Nobody can survive solely with great defense. Not in this offense-oriented, pass-happy era.
That’s why a second straight double-digit defeat has many wondering if the Minnesota Vikings sold us fool’s gold to start the 20 23 season.
Was Minnesota’s 5-0 start a mirage? Following their Week 6 bye, the Vikings have been outscored 41-20 in consecutive road losses to teams that have a combined record of just 4-9 against their other opponents.
In a 21- 24 Week 7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL’s least balanced offense couldn’t run or throw consistently, couldn’t protect quarterback Sam Bradford and didn’t score a touchdown until it was garbage time.In a 20-24 Week 8 loss to the previously 1-6 Chicago Bears, it again couldn’t run or throw consistently, it again couldn’t protect Bradford and it again didn’t score a touchdown until it was garbage time
It was one thing when a running game lacking Adrian Peterson was ineffective during those first five weeks of the season. Bradford and Week 1 starting quarterback Shaun Hill were sacked only eight times and committed zero turnovers during that remarkable stretch. Steady quarterback play combined with superb defense will win you a lot of games. Sometimes all of them.
But it’s been another thing the last two weeks, with Bradford taking 11 sacks and turning the ball over three times. After completing 70.4 percent of his passes and posting a 109.7 passer rating during that hot early stretch, the 28-year-old former No. 1 overall pick has fallen back to earth with a completion percentage of 60.3 and a 79.6 passer rating against the Eagles and Bears.
I don’t know why we’re surprised. This is kind of what you’d expect from a team missing its superstar running back and both its regular starting offensive tackles. And this is exactly what you’d expect from a team relying on a quarterback who has lacked consistency for the entirety of his seven-year NFL career.
