Vikings Happy Hour

The demise of the season was capped off with a Sean Mannion lead defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers last Sunday night. However, the demise not only of the season but of the Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman-led Minnesota Vikings started much earlier than the cold game at Lambeau Field. Eric Eager of PFF will join the group tonight to discuss it in only the way he can. Having all the numbers as receipts allows him to make observations and take emotion out of the equation.

On tonight's show in addition to Eric’s observations…

Agenda:

- How should the Vikings approach the Bears game?

- If we have to keep one of Kirk, Zim, or Rick who should it be?

- The most effective path to contention for the team?

- Malik Willis - Eric's Mock Draft for PFF

Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket Network's and @DailyNorman's "In The Huddle" show with host Jason Brown @brownjayson, Myles Gorham @MylesGorham85, Eric Eager of PFF @PFF_Eric, and possibly other CTP personalities. Producer Dave @Luft_Krigare in the truck.

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Mike Zimmer said yesterday in his press conference that he wants to start the starters if they are available. This is because the Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears in what is really a meaningless game. Do you want to see that? Jayson and Dave talk about it. This is literally like an exhibition game. Some players want to put things on tape, but shouldn’t it be an opportunity to see all the younger players and see what you have entering into 2022? 

Friend of the show, Luke Braun of Locked On Vikings and Locked On NFL, wrote a fantastic piece on the demise of the 2021 Vikings campaign. You can check it out at Zone Coverage here:

https://zonecoverage.com/2022/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-went-out-exactly-how-they-deserved-to/

Jayson Brown joined Producer Dave to discuss this issue briefly in a new segment that Climbing The Pocket is airing out, called Vikings Daily SITREP. In order to improve your situational awareness, we want to aggregate what is happening with the team we want to love.

Fan with us!!! Jayson Brown @brownjayson and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production. 

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It is the Monday after an absolutely humiliating defeat in Green Bay leaves the Minnesota Vikings eliminated from the playoffs and looking for some change. The Packers with their win secured the #1 seed in the NFC, and surely the firing of Mike Zimmer for the Vikings, and maybe Rick Spielman too. It is time for a change. It is also time to look at team needs and to help see where the organization needs to go to have a new chapter in the team’s history and get on the winning track again. 

Tyler and Dave will be here with you to talk about just that, and to turn your Monday Purple!

Other talking points for tonight’s show: 

- Overview of team needs this offseason

- How does the draft match up with needs?

- Was Mond a mistake?

Fan with us!!! Tyler Forness @TheRealForno, and Deshawn Vaughan @vikingsfans16. In the truck is Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production.

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Did Mike Zimmer throw Kellen Mond under the bus at his post-game press conference? Mike was asked if he would like to see Kellen Mond play next week vs the Chicago Bears. His answer was, “Not particularly.” Then when asked why, he responded with, “I see him every day.” Zimmer is known for blatant honesty at times, and for a coach in a business known for football lies, that can be refreshing. Was this too fay though? Could have Zimmer just said that Mond isn’t ready and leave it at that? We that Mike was emotional last night after that embarrassing and humiliating loss to the Green Bay Packers, but is this the type of organizational leadership to display to the public? Only Zygi and Mark Wilf know for sure, but to the rest of us, this is just another example of why the Mike Zimmer [and whole football operations cadre] is coming to an end.

Jayson Brown joined Producer Dave to discuss this issue briefly in a new segment that Climbing The Pocket is airing out, called Vikings Daily SITREP. The goal is to aggregate what is happening with the team we want to love and improve your situational awareness.

Fan with us!!! Jayson Brown @brownjayson and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production. 

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Vikings at Packers. The Minnesota Vikings will attempt to sweep the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Lambeau and cold January night. Can they do it? Not at all. The Vikes need to win out to have a hope of making the playoffs, but this got even tougher with the loss of Kirk Cousins to the Covid-IR list. He’s not the only Vikings player out either. Starter Michael Pierce at nose tackle was ruled out. Will Armon Watts step into the start, or will Dalvin Tomlinson move to the middle? Watts started at nose tackle. It didn’t matter. Sean Mannion gets the start, meaning expect to see Dalvin Cook get a heavy run load. Will it work? Not even close. Will you join us in the final 2:00, find out, and react? We invite you to LIVE!

