A Less Than Ideal Start

BUCCANEERS 20

VIKINGS 17

Game one of the Vikings defense of their NFC North did...not go well. A rusty offense and a few crushing mistakes led to an optimism-damaging loss to an inferior Tampa team.

The first half was the first unveiling of the new Brian Flores-led defense, and those early results were terrific. It looked nothing like that pitiful playoff game. Players were aggressive, flying around, and collapsed on the ball. Until late in the half, the Bucs only had 3 points, which were gifted on a turnover.

Those turnovers were all in the first half, but they loomed large throughout. 

The Vikings offense started slow, but on their 2nd drive seemed to be marching towards the game's first score.

On the drive, Garrett Bradbury left with a back injury, leaving Austin Schlottman to handle the snaps. And one snap just outside the redzone was that first turnover, although it turned out it was on Ed Ingram for literally slapping the ball out of Kirk's hands. Old Eddie sure likes to sabotage his QB. 

The next drive also ended in a Kirk fumble when a blindside blitz wasn't picked up, Kirk was creamed, dropped the ball, and Tampa recovered. But B Flo's unit held Tampa to a field goal. 

Finally the Vikings completed a drive the next time out. And boy did they, on a beautiful deep shot to Jordan Addison for his 1st career touchdown.

The next drive bogged down inside the 10, but a Joseph field goal made it 10-3.

Late in the half, Tampa finally got a drive going. A key offsides helped. Baker Mayfield hit a deep shot to Mike Evans for the tying touchdown.

At least they scored quick, so we had time for a response. A big 42 yard shot to JJ put us at least in field goal range, but we kept at it and got in the redzone with enough time for an endzone shot. Unfortunately that shot wound up being an interception, as Kirk went for KJ Osborn at the goal line, but not only could KJ not secure the catch but it was picked.

So at the half it was 10-10. We had gifted them 3, and cost ourselves at least 6. Can't happen.

The 2nd half was very disheartening. Tampa held the ball for the first 9 minutes, methodically driving for a field goal...no, wait, a touchdown after Jay Ward was offsides on a field goal. 

The TD sucked, as we had 3 DBs pretty much just stand there as something called Trey Palmer slipped clear for the score.

It took 17 plays, but the Vikings tied it back up on the next drive. After a dubious DPI call gave us a 2nd crack at a goal to go, Kirk flipped one out to Alexander Mattison, who stumbled but dove into the endzone. 

Problem is the Vikings only ran 6 more offensive plays, in a pair of 3 and outs. In between Tampa did just enough to get into long field goal range. And we all know how infallible opposing kickers are against us, so Chase McLaughlin's 57 yard field goal was not the tiniest bit surprising. 

You hope you can get the ball back one last time to see if Kirk can turn the clock back a year, but whether it was fatigue from constantly being on the field in the 2nd half, or that Tampa had figured out Flores a little, we just couldn't get off the field.

Worst was when Tampa went for a 4th and 1 at their own 32, still tied, and got it. You let teams get in short yardage and open yourselves up to that shit. But Tampa seemed.to always get the yards they needed. That last drive we let Mayfield run for a 1st on a 3rd down, and then after the 2 minute warning in a do or die spot we let him convert a 3rd and 10 throw. Just daggers.

As the Vikings compiled that unprecedented 11-0 one score record last year, they didn't always get every single swing moment to go their way, but they got enough. Today they got almost nothing. 

It wasn't a stellar Kirk game, but he already had 273 yards by halftime and was getting mauled yet again behind a battered OL. Darrisaw hurt his ankle and was in and out of the game. Could he have made some different throws, some better throws? Probably, but he isn't what doomed them. 

Jefferson had a massive first half, but was quiet after that. Hockenson didn't do much. Mattison did little on the ground. Why does he run into contact so much? 

Much of this falls squarely on Kevin O'Connell. He had a pretty bad day, too often designing plays that called for short sideline throws. Very little downfield. 

I give the defense a lot more slack. They did enough to win this game if the offense didn't squander points. That unit should only improve. 

As should the offense. As should the team. Look, it sucks to drop a home game against an inferior team, and now you got at Philly on a short week, which let's be honest is probably 0-2. All the tougher if Bradbury and Darrisaw can't go. 

I certainly don't think this one game ends the season. Even last year this team didn't really snap into their stride until October. You just hope that won't be too late. It's not 2022 anymore.