VikingsTerritory Breakdown - A Minnesota Vikings Radio Show

The final score in Jacksonville on Sunday resulted in a 12-7 Minnesota Vikings win over the Jaguars—but that in no way describes how it got there. The Vikings adopted a local strategy as age-old as their purple uniforms: play down to your opponent. They had the highest time of possession of any team this season and put together multiple double-digit-play drives but didn’t score a touchdown—because they turned the ball over three times. You shouldn’t be able to win that way in the NFL, but the Vikings were fortunately playing the lowly Jags.

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Indianapolis Colts 21-13 at USA Bank Stadium to improve to 6-2 and a game behind the Lions in the NFC North. That’s what the agate type in the paper will tell you. But the reality was the defense once again led the team to victory while the offense spent some time shooting themselves in the foot. The offense eventually put up 21 points in the second half, but three turnovers on the game could have spelled disaster.

As great as the opening quarter of the season was for Minnesota, the second quarter has been equally bad. The Vikings can play in the first quarter of games, but soon after that things begin to unravel. Add to that a season-ending knee injury to their best offensive lineman, Christian Darrisaw, and the Vikings’ trip to LA was anything but sunny. They may have come into the softest part of their schedule, but the Purple appear to be playing their softest football of the season. Things need to change quickly.

The Vikings’ perfect season has ended, but it is far from over. The Detroit Lions came to town and put together four consecutive scoring drives in the middle quarters, and that put the Vikings behind the 8-ball. They did battle and retake the lead in the fourth quarter with a scoop and score by Ivan Pace, but the offense didn’t hold up their end of the deal by getting a couple first downs late and the Lions win with a field goal.

The Vikings can separate themselves a bit from all NFC North challengers with a home win over the Lions and help to put away all the doubt that creeps in for Vikings fans when watching their favorite team in the second halves of games this season. The Vikings start fast and struggle out of the locker room in the second half and then hang on to win . . .  every time. That last fact of being undefeated is great, but the route taken there is slightly unnerving.

The Vikings did it again! Yes, they beat the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau by a score 31-29 to remain unbeaten at 4-and-0 and alone atop the NFC North Division. But what seemed like déjà vu’ all over again was they made it difficult. The Vikings busted out to a very dominating 28-0 lead before muffing a punt, giving up a touchdown and ultimately scrambling to the finish line. We have seen this in the past (and to be honest maybe feared it happening again on Sunday), but at least the Vikings won the game and kept their record unblemished.

Sam Darnold had another very good performance, throwing three touchdown passes. Jordan Addison returned from injury and celebrated by scoring touchdowns as a rushing and a receiver and the defense played lights out (for three quarters, anyway). In the final minute, the Packers were a recovered onside kick away from breaking the Vikings’ and their fans’ hearts (letting them know what it might feel like to be on the other side of an epic comeback like their 2022 comeback against the Indianapolis Colts). In the final analysis, the Vikings turned a potential laugher into a nail biter, and we were reminded that nothing is ever for certain in the NFL.

There was a lot to be pleased about in this game (another decent performance from Aaron Jones in his former home field, four turnovers by the Vikings defense and the team’s depth showcased in players such as Kamu Grugier-Hill, who had his second interception in two games).

But there were also some things to “fix,” as they say. The Vikings committed two turnovers of their own (a pick and fumble by Darnold—though the interception should have been overturned by replay), giving up 465 yards of offense to the Packers and a questionable call to go for it and end the game rather than kick a gimme field goal. These issues certainly merit some discussion.

The Vikings are for real . . . and their defense is lights out. They hosted Vikings-South, the Houston Texans—and were anything but hospitable, dominating them to the tune of 34-7. Quarterback Sam Darnold threw four touchdown passes (for the second time in his career, first time without an interception) and the Vikings defense confused Texans QB C.J. Stroud throughout, leading to three sacks and two picks. By the time this one was done, the previously undefeated Texans were handed their first loss of the season in dominating fashion.

kings weren’t flawless (two turnovers of their own, plus giving up 399 yards on defense), but they beat a very good Niners team, which should turn the heads of those who maintained that all they did last week was beat the lowly New York Giants. While that is true, the perception on this team is chanding. Lead by a much-improved defense, and a revitalized Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings are becoming a team to be reckoned with in the NFC North.

The Vikings opened up the 2024 season with a very decisive 28-6 win over the New York Giants on the road. All the questions were answered—at least for this week—but more questions are on the way. Quarterback Sam Darnold had one of the best games of his career (opening the game with 12-consecutive completions for his first time as a pro) and throwing two great touchdown passes. He looked better than his career reputation would have us believe, and so Vikings fans can get excited about the season going forward . . . at least until next week.

Oh, and if you like a little spice in your podcast, tune into this one as Craig talks about his Star Tribune piece on former head coach Mike Zimmer that has everyone else talking. There was plenty of buckshot in the story and even more on the VT podcast when he talks about it. Skol!