Awesome win against our biggest rival. I was really shocked Irv Smith, Jr., didn’t have an impact on the game. I assume the other TEs were in there more for protection assignments and it just comes down to game plan. Can you offer any other perspective? Is he possibly not healthy or just not ready?
— Douglas Allen in Brookfield, Wisconsin
I guess they didn’t plan to throw to Cook out of the backfield. I hope they start using him a lot more that way. Also almost nothing to Irv Smith. Maybe Irv isn’t getting open and maybe he’s not all that?
Our offense looks night and day from the past several years! Our pass protection seems a little better. Would you agree we need to work on our run offense?
Dalvin Cook/running backs need to have better-designed plays called! Swing passes, screens, something to get him into open space. He was running into three or four players!
Our secondary has improved! Our defensive line, especially run defense needs work!
— Tim McIntire in Marquette Michigan — lifelong Viking fan!
I was impressed by Irv’s return in time for Week 1 after sustaining a thumb injury. O’Connell predicted the tight end would be back, and he was for his first regular-season game since Jan. 3, 2021.
That’s a long time away from a full-fledged game plan to ramp up to where Irv was before tearing his meniscus in the 2021 preseason finale. I think his acceleration will continue, and the Vikings will be happy to utilize him more later this season.
O’Connell mentioned the Vikings thought there was a bit of an advantage the team could gain by playing in 21 personnel (two backs and a tight end) instead of 12 (one back and two tight ends).
There’s visual impacts seen in real time, as well as statistical impacts over the course of a play or game, but there’s also some less visible impacts. Irv’s commitment to return and be available is an example of the latter.
It’s quite possible that Minnesota will choose different ways to attack, depending on the opponent each week.
Green Bay hit some nice runs and finished with 6.2 yards per carry, but still only had seven points to show for it.
I found last year the biggest thing that hurt the team was the amount of points the defense gave up after the 2-minute warning of the first half. It’s only one game with plenty of season to go, but stopping an Aaron Rodgers-led offense from even getting to mid-field during that time is a good start.
— Daniel Jones in Albert Lea, Minnesota
What do you think about the team’s strengths and…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at News…