MNF thread: Titans @ Bills, Vikes @ Eagles.

Buying time with his legs or even just the threat of Hurts’ legs buying him time. Was it the only reason, no. But the threat of his legs probably had a big part in the Vikings game plan.

In comment 15824799 ajr2456 said:

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Buying time with his legs or even just the threat of Hurts’ legs buying him time. Was it the only reason, no. But the threat of his legs probably had a big part in the Vikings game plan.

I don't disagree with the last part. I absolutely think that was their gameplan was to drop back and let him make mistakes in the air and the threat of his legs made them do that. But, the fact remains that their gameplan was bad and I would rather let him actually beat you with his legs than let what happened last night happen.

I think he is a good QB and a threat and like Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murrary, who have similar styles you have to play them a certain way to beat them. I do think that as we have seen with those QBs as well as the season goes on (except for Lamar's MVP year) they kind of wear down. Remember the Cards start last year. And I think Murray is better (not by much) than Hurts. So, that gives me some hope that this will dial down, but as I said before their win was 1) impressive and 2) their schedule is very favorable for them to go on a huge run like 2017

they could have slowed the game down with the run game but gave up on that completely when they weren't even down that big. Just don't think Zimmer has it.

Has a better feel for playing QB than Murray but Murray is the better thrower in terms of physical traits.

In comment 15824817 UConn4523 said:

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they could have slowed the game down with the run game but gave up on that completely when they weren't even down that big. Just don't think Zimmer has it.

He is not there coach anymore, but their Rookie coach looked shellshocked (O'Connell)

between the Cardinals and Eagles is staggering. I think the Cardinals have close to a bottom 5 offense without Murray.

In comment 15824824 Essex said:

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In comment 15824817 UConn4523 said: Quote: they could have slowed the game down with the run game but gave up on that completely when they weren't even down that big. Just don't think Zimmer has it. He is not there coach anymore, but their Rookie coach looked shellshocked (O'Connell)

Fuck, you are right, forgot about that. I guess that would explain why they looked completely out of their league.

That's a significant part of this as much as anything else.

have chances. They had two red zone turnovers and a drop on a ball where it was a walk in touchdown. They also gifted the Eagles points when they called timeout on third down. The Vikings were nothing short of positively awful last night--that has to be taken into the equation.

In comment 15824826 UConn4523 said:

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between the Cardinals and Eagles is staggering. I think the Cardinals have close to a bottom 5 offense without Murray.

Yea, the Eagles offense is loaded, they probably could have been fine not even trading for Brown

both offense and defense, are really good. They gave Hurts days of time, they opened holes for the running attack, and the Vikings couldn't do anything at all on the ground.

In comment 15824752 Mike in NY said:

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In comment 15824742 Essex said: It was not just that they were playing zone all game (while some DB's seemed to think they were playing man which is a whole other story), it is that they were not getting anything resembling a pass rush. You can't give any NFL QB all day to throw. Eventually someone will get open.

I thought about this, too. I wonder if the gameplan was to drop back in zone, keep Hurts in the pocket, and force him to beat them with his arm.

It's not a bad idea, actually. The Bucs did that to him in the Wildcard game last year.

But you can't stay in Vanilla essentially the entire game. Some mixed coverages are still necessary. And Hurts was still able to get on his horse with 11 carries and 50+ yards. So, that was a miss, too.

I need to see more from Hurts to be convinced he's the solution. You give any QB in the NFL that much time - and same Vanilla approach - and damage will be done.

...I mean, they did hit Hurts quite a bit.

But Aikman made it quite clear, they were playing a bubble and just allowing WRs to sit in the open areas. A ton of pitch and catch. Very basic. The pass rush can only get there so fast esp against a good OL.

Now, Hurts did make some nice throws too. Again, consistency with him is the key.

But the biggest failure was the Vikings coaching staff as a whole - for as much credit as they got on opening day, that gave it all back on Monday night.

In comment 15824715 ajr2456 said:

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Don’t get it together on offense this year, the Eagles might end up being the best team in the conference let alone division. Incredibly annoying they were able to win a Super Bowl, rebuild it again into a contender while we’re on our fourth year 1 of a rebuild

Don't worry, the Eagles won't have enough offense to get past the Niners in the playoffs.

Wow! Eagles! Best team in the conference??

This is quite a jump from last year. Beat the Lions and the Vikings (lead by Kirk Cousins who is 0-59 on Primetime) and you're now the toast of the town.

Now the 49ers are going to save the day?