1) Highlights

2) Lowlights

3) Speed round and your questions

4) What’s ahead

The Final Score [the name for CTP’s Postgame show] is ready for the season. There are 4 new regulars and the occasional guest. The focus will be on you the fan, and how you felt the team did. Hopefully racking up the wins in the regular season. Today, Jayson Brown, Flip Mazzi, Matt Anderson will attempt to join us from Lambeau, and Dave will all be here. Did you like what you saw? #SKOL

Fan with us!!! Guest Tyler Forness @TheRealForno. Regulars Jayson Brown @brownjayson, Flip Mazzi @Flipmazzi, Matt Anderson @MattAnderson_8, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production.

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Here we are for the most important game of the season. The Minnesota Vikings on their own have put themselves in a place where they need to win out and get help to make the playoffs and they have started with the game at Labeau Field on a frigid Sunday night in front of the world to see. Can they do it? This team has not done anything easy this campaign, and Vikings at Green Bay Packers is always a tough game made even tougher by starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, testing positive for Covid. Backup, Sean Mannion, just coming off Covid IR gets the call instead. Do the Vikes have a chance to defeat their biggest rival on Sunday Night Football? If they do, look for it to be with the running game. This and more in this pregame show preview.

Two Old Bloggers are comprised of Dave and Darren, who both started blogging on the Purple decades ago will go over a way to possibly see how this game will go and if the Vikings can win, so get ready for the Climbing The Pocket and Daily Norseman pregame show!

Here are the themes for the show:

We'll go over the usual stats to start - the strengths and weaknesses of each team.

The news of Kirk Cousins testing positive for Covid.

Theme #1 - Justin Jefferson calling out the Vikings

Jefferson said he tried to inject some life into his teammates against the Rams.

Said they lacked energy.

This is a sad statement for the 2021 Vikings.

The Rams game was a big game - win and they took a big step to make the playoffs.

How can Viking players lack energy in a game that is so important for the team?

If the Vikings don't play with more fire, more energy, and more urgency at Lambeau on Sunday, the season will be over.

They won't beat the Packers playing with a half-hearted effort.

Theme #2 - Vikings Special teams edge

Offensively and defensively - TTFW has the edge on the Vikings.

Special teams are a different story. The Vikings hold a large edge there - even after giving up a punt return TD against LA

My prediction - Kwangwu gets his third kickoff return TD of the season against Green Bay and Mason Crosby will miss another important field goal.

Special teams could keep the Vikings in this game and be an important equalizer Sunday.

Theme #3 - Mike Zimmer's last stand?

Viking fans have been on a Mike Zimmer watch for weeks now.

The fans seem to have had enough of the coach and maybe some of the players, too.

He's survived so far but will a loss to TTFW be the end for him?

I think it will - especially if the Vikings are not competitive in this one.

If the Vikes lose the team is officially eliminated from the playoffs. 

That will be two years in a row with a losing record.

With NFL teams that have a head coaching vacancy allowed to interview candidates as of Dec. 28, firing Zimmer after a loss at Lambeau makes sense.

They can get a head start on finding their next HC and not miss out on any candidates they want.

And it doesn't impact their playoff push because they will have been eliminated.

It's really minimal disruption for the team to go with an interim guy for the final game of the season.

I expect the Wilf's to pull the trigger if the Vikings lose to TTFW on Sunday.

The Good News - Jared Allen HOF finalist.

Join us for your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst Two Old Bloggers and join the conversation! Fan with us!!! Come join the @Climb_ThePocket’s & @DailyNorseman’s blogger show with Darren @KickassblogVike and Dave @Luft_Krigare.

