A JOLT OF POSITIVITY

VIKINGS 27

CHARGERS 20

Finally the script got a rewrite!

Game #9 of this volatile Vikings season seemed to be following along the same script that almost every other game this season has used.

Until the Vikings flipped the script, and got probably their biggest win of 2021.

Naturally going into this game this seemed like the biggest no win scenario of the season. Obviously the season was already teetering after the last 2 weeks. We had maybe the worst off the field week of the season, both with football and non-football related issues. Major injuries all over the defense, a unit already having to come off a nearly 100 play effort last week. On the road against a potent offense.

But I picked the Vikings to win cause this felt like a rally around each other situation. And despite a lot of mistakes,  bad penalties, and shaky coaching at times, this time the Vikings overcame them and made the key plays at the key moments.

The expected shootout never really materialized. The first half was largely a defensive show. For once the Vikings didn't look like a machine to start on offense. The Chargers even got a strip sack on Kirk that sent the KCDS crowd into a frenzy. In fact, neither team put points up until the 2nd quarter. We struck first with a field goal, then they got one, then we got another.

The first big play came on the 1st play of the next LA series, as Eric Kendricks made an insane diving interception of Justin Herbert. The Vikings have really been struggling to cash in on turnovers, but here they got it done on a Kirk dart to Conklin.

The script returned now cause it was late in the half, so naturally we gave up a quick touchdown, on a drive aided by a rather terrible DPI call on Alexander (the pass was already past the receiver before there was contact).

We had the ball back and time, but we had one of those disgusting 3 and outs and gave the ball right back. The Chargers could have really taken over here, but Xavier Woods made a huge pass  breakup on 3rd down to finish off LA's hopes of at least tying the game. So we got out of there with a halftime lead.

Now, our defense tends to come out of the halftime locker room poorly and did again. LA drove to an easy touchdown to take the lead. We have another ugly 3 and out and punt. But Cam Bynum had a huge 3rd down sack to stymie the Chargers momentum and help start to get it going back our way.

The offense snapped out of their mid-game stupor and got moving. Jefferson made a brilliant leaping catch down the sideline to spark the drive. A WR out pass to Thielen got us deep. Cook was stuffed on multiple runs but on 4th and goal Zimmer made the correct decision and went for it. Kirk rolled out, avoiding pressure, and lofted the ball into the endzone. It felt like the ball was airborne forever, although I *was* holding my breath, but it landed in the comfortable mitts of Tyler Conklin and we retook the lead.

This time it was LA who went 3 and out and we kept the offensive momentum going. A 68 yard drive to tack on another score. A couple key 3rd down conversions. A nifty screen to Dalvin. And this time Dalvin was able to punch it in to expand the lead to 10.

But no lead is safe with the Vikings. LA drove right down the field again. I could see the whole script playing out again. LA would score. We would fail to keep the ball. LA would score again and either we would lose or be off to OT again. Fortunately we did make a 3rd down stop inside the 10 and the Chargers, needing two scores anyway, opted to take the 3.

So here is where we fail to finish the game off, right? Sure looked that way when we immediately get a holding penalty. But Dalvin got a good chunk back on a draw. Then came the key play of the game. 3rd and 6. Play it safe and likely punt? Not today. Kirk uncorked a deep ball to Jefferson who made an incredible leaping, spinning catch, with textbook footwork, and it went for 27 yards.

We weren't out of the woods yet. On the first play after the JJ catch we get called for a BS facemask call. Once again it's looking like we have to give the ball back, but Kirk hit Thielen to get back 18 of the needed 20, setting up a huge decision.

4th and 2 at the 36. What ya gonna do Zim? A field goal is possible, but very long and if it is missed LA gets a short field with ample time left. Trying to pin em deep with a punt is risky. 

We went for it, and called a toss sweep to Dalvin, who would not be denied and picked up the first down. It was all victory formation kneeldowns after that, as the Vikings got a desperately needed win that jolted them back to life in the playoff race.

It wasn't smooth. The Vikings had to overcome a lot, as usual. Some of it self-inflicted, as usual. But they were resilient. Multiple times they followed up a bad penalty with a chunk play. With a depleted defense they limited the Chargers big plays. 

We have all.screamed for more aggressiveness from the offense. I would not say Klint Kubiak had a great game. There were still some awful series, and he did little to alleviate the pressure on Kirk (the OL had its worst game since Cleveland). But whether it was Kirk being more willing to do it, or better designs to give him some safety valve options, there was undoubtedly more of an emphasis on throwing ahead of the sticks. Jefferson had a signature type of game. The run game was not explosive, but it was consistent. They got Dalvin going downhill. It's at least something to build on.

The team needed this. They have never stopped playing hard for Zimmer. But they haven't been getting the payoff. Week after week that has to be exhausting. 

Will this stick? It better. Green Bay is here next week, and while I think realistically the NFC North race is over, this win helps get the Vikings right back in the wild card race. We sit a half game out behind  Carolina, who we beat, and most of the other wild card hopefuls lost today. Plus you could get back some of those missing defensive pieces next week.

If the Vikings learn the right lessons from how this game went, they can absolutely storm into the postseason.