoid all contact.....they've got a lot to work on. Lady Luck won't beat the Steelers.

[Jim Bob]

Buckler wrote:

Thanks for keeping your site free. I'm done with the strib and a lot of viking fans will be joining you here!

hadn't visited their site for a few days,sure enough they are, wave of the future I'm afraid.

[toivo 2 feathers]

Buckler wrote:

Thanks for keeping your site free. I'm done with the strib and a lot of viking fans will be joining you here!

oh no were losing a wisconsin blogger!!!

[toivo 2 feathers]

Ive noticed Jared Allen having to work to get the crowd to make noise. Up or down by a few and the crowd gets too quiet. (the team to). This was a let down that wont work in Piitsville next week.

[Safeties are terrible]

It seems like we give up 5 or more 20+ yard passes down the middle a game and the safeties are always late getting there, or don't get there at all.

Do we really want safeties as backstops in this defense? Would we not rather have them actually contribute actively to stopping the advancement of an opponents series?

Im sick of seeing Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson converging on a player that was released to the middle, 3 seconds after he catches a wide-open, first down pass.

And that Tyrell Johnson open field tackling made him look better suited for the Detroit Lions defense.. For the most part he's been keeping his name out of the broadcasts which is better than negative, but if he can't make plays, and he keeps giving them up, it's time to move on.

[Mark L]

Agree on the strib policy. Some of us Viking fans live out of state and can't pick up a newspaper to read. And damn if I'm going to pay $6 a month to read the witticisms of those guys.
Vikings were lucky, and so am I. I'd hate to have to hear the ravens fans today had the Vikings blown that.