A few Vikings players, along with Coach Kevin O’Connell, experienced a challenging Sunday in their 28-22 loss to the Eagles.
Carson Wentz’s two interceptions, including a pick-six, immediately put the Vikings at a disadvantage. This team struggles when playing from behind, and avoiding slow starts will be crucial to prevent a disastrous season. While Wentz did manage to keep the team in the game, he also missed opportunities, such as a potential touchdown pass to C.J. Hamm, instead opting for an intentional grounding penalty under pressure.
As of now, the starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game against the Chargers is uncertain, though it’s likely Wentz. I hope he can shake off the Eagles game, which obviously affects him since that was the team who drafted him and perform well in Los Angeles. Regardless, I anticipate J.J. McCarthy will return to start in Detroit on November 2.
Coach O’Connell also had a difficult day, exemplified by a bizarre sequence where the Vikings, at 2nd and 1 from the Eagles’ six-yard line with six minutes remaining in the first half, chose to throw the ball three times. While a touchdown to Jaylen Nailor was unfortunately called back due to a questionable holding penalty on Blake Brandel, I still question the play-calling.
I’ve always found it puzzling that, after trading for Jordan Mason to improve short-yardage situations, which have been consistently poor under this regime, the team continues to rely on passing in those critical moments. This stubbornness to deviate from high-percentage plays in crucial situations ultimately costs the team victories. Part of a coach’s role is to put players in the best position to win, and prioritizing a high-percentage play over a “play that was there” mindset is essential for success.
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