Ya see, on one hand, we won the game.
But on the other hand? That was an AWFUL Tampa Bay team we almost lost to.
In the end, the Minnesota Vikings pulled out a much needed win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, 19-13, thanks to a little extra overtime. It was the defense that won the game, and specifically rookie Anthony Barr. He stripped some wide receiver the Bucs have that has three last names or something, then scooped up the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. Barr also has eight total tackles (one off the team lead for the day), one sack, and pass defended, and a quarterback hit. So f*ck you cock-boys who hated that draft pick. I know who you are.
But man, on the other hand there were some pretty worrisome things out of this Vikings team – again – against a Bucs team that was 1-5 heading into the day. Teddy Bridgewater looked largely pedestrian at times (although cumulatively and in retrospect, his 241 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions looks plenty serviceable without context), the offensive line was total shit once again, and the defense was making me remember 2013 in naughty, naughty ways. Again, against the Bucs, mind you.
So which one is this? Are the Vikings the 3-5 team that losses to the Bills in embarrassing fashion and then almost loses to the Bucs the next week, or are they the 3-5 team that had a slip up, but are going to steal one from the Packers or Bears later this year? I hope for the latter, because despite all the negatives, this team is clearly on the right path. Zimmer is DOING WORK to get solid football players on this team, and is coaching like he has a bottle rocket lit up his asshole. It’s exciting to watch. If things DO end up going south, let’s just blame Norv, instead.
All in all, there’s not too much you can complain about. There were stupid penalties, a couple of stupid plays, and plenty of things to clean up. Bridgewater had PLENTY of missed receivers he should have hit, that any respectable starting NFL quarterback would have hit, but he’s still shown me enough (particularly with that toss to Jennings) to give him the benefit of the doubt that he’ll learn these things. But when he starts hitting on all cylinders, and when Norv stops being a pussy and gets Matt Asiata off the field all together in favor of McKinnon, this MIGHT just be a football team.
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