Vikes 4-0, Full Steam Ahead.

 Fans pissing and moaning about a 4-0 team just prove to me that they can't see the forest for the trees. The offense has run into some unexpected injury headwinds, but the D and Special Teams have picked up the slack and kept the plane on course. I figured it might take a few games for Kyler to acclimate to KOC and for KOC to Murray. Having Kyler get injured for a couple of games was a blow. Having Jets get injured was a blow. Having Mason and now Donovan getting injured is a blow for the run game. What we have gotten is good enough. The Offense with Kyler needs more time on task. The returns from the Miami game are quite positive from my perspective. He was starting to see it and fling it. Penalties were what kept Kyler from getting into a rhythm and getting first downs in the first half. By the end of the game, Kyler was settled in, and the Offense was dominating. All the people crying about lack of TDs need to take a pill and relax. TJ could have gotten in if he needed to, and it is a safe assumption there will be several next week. I'm quite sure the Offense is aware they need to put up 6's instead of 3's. The D hasn't put up any 6s this season either, and I am sure they are hungry to get into the endzone themselves. I think the team is fixing to erupt in New Orleans.

SKOL!

The 2026 Packer Massacre In Minneapolis

 

The 2026 season started on some rough notes. Kyler got picked quickly and was soon knocked out of the game with a concussion. The Packers came ready to play, while the Vikes came out a bit sluggish. The Packers made some big plays and got lucky when Isaiah Rodgers dropped a poorly thrown deep ball. Because of the drop, Love was able to gash my squad again, and they scored their second TD before halftime to go up 19 to 10. I thought that, with the Vikings down by 9, the Packers getting the ball coming out of halftime, and Wentz at QB, it was unlikely the Vikings had the offensive firepower to catch up.  But then the D stepped up, getting stops and turnovers. The Vikings' offense took advantage of opportunities, and it turned into a rout. The 2026 Packer Massacre in Minneapolis.

Packer fans who failed to acknowledge their team's known shortcomings were stunned. Today has been delicious as I have listened to their laments.  They should be concerned. Starting 0-2 is a realistic possibility for them. Everybody else in the Division won yesterday, and weaknesses in their unit were exposed.

But enough about the Packers. The Vikings D is legit. It looks like Dallas Turner will become the player that B Flo groomed him to be. Can't wait for the Turner/B Flo v Caleb Williams matchup in Week 2.

Will 1, And It Work?

 

Football season is here, and I am guardedly optimistic about the Vikings' chances of having a really good year. The two big keys to that happening are Kyler being healthy and the Vikings' run game transformation being a thing.

Kyler's Health:
Kyler has tended to get beat up and injured throughout his career. For the past couple of years, the Vikings' O-line has been injured and beat up. The Vikings' O-line and Kyler are coming into the season healthy. My hope is that experience has taught the guys enough to avoid most situations where injury is a likely outcome. If the O-Line struggles with injuries again this year, it is likely that sooner or later Kyler will as well. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood!

Pound, Pound, and Slash/Pound, Pound, and Cut, Ya:

I am hoping that the hiring of Frank Smith marks a shift in KOC's pass-first and always philosophy. Frank Smith is a running game guru. Our O-Line is healthy. Jordan Mason is a very good running back. I think KOC is ready for a change in the results he has been getting. To me, the inputs add up to my thinking that the Vikings will try to be a bully-ball team that uses the run to control the clock and set up the pass.  I could be out to lunch on this hunch. We'll see.

Thoughts on the start of the season:

You never know what you are going to get to start the season. Everybody has rust to shake off and chemistry to develop. KOC has generally been a winner in the season opener and in the month of September. Starting off with two games in the division gives them a chance to get a leg up or dig a pretty big hole. Game One versus the Packers at home is huge for both teams. I think the Vikings will beat the Packers, but I'm nervous. Love is streaky, and when he gets hot, he's amazing.  It's the first game; you just never know what you are going to get.

  
SKOL!

Kyler Murray to the Vikes

 

After the Vikings' season ended, my Football Guru Matthew Coller of Purple Insider looked into solutions for the team's QB problem, and his number one solution was Kyler Murray. Coller banged that drum, making the case for Kyler, and I was converted to Team Kyler after originally being against it. If the O-Line can be healthy, Kyler could shine with the weapons on Offense.  

My advice for JJ McCarthy is to grow up and learn. You may get another bite at the apple, and if it looks like it did in 2025, this Vikings fan will be done with you.

KOC, work your magic!