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There it is… the news every Minnesota Vikings fan was expecting at some point this season. Vikes’ starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins has tested positive ahead of the big game with the division rival Green Bay Packers. He has been put on Covid IR and not be available. Sean Mannion is the backup, but he is already on Covid IR, but just cleared off of it today. Vikings announce Mannion will start Sunday night. That means no Kellen Mond or Kyle Sloter barring injury for all the fans that wanted either. Vegas, took the game off the books upon the news. The Packers were 6.5 point favorites before. Expect that to drastically rise shortly. ...And it did, with the Vikes now being 13 point underdogs. Mike Zimmer in his press conference praises Sean Mannion ahead of the game.

Kirk Cousins raised eyebrows early in the 2021 campaign when he came out publicly as unvaccinated, and saying that he would stay so. There was the whole press conference about plexiglass boxes and meeting under the goal posts in December if needed. Mike Zimmer had plead with the team to get vaccinated, and Kirk was one who refused. It will now cost the Vikings their best shot in years to sweep their cross border rivals, and probably any hopes of making the playoffs. What are your reactions?

Fan with us!!! Jayson Brown @brownjayson, and Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production.

Subscribe to us here! - https://www.youtube.com/c/climbingthepocket

The live show was here: https://youtu.be/9hJqcvh4YF8

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***This show was recorded before the news news of Kirk Cousins testing positive for Covid.

The Minnesota Vikings now have to win out to keep any hope of a playoff appearance alive. Even then, they will need some help. First up is the Sunday Night Football matchup at Lambeau Field against one of the premier quarterbacks in the league, Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers. With the weather looking to be frigid, it will not be easy. Unlikely some might contend and with that an inglorious end to the season.

Football continues! At least for two more weeks. Your favorite team is nearing the end of the 2021 campaign, the no-excuses season. It is time to go further than any other Vikings team before it. Can they? Tonight, Flip will battle Eric for the 24th episode of Viking Hot Takes on the Climbing The Pocket channel on Thursday night. Following the usual format of the show, we put the usual 20 minutes on the clock and asked each other three questions:

Flip asks

1. What is the biggest Vikings regret of 2021?

2. Have we seen enough from the other young WRs?

3. How would you feel if the Vikings won out?

Eric asks

1. Who are your top Head Coach candidates if the Vikings fire Mike Zimmer?

2. Is it FINALLY Wyatt Davis time?

3. Will the cold weather be an equalizer on Sunday? (Related: will I get frostbite at Lambeau?)

Fan with us!!! Talk with Flip Mazzi @Flipmazzi, with Eric Thompson @eric_j_thompson, and producer Dave @Luft_Krigare as part of a @Climb_ThePocket Network’s & @DailyNorseman’s production.

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We have a Barr takeover! He got 2 picks against Mathew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. It wasn’t enough for your Minnesota Vikings though and now the Vikes need to win out and get help to make the playoffs. This week they need to focus on the Green Bay Packers on a frozen tundra night where the weather will be in the negative digits. Will they? The good news is that Dalvin Cook has returned from the covid list. The bad news is that Adam Thielen had season-ending surgery and was put on IR.

We have another bar takeover tonight too. Jayson Brown and Jonathan Haak, from Vikings Territory and now part of Climbing The Pocket, will occupy the bar. They plan some fireworks, so grab your favorite beverage and join the conversation!

Discussion topics tonight:

Intro

Vikings vs Rams

Recap of last game and thoughts - graphics of game stats, 1st/2nd half splits

Vikings at Packers

Preview of next game - graphic of matchup from PFF, playoff leverage graphic, betting derived markets graphic

Lightening round with buy/sell

Case for/against keeping each member of Big 3 (KC, MZ, RS)

Over / Under 

Predictions:

Ryan: 9-6

Matt: 7-8

Dave: 7-8

Guest: 8-7

Fan with us!!! Guest hosts tonight are Jayson Brown @brownjayson and Jonathan Haak @JonathanNFL_. The regulars: @Matt Anderson @MattAnderson_8, and Ryan Ortega @sportsguyry, and Producer Dave @Luft_Krigare. This is a @Climb_ThePocket's & @DailyNorseman's production.

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BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald discuss major takeaways from the Minnesota Vikings' loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the ramifications for the coaching staff and offer a brief preview of the team's matchup with the Green Bay Packers ahead of their picks for Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season.

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