On Monday night you are suppose to play the best football that you can because the whole country is watching you. For the Vikings, it was anything but their best effort as they fell 21 to 7 to the Seattle Seahawks in the Emerald City.
The first quarter sounded like a pee wee football game instead of an NFL one listening to Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen describe the play by play. As the two teams defenses dominated play for the most of three quarters with Seattle only holding a 6-0 lead headed into the fourth quarter. Minnesota drove to the Seahawks one yard line with just over nine minutes left, but were unable to score a touchdown as a pass from Kirk Cousins to Kyle Rudolph was incomplete. Minnesota again had a chance to score on their next series, but a 47 yard field goal attempt by kicker Dan Bailey was blocked by Bobby Wagner. Officials threw a flag on the play for Wagner gaining an advantage by elevating himself by placing his two hands on teammates which replay confirmed which would of resulted in a 15 yard penalty against Seattle, but for some reason the flag was picked up. Two plays later, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson took off on a 40 yard run for a first down which eventually led to a Seahawk touchdown with 2:53 left in the game. On the Vikings next series, Kirk Cousins was stripped of the ball which Seattle ran back for a touchdown which put the game out of reach with the Vikings now trailing 21-0 with 2:35 remaining.
Minnesota did manage to score a touchdown on a six yard pass to Dalvin Cook with just 1:10 left in the game.
In my opinion, Minnesota looked like the Gophers football team instead of a professional team again with questionable inexcusable play calling by first year Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo. How can you not target a pass to a pro bowl wide receiver like Adam Thielen in the first half? Also, the offensive line play still continues to be suspect, as they are unable to pick up crucial short yardage running plays.
There are only three more games left to be played this season and the Vikings at this time hold the second wild card spot to make the playoffs, but there must be immediate sign of life in their offensive play as you can’t expect the defense to continue to carry the load for this team. Cousins and DeFilippo must get on the same page quickly or Cousins $28 million dollar a year contract will have gone to waste.
