Titans Defeat the Vikings

The Tennesse Titans defeated the Vikings this past weekend 30-17.

First, I want to go into the main reasons why the Vikings lost before going into secondary arguments that didn't help the Vikings. Turnovers were the biggest killer in this game for the Vikes. The interception at the end of the game was unfortunate, but that wasn't the biggest killer. The worst problem was the three fumbles that happened earlier in the game.

Penalties were the other big contributor to the problem. The Vikings were penalized 7 times for 50 yards. Unfortunately, many of those penalties came on 2nd or 3rd downs which typically resulted in third and long situations.

The Vikings defense didn't show up until the second half. The Titans offense was allowed to score points on their first three drives. If the strength of this team is going to be the defense then that can't happen. Our receivers don't catch the ball consistently enough to play catch up.

One of the biggest things the Vikings needed was something positive to go their way. They got a break when the Titans fumbled the snap right before halftime. However, with only 10 seconds remaining, the only viable option was the long field goal which hit the upright and resulted in no points. The other break they should have had was the Titans second touchdown. The Titans went for it on 4th and 1. The pass was completed to the receiver who was a couple yards shy of the first down marker on the reception. After several attempts to reach the marker, he was eventually dragged down. The play was reviewed, and not overturned (it was originally marked a first down). The problem with this play was two-fold. First, the receiver clearly didn't make the first down marker. Secondly, and more disturbingly, the receiver fumbled the ball away and the Titans were still awarded the ball. The play was blown twice by the officials even after the review and the play should have resulted with the Vikings controlling the ball either way. It's hard enough to play a team like the Titans, but having to play against the refs as well makes it even more difficult.

The play calling is still suspect. I have talked to many people about the play calling and they all seem to agree with me.. It just seems to vanilla. I don't necessarily mean that there needs to be an increase in trick plays, rather just trying to find ways for mismatches. Many teams, even down to the high school level use something as simple as motion to create mismatches. It seems to me that the Vikings rarely do motion. The Vikings most of the time seem to line up and run the play and may the best man win. Unfortunately, NFL teams are just to close in talent for any team to be able to beat another team that way. Defenses will always scheme against A. P. We need to find ways to make the passing game more effective. Gus should be capable of doing more audibles at the line of scrimmage. Something! Anything to make defenses think twice.

I fear the season will only get longer because though the talent on the team is very high, our coaching staff seems incapable of putting the players in the best position possible to succeed. Hopefully the coaches are learning every bit as much as the players right now or a push to try and make the playoffs is doubtful at best. Keep in mind, Even after some very horrible football in the first quarter of the season, we are only one game behind Green Bay and Chicago for the lead in the division. However, I do believe only one team will be going from the NFC North. It looks like the NFC East could take both wild cards.

That's all for now. I'll be back in a day or two for a talk on the upcoming game against New Orleans.