It all Started at Lambeau
Joe Johnson
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IT ALL STARTED AT LAMBEAU
It was another epic episode in the border battle series for the Minnesota Vikings on a Sunday afternoon at historic Lambeau Field.
Making a stand
On the verge of a “tanking for Trevor” season Mike Zimmer had all the odds stacked against him, both literally and figuratively. Facing the “mighty” Packers with their omnipresent QB at the legendary scene, Zimmer went back to his old school of football and handed the football to Dalvin Cook. Whether it was due to the winds of change gusting in Wisconsin or just simple common sense game planning, Zimmer banked his future with the franchise on the real super star of this team. It paid off.
Winds of change
This might be the biggest change on the team. With so many young players floundering early in the season and in need of veteran player leadership, two names finally raised their hands to claim that void. On offense the aforementioned Cook and on defense Eric Kendricks carried their teammates to an improbable victory than can be a huge confidence boost and change a season. With 7 defensive rookies on the field at one time Mike Zimmer might have coached the best game of his career.
Lion Tamers
With the eternal inconsistent Detroit Lions visiting US Bank stadium Zimmer didn’t waste any time utilizing Cook and the zone blocking scheme to punish the Motown cats over and over again. Gary Kubiak masterminding one of the top offenses in the NFL by relegating Kirk Cousins to an elite game manager role with Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and Irv Smith Jr as weapons at his disposal, the Vikings seemed like they couldn’t be stopped. Former Vikings Jayron Kearse, Everson Griffen and Adrian Peterson had to finally concede Minnesota is the far better team by being good sports while meeting up with former teammates at the end of the game.
A defense that flourishes
Now with players all on board and engaged in the teachings of the defensive guru, names like Jeff Galdney, DJ Wonnum, Harrison Hand and Kris Boyd are presenting a far better challenge for opposing teams. But undoubtedly the leadership of Kendricks and now Harrison Smith who has followed suit as an on the field player/coach, the Vikings are building confidence. All you have to do is look at Eric Wilson who has emerged as a big play maker with turnovers and sacks. In addition Kendricks was a distant 5th in tackles vs Detroit. A sign others are engaging and contributing.
Mack, Hicks and MNF await
The real test is coming in Chicago. The Bears with a much more competitive front 7 will surely try to nullify Cook as they have in the past, forcing Kirk Cousins to win the game. Something he has never done on Monday night. The Vikings last victory in Illinois came in 2017 at the heels of a Kai Forbath FG preceded by and Mitch Trubisky interception by Harrison Smith. Jerick McKinnon and Latavius Murray provided the ground game while Case Keenum provided the leadership. But this time the key player on offense might not be Cook, or Cousins, or Jefferson. It might be former Boise State Bronco Ezra Cleveland.
In 2017 the Vikings offensive line provided good enough zone blocking to win the game. In 2018/2019 the interior OL play was a disaster. If the Vikings can mimic some of the 2017 interior play they could stay on the winning track however in 2017 Case Keenum also provided mobility. Something Kirk Cousins is very uncomfortable with. He will have to shake it off if he wants to win his first Monday night football game.