Hey Hawks fans,
Lifelong Vikes fan here. Should be a good game this weekend. We got a serious butt kicking last go round, this time it's hard to say what to expect. Just a few random, rambling thoughts from our side:
- Did you guys know Vikes were missing 3 starters on defense last time? J/K. Lynch wouldn't shut up about that. Seriously though, Joseph is very iffy and may not play. He is probably the best run-stuffing NT in the NFL. Barr & Smith are the 2 most important players to our scheme. Losing them throws out half the playbook. Smith is very under-rated and equally elite in both pass coverage and run support and he can blitz well. Barr is a freak. Like Smith, he can stuff the run, he can blitz, he is surprisingly solid in pass coverage. Those 2 are so well-rounded they allow Zimmer to really throw a lot of wrinkles & disguises at offense's. Since Barr & Smith returned, Vikes gave up: 23 vs AZ, 17 vs Bears, 17 vs Giants, and 13 vs. GB.
- O-line issues. Vikes lost 2 starters in pre-season in RT Loadholt and Center John Sullivan. LT Kalil had 2 knee surgeries in offseason and hasn't lived up to expectations. LG Fusco switched from RG and has been brutal, giving up the most QB pressures of an OG in the NFL. To make matters worse, Norv Turner has called for the most 7-step drops of anyone in the NFL. Since Vikings are dead last in pass attempts, it means we have the highest % of 7-step drops in the NFL and the results have been brutal. When Turner calls for shorter pass patterns Teddy has played well, but right now Teddy is #1 in NFL with most QB pressures at 46% of all dropbacks he gets pressured and that's a major reason our passing offense is so lackluster - it's not all Teddy's fault.
- Temps expected to be around 0 degrees before windchill. It could be windy, 10-20 mph in forecast but who knows by gametime. Not sure what kind of impact that could have on passing.
- Vikings are very, very young team. We have 10 rookies playing with 6-7 that have started multiple games. MLB Kendricks has been very solid. RT Clemmings has struggled to replace starter Loadholt. WR Diggs is probably the biggest steal for our draft, he's put up almost identical stats as Lockett but keep in mind we are a run-first offense and don't throw a lot. Biggest surprise as been our DE Danielle Hunter from LSU. Hunter is the youngest player in NFL just turned 21, but is #2 among rookies with 6 sacks while playing as a backup DE.
- Historically young teams struggle in the playoffs. Vikings have a bright future ahead, but they are not an elite team nor do I think they are ready to beat elite teams like Seattle. Too many issues at O-line have hindered Teddy's development and he's a young QB who is still in the 2 steps forward, 1 step backwards process. Seattle is young as well but still a veteran team with Super Bowl experience and I expect them to win.
- I do expect Seattle to win, but due to weather and Zimmer getting another crack at you guys with Smith & Barr will change his gameplan. That being said Wilson is a very talented pain in the ass and that defense is still tops. I doubt we see another blowout, I'm thinking more like 27-17.
- If the Vikings have one thing in their favor, it's that there's zero pressure on them and IMO all the pressure is on Seattle. Nobody is giving the Vikings a chance, and that's probably warranted. We as Vikes fans already won our mini-Super Bowl just by finally beating the Packers and winning the NFCN. That's huge progress for us and I think most are thrilled with how far we've come under Zimmer after a 5 win season 2 years ago. Right now we're playing with house money.
- Safe travels to anyone going to the game, bring your thermal underwear!
Lifelong Vikes fan here. Should be a good game this weekend. We got a serious butt kicking last go round, this time it's hard to say what to expect. Just a few random, rambling thoughts from our side:
- Did you guys know Vikes were missing 3 starters on defense last time? J/K. Lynch wouldn't shut up about that. Seriously though, Joseph is very iffy and may not play. He is probably the best run-stuffing NT in the NFL. Barr & Smith are the 2 most important players to our scheme. Losing them throws out half the playbook. Smith is very under-rated and equally elite in both pass coverage and run support and he can blitz well. Barr is a freak. Like Smith, he can stuff the run, he can blitz, he is surprisingly solid in pass coverage. Those 2 are so well-rounded they allow Zimmer to really throw a lot of wrinkles & disguises at offense's. Since Barr & Smith returned, Vikes gave up: 23 vs AZ, 17 vs Bears, 17 vs Giants, and 13 vs. GB.
- O-line issues. Vikes lost 2 starters in pre-season in RT Loadholt and Center John Sullivan. LT Kalil had 2 knee surgeries in offseason and hasn't lived up to expectations. LG Fusco switched from RG and has been brutal, giving up the most QB pressures of an OG in the NFL. To make matters worse, Norv Turner has called for the most 7-step drops of anyone in the NFL. Since Vikings are dead last in pass attempts, it means we have the highest % of 7-step drops in the NFL and the results have been brutal. When Turner calls for shorter pass patterns Teddy has played well, but right now Teddy is #1 in NFL with most QB pressures at 46% of all dropbacks he gets pressured and that's a major reason our passing offense is so lackluster - it's not all Teddy's fault.
- Temps expected to be around 0 degrees before windchill. It could be windy, 10-20 mph in forecast but who knows by gametime. Not sure what kind of impact that could have on passing.
- Vikings are very, very young team. We have 10 rookies playing with 6-7 that have started multiple games. MLB Kendricks has been very solid. RT Clemmings has struggled to replace starter Loadholt. WR Diggs is probably the biggest steal for our draft, he's put up almost identical stats as Lockett but keep in mind we are a run-first offense and don't throw a lot. Biggest surprise as been our DE Danielle Hunter from LSU. Hunter is the youngest player in NFL just turned 21, but is #2 among rookies with 6 sacks while playing as a backup DE.
- Historically young teams struggle in the playoffs. Vikings have a bright future ahead, but they are not an elite team nor do I think they are ready to beat elite teams like Seattle. Too many issues at O-line have hindered Teddy's development and he's a young QB who is still in the 2 steps forward, 1 step backwards process. Seattle is young as well but still a veteran team with Super Bowl experience and I expect them to win.
- I do expect Seattle to win, but due to weather and Zimmer getting another crack at you guys with Smith & Barr will change his gameplan. That being said Wilson is a very talented pain in the ass and that defense is still tops. I doubt we see another blowout, I'm thinking more like 27-17.
- If the Vikings have one thing in their favor, it's that there's zero pressure on them and IMO all the pressure is on Seattle. Nobody is giving the Vikings a chance, and that's probably warranted. We as Vikes fans already won our mini-Super Bowl just by finally beating the Packers and winning the NFCN. That's huge progress for us and I think most are thrilled with how far we've come under Zimmer after a 5 win season 2 years ago. Right now we're playing with house money.
- Safe travels to anyone going to the game, bring your thermal underwear!
Yes there are a lot of folks here that got tired of that, especially since the Seahawks were out a few key offensive playmakers that got little to no mention. 
