Game Day Thread Official Post Game Thread- Vikings beat the Pats

[Rob0729]

Not saying Mac's proved anything other than that he had the best game of his young pro career. Which they lost. And he needs to continue to progress. But last night was significant IMO because he progressed vs last year -- downfield accuracy and velocity -- vs his overall regression this year.

You can see a huge difference in his mechanics and passes last night. If this is what he can do on a consistent basis, he really could be a top 10 QB. But he needs to show this going forward. But he clearly looked last night like a far better passer than he did last year.

 

[Rob0729]

The "zappy hour" crew really is insufferable. So much to talk about in this thread about why we lost and it's "Mac sucks" on a night he had 382 and 2TDs.

You guys really look for anything to disparage him? I don't get the zappe cult. We can talk about the defense, the special teams....Mac wasn't the problem.

Still pining over a 4 game streak. 2 of which were losses and one which the QB threw for 188 yards.

Mac was great last night. Just like the poor play of the offense let down the defense in a game like against the Dolphins in the opener, the defense and special teams let down a great performance by the offense and Jones last night.

If Zappe had a game like Jones had last night, the Zappe crowd would be talking Brady 2.0. Hell, they were talking Brady 2.0 after the Browns game.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Horrid officiating and ST play aside, Jefferson was the difference in the game. He doesn’t stop on his route; put him on the Pats and he probably catches Mac’s pass to Agholor. I was amazed that the D didn’t succeed in taking him out of the offense.

Man is he impressive.

Seemed 4-5 of his catches last night were in tight coverage and he still came up with the ball.

Hes the best WR in the league. Period

 

[Rob0729]

He's like the best WR in the league. No one can stop the guy right now.

He really is a freak of nature in a good way.

 

[Kasmir]

Mac was great last night. Just like the poor play of the offense let down the defense in a game like against the Dolphins in the opener, the defense and special teams let down a great performance by the offense and Jones last night.

If Zappe had a game like Jones had last night, the Zappe crowd would be talking Brady 2.0. Hell, they were talking Brady 2.0 after the Browns game.

Agreed. It's certainly Loser Think to find solace in QB play in a loss, but I was so shocked and worried by Mac's regression this year that it's a genuine relief to see that he might getting back on the progressive track we all hoped for.

 

[Santi]

Taking the FG on 4th n 1 - such a thing of the past most top teams would go for that now. Mahomes n Allen would get it.

Hunter Henry not going OOB before the half, Mac taking a sack instead of throwing it away on the same drive. Cost us two timeouts and resulted in only FG.

Stupid little mistakes that are not normal of a pats team, cost us that game.Defence sucked but they’ve earned enough credit recently, even the huge jones int only resulted in a FG.

On to the bills but almost rather tank for draft picks now, playoffs gonna be hard to make and even then doubt we’d go far.

 

[borg]

Far too many mental errors by NE....some might say it was Jete-like

Two-minute drill butchery by Henry and Mac
Mac staring down targets like a complete neophyte
Face mask penalties
Running into the punter
Kickoff coverage breakdown including our kicker just stepping aside as the returner entered his space
etc
etc
etc
The cumulation of mental errors propelled the Vikings to victory

A far cry from the good ole Patriot Way.....an era with aware/disciplined players and detail-oriented coaches

At least NE was able to take away Minny's biggest weapon.... limiting him to only 9 catches

 

[stcjones]

- Get rid of Strong
- Where the hell was Judon?
- Appreciate all he’s done, but it’s time for DMc to hang them up

Have to agree on McCourty….he still occasionally shows flashes of brilliance but overall has been a liability a fair amount this year…He has had a great career obviously but seems like he stayed 1-2 years too long

 

[State]

Duggar had a disappointing game. Remember when he slipped and the Vikings TE did that flag football play to score? Belichick was then filmed saying a bad word.

Most here assumed Cousins would wilt in the limelight. It was, rather, Kyle Duggar, who has otherwise had such a good year.

 

[sb1]

Secondary needs to be better than that a week from now that’s for sure.

 

[PaulThePat]

Secondary needs to be better than that a week from now that’s for sure.

Jefferson is better then Diggs but Stefon is in a neighbouring zip code i.e. need to be better at taking away the main threat than we were last night. That said it's looking almost impossible to cover Jefferson at the moment.

 

[NE_Zealot]

We’re kinda past the tanking window (Belichick isn’t a tanker). Already have too many wins and I would guess we have 2 more wins vs AZ and LV. Every other game left (BUF twice, MIA, CIN) are all very difficult and could all be Ls (I think we can beat Cinci). So that puts NE at 8-9/9-8 and firmly a bubble team at best and picking in the bottom half of the first round. We’ll miss out on the elite WRs (not like Bill can spot them anyway). Being mediocre is the worst hell in sports.

 

[State]

He's [Justin Jefferson] the best WR in the league. No one can stop the guy right now.

Yeah, I agree. Jonathan Jones was making every effort to stop him. JJ is also a top tier CB.

And we all saw how that worked.

 

[State]

Jonuu Smith, where art thou?

 

[archstanton543]

Jonuu Smith, where art thou?

Getting run into by his own players during plays.

 

[Triumph]

Too many mistakes.

Jones not getting the rid of the ball quickly.
Running into the kicker.
Hunter Henry TD called back.
Trent Brown absolutely stinks.
Harris Injured.

Positives is that Stevenson is a beast and he is having a great season.

I am told that Stevenson is mediocre and Mac is a Stud.

Just watch the way the Bills play Mac. You will see the real thing.

 

[State]

Let’s give credit to the Vikings offense. They are good and adaptive. They took full advantage of our defense. Its weaknesses, such as pass coverage by our bigger, run-stopping linebackers.

And the punter may have a career in acting. He’s Dustin Hoffmann. He put on a clinic on how to sell the slight contact into a major penalty.

Kyle Duggar should be taking notes. He was blatantly held on the kickoff return for a TD and acted as if all was well.

I am disappointed in him and in the Invisible Man, Jonuu Smith.

 

[Triumph]

You can't just make up rules as you go along. The ball moved when he hit the ground. As much as it sucks for us that isn't a catch.

No catch.

The ball can hit the ground but you must maintain possession. Possession means the ball does not move.

 

[Real fan 02]

Tough game. I am not one to ever blame the refs, but they were really bad today. I'm still not sure how the Hunter Henry TD was reversed. That was a catch!!!

Mac looked good, our offense overall looked better. Defense struggled against the offense.I thought Judon was very quiet tonight.

Our special teams(Stong, punter) had rough games.

Justin Jefferson is a stud.

We are onto Buffalo.

Let's discuss!!!

Pass rush wasn't active today, the front looked a bit slow, typical of Thursday night games. As u stated JJ is a baller! MAC looked excellent in the pocket, pin point accuracy, signs of a real offense. Defense made plays early on where we could've really put pressure on Minnesota, however it's an NFC loss , still feel like Buffalo is the best offense in the league, Allen will rush for 89 yards is my prediction next week.

I don't think we'll make the playoffs, we really have no answer for diggs, chase or Higgins, I really thought having alot of safeties would benefit us, hard to to get down on the defense they have been great all season! - but if offense can continue to play like this we are in good position going forward.

 

[TomPatriot]

Man is he impressive.

Seemed 4-5 of his catches last night were in tight coverage and he still came up with the ball.

Hes the best WR in the league. Period

In the 2020 draft, Jefferson was taken by Minnesota with the 20th pick in the first round. The Patriots traded out of the 21st pick, netting Dugger and Uche.