Fans’ reactions to the Vikings’ surge over the Falcons

On By Littum

Two beautiful fourth quarter scores and then another on a 98-yard TD drive to end it at the 3-minute mark. Overall, I didn’t think the Vikings defense was that good today, giving up sustained drives, multiple third down conversions and a ton of Falcons receptions in the middle all game. Our offense gives up four sacks, misses a FG and goes three-and-out after the Metellus pick? However, the outstanding offense in the fourth quarter made up for all of that. Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:
1. Great defensive fourth down stop early by the Vikings. Followed by a long TD pass to Addison. Nicely done on both sides of the ball!

2. Great drive completion with a beautiful TD pass to Jefferson in the second quarter.

3. Two fourth quarter scoring drives and interception by Murphy; and saw the third TD play of the 98-yard game-sealing drive led by Cam Akers’ run, the Josh Oliver reception and the Jones TD run. Very nicely done.

DOWN:
1. The defense gives up a disappointing first drive for a TD to open the game. A long and sustained drive with several third-and-long conversions; and a fourth-and-2 conversion. Followed by a disappointing first offensive drive with back-to-back sacks allowed. I expect so much more from both sides of the ball than a weak start.

2. More weak and stupid play after the 2-minute warning heading into half-time. Given the way the Vikings are playing at the end of the first half and the way the Falcons chewed up our middle zone pass defense, why on earth would anyone call a defensive timeout for them under 2 minutes and after a first down? Dumb and greedy – just another version of trying to field a Packers punt at our own goal line up 28-0 with seconds left in the half? Terrible strategy again. Not one bit surprised we’re giving up another late first half after the defense allows them to overcome two first-and-20s in the process. Inexplicable.

3. Three-and-out on offense after the Metellus pick.

A quality win to be sure. We need to get off the field more on defense and eliminate most sacks to get even better. 11-2, can’t beat that! Looking forward to Da Bears again.

How about that 98-yard drive? It’s one thing to seize momentum with a situation like the surge between two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. It’s another thing not to let it go by driving the entire length of the field.

The touchdown drive allowed to open the game left a bit to be desired, with a 12-yard run to open the game, a conversion on third-and-8 for 28 and on second-and-15 for 16 and on fourth- and -1 with a run, but Cousins ​​made some nice throws and Bijan Robinson had nice rushes.

The timeout was called with 1:52 remaining and Atlanta facing second-and-16. O’Connell believed his team could get a quick stop, but the Falcons got 16 on the ensuing pass play and eventually added a field goal to make it 14-10 at halftime.

Credit Jalen Redmond for his pass breakup at the line on third-and-goal from the 2 before the field goal, as well as Harrison Smith and Metellus for a tackle for loss on second-and-goal from the 1.

Incidentally, Smith appeared in his 189thth regular season game as a Viking, moving out of a tie with Cris Carter and Tim Irwin for 10thth of all time.