Minnesota Vikings News and Links: December 3, 2018

Good morning, everyone

Alright, well, that game sucked. Well, on the offensive side of the ball, anyway. Hats off to the defense for keeping the team in it that long, and it was on the road against a very good offense. This team can beat any team in the NFL. This team can also lose to any team in the NFL when the offense runs like it did yesterday.

I have kept this mostly to myself up to this point, mostly because it’s year one and I want to give some time before saying too much. I am extremely dissatisfied with the way that John DeFillipo is running the Vikings offense. I am not saying he’s a bad offensive coordinator, but what I am saying is that he has been a poor offensive coordinator up to this point, and he will have to improve if this team wishes to do anything in the playoffs, or even get to the playoffs.

It’s his first year, so you expect some growing pains, but this year haven’t been great, and yesterday was ugly. Sometimes, it seems like he’s maybe trying too hard, and making things more complex than they are. When you have talented players, you just find a way to get them the ball so they can do good player things. There hasn’t been much balance, either. The run game.......use it. It’s okay to run the ball, and when you have Cook and Murray in the backfield, it’s even a good idea. He seems to think you can only use a running play once every 10 plays, but that’s not the case, I checked the rule book, and there’s no limit on how many of your offensive plays are running plays. You could run the ball every play if you wanted to. If you want proof of that, look at the Vikings offense from 2010 to 2014.

I am not saying that hiring the man was a mistake, far from it. He’s in his first year, and he could certainly learn and grow in this position. I’m just saying that he’s struggled so far, and he’s been given a very good group of athletes with which to generate some offense, so there isn’t the “cupboard is bare” excuse. It’s time to do some growing and learning. I hope he figures it out quickly, because this team is talented enough to beat any team in the NFL.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

Chris has your post-game wrap-up.

Anthony Harris adopted a kitty, from Chris.

Vikings news from other sources and news from around the rest of the league:

Here’s a link to the Vikings.com media vault, search away if you’re in the mood to relive yesterday’s mess. I’m not.

From the New York Post, there is apparently another video with footage of Kareem Hunt, and it won’t be helpful for him finding a team.

The Packers have fired head coach Mike McCarthy after the team’s loss to the Cardinals yesterday, per ESPN.

Catch up on all the week 13 scores and highlights, courtesy of the Sporting News.

We come to today’s media selection:

Here’s my summation of the Vikings’ offensive performance yesterday.

Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:

• No discussion of politics or religion
• No feeding of the trolls
• This isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the door
• Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
• Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags
• No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
• If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away
• While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, and try the neutered offense