OUT WITH A WIN

VIKINGS 31

BEARS 17

On the final Sunday of the season, a frustrating, bewildering Vikings season closed out at the purple palace, But more than just a season, this likely marks the conclusion of Mike Zimmer's head coaching career.

Even though it's definitely time to move on, this makes me sad. The whole day felt bittersweet. I suppose I've felt sadder at the ends of seasons before, but this was it's own thing.

As for this actual game, the first half was just gross. It didn't help that there was little energy in a stadium that has plenty of empty seats. But the Vikings more or less deployed the same offensive gameplan that they used in the earlier Bears game. So that meant they didn't do shit. They had like 22 yards of offense until the Bears had taken a 14-0 lead. Then they decided to actually try, and went right down the field. One final Oli Udoh holding penalty made them settle for a field goal.

Second half was way different. The offense was wide open. Kirk hit Ihmir Smith-Marsette for a long touchdown. Then he hit Justin Jefferson for another long score, which tied it at 17 at that point. 

A meaningless game was turning into a pretty entertaining one. And there was dual drama, both as far as who would win, but also would Jefferson break Randy Moss's single season receiving yardage record.

The game was secured by a diving TD grab by KJ Osborn, and a really fun pick six by Patrick Peterson.

As for the record, that didn't quite happen. They had a couple shots at it, but Zimmer wound up mostly just eating clock on the last couple possessions. Leave it to Vikings fans to boo their team in victory formation. Look, JJ got over 1,600 yards with idiot boy Klint Kubiak calling plays. He'll sail past Moss next year with a legit offensive coaching staff.

It felt good to see Zimmer's defense as dynamic as they were, particularly in the 2nd half. We got a bunch of sacks (DJ Wonnum and Kenny Willekes each had a pair). Anthony Barr, in possibly his final game in purple, turned a 4th and goal at the 1 into a huge loss. Blake Lynch got a pick. 

Say whatever you want about Zimmer, but this team never stopped playing hard for him. This comeback win was proof of that. 

But playing hard wasn't enough. Not this season. I think this team is more talented than other teams that ARE in the playoffs, but fact is this team blew too many extremely winnable games, largely due to poor coaching.

The two that will haunt forever are letting Cooper Rush lead a game winning drive on you on Halloween Night, and letting the then-winless Lions drive 90+ yards on you for a walkoff touchdown. But they also should have won at Cincinnati and Baltimore. There was the missed kick at Arizona. You score 7 points at home against a Cleveland team that turned out to not even be good. You can't capitalize on all those Matthew Stafford throws 2 weeks ago. 

Even wins often proved needlessly tough. How do you let Sam Darnold lead that drive to send the Panther game to OT? How do you need a 54 field goal at the gun to beat a Lions team you led by 10 late in the 4th?

It's coaching. Sure the roster has flaws. Every roster does. But this was Mike Zimmer's worst year as head coach because he did not get the most out of what he had at his disposal.

And that is why he is likely to become a former coach very soon. That will be addressed later on.

I'm glad they won this game. Sue me. Their draft position was made a couple spots higher by winning. But it matters how you draft, not where. 

The Vikings now head off into an offseason of major change, but they do so on a good note. And if this was the last time Mike Zimmer patrolled the home sidelines, then I say thank you for the good times and I wish you the best.